Admissions Requirements
Students applying to the program must meet University of Arizona Graduate College admissions standards.
- Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited United States college or university, or equivalent in a non-US institution of higher learning. The undergraduate degree can be in any field of study. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 90 graded quarter credit hours or last 60 graded semester credit hours is required.
- Applicants who do not meet the required 3.0 GPA can apply as Graduate Non-Degree Seeking. After completion of 12 consecutive semester units of 500 level courses, and a 3.0 GPA or higher, applicants can apply as graduate degree seeking using their graduate GPA.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency and submit scores from the TOEFL exam.
Application Requirements
Prospective students are required to submit application materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Please pay careful attention to the procedures described in the online application portal. You can access the online application system as many times as necessary to prepare your application up until the time you formally submit your materials. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been received.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required to apply.
All applicants must upload the following documents using PDF format:
- Personal Statement: You will be required to submit a Statement of Purpose, clearly and concisely delineating your focus or interest, special aptitude or personal characteristics and any other relevant factors related to your career aspirations in the profession of urban planning. Additionally, discuss your reasons for applying to the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the University of Arizona.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae: You will be asked to provide a biographical profile/resume including a complete record of academic and professional work.
- Letters of Recommendation: You will be asked to provide the names and contact information (email address) of three persons who can comprehensively evaluate your record and potential for success in the graduate program. A combination of academic and professional recommendations is preferred. As soon as you have entered this information, an automatic email message will be sent to your recommender, explaining what is required and giving him/her instructions on how to log in on our website. On the recommendations site they will be asked to complete a form, and will also be able to upload a letter or type in some text if they wish to do so.
- Transcripts: One complete set of official college transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework (diplomas, titulos). If these original documents are not in English, an official English translation must also be included. Submit these documents directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate College Online Application system. An official document must be submitted before formal admission to the Graduate College will be granted.
International students must also provide:
- Financial Guarantee: Applicants must submit a Financial Guarantee form certifying they have sufficient U.S. funds for their first year of education. If family members are to accompany the student, additional funds are required. If the student receives a fellowship or an assistantship, the amount of the award will constitute part of the financial guarantee.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency: TOEFL scores are required of applicants who speak English as a second language unless they have completed at least two years of full time academic study in the United States, English-speaking Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or other official English speaking countries at an accredited institution, culminating in the receipt of a bachelors or graduate degree that is awarded within two years of the term of enrollment.
- Students must have 48 graded semester hours of upper division, undergraduate work or 30 graded semester hours of graduate work. If the student has been residing outside the English speaking country for more than 2 years since completing studies and earning a degree, he or she will be required to submit current TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of the admissions process. TOEFL results are valid for two years only.
- Only scores of 79 or greater on the TOEFL (with a minimum score of 26 required for the Speaking section) and 7 or greater on the ILETS are acceptable. The Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) at The University of Arizona offers full-time English-language training for students who have not attained an acceptable score on their TOEFL.
Official transcripts may be mailed to:
CAPLA Graduate Programs Office
University of Arizona
1040 N. Olive
Tucson, AZ 85721
http://capla.arizona.edu/
Standardized Tests
Required test(s): N/A
Required GRE Subject tests: N/A
Recommended tests: N/A
Recommended GRE Subject tests: N/A
Minimum GRE Verbal: N/A
Minimum GRE Quantitative: N/A
Minimum GRE Written: N/A
Minimum GMAT: N/A
Minimum MAT: N/A
Minimum TOEFL: 79
Minimum IELTS: 7
Funding Opportunities
Financial aid is available to qualified students based on the program, merit and financial need. Many of our students receive some form of financial aid excluding loans.
- The program provides financial support to offset tuition for its students in the form of: Graduate Tuition Waivers; Fellowship Funds; Program Fee Set Aside Funds; Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships; Program level scholarships; Graduate Access Fellowships; Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) Waivers for UA employees and affiliates; and student travel support offered by the program.
- The University of Arizona and the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture have an array of scholarships available to qualified students. Awards are based on need, merit, program, class year, and/or other specifications. Students can apply for additional scholarships through Scholarship Universe (https://financialaid.arizona.edu/scholarshipuniverse). Admitted students will be notified of the opportunity to apply through Scholarship Universe.
- Applicants are eligible to apply for federal financial aid through Free Application Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). Please visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (https://financialaid.arizona.edu) for more information.
- Additional funding resources and opportunities can be found on the graduate college website, at https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/opportunities and with the graduate center.
Admissions Deadlines
Most students enter the program in the Fall semester, although we accept applications throughout the year and can admit students for the Spring semester.
FALL 2021
June 30: WRGP Applicant Deadline
July 30: Final Deadline (Domestic/International Students Residing in the U.S.)
International Conditional Admission
International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion. See http://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/types/international-admission-types#intl-conditional for more information.
International Conditional Admission
International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.
Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832