Urban and Regional Planning and Public Policy (MUP/MPP)

The College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) and the Ford School offer a dual degree program, leading to the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees. The program is arranged so that all requirements for both degrees can be completed in three years.

Program Overview

A small number of qualified candidates pursue concurrent work in urban and regional planning and public policy. Designed to meet the needs of students interested in state and local policy issues, this program focuses on areas such as economic development, housing, and transportation. Students explore questions of policy implementation and community-based approaches to social change. Graduates of the program combine strong analytical skills with a foundation in community development practice.

Course of Study

Students admitted to the combined program are required to complete the first year courses in one school during the first year and to complete the first year courses at the other school in the second year. Students may begin at either school. During the third year of the program, students are permitted to elect courses in either school and are generally not restricted in their choices beyond fulfilling the required course work.

Degree Requirements

The MUP/MPP degree is an 80 credit program that can be completed within three years. The MPP and the MUP each require 48 credits; 16 credits may be double-counted. Students must meet the specific requirements of both degrees:

Urban Planning (CAUP):

• 48 approved credit hours
• A minimum of 30 hours must be in graduate-level urban planning courses
• No more than 8 hours may be counted from among individual study-type courses
• Each student must complete a minimum of 4 hours of courses outside the program

Public Policy (Ford School):

• 23 credit hours required for first-year courses
• 10 credit hours of required electives in FSPP
• Summer internship
• Participation in the Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE)
• 15 credit hours of CAUP or FSPP electives
• Students must complete 80 CAUP/FSPP combined credit hours
• The statistics, other methods courses, and economics in public policy meet the requirements for statistics and economics in urban and regional planning and at least part of the requirement for quantitative methods for urban planning

Admission Requirements

Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Each school will apply its own deferred admission standards to students who elect to take the first year at the other school. Students enrolled in either program can apply to the other during the first year of study, but not later.

Contact Information

For more information or an application, please contact:

Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Graduate Office of Admissions
Phone: (734) 764-1298
Website: http://www.caup.umich.edu/

The Ford School of Public Policy
Office of Admissions
2236 Weill Hall
Phone: (734) 764-0453
Click here to e-mail us.
Website: http://www.fordschool.umich.edu