Master of Urban Planning
In this accredited program, you'll gain planning knowledge through technical, political, economic, and legal perspectives.
This program at Texas A&M will prepare you to identify community values and create ethical solutions for a sustainable future. In this program, you’ll gain an understanding of planning knowledge through technical, political, economic, and legal perspectives.
Our accredited program unites historically important skills with emerging areas of specialization. Our graduates cultivate their communities as planners, innovators, and lifelong learners.
MUP Handbook
About the Program
The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program has been training leaders in urban planning since 1965. After completing the program, our graduates can pursue professional opportunities in planning or a planning-related field. They may also pursue a doctoral degree.
Areas of Emphasis
- Transportation Policy and Planning
- Planning for Hazard and Climate Resilient Communities
- Housing, Community, and Economic Development
Meet Our Students
In fall 2025, the cohort maintained a balanced representation of male and female students. The group featured a diverse range of geographic and cultural backgrounds, including international students and various underrepresented populations. Approximately one-third of the students are from Texas, one-third from other regions of the United States and one-third from international locations.
Read additional student biographies from the program.
Juan Carlos Pina
Juan is an aspiring urban designer and planner based out of Dallas, TX. Juan began his planning journey during his architecture studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. He has held leadership roles in the Student Planning Association, Latinos in Architecture, and serves as Student Co-Chair for APA’s Sustainable Communities Division. In 2025, Juan was appointed as the Student Representative for the APA Texas Chapter. He has professional experience from internships at NCTCOG, Halff Associates, HNTB, and research at Texas A&M’s Center for Housing & Urban Development. Upon graduation, Juan looks to work as an urban designer and planner in Dallas, TX, and continue supporting local non-profits to combat housing and environmental inequalities.
Naznaz Hashim
Naznaz is a second-year graduate student in urban and regional planning at Texas A&M University. She earned her B.A. in Architecture from Salahaddin University and her master’s in Business Administration from the University of Kurdistan, Iraq, with over 18 years of experience in designing and managing architectural and urban projects. She was part of an engineering team that contributed to Iraq’s reconstruction, working alongside a U.S. military engineering team responsible for designing numerous projects to support the post-war reconstruction phase in Iraq.
Beyond her technical expertise, Naznaz has served as a community mentor, business trainer, urban planner, and architect. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of the Engineering Syndicate of the Kurdistan Regional Government, where she helps develop policies that support job opportunities in balanced economic cities.
Now based in the United States, she is pursuing her second master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Texas A&M University. She is interested in studying the integration of community and economic development, as well as how these two aspects interact to create well-lived communities. Additionally, she aims to incorporate her architectural and business background to promote economic growth in cities and communities through effective urban planning and community engagement.
Careers
Planners may work for a variety of organizations throughout their careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Planners in the public sector work for municipalities, counties, state agencies, regional governments, and federal offices, while planners in the private sector work on public works or design projects alongside engineers, landscape architects, and architects. Planners in the non-profit sector typically work for advocacy groups related to fair and affordable housing, environmental protection, or multi-modal transportation.
A list of government organizations that our students have gone on to work with include: McKinney Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Atlanta, the Planning and Development Department and the Texas Department of Transportation. Additional collaborators include the City of Galveston, the Office of the County Engineer, the City of New Braunfels, the City of Bryan, the City of College Station, the City of Raleigh and the City of Lago Vista. The group also features Florida Commerce, the Texas General Land Office, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command.
A list of academic organizations: Texas A&M Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and Texas A&M University.
Type of careers include:
- Project managers
- Resilience coordinators
- Economic analysts
A list of companies our students have gone on to work with features: Freese and Nichols, McAdams, Brazos Valley, Gray Engineering, CDM Smith and LJA Engineering. The group also features Texas Sparks Constructions, Lafayette, AECOM, Daikin, ATG and BCCM. Rounding out the collaborators are RS&H, Cañete Media, Langford Community Management Services and Syracuse.
Type of careers include:
- Public involvement specialists
- Transportation planners
- Environmental planners
Non-profits that our students have worked with include: Center for Houston’s Future, Habitat for Humanity, and Houston-Galveston Area Council.
Type of careers include:
- Grant writers
- Equity analysts
- Policy & planning advisors
Employment stats include:
- 84.21% employed in planning/planning-related positions within 12 months (Class of 2024)
- 15.78% pursuing further education
- Median entry salary: $66,000
- Degrees Awarded (2024–2025): 17
Curriculum
Students are equipped for professional practice through integrated coursework and hands-on application. The master’s degree is typically completed in two years, including a required summer internship. Students must pass a minimum of 48 credit hours, including core courses, courses in one emphasis area, an applied planning studio course that works with our Texas Target Communities program, master’s professional paper, thesis or comprehensive exam.
- Core Courses (30 credits)
- PLAN 664 – Planning Theory and History
- PLAN 610 – City Form and Function
- PLAN 604 – Planning Methods I (Demographic and Economic Analysis)
- PLAN 613 – Planning Methods II (Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure)
- PLAN 640 – Law and Legislation Related to Planning
- PLAN 665 – Plan Making
- PLAN 661 – Community Engagement
- PLAN 658 – Plan Implementation
- PLAN 662 – Applied Planning
- Internship (1 credit)
- Thesis, Professional Paper or Comprehensive Exam (2 credits)
- Spatial Analysis/Communications Electives (6 credits)
- PLAN 625 – Geographic Information Systems in Landscape & Urban Planning (take first if no GIS experience)
- PLAN 624 – Digital Communication in Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning (take second after PLAN 625)
- PLAN 667 – Site Planning (take if you already know GIS and digital tools)
- PLAN 626 – Advanced GIS in Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning (if PLAN 625 already taken, or you know GIS already)
- Areas of Emphasis (12 credits) Select one emphasis:
- Transportation Policy & Planning
- Resilient Communities
- Housing, Community, and Economic Development
As an alternative to an emphasis area, students may choose to complete a longer (15–18 credit) and more prescribed certificate in one of the following:
- Environmental Hazard Management Certificate
- Sustainable Urbanism Certificate
- Health Systems & Design Certificate
- Historic Preservation Certificate
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Certificates are multi-disciplinary and are managed through the College’s Research Centers.
Year 1
24 Credit Hours| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PLAN 664: Planning Theory and History | 3 |
| PLAN 610: City Form and Function | 3 |
| PLAN 604: Planning Methods I (Demographic and Economic Analysis) | 3 |
| Spatial Analysis/Communication Elective: PLAN 624: Digital Communication, PLAN 625: GIS, PLAN 667: Site Planning, or PLAN 626: Advanced GIS |
3 |
| Total Core Hours | 12 |
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PLAN 613: Methods II | 3 |
| PLAN 640: Planning Law | 3 |
| Spatial Analysis/Communication Elective: PLAN 624, PLAN 625, PLAN 667, or PLAN 626 |
3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 |
Summer Term
| Course Requirement | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Internship Note: International students must register in the summer term. Domestic students may complete the internship in the summer and register for credit during the fall semester. |
1 |
| Total Summer Hours | 1 |
Year 2
24 Credit Hours| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PLAN 661: Community Engagement | 3 |
| PLAN 665: Plan Making | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Capstone Track Options: PLAN 693: Professional Study (Professional Paper or Comprehensive Exam) OR PLAN 691: Research (Thesis option) |
1 |
| Total Semester Hours | 13 |
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PLAN 658: Plan Implementation | 3 |
| PLAN 662: Applied Planning I | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Culminating Experience Option: PLAN 693: Professional Study (Professional Paper or Comprehensive Exam) OR PLAN 691: Research (Thesis option) |
1 |
| Total Semester Hours | 10 |
How to Apply
All students admitted to the Master of Urban Planning program must hold a bachelor’s degree.
FAQ About the Admission Process
Applicants to the MUP can come from any background. Social sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, geography and architecture are among the most common backgrounds and are excellent preparation, but we have had highly successful applicants with degrees in math, international affairs, performance studies, and many others that aren’t as obviously connected to urban planning. We look for strong communication skills (both writing and verbal) and an interest in how people interact with a place.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission at this time.
Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee. Domestic students pay $65, and international students pay $148. Fees are nonrefundable. No fee waivers are available.
Your application should include the following:
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
An admissions committee reviews all applications and makes a recommendation for admission and for financial aid.
The program has a 78% acceptance rate, making it selective yet accessible.
Read more about the Master of Urban Planning application requirements
The department and school both offer both scholarships and assistantships to students. About 20% of students are offered financial assistance at the admission stage.
Students who don’t initially receive funding are encouraged to contact professors or research centers, and explore Jobs for Aggies.
Graduate assistant positions for teaching, research or laboratories (GAT, GAR or GAL) pay $1,826 per month for a 50% effort, which is approximately 20 hours per week. Graduate assistants non-teaching (GANT) earn $21 per hour, and student workers receive $1,800 per month. These positions include health insurance and often qualify for tuition waivers.
The program offers several specific scholarships. The Lechner Scholarship provides $3,000 to $5,000 annually for one student, and the Avilés Scholarship offers $2,000 to $4,000 per year for one recipient. Other opportunities include a $2,500 merit scholarship and two $2,500 top-off awards. Additionally, 10 scholarships of $1,000 each are available. Last year, the program nominated 15 students for these honors.
All applicants are departmentally considered for financial assistance without an additional application needed.
Applicants must earn a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, with a 23 in speaking for teaching assistant eligibility. The minimum required score for the IELTS is 6.0, and the minimum for the Duolingo English Test (DET) is 105.
Check out requirements related to English Proficiency for international students.
To be given first consideration for admission into the MUP program, please submit your application in the Texas A&M GradCAS portal by January 15. All applications received by January 15 will be reviewed for fall admission and be given full consideration for financial aid (including our recommendations for graduate assistantships and scholarships). The MUP program only admits students for entry in the fall.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed and considered for admission — however, considerations for financial aid may be limited.
Applications for fall admission are accepted until March 15.
If you are a current Texas A&M undergraduate senior (of any major), you may consider applying to our program via the Aggie Priority application within the Texas A&M GradCAS application portal.
We will begin our formal review of MUP applications after January 15. Decision letters are sent by Feb. 15. Financial aid letters are sent separately between Feb. 15 and April 1. A separate offer letter will follow if financial aid is being offered. April 15 is our deadline for applicants to return offer letters to LAUP to indicate their intention to study urban planning at Texas A&M University.
Thank you for your interest in our MUP program. We look forward to reviewing your application!
Texas residents pay $7,247.68 per semester for 12 credits, while nonresident and international students pay $18,647.68 per semester. The baseline two-year cost is approximately $75,000.
For more information about the Master of Urban Planning program, please contact Ivis Garcia, MUP Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to Thena Morris at [email protected].
Learn more applying to the program.
Rankings & Recognition
- No. 1 in Texas and No. 7 in the U.S.: Ranked as a top program for urban planning by College Factual.
- No. 2 Small Program in the U.S.: Recognized by Planetizen for excellence among programs with smaller student cohorts.
- No. 13 Best Value Degree: Ranked by U.S. News & World Report for providing high-quality education and professional outcomes relative to cost.
- No. 17 Overall in the U.S.: Consistently ranked among the top 20 graduate urban planning programs nationally by Planetizen.
Student Achievement
The Master of Urban Planning program at Texas A&M University tracks key performance metrics to ensure student success and professional readiness. Our graduates consistently demonstrate high levels of academic persistence and professional placement:
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100% Student Retention Rate: Every student in the fall 2024-2025 cohort remained enrolled in the program.
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93% Graduation Rate: Nearly all students in the class of 2021 completed their degrees within four years.
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90% AICP Exam Pass Rate: Members of the class of 2021 achieved a high success rate on the American Institute of Certified Planners exam within three years of graduation.
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Professional Placement: Of the class of 2024, 84.21% are employed in planning or planning-related positions, while 15.78% are pursuing further education.
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Degrees Awarded: The program awarded 17 degrees during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Median Entry Salary: Graduates report a median starting salary of $66,000.
A Strategic Vision
The Master of Urban Planning program educates and trains leaders in identifying community values, providing choices, and creating ethical solutions for a sustainable future.
A Tradition of Excellence
While our program has a long-standing reputation for providing municipal and regional (COG or MPO) planners in Texas, our students have also gone on to practice globally. Our graduates work with some of the top planning, engineering, and design firms in the country, such as Jacobs, AECOM, Stantec, Asakura Robinson, and others. They have also been employed at Uber, Google, and Amazon. Recent graduates can be found in the following positions:
Planner
MHS Planning & Design
Planner
City of San Antonio (TX)
Policy & Planning Advisor
Akron (OH) Metropolitan Housing Authority
Transportation Planner
AECOM
Regional Flood Planner
Texas Water Development Board
Construction Engineer
UNICEF
Economic Development Analyst II
City of Dallas (TX)
Contact
Thena Morris
Assistant Department Head
Ivis Garcia
Associate Professor- [email protected]
- 979-393-1293