City Planning

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Graduate Information

OFFICE: Adams Humanities 4108
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6224 / FAX: 619-594-1165
WEBSITE: http://spa.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Director: Sherry Ryan,Professor, B.A., Princeton University, M.S., Ph.D., University of California, Irvine

Graduate Adviser: Sherry Ryan, Professor, B.A., Princeton University, M.S., Ph.D., University of California, Irvine

Tenure and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Bruce S. Appleyard, Associate Professor B.A., M.C.P., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Anna J. Kim, Associate Professor, B.A., Claremont McKenna College; M.A., University of California, San Diego; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Madison Swayne, Assistant Professor B.S, M.A., Ph.D. University of Southern California 

Lecturers:

Howard Blackson, MAUD

Hannah Hobbs, M.A.

Monique Lopez, M.A.

Philip Trom, M.U.P.

Wendy Tinsley, MCP

Julie Wiley, J.D.

Emeritus:

Nico Calavita, Ph.D., 980-2004, Professor of Public Administration and Urban Studies

Roger W. Caves, Ph.D., 1983-2017, Professor of Public Affairs

James A. Clapp, Ph.D., 1968-2001, Professor of Public Administration and Urban Studies

Lawrence A. Herzog, Ph.D., 1989-2014, Professor of Public Affairs

Louis M. Rea, Ph.D., 1975-2012, Professor of Public Affairs

General Information

The School of Public Affairs offers graduate study leading to the Master of City Planning degree. We offer a strong generalist background in urban and regional planning, covering topics such as planning history, urban theory, land use planning, community mapping, and urban design. Our degree program is accredited by the national Planning Accreditation Board.

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 Admission and Registration . 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 graduate adviser of the program. 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 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.

Programs

• City Planning, M.C.P.

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