Master of Urban Planning and Development

Program Overview

MUPD
GRE Waiver Information

Cleveland State has updated graduate application processes for the 2022-2023 academic year: the application fee and GRE test score requirements are currently waived. 

Personal statements may be submitted via email to urbanprograms@csuohio.edu, or uploaded directly to your admissions application. Questions? Please email us at urbanprograms@csuohio.edu.


The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University is consistently recognized as one of the best public affairs colleges in the nation according to US News & World Report.

Our Master of Urban Planning and Development (MUPD) program equips urban planning and development professionals with the knowledge and skills to effect positive change for diverse and dynamic metropolitan regions and communities. The MUPD program prepares future planners with skills to analyze past, present and future urban conditions and provides them with an opportunity to develop technical expertise in a variety of areas of practice. Through our curriculum, engaged activities, and faculty research, we generate innovative ideas that foster livable, equitable, vibrant, and sustainable futures, particularly for legacy cities.

The MUPD program is fully accredited as a planning program by the Planning Accreditation Board. We have graduated more than 350 students since the program's inception in 1990. Our MUPD graduates are employed today by cities, townships, community development corporations, social service organizations, real estate and development organizations, and planning firms across Ohio and the United States. 

Prospective MUPD program students include:

  • Recent college graduates interested in building more equitable, livable and sustainable cities;
  • Mid-career planners and public sector administrators who work in community development, economic development, environmental or sustainability planning, land use planning, housing, historic preservation, and/or real estate development;
  • Employees with federal, state, county, and local governments;
  • Employees at regional planning authorities or special districts;
  • Staff at nonprofit organizations working to stabilize or improve neighborhoods; and
  • Individuals interested in real estate development.
Career Opportunities

Graduate urban planning education offers students the opportunity to pursue careers in city or regional planning, housing and neighborhood development, real estate finance and development, economic development, environmental planning, historic preservation, and geographic information systems (GIS). Courses train new planners and upgrade the skills of existing planners, with an emphasis on contemporary planning theories, skills and methods.

MUPD graduates work in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Many graduates pursue careers with:

  • City and county economic development agencies
  • City and county planning agencies
  • Community development organizations
  • Metropolitan planning organizations
  • Nonprofit advocacy organizations
  • Philanthropic foundations
  • Private sector planning, development, and design firms
  • Public or non-profit housing agencies
  • Public park systems
  • Real estate development firms
  • School districts
  • State and federal government agencies
  • University research centers
  • Watershed organizations
Contact Information

Dr. Wendy Kelloggw.kellogg@csuohio.edu
Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning
Director, Master of Urban Planning and Development Program

Dave Arrighi, Graduate Programs Coordinator
Public Affairs Student Services Center
Telephone: (216) 523-7522 / E-mail: urbanprograms@csuohio.edu

GRE Waiver Information