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Master of Urban Studies (MUS) Admissions

For the MUS program, students are considered for Fall term only. The deadline for MUS is January 15 (Post-marked).

More information about the MUS program and courses

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission as a regular degree student, the applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate courses or must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate credits earned at accredited institutions. Applications will not be considered unless they are complete. International students must submit TOEFL scores of 550 or better (taken within two years) if native language is not English.

Transfer Policy 

We do not admit transfer students into the MUS program outside of the normal admissions process. If you have completed courses in another graduate planning program, you must apply by the January 15 deadline for regular fall admission. If admitted, you may be able to transfer some of your credits from the other program. The maximum number of credits that could be transferred is 24 of the 72 credits (quarter system). Approval of transfer credits occurs after admission.

Application Forms

 

Important Note:

One of the best financial options available to students in the western states is the Western Regional Graduate Program. Part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the WRGP offers in-state tuition to PSU students currently living in AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, SD, UT, WA, WY. Students must be full-time, in good academic standing, and approved by the Office of Graduate Studies.Application forms are due August 1 and are available here or though the Office of Graduate Studies. For more information, visit the WICHE website. 

 

Application Process

Portland State University admissions policy requires that you compile and send two separate applications packets, one to the University's Admissions office and another to the School of Urban Studies and Planning.

The University Admissions packet must include:

  • Portland State University's Application for Graduate Admission (may also be submitted online here);
  • A $50 non-refundable application fee (may be paid online with application submission or mailed to University Admissions Office; do not send cash);
  • One official transcipt, in a sealed envelope, from each post-secondary education institution you've attended;
  • For international students whose native language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 or better, taken within the past two years.

Send this packet to the Office of Admissions:

Office of Admissions
Portland State University
PO Box 751-ADM
Portland, OR 97207-0751

If sending by UPS or FedEx, please use physical address:

Office of Admissions
105 Neuberger Hall
724 SW Harrison St.
Portland, OR 97207

The Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning admissions packet must include:

  • The "Application for Admission: Master of Urban Studies";
  • One official transcipt, in a sealed envelope, from each post-secondary education institution you've attended;
  • The letter of intent. Explained in greater detail in the downloadable application packet;
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic or professional background;
  • A resume;
  • For international students whose native language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 or better, taken within the past two years.

The following material is required, and may be sent separately:

  • GRE scores. Required for MUS applicants. When submitting GRE scores, these are the codes to use: 4610 PSU, 2205 MUS. Please note that you should make arrangements to take the GRE well in advance of the application deadline. You may ask to have the scores sent directly to us.

If sending by USPS, please use our mailing address:

Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
Portland State University
P.O. Box 751-USP
Portland, OR 97207-0751

If sending by UPS or FedEx, please use our physical address:

College of Urban and Public Affairs
Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
506 SW Mill Street, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97201

International Admissions

International undergraduate, master level or doctoral applicants interested in pursuing degree programs through the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning will need to be accepted by both the Toulan School and by Portland State University.

For applicants to our graduate programs, international applicants must also submit the following:

  • A TOEFL score of 550 or better (taken within one year) if native language is not English.
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Declaration of Finances

Please visit International Student Admissions at PSU for application deadlines, forms and further instructions about applying to the University.

If you have any questions regarding the admissions process, contact the School of Urban Studies and Planning by email at susp@pdx.edu or by phone at (503) 725.4045. 

Deferral Policy

In certain cases, MUS and PhD students may be able to defer their admission. Financial awards, however cannot be deferred.

Questions?

Tracy Braden 
Student Services Coordinator
(503) 725-5477
tbraden@pdx.edu