Master of Community Planning: Admissions

Candidates must have earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Apply via the graduate application website.

Read the latest instructions. When prompted, put in the four letter code that identifies the program for which you are applying. 

The four-letter online code for the Master of Community Planning degree is CMPL.

Fee

A non-refundable $75 fee is required for each program application. Payment of your application fee must be made on-line in order for your application to be submitted. Your application will not be processed until you pay your application fee and it is authorized. 

To find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver, please click on the following link: https://gradschool.umd.edu/feewaiverinformation 

Transcripts

Unofficial copies of transcripts from each institution, including the University of Maryland, must be attached to your application. Applicants who are admitted will be required to request that official transcripts be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office from each institution where undergraduate or prior graduate work was undertaken. Sealed envelopes of transcripts that meet the requirements below must be submitted. 

Transcripts must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing, and any degree, certificate, or diploma received.

Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendations are required from professors or other unrelated individuals who can assess the applicant’s potential to succeed in this program. The online application provides an electronic recommendation form, which in most cases facilitates submission and receipt.

Statement of Purpose

(1000-2000 words)

Applicants must submit a statement of their goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study using the online application. The statement should address the following two questions:

• What are your reasons for undertaking graduate study at the University of Maryland, College Park? Indicate, if appropriate, any specific areas of research interest. You may wish to discuss past work in your intended field or allied fields, your plans for a professional career, or how you developed your interest in or knowledge of your chosen subject.

• What life experiences have prepared you to pursue a graduate degree at a large and diverse institution such as the University of Maryland? Among the items you might care to include would be your financial, community, and family background, whether you are the first person in your family to pursue higher education, or any other factors that you believe would contribute to the diversity of our academic community. You may also wish to give the graduate admissions committee some examples of your determination to purse your goals, your initiative and ability to develop ideas, and/or your capacity for working through problems independently.

Resume

Applicants must attach an up-to-date resume via the online application.

International Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit additional documents.

Updated information is available on the Graduate School website.

The Fall 2025 deadline to the Master of Community Planning is July 18, 2025 for domestic applicants and March 14, 2025 for international applicants. 

The Spring 2025 deadline for application to the Master of Community Planning is December 13, 2024 for domestic applicants and September 13, 2024 for international applicants.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit additional documents. Updated information is available on the Graduate School website.

For current tuition and fees, please visit the Student Financial Services and Cashiering website.