MUP Master in Urban Planning at Harvard University

Programme overview

The Master in Urban Planning is a two-year professional degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board and open to applicants with any undergraduate degree. It prepares students to formulate, evaluate and implement plans, policies and projects for cities and regions.

Faculty: Harvard Graduate School of Design | Department: Department of Urban Planning and Design | Duration: 4 terms full-time in residence (2 years); 80 units | Intake: Application deadline January 5, 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

80 units, including 28 units of core coursework (two planning studios, planning theory and practice, and analytic, economic and legal/institutional methods), 12 units in a chosen concentration, 8 units of intensive project-based learning, and electives across the GSD and university.

Career pathways

Prepares graduates for practice in the public, private and nonprofit sectors; with experience and the AICP exam it leads to AICP certification. The programme is designated STEM for F-1 OPT extension eligibility.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MUP (programme): an undergraduate degree in any major; successful applicants typically show relevant internships, community service, extracurriculars or professional experience. Application deadline January 5, 2027 (5:00 p.m. ET); $90 non-refundable application fee. Transcripts from all prior institutions, three letters of recommendation (ideally at least two from instructors), the GSD community essay plus programme essays, and a resume/CV are required. A portfolio or work sample is optional. GRE is optional. International applicants submit TOEFL scores, with exemption for applicants holding a bachelor's degree with at least three years of full-time in-person study taught solely in English in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom or the United States. TOEFL minimum overall score is 5.0 (preferred 5.5) on the 1-6 scale for tests from January 2026 (92 minimum, 104 preferred on the earlier 0-120 scale).

USD 64,000 a year (2026-27). GSD master's budget tuition for 2026-27 (2 semesters per academic year; the budget applies to all master's programmes except MRE); excludes health insurance, fees and living costs. Source

Harvard Business School MBA class matriculates in fall 2027 for applicants in the 2026-27 cycle.

HBS MBA (fall 2027 entry): Round 1 closes September 9, 2026 with decision December 10, 2026; Round 2 closes January 5, 2027 with decision March 25, 2027; 2+2 Round closes April 28, 2027 with decision June 30, 2027.

HKS master's programmes: admission application deadline is December 1, 2026 at 12 p.m. ET; financial aid application deadline is January 15, 2027; decisions in mid-March.

GSD MArch, MLA, MUP, MAUD, MLAUD, MRE, DDes, MDes and MDE applications close January 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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