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

An accredited city planning program by the national Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).

Faculty:

Interim Director: Colvin, Roddrick A., Professor (B.A., Indiana University, Bloomington; M.P.A., Seattle University; Ph.D., University at Albany, State University of New York)

Graduate Adviser: Ryan, Sherry, Professor of Public Affairs (B.A., Princeton University; M.S., Ph.D., University of California, Irvine)

Undergraduate Adviser: Vega, Roxanne, Academic Advisor (B.A. CSU San Marcos; M.A., Arizona State University)

Tenure and Tenure-Track Faculty:

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

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

Stahl, Valerie, Assistant Professor (B.A., New York University; M.A., Sciences Po; Ph.D., Columbia University)

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

Lecturers:

Blackson, Howard, MAUD, City Planning

Hobbs, Hannah E., M.A., City Planning

Lopez, Monique, M.A., City Planning

Tinsley, Wendy, MCP, City Planning

Wiley, Julie D., J.D., City Planning, Public Administration

Emeritus:

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

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

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

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

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

Ryan, Sherry, Ph.D., 2002 - 2022, 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 . 

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 also submit official transcripts separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions. Supplemental materials should be uploaded to Interfolio.

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. 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 to interfolio electronically before March 1:

1. Letters of Recommendation (two letters from professors, employers, or others familiar with your abilities and accomplishments).
2. Unofficial Transcripts
3. Current Résumé
4. Personal Statement: In no more than 750 words, please describe:

• Your personal commitment to public service and social equity
• Any personal experiences that have prepared you for graduate study
• Any important information you think would help the committee better understand your academic performance or personal history
• Your professional goals and how you believe this degree will help you attain those goals

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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