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Master of Urban and Regional Planning

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) at University of California, Irvine is a two-year degree program that educates aspiring planning professionals to solve societal, economic, and environmental challenges and build a just and sustainable future.

Upon graduation, students have the critical thinking, networking, and analytical skills to succeed in planning practice. Our faculty, students, and alumni reflect the diversity of society and become effective leaders in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

UCI MURP is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top professional planning programs, currently ranked #14 among urban planning master's programs in North America, and is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).

UCI MURP has been ranked #1 in Most Diverse, #4 in the Western U.S. Region, #6 among Suburban Programs, and #8 in Public Programs in North America, according to the latest survey of the nation's top graduate programs in urban planning by Planetizen released in 2023.

MURP Program Highlights

Project Based Learning

The Capstone Experience 
Mentorship Program
Faculty Highlights
Recent Student Awards

MURP Strategic Plan

MURP Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Professional Results

Our post-graduation employment rate is consistently strong. Of the 80 percent of graduates with known employment status who did not pursue further education within one year of graduation, 99 percent of 2015-2019 graduates secured employment in planning or planning-related jobs within one year of graduation.

To find out more about the MURP program and how it can help you reach your professional goals, read our Director's message and explore our site. Keep an eye on program happenings by watching the department's News.

Questions? Contact Us!

Why MURP at UCI?

Our students have numerous choices when crafting their course of study and executing their final exit requirement to meet their career goals. We do not require a declared area of concentration, giving students the opportunity to develop as generalists or to focus in specific planning areas. Students may also study abroad, providing unique professional experiences and networking opportunities. Learn more about your choices on our Curriculum page.

Our optimal student cohort size facilitates close interaction with our multi-disciplinary faculty and among fellow students. Our faculty and students come from diverse backgrounds, with unique experiences and various professional interests. Yet we are united by a shared commitment to improve urban conditions at local, regional, and global levels. Connection is enhanced through our MURP student organizations, whose members coordinate activities to foster social bonds and professional exploration.

The MURP program has relationships with a broad network of practicing planners at all levels, and leverages their expertise to support our students with a variety of career development activities, including skills-based courses and workshops, guest lectures, career fairs, job shadowing, site visits, small-group discussions, and professional association conferences. The UCI Planning Alumni chapter promotes interaction among our graduates and students, including a mentorship program, which matches planning students with alumni mentors.

UCI is an ideal place to live and study. The City of Irvine is a nationally and internationally recognized model for a master-planned community. It is located in Orange County, a natural urban and regional planning laboratory. With its broad spectrum of cities and suburban areas, this is an amazing place for students to experience urban planning in action. Orange County also offers a wealth of planning-related job opportunities and professional organizations, and is among the top-paying metropolitan areas in the nation for urban and regional planners.

Curriculum

The MURP program provides a balance of critical thinking and skills development, empowering students to address complex urban challenges. Our core courses are developed and taught by our academic faculty, who contribute to a wide breadth of research that links theory and practice across disciplines. Their expertise provides students with strong foundational knowledge, as well as guidance and opportunities for career-relevant involvement and experience beyond the classroom. View course descriptions and degree requirements details on our curriculum page.

All PAB-accredited schools must maintain and display up-to-date Public Information covering a variety of performance areas, such as graduation and employment rates. The strength and competitive advantages of our program are reflected in this data.

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Admissions

If you are curious, thoughtful, socially responsible, and wish to make an impact, you are an excellent candidate for our MURP program. Find out about our admissions process, requirements, and timelines. 

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