City and Regional Planning

The Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a highly respected program designed to prepare students for impactful careers in urban and regional planning. This comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical application, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to address complex challenges related to urban development, land use, transportation, sustainability, and community engagement. Students gain a deep understanding of planning principles, policy-making processes, and sustainability strategies, enabling them to develop innovative solutions for diverse communities. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from geography, sociology, economics, and environmental sciences to foster holistic planning perspectives. Through rigorous coursework, studio projects, and internships, students are encouraged to collaborate with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities, gaining real-world experience that bridges academic learning with practical implementation. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to pursue careers as urban planners, policy analysts, community developers, and environmental consultants. The UNC Chapel Hill MCRP also offers opportunities for specialization in areas such as transportation planning, urban design, or environmental planning, allowing students to tailor their education to specific interests and career goals. The program is committed to promoting equitable and sustainable development practices and fostering leadership in planning professions. With a vibrant campus community and access to renowned faculty members, students benefit from a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment that encourages innovation and critical thinking. Ultimately, the UNC Chapel Hill Master of City and Regional Planning aims to cultivate professionals who can shape healthier, more equitable, and resilient urban and regional environments for the future.

The program leading to the degree of master of city and regional planning prepares the candidate for professional planning practice. The curriculum covers social and institutional problems and settings and planning and management skills.

Satisfactory completion of the degree requires completion of a minimum of 51 credit hours, including an area of specialization and a master's project in that area. The normal course load is 12 to 15 credit hours per semester. Thirty-nine of the required 51 credits must be taken in the Department of City and Regional Planning.

Coursework for the degree is divided into core requirements, area of specialization, and electives. Each student is assisted by a faculty advisor in designing an educational program. The advisor helps select courses appropriate for the student's educational interests and goals.

General Course Requirements

All master's degree students are expected to meet certain general course requirements. These consist of courses covering planning theory, urban spatial theory, applied microeconomics, analytical methods, law, and a planning workshop. These basic course topics constitute a core of knowledge and skills necessary to completion of the master's degree program.

The planning theory requirement is met by completing PLAN 704. The analytical methods requirement is met by completing PLAN 720. PLAN 714 fulfills the spatial theory requirement. The economics requirement is met by completing PLAN 710. All students are required to take a law course. There are many ways to fulfill this requirement. The department offers PLAN 724 (Law for Planners) once a year. Students should consult their advisors and instructors in other programs (e.g., LAW and MBA) to ensure that they can enroll in specific courses. Students select a planning workshop (PLAN 823) during their second year.

Areas of Specialization

Each student develops an area of specialization in planning in consultation with faculty advisors. The area of specialization identifies the fields of professional practice in which the student expects to develop competence and begin a professional career.

Areas of specialization offered by the department reflect a combination of current practice, employment opportunities, available faculty resources, and longer-term societal needs. As these factors change, specialization content is adjusted. Specialization offers different blends of technical knowledge, planning and management skills, philosophies about the role of the planner, and theories for understanding relevant problems and contexts.

The department offers four specializations associated with professional planning practice. Sustainable development is the overarching concept for these specializations. Each emphasizes equity, environmental quality, economic viability, and social participation and grapples with the interconnections among these dimensions of sustainability.

• Economic development focuses on planning for functional and sustainable regional economies and issues of income and jobs for central city areas.
• Housing and community development is concerned with the supply of affordable housing, the revitalization of urban neighborhoods, project development, and central city redevelopment.
• Land use and environmental planning addresses growth management at the urban and regional scales, environmental management, and policy analysis with emphasis on water resources.
• Transportation planning provides concepts and tools relevant to transportation policy and planning and in-depth knowledge of the reciprocal relationship between transportation decisions and land development.

It is also possible for master's students in city and regional planning to take additional courses in other University departments. These courses could be part of University-wide programs, such as graduate certificate programs in international development and in geographic information systems, or as part of a program in a given department such as the Department of Public Policy's minor. Taking a real estate or urban design track within the Department of City and Regional Planning is also an option.

Generally, specialization courses account for 15 credit hours. Thus, in the 51-credit-hour program, about two-thirds of the credits fulfill basic requirements or specialization requirements, while the rest are electives chosen by the student in consultation with faculty advisors.

General Electives

Additional courses are required beyond the general required courses and courses in the area of specialization. General electives may be used to

1. complement and support the area of specialization,
2. specialize in another area of professional planning,
3. develop skills in a discipline (e.g., economics, design, management) or another professional program represented on campus (e.g., public administration, health administration, environmental engineering, or business), or
4. develop general competence for professional practice through courses selected both within the department and from the regular offerings of the University.

Up to 12 credits may be taken outside the department.

Summary of Course Requirements

Master's Project

The required master's project constitutes original work involving substantial independent research and analysis of a topic related to planning practice. The requirement may be met by a paper of standard format. The requirement can also be fulfilled with a product in some other form, such as a plan or audiovisual presentation. Ordinarily students submit an individually prepared paper. The student submits the paper topic and outline to the director of the student's focus area. The director approves the topic and assigns a faculty member to serve as major advisor for the project. The student may invite another faculty member to serve as a reader. Both must approve the final project. The project is completed during the final semester in residence and is filed by the department as part of the permanent record of the student's work.

• Application fee (non-refundable $85)
• Transcripts (complete, not selected courses)
  • One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your application in order for your application to be reviewed. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to the first day of the term.
• Current letters of recommendation
  • The email address of three recommenders will be required within the application for electronic submission.
• Standardized test scores
  • (GRE, GMAT, etc.; no more than 5 years old.)
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV
• TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than two years old)
• Completed financial certificate

In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

1. Personal Statement – Describe your interests in planning, your reasons for wanting to enter the profession (or academy, if you are a PhD applicant), and relevant direct or indirect planning experience. In the admissions process, we look for evidence of academic distinction and commitment to the planning profession (and/or scholarship for PhD applicants), but we are also committed to having diversity of thought, experience, and background. You are encouraged to include autobiographical information (e.g., geographic background, family background, leadership skills, ability to overcome great obstacles, etc.), which would help us place your planning interests in context. If you experienced any unanticipated events that affected your academic or professional career (e.g. low GPA, gap in employment), offering an explanation for how the events affected you may help us better understand your application. For PhD applicants, please be sure to discuss your interests in working with specific DCRP faculty. Your personal statement is a critical part of your application, so compose your statement carefully. Please limit your statement to a maximum of two single-spaced pages.
2. Most Recent Resume or CV
3. Please upload a completed version of the Supplemental Questionnaire with your online Graduate School Application.  No action can be taken on your application until both this Supplemental Questionnaire and the Application for Admissions to The Graduate School are complete.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a variety of funding opportunities to support students throughout their studies. Tuition and associated fees are published annually and vary depending on residency status; out-of-state students typically pay higher tuition rates than in-state residents. To help offset these costs, students are encouraged to apply for a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and departmental awards. The School of Government and the Department of City and Regional Planning often provide merit-based scholarships and need-based grants aimed at supporting both domestic and international students. Graduate assistantships are an excellent source of funding, offering a stipend and tuition remission in exchange for duties such as research, teaching, or administrative support. These assistantship positions are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic performance and potential contribution to the program. Additionally, students are advised to explore external funding sources such as fellowships offered by government agencies, private foundations, and professional organizations related to urban planning and development. The university’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid provides detailed guidance on applying for financial assistance and finetuning scholarship packages. Many students also supplement their funding through part-time employment opportunities on campus or through internships with local government agencies and planning firms, which can sometimes provide stipends or hourly pay. It is important for students to plan their finances carefully and to start the application process early, as many funding options are limited in availability and have specific deadlines. The university has a comprehensive financial aid website that provides up-to-date information on the application procedures, eligibility criteria, and deadlines for all available programs. Students should also consult with program advisors to identify potential funding sources tailored to their academic interests and career goals. Overall, while the cost of graduate education in city and regional planning at UNC Chapel Hill can be significant, a combination of university-sponsored aid, external fellowships, and employment opportunities can make the program accessible to a diverse range of students seeking to advance their careers in urban planning and policy development.

The Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a highly regarded professional degree program focused on preparing students to address complex urban, suburban, and regional planning challenges. The program emphasizes sustainable development, environmental stewardship, social equity, and effective policymaking. Students gain comprehensive knowledge in land use planning, transportation systems, housing, economic development, and community engagement. The curriculum integrates both theoretical foundations and practical applications, ensuring graduates are equipped to work in a variety of planning contexts, including government agencies, private consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and international development initiatives. The program offers a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging collaboration across fields such as geography, policy, architecture, and environmental science. Students have access to extensive resources, faculty expertise, and research opportunities at the School of Government and the Department of City and Regional Planning. The program typically takes two years to complete and may offer specializations or electives that allow students to tailor their education to specific interests or career goals. Graduates of the MCRP program are well-positioned to contribute to sustainable urban growth, policy development, and community revitalization efforts, making it a competitive choice for aspiring planners committed to sustainable and equitable development.