Application Instructions
Complete the official Graduate Admissions application online. As part of that process, you must also submit:
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Official transcripts from all degree-awarding institutions. ASU accepts both electronic and physical transcripts. Electronic transcripts are only accepted from E-Scrip, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse. Hard copy transcripts should be sent to Graduate Admissions.
- English Proficiency for non-native English speakers (Submit TOEFL to university code 4007; department code 99)
- Letters of recommendation (3). The application will prompt you to provide email addresses for three letters of recommendation. The recommenders should be from academic professionals or professional colleagues capable of evaluating your abilities, accomplishments, and professional potential. ASU will contact your recommenders at the email address provided.
All application materials must be received on or before January 15 to be considered for funding. Incomplete applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed. Please allow sufficient time for submission and processing of relevant test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Applications received after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis until the program is full or the start of the Fall semester.
Personal statement must address the following:
- Your interest in planning
- Your academic and professional background and, if appropriate, preparation for the selected area of specialty (this may include written samples or a portfolio but they are not required)
- Your educational objectives
- How a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning from the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning will help you achieve your career goals
The personal statement should be no longer than 600 words.
A generic statement, often sent to multiple universities, does not substitute for responses to these questions that address your reasons for applying to the ASU master’s program in urban and environmental planning.
The GRE is not required for admission into the MUEP program. However, prospective students may submit GRE scores if they feel it will strengthen their application. Examples of situations in which applicants may choose to submit GRE scores include:
- Returning students (more than 5 years after completing undergraduate degree)
- Cumulative GPA is between 2.5 and 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree in unrelated field
Funding
Selected applicants may be offered a one-year funding package, in the form of teaching assistantships. Funding packages are officially offered to selected students in writing upon admission to the program.
MUEP students may be considered for TA positions on a semester-by-semester basis. MUEP students may apply for teaching assistantships online and must do so each semester. Students are responsible for observing application deadlines.
TAs provide services which may include lecturing, leading discussion groups, serving as assistants to laboratory classes, and grading tests and papers, under the supervision of a faculty supervisor. The Graduate Assistant Training program offers a wealth of information to help TAs have a successful teaching experience. It contains information on designing syllabi, managing a classroom, student Code of Conduct and much more.
Teaching assistantship compensation
Students with quarter-time (10 hours per week or .25 FTE) appointments are treated as Arizona state residents for tuition billing purposes. Quarter-time TAs receive a 50 percent reduction in Arizona state resident tuition.
Half-time assistantships (20 hours per week or .50 FTE) receive a full tuition remission and student health insurance at no cost; however, enrollment in the insurance plan is required each semester. Spring semester insurance coverage includes the summer months.
In addition, assistantships pay a small stipend. For more information on assistantship benefits and eligibility, please refer to Graduate College.
Full and partial tuition remission does not apply to $1750/semester MUEP program fee or mandatory university fees.
More information about financial aid is available at students.asu.edu/graduate/finances and graduate.asu.edu/current-students/funding-opportunities
Information about School, local, and national awards is available at sgsup.asu.edu/student-life/graduate-resources/fellowships-funding