About This Program

Looking to shape the future of cities and communities? The Master of Urban Design degree will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to tackle the challenges of sustainable design, social equity and community engagement. From design studios to field experiences, the Urban Design program offers an immersive and hands-on educational experience. Pair this degree with the M.Arch. degree in Architecture for additional opportunities. Read more...

Contact Information

• Sung Ho Kim | skim67@kent.edu |
  330-672-2917
• CAEDgradprograms@kent.edu

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Cleveland

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in either design or urban-related studies from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement (include intent and background information)
• Portfolio (design work should clearly indicate role in group projects)
• Three letters of recommendation, with one letter from a non-academic source
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: February 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements 1
ARCH 60922	METHODS OF INQUIRY IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES	2
ARCH 65001	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT	2
UD 55102	URBAN SYSTEMS	3
UD 55704	COMMUNITY DESIGN CHARRETTE	1
UD 55705	FORCES THAT SHAPE CITIES	3
UD 60701	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I	6
UD 60702	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO II	5
UD 65101	COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS	1
UD 65632	URBAN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS	3
Supplemental Major Requirements 2
ARCH 56995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE	2
LARC 60100	DESIGN VISUALIZATION	3
LARC 60101	LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO I	5
LARC 60102	LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO II	5
LARC 60923	EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN	1
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:		8
Research Track 3
UD 60799	MASTERS PROJECT IN URBAN DESIGN
UD 61798	MASTER PROJECT IN URBAN DESIGN PREPARATION 4
Practicum Track
UD 61798	MASTER PROJECT IN URBAN DESIGN PREPARATION 4
UD 66896	URBAN DESIGN PRACTICUM PROJECT
Practicum Track Electives, choose from the following (5-6 credit hours):
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE
GEOG 51066	GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 52052	HEALTH GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 54010	GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
GEOG 55085	URBAN TRANSPORTATION
GEOG 56070	URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
GEOG 59070	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59076	SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59080	ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59162	CARTOGRAPHY
GEOG 59230	REMOTE SENSING
GEOG 60191	SEMINAR IN TOPICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 60800	SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT
LARC 50095	SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
LARC 60100	DESIGN VISUALIZATION
LARC 60111	LANDSCAPE HISTORY AND THEORY
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN
Other course as approved
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		50

¹

• Students with prior design standing may complete the degree with 34 total credit hours. Depending on approved waivers, some students may graduate with fewer than 50 total credit hours, but no fewer than 30 total credit hours.
• In certain instances of prior equivalent coursework, up to 3 credit hours may be waived.
• Students who complete the annual Urban Land Institute (ULI) Hines Student Competition are eligible to have 1 credit hour waived.

²

Only students without prior design standing are required to complete all the supplemental major requirements.

³

Students require prior approval to pursue the research track.

⁴

A maximum 3 credit hours of UD 61798 may be applied toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary

Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
-	3.000

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Credit Hours for the Degree

• Students without prior design standing will complete the degree with 50 total credit hours.
• Students with prior design standing may complete the degree with 34 total credit hours.
• In certain instances of prior equivalent coursework, up to 3 credit hours may be waived.
• Students who complete the annual Urban Land Institute (ULI) Hines Student Competition are eligible to have 1 credit hour waived.
• Depending on approved waivers, some students may graduate with fewer than 50 total credit hours, but no fewer than 30 total credit hours.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to build abstract relationships and understand the impact of ideas based on research and analysis of multiple theoretical, social, political, economic, cultural and environmental contexts. This includes the wider range of media used to think about urban and regional design, including writing, investigative skills, speaking, drawing and model making.
2. Develop an ability to utilize the technical instruments of the urban design field, including legal instruments, urban systems and their organization; and the role of these varied elements in the implementation of design and their impact on the environment. This is inclusive of understanding and abilities at a range of scales from local to regional design and the implications of policy and design decision-making at these ranges of scale.
3. Manage, advocate and act legally, ethically and critically for the good of society and the public. This includes collaborative, professional and leadership skills, especially in the public arena.

Dual Degree with M.Arch. in Architecture

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.U.D. degree in Urban Design and the M.Arch. degree in Architecture. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page. Students in the M.Arch. degree must be declared in the Accelerated Track concentration to be admitted to the dual degree.

This dual degree program prepares students to enter the profession of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. It fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs and offers a broad exposure to professional issues and knowledge related to urban design.

Dual Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ARCH 60101	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO I	6
ARCH 60102	GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO II	5
ARCH 60150	PROJECT PROGRAMMING	3
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE	3
ARCH 60922	METHODS OF INQUIRY IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES	2
ARCH 65001	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT	2
ARCH 65002	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: CONTRACT AND PLANNING LAW	2
ARCH 65003	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP, ETHICS AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT	2-3
ARCH 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE 1	1
UD 55102	URBAN SYSTEMS	3
UD 55705	FORCES THAT SHAPE CITIES	3
UD 60701	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I	6
UD 60703	URBAN DESIGN STUDIO III	5
UD 65101	COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS	1
UD 65632	URBAN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS	3
UD 66896	URBAN DESIGN PRACTICUM PROJECT	2
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN 2	1
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN	1
Architecture (ARCH) Graduate Electives (50000 or 60000 level)		6
Approved Electives, choose from the following: 3		8
ARCH 60301	THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE
GEOG 51066	GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
GEOG 52052	HEALTH GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 54010	GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
GEOG 55085	URBAN TRANSPORTATION
GEOG 56070	URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
GEOG 59070	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59076	SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
GEOG 59080	ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 59162	CARTOGRAPHY
GEOG 59230	REMOTE SENSING
GEOG 60191	SEMINAR IN TOPICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 60800	SEMINAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT
LARC 50095	SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
LARC 60100	DESIGN VISUALIZATION
LARC 60111	LANDSCAPE HISTORY AND THEORY
UD 66995	SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN DESIGN
Other course as approved
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		65

¹

Special topics course in professional practice.

²

Special topics related to studio.

³

With approval, students may apply other courses from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; another Kent State college, school or department; or the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Full Description

The Master of Urban Design degree expands on traditional architectural, landscape architecture and planning education with an understanding of the processes of urban development, and with the skills required to the physical shaping of urban places. The program is aimed at students with a prior background in either design or urban-related studies. The degree seeks to develop knowledgeable specialists who possess significant ability to identify opportunities in the urban environment and the sensibility to provide design solutions to the most complex problems encountered.

Faculty work in close collaboration with students through rigorous curricula focused on the application of research in the design of layered and mutually reinforcing systems and public spaces. The degree culminates with either a final hands-on practicum component or a final independent design research project for eligible students.

Projects range from neighborhood plans to large-scale urban and regional initiatives engaging cultural and environmental concerns. Project locations are often in Cleveland and similar regional cities, but they address far-reaching global concerns. Students can engage in applied research in systemic approaches to the development of urban environments, considerations of place and identity and the place-making potential of infrastructure. Further directions include the design of cities and neighborhoods that promote physical and mental health; studies of sustainable infrastructures that support sustainable ecological systems; the adaptation of traditional models of urbanism to changing conditions; and the future of urban economies as it relates to physical place-making.