The Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) is professional career-oriented degree open to students with a wide range of backgrounds and undergraduate degrees.

Description

Students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply for admission to the MCRP program; no prior course work in planning is required. Students in the MCRP program have earned undergraduate degrees in such majors as geography, sociology, political science, economics, environmental studies, natural resources, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, psychology, business, history, English, among others.

The MCRP degree at UNL prepares students for a variety of professional planning positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Planners work with communities to articulate desired goals and develop workable strategies to achieve a better future. Typical jobs in the field involve protecting and enhancing the physical and natural environments, promoting economic growth, ensuring the provision of essential services to communities, and promoting and implementing sustainable development.

The MCRP program, accredited by the national Planning Accreditation Board, requires completion of 48 graduate credit hours, which include 24 credit hours of core courses and 24 credit hours in a completion track that may include a related certificate or specialization. The program offers several courses in the evening hours, which facilitates completion of the degree on a part-time basis.

MCRP students may choose to pursue one of three dual degree programs and/or three specializations.

For more information, visit https://architecture.unl.edu/degree-programs/community-regional-planning/master-….

Academic Pathways

Career Pathways

• Advocacy Planning
• City Planning
• Community Development
• Community Organizing/Activism
• Community Planning
• Criminal Justice
• Economic Development
• Elementary, Secondary, and Collegiate Education
• Environmental Planning
• Geographic Information Systems
• Historic Preservation
• Housing
• Human Services
• Labor Force Development
• Land Use Law
• Land Use Planning and Growth Management
• Mediation and Conflict Resolution
• Public and Community Health
• Public Finance
• Public Policy and Management
• Real Estate and Land Development
• Regional Planning
• Transportation Planning
• Urban Design
• Urban Planning

Specializations

1. Environmental Studies

   • On Campus

   This interdepartmental area of specialization at UNL is especially relevant for students interested in environmental planning. While the specific details of the specialization are currently being revised, please consult with the Community and Regional Planning contact persons for further information.

   Department

   Community And Regional Planning

2. Great Plains Studies

   • On Campus

   This interdepartmental area of specialization is especially relevant for students interested in learning more about the unique characteristics of the Great Plains in the context of community and regional planning. Requirements for the specialization, which is coordinated by the Center for Great Plains Studies—an interdisciplinary, intercollegiate, regional research and teaching center for all campuses of the University of Nebraska—are detailed at https://www.unl.edu/plains/academics/graduate.shtml.

   Department

   Community And Regional Planning

3. Water Resources Planning and Management

   • On Campus

   This interdepartmental area of specialization at UNL is especially relevant for students interested in environmental planning, with a focus on issues related to water resources. While the specific details of the specialization are currently being revised, please consult with the Community and Regional Planning contact persons for further information.

   Department

   Community And Regional Planning

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

  If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

  After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

• If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.

  When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

• If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

UNL Undergrads applying for the Accelerated program: See Accelerated Master's Programs for instructions, and in the application form be sure to select only from the "UNL Undergraduates: Accelerated Master's Programs" section.

All other applicants:

• Personal Statement: This statement should describe your academic and professional goals (max. 500 words).
• Résumé
• Three letters of recommendation

Admission Application Deadlines

• For priority consideration for admission: February 1 for fall semester; November 1 for spring semester.
• Otherwise: Rolling admission.