Masters of Urban Planning

4+1 Admissions

The 4+1 program allows for accelerated completion of the MUP by students completing the BAUP degree in the Department. The 4+1 program is highly selective and does not have a general admissions process. Each year, a limited number of outstanding students in the BAUP program are identified by the BAUP Coordinator and invited to participate. Students interested in the 4+1 program are also encouraged to notify the BAUP Coordinator of their interest in 4+1. No other means of application is required at that time.

The BAUP Program Director reviews each candidate's undergraduate record, confers with the faculty (especially the Director of MUP Admissions, the MUP Program Director, and faculty who have had the student in courses), and extends offers of 4+1 participation to those who qualify. In general, the Department keeps the number of 4+1 participants limited, as 4+1 students generally do not have professional experience, one criterion for MUP admission.

A student invited to participate in the 4+1 program is not yet in the MUP program. However, that student may enroll in any of the MUP core courses in his or her senior year. Typically, a 4+1 student will take a senior workshop (6 hours), as required by the BAUP program, plus five of the six MUP core courses, for a total of 26 hours. The MUP core courses meet the BAUP requirements for UP electives and planning electives.

The 4+1 program is designed so that it obligates neither the student, nor the Department, to continuation in the MUP program. At the end of the senior year, the 4+1 student is qualified to graduate with the BAUP degree, having met all the requirements of that program. Should the student wish to continue on to the MUP program, he or she must follow the normal MUP admissions process and submit an application in their senior year. Though students are initially invited to participate in 4+1 based on the high liklihood that they would be admitted to the MUP program should they apply in their senior year, MUP admission is not guaranteed.

Once admitted to the MUP program, a 4+1 student must take 32 hours of graduate courses, 20 of which must be UP courses. They include the capstone requirement. Up to two core courses may be included among the 32 hours; if more core courses are needed, then correspondingly more than 32 hours will be required for the MUP degree. The 32 hours of graduate courses is a minimum requirement for the MUP degree; it cannot be reduced by UP 590 internship or course waivers.