Plan Your Education
How to Apply
In addition to the criteria below, applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements.
- Personal statement - Express interest in promoting robust, equitable, and resilient neighborhoods, communities, and regions.
Deadline & Cost
Deadlines: July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Program Cost Information: For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.
Curriculum
Core Courses (28 Credits):
- ENVSCI 623L - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 Credit(s)
- PUBADM 621 - Analytic Skills II: Research Methods 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 600 - History and Theory of Urban Planning 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 601L - Social Vulnerability to Disasters 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 611 - The City in History 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 620 - Analytic Methods for Urban Planning and Community Development 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 630 - Urban Information and Institutional Systems 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 631 - Land Use Controls 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 632 - Law, Ethics, and Practice in Planning 3 Credit(s)
Concentration Required Courses (9 Credits):
Complete three courses from one of the concentrations below.
- Community Resiliency Planning Concentration
- CRSCAD 601L - Social Vulnerability to Disasters 3 Credit(s)
- CRSCAD 602L - Climate Change, Food & Water Resources 3 Credit(s)
- CRSCAD 603L - Reconstruction After the Cameras Have Gone 3 Credit(s)
- Environmental and Land Use Planning Concentration
- ENVSCI 674L - Climate and Energy: Law, Policy and Management 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 667 - Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 701 - Urban and Regional Environmental Planning 3 Credit(s)
- Housing and Community Development Concentration
- UPCD 622 - Citizen Participation and the Right to the City 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 720 - Community Development for Urban Planners 3 Credit(s)
- UPCD 725 - Contemporary Community Development 3 Credit(s)
Concentration Electives (6 Credits):
- Complete two additional courses approved by your advisor.
Capstone Course (6 Credits):
- UPCD 750 - Planning Studio 6 Credit(s)
Graduation Criteria
Complete 49 credits from 15 courses including nine core courses, three concentration required courses, two concentration electives, and one capstone course.
Concentration: Select a concentration in environmental land use and planning, housing and community development planning, or community resiliency planning.
Capstone: Completion of UPCD 750.
Statute of limitations: Five years.
Contact
Graduate Program Director:
Ken Reardon
(617) 287-7454
kenneth.reardon [at ]umb.edu

Urban Planning & Community Development
Learn more about UMass Boston's Urban Planning & Community Development department, our research, and our faculty.
Explore the Department of Urban Planning & Community Development
School for the Environment
Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our School for the Environment.
Explore Now