MUP Degree Requirements

A candidate will be recommended for the MUP degree upon satisfactory completion of 80 units, normally completed as 20 units of required and elective courses each term. Lecture and seminar courses are usually four units, studios are usually eight units. Over the two years, students must take 28 units of core studio and required lecture courses, 12 units satisfying three Methods Requirements (Analytic Methods, Economic Methods, and Legal and Institutional Methods), 12 units satisfying one of the Areas of Concentration, and 8 units of Project-Based Learning (a studio, an independent thesis, or two 4-unit pre-approved Applied Planning Practice courses). Students complete the remainder of the program with elective courses and, if they choose, additional option studio or Applied Planning Practice courses.

Current students should refer to the current MUP Curriculum Details based on their date of matriculation. At the beginning of each year, students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they discuss curricular schedules and other academic matters. Concurrent and joint degree students must consult the rules governing such programs for additional information on curricular requirements.

First Term

  • 0 units | STU 1121 Pre-Term Workshop (August; 2 weeks)
  • 8 units | STU 1121 First Term Core Urban Planning Studio
  • 2 units | VIS 2127 Representation for Planners
  • 2 units | VIS 2128 Spatial Analysis
  • 4 units | Analytic Methods Requirement*
  • 4 units | Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Second Term

  • 8 units | STU 1122 Second Term Core Urban Planning Studio
  • 4 units | HIS 4152 Urban Planning Theory and Praxis: Comparative-Historical Origins and Applications
  • 4 units | SES 5103 Public and Private Development
  • 4 units | Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Third Term

  • 20 units | Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Fourth Term

  • 20 units | Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Footnotes

* Methods Requirements: Students must take 4 units in each of the three methods requirements: Analytic, Economic, Legal and Institutional Methods. Students must fulfill the Analytic Methods requirement in the first year and must obtain advance approval to not satisfy it in the first semester. Students who demonstrate sufficient experience may be able to waive some methods requirements or pass an exemption exam.

** Area of Concentration Requirement: Students must take at least 12 units of preapproved courses in one area of concentration. Core studios, required courses, methods requirements courses, independent thesis, and option studios may not be used to satisfy the Area of Concentration requirement. Only students declaring the Urban Design Area of Concentration may apply a UPD option studio to their concentration requirement.

*** Project-Based Learning Requirement:Students must take a minimum of 8 units of Project-Based Learning, which may be met in one of three ways: an 8 units option studio, an 8 units independent thesis, or a total of 8 units of pre-approved Applied Planning Practice courses that have a substantial amount of the assignment load (40% or more) comprised of an applied, real-world, project for an external client. Students who receive a grade of P (Pass) or higher in both required core studios may meet their Practice-Based Learning requirement by declaring the thesis track in their second year. Candidates pursuing the UPD thesis track must enroll in ADV 9204 Preparation for Independent Thesis Proposal in the fall semester of their final year. Students who receive a grade of LP (Low Pass) in ADV 9204 are not eligible to continue on the UPD thesis track in ADV 9302 Independent Thesis in spring semester of their final year.

**** No more than fifty percent of units may be taken outside the GSD in each term.

Residence: Four terms of full-time study in residence are normally required for award of the degree. Under special circumstances, students may receive permission to reduce their course loads and extend their studies over a longer period. Concurrent and joint degree candidates must consult the rules governing concurrent and joint degrees for information on residency requirements.