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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for admission to the City & Regional Planning program?
May I speak with a current student to learn more about the City & Regional Planning program?
I am interested in earning a dual masters degree. How does the application process work?
I have a specialized interest that I would like to pursue. Does the CRP department offer opportunities in my particular area of interest?
I am having trouble choosing between the Urban Design & Development track and the Environmental Planning track. What should I do?
What financial aid and scholarships are available?
How do I apply for admission to the City & Regional Planning program?
The Cal Poly online application process is carried out via the CSU Mentor website (http://www.csumentor.edu/). For complete information on the admissions process, including deadlines and special instructions for transfer and international students, visit the university’s Admissions page (http://admissions.calpoly.edu/).
For the Master of Science in City & Regional Planning program, supplemental application materials must also be sent to the City & Regional Planning Department directly. For detailed instructions on the required supplemental application , click here: http://planning.calpoly.edu/prospective/mcrp-application-process.html
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May I speak with a current student to learn more about the City & Regional Planning program?
We encourage prospective students to talk with current students and faculty for first hand insights about experiences in CRP. For a list of faculty and their contact information, click here.
To be connected with a current student, please contact the department (crp@calpoly.edu or 805-756-1315). Be sure to specify whether you are interested in the undergraduate or masters program, and if you have an area of specialization or interest.
I am interested in earning a dual masters degree. How does the application process work?
Dual masters degrees can greatly expand graduate students job opportunities and earning potential. For information on specific degrees CRP studetns have obtained, see:
MS Civil Engineering in Transportation Planning:
Degree Description and Requirements (http://planning.calpoly.edu/programs/transportation.html)
Contac CRPt: Professor Cornelius Nuworsoo (http://planning.calpoly.edu/people/nuworsoo.html) of your interest and for personalized advising.
Master of Public Policy (http://mpp.calpoly.edu/index.html)
Master of Architecture (http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/prospective/documents/masters-brochure.pdf)
Once a student has begun one of the masters programs, he or she may apply to the Architecture Department and file a Post Baccalaureate Change of Objective form to begin another degree. For questions regarding the Master of Architecture program, contact Jens Pohl (link to faculty profile: http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/people/pohl.html) at jpohl@calpoly.edu.
I have a specialized interest that I would like to pursue. Does the CRP department offer opportunities in my particular area of interest?
CRP offers access to a diverse set of specialization areas including:
- wildfire hazard mitigation
- international development
- bicycle infrastructure/policy
- planning in diverse communities
- democracy in planning
- climate action planning
While all CRP students gain comprehensive training in planning theory as well as practical skills, most students tailor their course and work experience to their individual interests. The CRP department values students’ diverse interests and encourages students to develop specialized expertise through the following opportunities:
- Assisting faculty with academic research
- Internships during the summer or school year
- Independent study for course credit
- Enrollment in courses offered in departmens within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) and in colleges such as Business, Agriculture, and Enginnering.
I am having trouble choosing between the Urban Design & Development track and the Environmental Planning track. What should I do?
Track selection is usually done after a student joins a program and may evolve as students take a variety of required and elective courses. Preliminary conversations with academic advisors, emails to faculty with interests congruent to your own, and phone conversations may be helpful. Masters students may also contact Graduate Program Coordinator Mike Boswell.
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What financial aid and scholarships are available?
There are two main programs for financial aid, grants, and scholarships:
- State & Federal Aid: To be eligible for general aid, students must complete the FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) during the winter preceding the academic year for which aid is needed. For more information regarding Cal Poly’s Financial Aid process, visit: http://financialaid.calpoly.edu/.
- Department Aid: Students will be notified via email when scholarships applications are available. Masters students will receive the department financial aid application with their acceptance letter.
For a list of scholarships and other financial awards, visit http://planning.calpoly.edu/opportunities/index.html