Department website: http://soa.utexas.edu/

The Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD) is an academic degree focusing on urban design with associated coursework in the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and community and regional planning. The program is designed to help students develop the professional skills needed to engage in improving the quality and structure of the built environment. The MSUD is a STEM Designated Degree Program by the Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension.

Graduate Handbook

Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Admission Requirements

This degree program is open to qualified applicants who hold professional degrees in either architecture, landscape architecture, or planning. A dual-degree program with the Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning is available for students with baccalaureate degrees in any other discipline. 

Upon admission to the program, students must pay a nonrefundable enrollment deposit to indicate that they accept the offer of admission. The deposit is applied to the payment of tuition when the student enrolls. The deposit is also required of students admitted to dual degree programs.

Total Hours Required: 36

Requirements

The Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD) degree program requires completion of at least 36 semester hours of work. Students must either complete the core 3-semester studio sequence or obtain approval of the program's Graduate Studies Committee to undertake an honors project in lieu of the third required studio course. Students enrolled in the dual-degree program with Community and Regional Planning will have curriculum options to select from and should consult with both the Urban Design graduate advisor and the Community and Regional Planning graduate advisor to determine which option is most suitable for their interests and goals. Additional hours, in the form of a summer preparatory studio, may be required for students without a prior degree in either architecture or landscape architecture. An individual plan of study is defined for each student by the program director.