Graduate programs

With over half of the world’s population now living in urban areas, the challenge of creating and maintaining urban places as high quality, healthy, vital places for people has never been more important. Our expectation is that recipients of the graduate degrees and certificates offered by the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning will be in the forefront of those efforts, contributing professional leadership and new knowledge in support of this first “urban century”.

Graduate assistantships

Admission requirements

Master of Real Estate Development (M.R.E.D.)

Master of Urban Studies (M.U.S.)

Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.)

Urban Studies Ph.D.

Urban Studies—Regional Science Ph.D.

Program Rules

Admission requirements

All qualified applicants receive consideration for admission without regard to sex, race, handicap, age, creed, marital status, or national origin.

In addition to the general University requirements, requirements for applications to the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning are outlined below and can be found at www.pdx.edu/usp/.

Master of Real Estate Development

An essay of intent, two recommendations, a resume, a standardized GRE or GMAT exam. MRED students are admitted for fall term only, with three application deadlines: November 1 (early admission), February 1 (scholarship eligibility), and April 1 (priority admission). Admission is handled jointly between the School of Urban Studies and Planning and the School of Business Administration. Applicants should consult: www.pdx.edu/business/grad-mred-apply.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

A personal essay and three recommendations, on the forms provided, are required from individuals familiar with the student’s academic or professional background. Graduate Record Examination scores are not required, but highly recommended. For the M.U.R.P. program, students are admitted for the fall term only. The deadline for fall term applications for the M.U.R.P. program is January 15.

Master of Urban Studies

A letter of intent and three recommendations, on the forms provided, are required from individuals familiar with the student’s academic or professional background. Graduate Record Examination scores are required. For the M.U.S. program, students are admitted fall, and winter terms. The deadline for fall term applications for the M.U.S. program is January 15.

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies

A personal essay and three recommendations, on the forms provided, are required from individuals familiar with the student’s academic or professional background. Graduate Record Examination scores are required. Ph.D. applicants are strongly urged to complete successfully an introductory statistics course before entering the program. Instructions for the doctoral applicant's personal essay can be found on the School website. For the doctoral program, students are admitted fall term only. The deadline for fall term applications for the Ph.D. program is January 15.