What is urban and regional planning?
Planning is the professional discipline that seeks to influence how neighborhoods, cities, and regions develop. Planners bring together knowledge and expertise from sociology, engineering, law, architecture, social work, biology, landscape architecture, urban design, and other disciplines to shape cities and regions. Planners use their skills to assist communities in responding to changing social, economic, environmental, and cultural conditions.
More about urban and regional planning
Learn more about the field
What will you learn?
The master of urban and regional planning degree requires 48 semester credits, distributed approximately as follows: core courses (26 credits); capstone workshop (3.0 credits); specialization electives (at least 9 credits); and 10 credits of electives (some of which may be specialization electives) or Plan A thesis credits. Students also complete a professional paper and a 400-hour professional internship.
More about the curriculum
Research and practice
The Humphrey Institute's policy research and outreach centers provide planning students with many opportunities to conduct research and work in the field. In addition, students in the planning program often collaborate with faculty on research, journal articles, and other projects.
Some recent faculty publications include:
More about the faculty
What we expect from you
We expect applicants for the MURP to have:
- A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or foreign equivalent
- Demonstrate basic competence in college-level algebra, (including facility with functional notations; algebraic manipulation of polynomials, logs, and exponentials; and graphic representation of equations)
- Basic competence in the use of computers
- Completion of an undergraduate a course in political science that analyzes political institutions (state and local, national, comparative, or international) and presents basic concepts in political analysis is strongly recommended
- Completion of the equivalent of an introductory course in microeconomics is strongly recommended
Applicants who have inadequate preparation in these prerequisites, but who are otherwise qualified for admission, may be considered for admission (at the discretion of the faculty admissions committee) but may be required to take the relevant courses before beginning the program or taking core courses.
If you have questions about your academic preparation for the MURP program, contact the admissions office at (612) 626-7229 or hhhadmit@umn.edu
A variety of financial aid options may help you finance your education. Click here to learn more.
Learn more about our program
To find out more about the urban and regional planning program at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, visit, call, or e-mail us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Student Organization
The Humphrey Institute Planning Student Organization (PSO) strives to provide avenues for educational and professional development through the sharing of resources and ideas, and in cooperation with the Minnesota American Planning Associaton.
Visit the Planning Student Organization website
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"I chose to pursue an urban and regional planning degree because I love big cities. At the Humphrey Institute, I am able to incorporate classes from other programs -- and even other departments -- into my degree program so I am getting a well-rounded education about metropolitan dynamics."
~ Anna Bonelli, '03
| The Humphrey Institutes graduate
degree in urban and regional planning is fully accredited by
the Planning Accreditation Board, a national accrediting body
sponsored by the American Planning Association, the American
Institute of Certified Planners, and the Association of Collegiate
Schools of Planning. |
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