Program Admission

1. Applicants must satisfy the University’s Graduate School admission standards and receive favorable endorsement from the planning faculty.
2. Admission will be based on applicable test scores (GRE or MAT); undergraduate grade point average; previous education and/or experience; and ability to articulate career and education objectives.
3. In addition to completing the Graduate School application, applicants should also submit the following material directly to the Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning:
   • A personal statement (500 words) describing related background, career objectives and interest in studying planning at the University of Memphis.
   • Current resume
4. In order to receive full consideration for Graduate Assistantships, application must be received by April 15.

Program Prerequisite

Students are accepted from all undergraduate disciplines and professional areas; however, the department determines if students must do remedial work. Some credit may be granted by the department for remedial work if obtained at the graduate level after entering the program.

Program Requirements

The student is required to complete a minimum of 48 semester hours comprising the following:

• Twenty-four (24) hours in the core curriculum: PLAN 7000 , PLAN 7002 , PLAN 7004 , PLAN 7006 , PLAN 7008 , PLAN 7011 , PLAN 7012 , and PLAN 7202 .        
• Between eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) hours of electives.
• Terminal project options: Either an individual three (3) hour capstone project OR six (6) hours of studio courses (PLAN 7801 Design Collaborative Studio  or PLAN 7007 Project Planning Studio ).

The eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) hours of electives allow the student to extend basic knowledge gained in the core curriculum and can include such subjects as economic development planning, urban design, land use and transportation planning, planning information systems, housing, community development planning, planning law, social justice, sustainability, and environmental planning.

Students have two options for meeting the Terminal Project requirement: an individual capstone research option or a group studio option.

Terminal Project Option 1. Students who wish to pursue individual research can complete a 3-hour Capstone Project, submitted as a written report and orally defended, as a terminal experience designed to demonstrate mastery of planning process and substance.

Terminal Project Option 2. Students seeking more community engagement opportunities and experience in field-work and group development of planning policies and interventions can complete two additional studio courses for a total of six (6) hours from among PLAN 7801 Design Collaborative Studio  or PLAN 7007 - Project Planning Studio .

A comprehensive examination must be successfully completed by the end of the semester in which the student expects to graduate.

Transfer of Credits

The Director may recommend to the Graduate School credit for planning course-work successfully completed at other institutions but not to exceed 12 semester hours. For those students formerly enrolled in graduate planning programs accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, a maximum of 24 hours in planning course-work may be approved. Credit previously earned at another institution must be presented for evaluation not later than the end of the student’s second semester of enrollment.