All content © 2013 - 2018 Arizona Board of Regents.
The Master of Science (MS) in Planning Program is located within the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA), a national leader in sustainable design, planning, and management. As a professional college, CAPLA’s core mission and strength is training architects, landscape architects, and urban planners to work effectively within a challenging array of social, economic, and environmental conditions.
The MS Planning program's mission is to provide diverse and interdisciplinary learning experiences aimed at preparing future leaders in urban and regional planning who can cultivate the development of sustainable cities and regions around the world. Through place-based learning and hands-on engagement, the program emphasizes environmental and physical planning, geospatial technologies, applied planning methods, interdisciplinary experiences, professional ethics, and social justice/equity.
Additional TOEFL requirement: 26 minimum on Speaking section.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited undergraduate degree program.
3 Letter of Recommendation.
Personal essay/statement of purpose for graduate study, including potential research interests.
Portfolio of creative work including academic projects, design and professional work, and other forms of creative expression. Examples of graphic expression are especially relevant.
Biographical profile/resume including a complete record of academic and professional work
Applicants will be notified of their application status no later than April 1 and if admitted, will be asked to confirm their attendance by April 15.
Preferred selection begins in February, but we will continue accepting qualified applicants through April.
Official transcripts may be mailed to
CAPLA Graduate Programs Office
University of Arizona
1040 N. Olive
Tucson, AZ 85721
Required test(s): N/A
Required GRE Subject tests: N/A
Recommended tests: N/A
Recommended GRE Subject tests: N/A
Minimum GRE Verbal: N/A
Minimum GRE Quantitative: N/A
Minumum GRE Written: N/A
Minimum GMAT: N/A
Minimum MAT: N/A
Minimum TOEFL: 79
Minimum IELTS: 7
The program continues to accept applications for 2018-2019 with competitive financial aid packages.
Limited number of tuition/registration scholarships are available based on applicant's GPA and overall application based on applicant's work as evidenced in the portfolio and professional and academic records.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants
Currently accepting applications
4832
Graduate students pursuing the Master of Science in Planning are required to follow the recommended sequence of courses for students entering 2018-2019; 43 core courses and 9 concentration courses totaling 52 units of approved course work in order to obtain the degree.
Core coursework: See different program curricula on School of Landscape Architecture and Planning website:
MS Planning Website or
MS Planning Curriculum: 2018-2019 capla.arizona.edu/master-planning-curriculum
Language requirements: None
Other requirements: Satisfactory Academic Progress
Criteria College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Arizona
I. Degree Requirements: In accordance with University policy, the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture requires a 3.0 as the minimum grade point average for Satisfactory Academic Progress toward the Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Science in Planning and Graduate Certificate in Heritage Conservation programs. Satisfactory Academic Progress also includes timely and successful completion of all degree and certificate requirements.
A grade of incomplete, I, will be assigned only when circumstances beyond a student's control have made timely completion impossible. Faculty will inform the Program Chair when they assign an Incomplete and when the final grade has been submitted. Students may have no more than one Incomplete at any one time. Unfinished work should be completed and submitted to the Instructor of Record by the third week of the subsequent semester otherwise the student is subject to probation.
II. Advising: Students are encouraged to meet with the Graduate Advisor at least once a semester and before registering for the proceeding semester's courses. Students on probation must meet in person with their program's Graduate Advisor or their Major Advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator before the end of the second week of every probationary semester.
III. The Masters Plan of Study. The MPOS must be submitted to the Graduate College no later than the second semester of graduate study. Master's Committee Appointment form should be determined by the end of the second semester for P.L.G. students and before the onset of the final academic year for M.Arch, PLG and M.L.A. students.
Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress guidelines will result in disqualification from the academic program. Students who encounter circumstances beyond their control that retard progress may petition to the Director, through the Graduate Program Coordinator, for an exception to the College Satisfactory Progress Policy.
Not applicable