Admission to Iowa's Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.S.) requires an undergraduate degree in any major and fulfillment of the minimum requirements of the Graduate College. Prospective students should submit complete materials to Graduate Admissions.

Application deadlines

Fall admission

• Funding is considered on a rolling basis, as funds are available.

• Completed applications submitted by January15^th have the best chance at receiving funding

• Applications are accepted until:
      July 15^th for domestic students
      April 15^th for international students

Spring admission

• Funding is considered on a rolling basis, as funds are available.

• Completed applications submitted by November 1^st have the best chance at receiving funding

• Applications are accepted until December 1^st

Apply online and upload all supporting materials:

• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose
• Resume or CV
• Unofficial academic records/transcripts
• GRE scores (encouraged but not required)
• International students without a U.S. degree or whose first language is not English must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores before admission and funding decisions can be made.
• All students requesting funding must also complete and upload the Funding Application/Award Form.

International students, in July 2018 our school received STEM-related designation under the U.S. Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) coding. This change will benefit international students who wish to work in the U.S. beyond graduation. Previously, international F-1 students were allowed a one year optional practical training (OPT) post-graduation. Students who have graduated from a STEM-related field have the option to extend the OPT to an additional 24 months, allowing them to work in the U.S. for three years.

The CIP code helps the federal government track enrollment trends in academic areas within colleges and universities across the country. The former CIP code for those with degrees from our school is 04.0301-- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. The recent approval changes our associated code to 30.3301-- Sustainability Studies. This will apply to current and future students studying urban planning at Iowa and cannot be applied retroactively to previous graduates. Information about the 24 month OPT extension can be found through the UI Office of International Students and Scholars Services .

If you have questions regarding admissions, please contact us:

Anne Nessa
Admissions Coordinator
Telephone: 319-335-0041
E-mail: anne-nessa@uiowa.edu
Appointments with Anne may be made through Calendly.

School of Planning and Public Affairs
The University of Iowa
347 Jessup Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316
Telephone: 319-335-0032
Fax: 319-335-3330