The graduate program in community and regional planning provides opportunities for individually tailored sets of courses. Great importance is placed on the student’s preference for and ability to undertake self-directed educational activity. Because there are more than 65 recognized graduate programs in planning in the United States, the admissions committee also emphasizes the selection of candidates who present clear and specific statements of the reasons for choosing to pursue their graduate work in planning at the University of Oregon.

Items to be submitted to the PPPM Department

Please submit the following to PPPM by February 1. The address is:

1. University of Oregon Graduate Admission Application.  This online application, along with the $50 application fee by credit card or eCheck required to submit it, will be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office and the department. Select major code "community and regional planning."

If you are applying to more than one program at the University of Oregon, you must complete one Graduate Admission Application per program.  To avoid paying a second application fee, send an email to gradsch@uoregon.edu requesting a bypass of the online payment  submission.

2. A comprehensive employment and educational resume.

3.  A written Statement of Purpose that clearly describes your reasons for pursuing graduate study in the MCRP program at the University of Oregon, your professional goals and objectives, and any background experience relating to professional work, community involvement, etc., which do not appear on your transcript.

4. Official transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions. Send official degree transcript(s) also to the Office of Admissions, 1217 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1217.

5. Three references from a mix of academic and professional referees.  Please have referees use the official University of Oregon form, which can be downloaded here.

6. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. However, if the applicant feels the GRE score would improve chances for admission, s/he is encouraged to take the examination. In these situations, the applicant should take the examination at the earliest possible date so that the results will reach our department before February 1. Information about the examination may be obtained from officials of any college or university. If you request your GRE score to be sent to us you will need to add the code “4402 City and Regional Planning” with the university code 4846 and our department’s mailing address.

7. International Applicants. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores and Financial Statement and proof of financial support are required, see:
http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/?page=international  . A minimum score of 575 (paper-based test) or 90-91(internet-based test) or higher is required by the program. Information regarding this examination may be obtained from: TOEFL, P.O. Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA, or the official web site for TOEFL/ETS: http://www.toefl.org/. The University is also accepting the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment score as an alternative to the TOEFL. The acceptable minimum overall score is 7.0. Please request that your TOEFL scores be sent to the Admissions Office, 1217 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1217, and to the program, UO code R4846, program code 4402. NOTE: International students are exempt from providing language scores if you received a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution or from an institution in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Actions on Applications

All application materials must be received in the department by February 1 for admission consideration for the following fall term. Individuals with application files completed by February 1 will be notified concerning their status by March 20. Each applicant will be notified when his/her application file is complete and ready for review. The department usually does not admit new students during winter or spring quarters. Exceptions may be made if the applicant has completed course work substantially similar to that required at the University of Oregon during the fall term. The University Office of Admissions does not accept applications more than twelve months in advance of the term of intended enrollment.

Student Recruitment

The Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM) strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. PPPM is dedicated to fostering an academic environment that will prepare our students to flourish in diverse communities found both locally and abroad. We recognize that a diverse student body brings multiple perspectives (e.g., cultural, historical, spiritual, political, etc.) that enhance the curriculum and offer various sources for learning. We also recognize that a familiarity and comfort with diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, and real-life experiences will help produce better future public leaders.

The University of Oregon offers Diversity Building Scholarships for graduate students who are US
citizens. The deadline is January 15th. For more information and the application, go to:

http://financialaid.uoregon.edu/SCG-dbsinfo.htm

International students interested in financial aid opportunities should visit the U of O's International Affairs web page for additional information.

Contact us 

For more information contact us at:

Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning
Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management
1209 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1209

Telephone: (541) 346-3635 / Fax: (541) 346-2040

Rich Margerum, Director (541) 346-2526

E-mail: pppm@uoregon.edu

http://pppm.uoregon.edu/index.cfm?mode=grad&page=crp

Download a printable version of the application procedures here (PDF)

An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request.

This page updated November 12, 2009