MUP Admission

The USC Price School welcomes applications for the Master of Urban Planning degree from students all over the country and around the world. Applicants for admission must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution. In recognition of the increasing diversity of capabilities required in the practice of planning and development, students from a variety of undergraduate and graduate backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

In general, successful applicants will have attained at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA).

Students may be admitted to the fall and spring semesters. However, students applying to the fall semester are encouraged to submit applications prior to December 15 in order to be considered for the best scholarships. Since the admission review process does not include an interview, submitted materials should present student qualifications clearly and completely.

Application Materials

The following items are required in order to complete the applications process:
(NOTE: For your convenience, please save and use the Application Checklist)

• a USC Graduate Application — For step-by-step admission guidelines, visit: gradadm.usc.edu/apply
• $90 application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.  USC now accepts official electronic transcripts from all countries, provided that the transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution. All applicants should have their university registrar send transcripts electronically to [email protected]. To expedite review of your application, you may upload **OFFICIAL** copies of your transcripts into your application but you must still have official transcripts sent electronically to [email protected]. If your university doesn’t send transcripts electronically, please have them sent to the address listed on the transcripts requirements page here.
• Price has discontinued the GRE/GMAT requirement for admissions review. Applications will be reviewed holistically.
• Current resume
• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. Please note: Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online application system. We will not accept letters of recommendation through postal mail.
• Statement of purpose of approximately 750-1,500 words addressing the following questions:
  • What are your expectations of the graduate planning program at USC?
  • How will the program prepare you intellectually and practically to succeed in your chosen professional activities?
  • What personal, professional and educational experiences have prepared you to succeed at USC?
  • Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the Price community.
• USC Price Scholarship Application Essays (If you wish to be considered for USC Price sponsored scholarships, complete Scholarship Application Essays through USC Graduate Application on-line)

International students must also submit the following documents:

• official TOEFL/IELTS scores – Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and date no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the submission of your application. (Institution code: 4852) International applicants are exempt from submitting English-proficiency scores under the following circumstances:
  • You hold a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from USC or are currently enrolled in a USC degree program.
  • You hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety in the United States or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in a qualifying Anglophone country (as defined below). To determine degree equivalency, please refer to our country requirements.The bachelor’s degree should be earned at a regionally accredited university located in the United States, or at an officially recognized university in another country where English is both the language of instruction and the only officially recognized language of the country. The entire program needs to have been completed in the qualifying country. Dual-degree holders who completed just part of their degree in the U.S. or other qualifying country, and students who have transferred credits from a non-Anglophone country, do not qualify for this waiver.
  • You have completed a master’s or doctoral degree from a country in which English is both the language of instruction and the only official language. The degree needs to have already been completed at the time you submit your USC application. Applicants who have not yet completed a qualifying master’s or doctoral program at the time they apply will still need to submit English-proficiency scores.
  • Your native language is English. This applies to native English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec), where English is both the only official language of the country and the language of instruction.
• official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in the applicant’s native language and an exact translation into English of each document
• Before you begin your application to USC Price, please carefully read all instructions provided by the USC Office of Admission’s website.
• To verify application requirements by country, please visit: http://gradadm.usc.edu/faqs/international-students-faqs/preparing-to-apply/