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 by January 15th if funding is requested. Applications for admission are accepted until July 15 (April 15 for international students). Funding for those who submit materials after January 15 will be considered only as funding permits.

To apply, please follow the directions on the Graduate Admissions website. You can apply online and upload all supporting materials. International students whose first language is not English must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 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

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

E-mail: urban-planning@uiowa.edu