Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
Master of Urban Planning
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program at UB is a comprehensive two-year professional degree that prepares students for careers in urban and regional planning. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and shaping the built environment in the context of complex challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and public health crises. The program encourages a "learn-by-doing" methodology, engaging students in real-world projects and communities. Graduates are prepared to contribute to the development of sustainable, equitable, and enriching places for all, working across diverse sectors including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private consulting firms.
PAB Accredited: The University at Buffalo's Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). This accreditation is a significant indicator of the program's quality, integrity, and adherence to professional standards set by the American Planning Association (APA), the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). PAB accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets industry-relevant benchmarks and provides graduates with a streamlined path to achieving AICP certification, a widely recognized professional credential in the urban planning field.
Curriculum: The MUP curriculum is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in urban planning, integrating core knowledge with practical skills. It typically spans 52 credit hours and includes a combination of core courses, professional competencies, two intensive planning studios (practicums), elective courses, and a culminating professional project or thesis. Required core courses cover areas such as "Evolution of Urban Structure," "Planning Concepts and Controversies," "Research Methods for Planners," "Economic Concepts," and "Land Use and Physical Planning." Students also choose from professional competency areas like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), design skills and literacy, and group process. The curriculum foregrounds urban sustainability and social justice, with courses and applications in areas like environmental planning and climate adaptation, housing, sustainable transportation, urban design, historic preservation, economic development, community health, and food systems. Students can also pursue specializations or advanced graduate certificates in areas like Historic Preservation or Affordable Housing.
Research Focus: The School of Architecture and Planning at UB has a strong research focus, and the MUP program benefits significantly from this scholarly environment. Faculty research interests are diverse, encompassing areas such as economic and international development, environmental and land use planning, GIS and spatial analysis, urban design and physical planning, neighborhood planning and community development, and historic preservation. The program is built around practice-based learning and research that addresses contemporary urban planning challenges. Faculty are often engaged in groundbreaking research in fields like food systems planning and climate resilience. Students are encouraged to engage in research through their culminating master's project or thesis, often tackling real-life, localized problems and opportunities. The School's centers, like the UB Regional Institute and the Center for Urban Studies, also contribute to nationally award-winning community-driven planning research tied directly to the curriculum.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the MUP program at UB, emphasizing a "learn-by-doing" approach. Students are actively involved with city governments, neighborhood groups, and various public and private organizations through client-based workshops, known as studios. These studios provide invaluable hands-on experience, allowing students to prepare real plans for community partners, address local challenges, and engage with practitioners and leaders. Internships are also highly encouraged, providing additional opportunities for practical experience and professional networking. The program's deep connections with local agencies, municipalities, and community groups ensure that students have unparalleled access to engaged learning. This strong link to practice prepares graduates for successful careers in a wide range of planning roles.
Global Perspective: The University at Buffalo, including its MUP program, cultivates a strong global perspective. The university boasts a diverse international student body, which enriches classroom discussions and provides varied global viewpoints on urban challenges. While the program leverages the Buffalo Niagara region as a primary "living laboratory," it also offers opportunities for international and out-of-region study, allowing students to explore planning issues in diverse cultural contexts. Faculty members bring extensive international experience to the classroom, with backgrounds in places as widespread as the Baltic states, the Caribbean, China, India, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The curriculum explores global implications of urban planning, addressing complex societal challenges such as climate change, racial justice, and housing access with a global awareness, preparing students for an increasingly interconnected professional world.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Urban Planning (MUP) from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) equips graduates with the critical thinking, analytical, and practical skills necessary to shape sustainable, equitable, and vibrant communities. The PAB accreditation ensures a high standard of professional preparation, making graduates highly competitive in the job market.
Urban and Regional Planner: This is the most direct career path, involving the development and implementation of land-use plans, zoning ordinances, and community development strategies for cities, towns, and regions. Urban planners work for local, regional, and state government agencies, balancing economic development with environmental protection and social equity.
Environmental Planner: Specializing in the intersection of planning and environmental sustainability, these professionals work on issues such as climate change adaptation, conservation of natural resources, pollution control, and sustainable infrastructure development. They often work for environmental agencies, non-profits, or consulting firms, integrating ecological principles into land use decisions.
Transportation Planner: Focused on improving mobility and transportation systems, these planners analyze traffic patterns, design public transit networks, develop pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and create policies to reduce congestion and promote sustainable modes of transport. They are typically employed by metropolitan planning organizations, public transit authorities, or transportation consulting firms.
Community Development Specialist: These professionals work to empower communities and improve residents' quality of life, often with a focus on underserved populations. They facilitate affordable housing initiatives, economic development programs, and community-driven revitalization projects, working for non-profit organizations, community development corporations, or local government.
GIS Specialist / Analyst: With strong skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), MUP graduates can work as GIS specialists or analysts. They use spatial data and mapping technologies to analyze urban patterns, visualize planning proposals, and support decision-making in various planning-related fields for government, consulting, or private sector organizations.
Historic Preservation Planner: Specializing in the conservation and revitalization of historic buildings, districts, and cultural landscapes, these planners work to protect heritage assets while promoting their adaptive reuse. They are often employed by municipal preservation commissions, state historic preservation offices, or private preservation consulting firms.
Urban Designer: Bridging the gap between architecture and planning, urban designers focus on the physical form and experience of cities and public spaces. They work on master plans, streetscapes, public realm improvements, and design guidelines for urban areas, often for private design firms, large architectural practices, or city planning departments.
Housing Policy Analyst: These professionals focus on developing and analyzing policies related to housing affordability, supply, and equity. They work for government housing agencies, non-profit advocacy groups, or research institutions, addressing challenges like homelessness, gentrification, and access to affordable housing.
Economic Development Specialist: Focusing on strategies to foster economic growth and create jobs within a community or region, these specialists work to attract businesses, support local entrepreneurship, and develop resilient local economies. They are typically employed by economic development agencies, local government, or private consulting firms.
Planning Consultant: Many MUP graduates opt to work for private consulting firms, providing specialized planning services to a diverse range of clients including municipalities, developers, and private landowners. This can involve conducting market analyses, preparing development proposals, facilitating public engagement, or assisting with regulatory compliance.
