F.A.Q.   (Frequently Asked Questions) for incoming Master of Urban & Regional Planning (MURP) students at Michigan

Note:  Please email me with suggestions/corrections to this FAQ.  Thanks, Scott Campbell
  

2020 Fall Orientation?
I recommend attending the urban planning program, college and Rackham graduate school orientations. Rackham is a wonderful (and sometimes overlooked) resource for graduate students, and it is well worth the effort to get to know Rackham (the building, the staff, the web pages, the programs and funding opportunities). Taubman College live sessions begin August 10 and continue through August 28. Orientation Canvas site goes live to new students August 3.

When should I take the required core courses? 
MUP students typically complete most of their required core courses in their first year, giving them the flexibility to take mostly electives in their second year.  Note:  if you need to take both introductory statistics and public economics, then you have seven core courses (including the capstone);  if you waive out of both, you have seven.  Dual degree students:  this schedule will be different for dual degree students who take more than two years of courses at UM.

* If you are in the Physical Planning & Design (PPD) focus area, we recommend taking the Physical Planning and Design Emphasis section (Kinder). Note: if you take the policy planning emphasis version of planning theory and later decide to do the PPD area, don't worry: you will be fine.

For more details, see: MURP Degree Requirements

So, what courses should I take my first semester?
In the fall, students generally take four courses:  mostly core courses, and an elective or two.  

• URP 500: Planning Theory and History (either section)
• URP 506: Planning Methods
• URP 509: Public Economics (if you have no economics background)
• Expanded Horizons [1 credit]
• [one or several electives]

Many students take the less formal, one-credit course: URP 600 (Expanded Horizons).   In addition, if you waive out of Public Economics [see below], you will have more room for electives this fall. Course schedule for Fall 2020: http://www.ro.umich.edu/schedule/      (URP508 Spatial Thinking and Environmental Systems is no longer a required course, though highly recommended.)   Click on Fall 2020 Online Schedule, then navigate to Architecture and Urban Planning, then Urban & Regional Planning Schedule of Classes.

What is an average course load (i.e., how many credits per semester)?
Generally students take 12 credits/semester, but you can take more/less depending on your needs and workload.  (15 credits/semester is not unusual, but more would likely be an excessive load for most students.)  You need 48 credits to graduate with your M.U.P.  Most courses are three credits.
Note that if you are pursuing a joint degree (e.g., MUP/MPH) or a degree plus a certificate (e.g., MUP/Real Estate Certificate), the second credential increases both the required substantive courses and the required number of credits.  (For example, the Real Estate Certificate requires 17 credits from courses on the approved list;  8 of these credits can be double-counted for your MUP degree.  The MUP/Real Estate Certificate combination therefore requires 48+9=57 total credits.)    More information: http://taubmancollege.umich.edu/urbanplanning/special-programs/graduate-certificate-real-estate-development

How will my graduate education be different during the current COVID19 pandemic?
We recognize that these are exceptional times and that protecting the public health of you, your classmates, faculty and staff requires changes to how university life normally operates. The planning program, Taubman College and the university have all been actively meeting and preparing for the upcoming semester. I would encourage you to make an extra effort to reach out to faculty (including taking advantage of office hours/one-on-one appointment), get to know your classmates and build up a sense of community, and rely on second-year MURP students for advice. Please don't hesitate to reach out to student services staff and faculty with any problems or concerns (from technology issues such as internet access or connecting to online resources, advising, or anything else). Please also take advantage of the rich range of resources on campus, both long-running resources and those set up in 2020 to address the pandemic. We are here to provide the most compelling and engaging educational experience possible, which requires added creativity, effort, improvisation and a sense of community purpose.

A few selected resources (not a complete list):

• https://campusblueprint.umich.edu/
• Rackham: Resources for Graduate Students in Response to COVID-19
• UM Library: Access During COVID-19
• Canvas: Remote Teaching Resources
• New Taubman College Program Rewards Digital Innovation

Should I take courses outside planning?
Yes! There are many strong programs across campus, and many overlap in interesting ways with planning issues. You will likely find more flexibility in your schedule to take outside courses in your second year, but some MURP students do take outside courses in their first year.

Will I have difficulty getting into some courses?
Courses have an upper limit of students (listed as “capacity” on wolverineaccess) ranging from ca. 12 to 60+.   In many planning courses, enrollment doesn’t hit capacity and so you shouldn't have a problem enrolling.   However, some courses have restricted class sizes and excess demand, including the GIS course, and some of the real estate courses.  Also, core courses with multiple sections (e.g., planning history & theory; capstone) have enrollment limits to evenly distribute students across sections.  If you can't get into a class, some (but not all) may have official waiting lists on wolverine access.  If you are not able to take Intro to GIS in your first semester, you should be able to take it during a later semester.  Some URP students also take GIS in the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).  [You will find that some programs outside URP may make it harder for students not in their program to get into their courses, but persistence is often effective.]
Most classes are offered ONCE per year.  So, if you don't take it this fall, it will likely be offered next fall. (Exceptions: include  two PhD theory courses, URP 700 and URP 701, are offered alternate years).  Sometimes an elective course might be offered as just a one-off (e.g., a customized course taught by a visiting faculty member) or not offered certain years (for faculty scheduling reasons).   So, if you see an interesting course offered this year and think "Oh, I may try to take that next year," ask first whether it in fact will be offered next year. 

Do courses have prerequisites?
Though most URP courses do NOT have prerequisites, some do.  Some examples (not a complete list, and please confirm with individual course instructor):

How soon do I need to finalize my fall course schedule?
You can easily ADD/DROP courses within the first three weeks.   Students "shop around" for courses during the first week or two of class, and faculty generally expect to see students coming and going during the first few sessions (even arriving late and/or leaving early to go to another class that overlaps). Students typically settle on their course schedule by the end of the second week (if not earlier).  Remember:  though you don't need to finalize your schedule until the third week of the semester. you do need to register by the first day of class and have at least one course on your schedule. 

Academic calendar: http://ro.umich.edu/calendar/

How do I waive out of a required course (i.e., get an exemption)?
To request to waive out of the course, complete the course waiver form (link).  Waivers are not automatic:  they require written approval by the Program Chair or the faculty member teaching the course. Waivers for fall courses should be requested upon your arrival in the fall and approved before the end of the official drop/add date for the current semester. You will need to show a record of recently taking a comparable previous course with a grade of "B" or higher (provide a transcript & a syllabus or equivalent).  If the waiver is granted, be sure to note the relevant box on your "Degree Requirements Checklist" sheet, which should be kept on file with the program administrator. (You will need to submit a completed version of this sheet during the semester you plan to graduate.) For more information see the section "COURSE WAIVER(S)" on this web page.

The most frequent waivers are for statistics and public economics: in past years, I would estimate that ca. one-third to one-half of MURP students waived out of each of these courses. Waiving out of the other core courses is far less frequent.

Here are a few comments on waiving from specific core courses:

• URP 506 (Quant. Planning Methods):  Few students have the necessary background to waive out of UP 506.   (Exception:  students in dual/joint-degree programs sometimes waive out of URP 506 if they have covered similar material in their other program, such as in the MPP program).
• URP 507 (Fundamentals of Planning Practice):  Like URP 505, this course emphasizes planning-specific methods, and few students are advised to waive out of URP 507.
• URP 509 (public economics):  You can waive from URP 509 if you have recently taken a course in microeconomics. 
• URP 502/503 (planning law):  Waive only if you have the necessary coursework background (such as MURP/JD dual-degree students).
• URP 500 (planning history & theory):  Few students waive from this course.  The rare exception:  a student with a strong urban studies/urban planning undergraduate background who has read most of the material on the URP 500 syllabus.
• URP 601, 602, 603 (six-credit capstone): All students are required to take one of these options:  group capstone course (603);  professional project (602) or thesis (601).

What is the role of my advisor(s)?
Advisors can assist you with course selection, the selection of concentrations, answer overall questions about the program, and provide useful advice about navigating graduate school and the demands of the semester.  We try to match students and faculty based on areas of interest, but you are certainly welcome to change your advisor anytime throughout your time at Michigan.   You will also find that students tend to use many of the faculty as informal advisors.    Second-year students are also great resources of knowledge about courses, etc.

What do I need to do to make sure I graduate on time?

This URP web page outlines the requirements. The essentials include:

• complete at least 48 credits (you will need additional credits if you are doing a dual degree or the real estate certificate)
• maintain a "B" grade average (Rackham rule)
• complete all the required core courses
• document these steps on your "Degree Requirements Checklist" sheet

Interested in the urban planning PhD degree?
Here is a link to a useful page about applying to the PhD program. MUP students interested in the PhD program typically apply by January of their second year for fall admission. Contact Prof. Larissa Larsen (director of doctoral studies) if you have more questions.

In what other activities do MUP students get involved?
The program, college and larger university all are very active places with many events, organizations, and opportunities. Here are just a few:

• Urban Planning Students Association
• Agora Planning Journal
• the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. event (organized by planning students)
• Expanded Horizons
• Hines Competition

Michigan-Speak Glossary

• A&AB = Art and Architecture Building (one building, two units:  Taubman College; the School of Art & Design). Floor plan of building. The 36,000 ft2 building expansion(the "Taubman Wing") was completed in 2017.
• AAEL = Art, Architecture and Engineering Library (inside the Duderstadt Center across the street from the A&AB), which contains most (but not all) of our field's relevant texts (see also Hatcher below).
  
• AAATA = Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (ride free with your M-Card)
  
• Authentication = to authenticate is to login to university online services using your Uniqname and password.
  
• AY – Academic Year (September – April)
  
• Backpack (part of wolverineaccess): "Backpack is a time saving feature that allows you to identify classes that interest you prior to your registration appointment. You must load classes into your Backpack before you will be able to register for them." [source: Wolverine Access Tutorial for New UM Students]
• Canvas = the web-based system for coursework (an LMS - Learning Management System). (Note:  this is an optional system that many, but not all, faculty use to post course readings, assignments, syllabi, etc.) 
• CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services. free, on-campus service. Link to appointment page.
• Capstone (aka "exit project") = a required six-credit studio-like course, taken in 2nd year.  You have three options (listed from most to least frequent):  URP603 (group project); professional project (individual); masters thesis (individual). If you are considering the thesis or project options, discuss with your advisor at the end of year 1 (thesis & project options require a formal proposal, approved by the URP Curriculum Committee). More detailed information on the thesis option here.
  
• Cognate = outside your home program (e.g., a "cognate" course is a course outside URP).  Rackham used to require 4 credits of cognate courses, but ended this practice in ca. 2017.
  
• CRLT - Center for Research on Teaching and Learning (a campus-wide resource; the first of its kind in the nation).
• CTools = the old web-based system for coursework Originally known as "Course Tools". The university has replaced ctools with Canvas, and will no longer be actively used starting in fall 2016.
• DEI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Dual Degrees:  combining the MUP with another masters program (JD, MArch, MBA, MLA, MPH, MPP, MS/SNRE; MSW, MUD).  You can typically double-count one-sixth of the required credits and complete the two degrees in one less year than if you completed both separately.
  
• Duderstadt Center = the multi-use building across the street, containing the AAEL (library), many engineering facilities, the Mujo Café, etc.  (formerly known as the “Media Union”, now known as “The Dude”).
  
• Focus Area = areas of specialization within the planning program. (We currently list nine areas.) Students may choose to specialize in one focus area or may selectively choose electives from across two or more focus areas to create their own specialization. (Note: until 2019 the program required students to select a formal area of concentration. This requirement ended to provide students more flexibility in course selection.)
• GSI = Graduate Student Instructor (i.e., teaching assistant)
  
• GSRA = Graduate Student Research Assistant (i.e., research assistant)
  
• Hatcher = graduate library on Central Campus (contains most of the social science texts in planning/urbanization)
  
• ITCS = Information Technology Central Services (formerly ITD). Runs the SITES computer lab (2109 A&AB) and other labs around campus.
  
• LunchUP (Lunch Urban Planning): a series of informal lunchtime presentations open to all (lunch provided).
• M-Card = your student ID, which also is your library card, building access key, etc.
  
• Media Center = Room 2115 (A&AB). For printing, copying, plotting, equipment checkout, supplies, food.
  
• “Michigan Time” (now ended) – the former campus-wide tradition of starting classes ten minutes after the posted time. As of Fall 2018, Michigan time has ended, and classes will start at the posted time (and end 10 minutes before the posted end time.)
  
• MIRLYN = the university's online library catalog
• MURP = Master of Urban & Regional Planning (note: until recently known as the Master of Urban Planning - MUP)
• Rackham = the graduate division that overseas most (but not all) graduate programs on campus, including both planning degrees (MUP and Ph.D.). Stately building (completed in 1938) at E. Washington between Fletcher and State, with great study hall spaces. See their useful resources page for current students.
  
• SAND-North:  the “Spatial and Numeric Data Services” north campus location in the Art & Architecture Building.   (The main location is on Central Campus in the Hatcher Grad Library). 
  
• "Sweetland" - the Sweetland Center for Writing: a great resource for students. You can make an appointment to get one-on-one help with a paper you are writing.
• Taubman Wing = the 36,000 ft2 building expansion completed in 2017 (on the northeast side of the original building).
• TCAUP = Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning (Note:  the old practice was to speak about “tcaup”;  the current convention is to speak about “Taubman College”.   “caup” became “tcaup” in 1999 when A. Alfred Taubman, who once studied architecture at UM, donated $30m to the college.)
  
• "The Third Floor": 3rd floor of the A&AB, which mostly contains design studios, capstone rooms and faculty offices.
  
• Uniqname = your computer login ID and part of your email address (e.g., the xxxx in xxxx@umich.edu).
  
• UP:  (see URP)
  
• URP = Urban and Regional Planning Program (note: a "program", not a department).  We regionalists like to emphasize the "R" in URP.
  
• URRC = Urban & Regional Research Collaborative – an informal network within URP.   Ran the occasional “URRC Seminar” series (all invited), which has morphed into the LunchUP series (see above).
  
• Winter Semester = the semester from Jan – April (other universities might call this the "Spring Semester," but this is the snowy upper Midwest, so this term squarely sits in the "winter".)   UM has two 7-week terms during the summer:  Spring Semester (May – June) and Summer Semester (July – August).  (NOTE:  URP sometimes offers a course during the Spring Semester, but most MUP students do not take courses then.)
  
• Wolverine Access = web-based system for course registration, bill payment, etc.