City Planning

Return to: Curricula by Department

Graduate Information

OFFICE: Professional Studies and Fine Arts 100
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6224 / FAX: 619-594-1165
WEBSITE: http://spa.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Sherry Ryan, Ph.D., Professor of Public Affairs, Director of School of Public Affairs
Roger W. Caves, Ph.D., Professor of Public Affairs, Emeritus (Graduate Coordinator)
Lawrence A. Herzog, Ph.D., Professor of Public Affairs, Emeritus (Graduate Coordinator)
Louis M. Rea, Ph.D., Professor of Public Affairs, Emeritus
Bruce S. Appleyard, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Affairs
Megan B. Welsh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Public Affairs

General Information

The School of Public Affairs offers graduate study leading to the Master of City Planning degree. Research facilities provided include the Institute of Public and Urban Affairs and the Public Administration Center.

The San Diego metropolitan community affords significant internship opportunities for the graduate student in federal, state, and local government agencies.

Master of City Planning Degree

Admission to Graduate Study

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Part Two of this bulletin. The applicant must possess a bachelor’s or higher degree in sociology, geography, political science, economics, architecture, or landscape architecture, or any fields related to planning. Students with degrees other than those listed may be allowed to enter the program under appropriate conditions. In the event that deficiencies occur in a student’s background and training, the graduate committee will examine the student’s past record and recommend a program to make up the deficiencies.

Students seeking admission to the graduate program in city planning which leads to the Master of City Planning degree should address their inquiries to the coordinator of the program. As there are specific requirements for the program it is not sufficient merely to file the general university admission forms. Students are admitted to the program in the fall semester each year.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the $55 application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Public Affairs.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions

Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

School of Public Affairs

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically before April 1:

1. Letters of recommendation (two letters from professors or employers);
2. Unofficial transcripts;
3. Current curriculum vitae or resume;
4. Personal statement (500 word essay) providing background and general interest, reasons for choosing this graduate degree. Include professional aspirations and special areas of interest in planning.

For information regarding the admissions process, visit the school website at http://spa.sdsu.edu.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must meet the general requirements for advancement to candidacy, as described in Part Four of this bulletin and be recommended by faculty. In order to be recommended for advancement, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 in 24 units of city planning courses.

Return to: Curricula by Department