BSU master of urban and regional planning (MURP) degree is a rigorous program that focuses on effective urban development in the public interest and leads to professional certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners. The program emphasizes four program values, which are woven throughout the master’s curriculum. These values include a focus on physical planning, emphasis on a holistic approach, a multicultural perspective, and a tradition of hands-on education.

Degree Overview: The MURP program offers two degree options, one for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than planning, and an accelerated track for those who already have an accredited bacehlor's degree in planning. The standard track (first professional degree) is a 48-credit-hour, two-year program for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in planning. Our second track is the accelerated track, which is a 36-credit hour option. This curriculum leads to a second professional degree for those who already have an accredited bachelor’s degree in planning. This option can be completed in one year.

The MURP curriculum is segmented into a common core that all students take, a core particular to a chosen area of concentrated study, and allied electives available in planning and 16 other fields. The core presents knowledge that is essential to planning or its concentration areas.

To apply to the graduate program in urban and regional planning, you must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. You must also meet the requirements of the Ball State Graduate School or the Rinker Center for International Programs.

Your admission is based on your individual qualifications and satisfactory performance on all required materials. We require an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or 3.0 for the second half of your baccalaureate education.