B+M in Urban Studies and Planning

Learn more about Urban Studies Programs

The Community, Urban Studies and Planning Bachelor’s + Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) B+M is a joint degree program that allows undergraduate students in the Community Urban Studies & Planning (CUSP) program to take credits that count towards both their BA/BS degree and the Masters in Urban & Regional Planning (MURP). This program creates an accelerated pathway to complete a Bachelor's degree while starting coursework for the professional Master's degree/MURP program. Students currently enrolled in the CUSP degree may be admitted directly into the MURP program and share up to 20 credits of graduate-level coursework.

Note that this is not a 4+1 program. The B+M is not designed to allow for completion of the MURP in one year.

Advantages of the B + M

  • Save Money: The total cost is lower because you pay tuition at the undergraduate rate and can count up to 20 credits for both programs.
  • Save Time: This is a head start into the MURP, meaning fewer total classes and faster completion of your degree.
  • Remove Grad School Uncertainty: You know if you have been admitted while still working on your BA/BS.
  • Explore Career Path: It's a great way to get to know the program and check if this is the right career path for you.

How it Works

  • While completing your CUSP degree, you apply and are admitted to the MURP program.
  • You take 500-level classes that count as coursework for both the CUSP & MURP programs.
  • Up to 20 credit hours of classes will count towards both your CUSP & MURP degrees.
  • You meet the requirements of both degree programs, graduate in CUSP, and then continue on to complete MURP.

Timeline

You can apply for the B+M in your junior year. Applications are suggested in Winter term, but are accepted on a rolling basis until Winter of your senior year. In order to take 500-level courses, you should have applied to the B+M.

If you are unsure, please contact your undergraduate advisor.

Admissions

Who is Eligible?

  • Declared CUSP majors with junior or senior standing.
  • Completion of UNST 220 or USP 385U, USP 300U, & USP 311U.
  • 3.5 GPA for USP courses, 3.3 overall GPA.
    • The graduate school at PSU has set these benchmarks. USP does consider students with lower GPAs on a case by case basis. Please address why you should be considered if you do not meet this requirement. 
    • Note: students are expected to maintain an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher and earn a B grade or higher in graduate courses for sharded credit. 
  • Strongly recommended: Some experience in planning-related or community/volunteer work related to planning, urban issues, and/or community development.
  • All undergraduate requirements must be met by August 31st of the year you intend to being your MURP degree. MURP admissions on admit for fall start. 

How to Apply?

  • Complete the Graduate School Application, including:
    • Personal Statement
    • Unofficial PSU transcript
    • Letters of Recommendation

Take the Next Step

What do I need to do to apply?

  • Meet with Advisor and Program Director to find out More
  • Complete the MURP Application during junior or senior year
  • Strongly recommend: Attend a MURP open house to see if this is the right fit for you and to find out more.

List of 500-level courses B+M students are allowed to take

The B+M requires that students take the 500-level version of USP courses in order to count for both programs.

At this time, B+M students can enroll in the 500 level version of these USP 400/500 courses:

  • USP 411/511 Pedestrian & Bicycle Planning Lab
  • USP 413/513 Public Space
  • USP 419/519 Population and Society
  • USP 427/527 Commercial District Revitalization
  • USP 434/534 Green Buildings
  • USP 455/555 Land Use Legal Aspects
  • USP 456/556 Urban Transportation Problems and Policies
  • USP 465/565 Pedestrian & Bicycle Planning
  • USP 475/575 Urban Design Workshop
  • USP 490/590 Green Econ and Sustainable Development
  • USP 496/596 Affordable Housing Finance

In addition, B+M students can enroll in these 500 level courses that are required as part of the MURP program:

  • USP 515 Economics 
  • USP 536 GIS (Note: you need to enroll in the 500 level section)
  • USP 525 Design Analysis 
  • USP 540 Planning History and Theory 
  • USP 584 Negotiations

Questions? Contact Us!