City Planning Program Admissions and Graduate Standing

Applicants who seek admission to the Master of City Planning Program must possess a bachelor's or higher degree preferably in a field related to planning (e.g., economics, sociology, political science). Prospective students should have a broad educational background including social science courses and statistics. No major is excluded and evaluation of applicants is done on an individual basis with utmost flexibility. In the event that deficiencies occur in a student's background and training, the graduate committee will examine the student's past record and recommend a program to make up any deficiencies.

In terms of admission standards, a grade point average of 2.85-3.0 (on a 4-point scale) is generally considered minimum with grades during the last two years of college given particular importance. A grade point average of at least 3.0 is expected in the student's academic major. Lower grade point averages may be acceptable in exceptional circumstances where other evidence of potential capacity is available. The graduate planning applicant is also required to provide a history of courses and grades for his/her undergraduate programs (usually a transcript will suffice), an autobiographical statement (about 500 words), and a statement of their professional aspirations and goals. These statements serve two purposes: First they enable the admissions committee to have a sample of the applicant's writing style and capability. Second, these statements permit the faculty to determine if the applicant's personal and professional goals are consistent with those of the City Planning Program. Applicants are encouraged to submit two letters of recommendation that should come from two persons familiar with the applicant's ability and accomplishments.

SDSU offers opportunities for advanced study to those foreign students whose academic preparation meets the standards of admission. "Foreign students" include those who hold US visas as students, exchange visitors, or are in other non-immigrant classifications. SDSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of foreign students. Priority in admission is given to residents of California.

Applicants for admission whose education has been in a foreign country must file an application for admission, official certificates and detailed transcripts of record from each secondary school and collegiate institution attended. All documents, transcripts, and test scores must be received by Graduate Admissions no later than July 1 for the fall semester or December 1 for the spring semester of each year. If certificates are not in English, they should be accompanied by certified English translations. Credentials should be evaluated in accordance with the general regulations governing admission to SDSU.

Applicants whose major education has been in a language other than English must score 550 or higher (using the paper version) or 213 or higher (using the computer version) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This test is administered in most foreign countries. The University must receive official test scores before admission can be granted. Information as to the time and place at which this test is given may be obtained by writing to the Educational Testing Service (TOEFL), Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA.

Upon arrival at SDSU, further tests of English may be given for the purpose of placing students in an English language program commensurate with their linguistic ability in English and to assist student advisers in planning an appropriate course of study. Depending upon their performance on the placement test and their academic background, students may be required to enroll in one or more English language courses during their first semester. This requirement must be completed as a condition for classified graduate standing. Foreign students admitted to the University will be subject to the same competency and placement examinations and standards that govern the rest of the student population. Foreign students should also check with the American Language Institute for English instruction.

Foreign students must also contact the Office of International Student Services for information on insurance requirements.

The procedure for a graduate student wishing to enter SDSU to study City Planning is as follows:

1) The student must complete and return the Master in City Planning Program Application Form and mail it, with the requested statements to:

Graduate Program in City Planning
School of Public Administration and Urban Studies
San Diego State University San Diego, CA 92182-4505

Prospective students can also call (619-594-6224) or fax (619-594-1165) a request for a copy of the MCP Application Form to be sent to them.

2) Apply to the University Admissions Office for admission to the University. This Form is also available online at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/. This requires separate forms and two sets of official transcripts. Each of these university divisions will notify you separately of its decision regarding your admission.

When students are admitted to the MCP Program they are assigned a status of "conditional classification." The conditional status will be removed after the following requirements are met: attainment of at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) over 9 units of City Planning courses in three of the following five required MCP required courses: PA 525, PA 604, CP 630, CP 640, or CP 670 and completion of the Graduate Record Examination (students are expected to obtain a combined verbal/math score of at least 950). Fully classified students are eligible for advancement to candidacy if they (1) achieved a grade point average of 3.0 in any 15 units of City Planning courses, or (2) passed satisfactorily a written examination in areas of deficiency at the end of the spring semester for all students who have completed 12 or more units of study toward the MCP degree.

Application deadline for the Fall semester is February 1st. We are currently not accepting Spring applications.