Executive Master of Urban Planning

The Executive Master of Urban Planning program directly bridges the gap between urban planning goals and the objectives and constraints of effective real estate development.

The core curriculum revolves around interconnected themes in four arenas:

1. Urban economics, citizen participation and governance
2. Real estate project planning and proforma analysis
3. Urban design, site analysis and design review
4. Data analytics and visualization

The content and sequencing of coursework is designed to cultivate leaders who excel at the intersection of all these fields.

The Executive Master of Urban Planning course sequence consists of 24 total units across 4 semesters. Please note the following course sequence is meant as a sample.

Term 1 (7 Total Units)

• Economics of a Productive Development (3 units)
• Politics and Processes of Urban Development (2 units)
• First Intensive (2 units)

Term 2 (5 total units)

• Urban Political Economy and Urban Development (2 units)
• Economics for a Productive City (3 units)

Term 3 (7 total units)

• Effective Engagement with Stakeholders (3 units)
• Big Data for Planning and Development (2 units)
• Second Intensive (2 units)

Term 4 (5 total units)

• Leading a Collaborative City (4 units)
• Integrating Concepts for Action (1 unit)

For a detailed breakdown of each course, view the Course Descriptions.

To complete the Executive Master of Urban Planning online program, you will attend two four-day in-person intensives held at the end of the fall and spring semesters.

During these sessions, which are conducted on the USC University Park Campus in Los Angeles, you will immerse yourself in real urban planning projects, both in Los Angeles and in students’ home cities, and work with your peers and professors to analyze, propose and evaluate projects in a real-world context. A focus on both collaboration and community are key as students learn more about one another and the places they are from.

In the first semester of the Executive Master of Urban Planning program, you will complete an immersive group project, diving into the details of a planning problem. You’ll be challenged to apply your knowledge of urban planning and real estate project analysis to develop solutions to planning and broader governance issues. In teams, you’ll present these projects to a panel of experts as part of the first intensive for real-world feedback.

Past Projects

Projects range widely in geography, scale, and objectives. Past projects have included:

Los Angeles Stadium 
Inglewood, CA
As Inglewood grew around the the expanded Los Angeles Stadium, complex challenges and opportunities arose alongside increased traffic and neighborhood revitalization. Students explored the projected costs and impacts, developed mitigation strategies, and recommended a path forward.

Domino Sugar Refinery
Brooklyn, NY
Students evaluated project costs and strategies for a multi-building, mixed-use project incorporating historic redevelopment alongside new construction and public space.

Wonder Flats and Shops
Kansas City, MO
A retired Wonder Bread factory represented an opportunity to revitalize the community. Students  explored this historic redevelopment project to convert a disused structure into mixed-use, character-filled residential and retail space.

Student Projects

All USC Price candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in order to apply. Because this is an executive degree, we prefer applicants who have at least 3 years of substantive experience related to urban planning or real estate development, or 5+ years of experience in a planning-adjacent field. You should highlight that work experience and how it motivates your desire to pursue this degree in your application.

The USC Price Executive Master of Urban Planning online program is currently not authorized for students living in Arkansas, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico. To complete your application, you must submit the following:

Resume

Your resume should include a summary of your academic background, your professional work history, and any other relevant work or volunteer experience you’d like to highlight.

Official Transcripts

We recommend that you request transcripts when beginning the application, as the turnaround time can vary from school to school. USC requires official transcripts from all postsecondary schools (Including community colleges) you have attended, regardless of transfers or whether a degree was earned. Your application processing may be delayed if you fail to submit all undergraduate transcripts. Transcript submission is a two-step process:

1. Upload scanned copies of official registrar-issued transcripts to the online application. Please note that these must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Printouts from online student portals are not acceptable.
2. Request an official registrar-issued transcript be sent to the USC Office of Graduate Admissions.

If your university is in the United States and offers e-transcripts, advise the university to send the e-transcript to [email protected]. The transcript must originate from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution. If your university does not offer e-transcripts or is located outside of the United States, advise the university to send a sealed official transcript.

If sending your transcripts via regular mail,
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx,
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Statement of Purpose

Your statement should be approximately 1,000 words. You will be asked to describe your path to USC Price, including what prepared you to succeed in the program and why you chose it. You should describe how your career experience relates to the goals and objectives of the Executive Master of Urban Planning.

Letters of Recommendation

We require two recommendation letters. These should come from professionals in your field who can provide meaningful input on your previous work experience and career goals. A letter of recommendation from a professor, faculty member, and/or academic adviser who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record is also welcome. Many applicants submit two references from professional contacts.

Application Fee

There is a nonrefundable application fee of $90. USC offers several options for graduate application fee waivers.

International Student Requirements

Please refer to USC’s Office of Graduate Admissions website for additional items required for international students to apply. On this page you will find a comprehensive checklist to complete your application if applying from outside the US.

The current tuition rate is $2,244 per unit. Students should expect a moderate increase in tuition each academic year.

Credits Required: 24
Estimated Total Tuition: $53,856
New student fee: $50
Student programming: $20 for online students
Norham H. Topping Student Aid Fund fee: $8

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal student aid. Additionally, some employers may offer tuition benefits, including tuition reimbursement and low-cost loans. The University of Southern California Financial Aid Office (FAO) will provide you with the details of applying for financial aid, understanding your financial aid award and properly securing your loans. Visit the FAO website for detailed information regarding dates and deadlines and to find downloadable forms that are needed to process the financial aid application.

• Types of financial aid
• Federal loans
• Private loans
• Eligibility requirements for financial aid
• Applying for financial aid

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Graduates working in the public service field may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To qualify, you must have made 120 qualifying loan payments while employed by a qualifying employer. There is no income requirement for the PSLF program.