New York University

NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service: Master of Urban Planning

#2 Best Urban Policy Program by U.S News & World Report

In an era of rapid urbanization, NYU Wagner's Master of Urban Planning equips students to navigate the complexities of modern urban life and drive transformative change. Whether harnessing the power of technology to improve urban mobility, developing new strategies to create affordable-housing or pioneering sustainable design practices, our program is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in urban-planning.

Urban Planning in the Context of Public Service

At the heart of NYU Wagner's Master of Urban Planning program is our commitment to supporting the strong public service ethos of our students. Effective urban planning begins with a deep commitment to serving the public good and improving the quality of life for all city residents. Our students graduate with a profound understanding of the various financial, political and organizational dynamics at play that shape urban landscapes around the world, as well as the skills needed to foster vibrant and inclusive communities.

Key Highlights

• Flexible completion: Full-time students starting the program in the Fall semester can complete in as little as 2 years, while part-time students typically finish in 3-4 years, with the option to switch between modes.
• Two specialization tracks: City & Community Planning or International Development Planning, with the option to select elective courses from across the school and university covering topical areas such as transportation, infrastructure, environmental planning, housing and economic development, urban analytics, and more.
• Emphasis on hands-on learning: The program includes a year-long Capstone consulting project, where teams work under faculty oversight to identify opportunities for a client organization or conduct research on a pressing social question.
• NYC as Your Urban Labratory: Learn from and within one of the world’s most dynamic cities, with access to top employers, agencies, and nonprofits.
• Accreditation: The program is PAB-accredited (via the Planning Accreditation Board).

Career Connections

NYU Wagner offers students a unique opportunity to study urban planning in one of the world's most dynamic and diverse cities. Our students have access to a wealth of resources, including:

• Internships at leading urban planning firms, consultancies, government agencies, and nonprofits.
• Networking events and lectures featuring city leaders and policy innovators.
• Access to research centers such as:
  • Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy
  • Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management
  • Marron Institute of Urban Management
• Opportunities to engage with peers through the Urban Planning Student Association (UPSA) — one of Wagner’s most active student groups.

Faculty & Alumni: Leading Urban Change

NYU Wagner’s faculty and alumni are shaping the cities of today and tomorrow.

Our distinguished faculty are leaders in housing, transportation, climate resilience, international development, and migration. They bring cutting-edge, applied research directly into the classroom—combining theory, practice, and policy to prepare students to drive meaningful urban change.

Alumni of the master of urban planning program lead across government, nonprofit, and private sectors—designing affordable housing, advancing equitable transportation systems, and building more sustainable, inclusive cities around the world.

Together, Wagner’s faculty and alumni form a powerful global network dedicated to creating vibrant, resilient, and equitable urban communities.

Curriculum Overview

Our Master of Urban Planning program goes beyond theoretical learning. We're dedicated to equipping students with the tools to transform ideas into tangible action.

• Total credits required: 45 credits.
• Core (18 credits): Statistical Methods; Microeconomics; Management and Leadership; Financial Management; Urban Planning: Methods & Practice; History & Theory of Planning.
• Specialization Requirements (9 credits): For example, in City & Community Planning – Land Use Law; Spatial Analysis & Visualization; Urban Economics. For International Development Planning – Institutions, Governance & International Development; Decentralized Development Planning; Urban Economics.
• Electives (15 credits): Students may choose electives across recommended focus areas such as Resilience Planning, Global Perspectives, Housing & Economic Development, Transportation & Infrastructure, Urban Analytics.
• Capstone (3 credits): The culminating project requiring students to apply their learning to a client organization or research problem.
• Professional Experience Requirement (PER): Students either enter with at least two years of relevant full-time experience or must complete a relevant internship/employment (15-20 hours/week or full-summer) prior to the capstone. 

Learn more about the curriculum

Admissions Requirements

• Applicants must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Required materials: transcripts, resume/CV, two letters of recommendation, essays (video essay optional), application fee ($85).
• Standardized tests (GRE/GMAT) are optional/waived.
• While entering the program with professional experience is preferred, applicants without full-time experience can still apply and satisfy the Professional Experience Requirement (PER) during the program.

Scholarships

Applicants to the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program are eligible for a range of scholarship and funding opportunities, including full- and partial-tuition scholarships available to both part-time and full-time students. Full-time MUP applicants are also eligible to apply for our full-tuition fellowship programs, including:

• The Henry Hart Rice Urban Studies Fellowship
• The Georgina and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Service Fellows Program
• The David Bohnett Public Service Fellowship
• The Lisa Ellen Goldberg Fellowship

Recipients are selected based on their fit with the scholarship or fellowship program and the strength of their application. For additional information, including eligibility requirements, please visit our Scholarships and Fellowships pages.

Deadlines

NYU Wagner offers multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority consideration for scholarships and fellowships.

For the most up-to-date application deadlines, visit the NYU Wagner Admissions website.

Upcoming Events

Connect with NYU Wagner through upcoming information sessions, webinars, student and alumni panels, and other admissions events. These events are a great opportunity to learn more about the MUP program, meet members of the Wagner community, and get your questions answered.

View upcoming events

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