Master of City & Regional Planning Program
The Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program is a two-year, nationally-accredited degree program that has students engaging with the critical challenges and exciting opportunities facing cities today. Our hands-on, "learn by doing" approach is unique among programs and makes our graduates ready for their careers on day one.
About the Program
The Master of City & Regional Planning degree (MCRP) is an applied, comprehensive, and professionally-based program. It is open to students with high standards of academic achievement who wish to pursue careers in city and regional planning. It is structured to prepare graduates to function in a general context of city planning. The core courses cover planning theory, methods, law, and formulation and implementation of plans and policies.
The MCRP program is structured to meet the needs of those who have earned undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. All students start at the foundations of the field and quickly gain the requisite skills and knowledge. The program is four semesters (two years) and students will take 48 units to graduate.The degree culminates in a thesis (CRP 5599), professional project (CRP 5596), or a community planning studio (CRP 5556).
We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment. We are dedicated to the principles of diversity, equity, and social justice.
Prospective Students
Application Deadline for Fall 2027 admission is April 1, 2027. Visit Graduate Admissions to apply.
Applicants for admission to the Master of City and Regional Planning program are expected to:
- Have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college;
- Demonstrated academic excellence by earning at least a 3.0 (out of 4.0) grade point average in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) units of undergraduate work; and
- Show evidence of motivation, maturity, work ethic, academic excellence, and intellectual ability through references (3 letters required), work experience, and other life experience.
Your application should include:
- A representative 5-10 page example of a self-authored paper or project to demonstrate writing ability;
- A statement of purpose that demonstrates an understanding of city and regional planning, your interest in the field, and your career and educational objectives;
- Three letters of recommendation; and
- A CV/Resume
Note: We do not require GRE exam scores to apply to the MCRP program. Applicants lacking prerequisites or other background requirements for classified standing requirements may be admitted on a conditionally classified basis, depending on the results of an individual analysis of their applications. Students entering the MCRP program are required to have a basic working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
Please contact our Graduate Coordinator with any questions:
- Email Graduate Coordinator Dave Amos (daveamos@calpoly.edu)
- Schedule a virtual office hours appointment with Dave
More about the program:
- Cal Poly CRP on Instagram!
- Focus Journal: Focus includes information on the year's faculty scholarship, community studios, and department news.
Prospective MCRP Student Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the application review process start?
A: CRP faculty start reviewing MCRP applications around the second week in January. Offers are made on a rolling basis.
Q: Where can I find the instructions and details for Cal State Apply?
A: You should find everything you need at the graduate education website (https://admissions.calpoly.edu/applicants/graduate/process.html)
Q:What documents are required to apply for the CRP Masters Degree Program?
A: A completed Cal State Apply Application, Three Letters of Recommendation, Writing Sample, Statement of Purpose and CV/Resume. See specific information below regarding these required documents.
Q: Where do I submit my letters of recommendation?
A: All (3) letters of recommendation MUST be uploaded to Cal State Apply directly by the person writing the recommendation, by the deadline for your application. Letters of recommendation should not be sent by you on behalf of your recommenders or directly by your recommenders to the department. Letters of recommendation are uploaded in Quadrant 4 under the “Evaluators” tab.
Q: Can applicants add additional contacts for letters of recommendations? I would like to submit two academic and two professional references if possible.
A: Yes.
Q:How long should the writing sample be?
A: Self-authored writing samples are to be 5-10 pages of writing. Graphics are acceptable but the majority of the sample must demonstrate your writing abilities. Upload your sample in Quadrant 4 “Program Materials”.
Q: Would a professional document, such as a report or grant application, be an appropriate writing sample or is an academic paper preferred?
A: Yes, as long as you are the sole author and it demonstrates your writing abilities.
Q: I am applying to Cal Poly’s MCRP Program and want to know where the writing sample should be uploaded to in the online application?
A: On the Cal State Apply Application under quadrant #4, Program Materials, is where you will upload your writing sample.
Q: The online application’s statement of purpose character limit is 3,700. Is this in-line with the program’s expectations for length?
A: No, this is just the limit set within the application. You are more than welcome to upload your Statement of Purpose under quadrant #4, Program Materials.
Q: Are GRE scores required when applying for the MCRP program?
A: No.
Q: I am getting ready to graduate from or have already graduated from Cal Poly SLO. Will I still need to submit my unofficial and official transcripts to the Registrar?
A: Unofficial transcripts MUST be uploaded by all applicants, including Cal Poly SLO undergraduates, thru Cal State Apply. As a Cal Poly SLO graduate, you will NOT need to send your official transcripts to the Admission office. If you graduated from any OTHER institution, other than Cal Poly SLO, you will NEED to send your Official transcripts to the Cal Poly SLO Admissions Office.
Q: Do you accept spring applications?
A: No.
Q: Do you offer financial support?
A: Visit the Graduate Financial Aid website to see what options are available to you. The CRP department offers limited scholarships to qualified applicants. Some graduate students are hired by faculty to support research, but those positions are only offered after a student arrives on campus.
Click here for a printable version of the Frequently Asked Questions
Enrolled Students
Key Resources:
- MCRP Flowchart 2026-2028 - Semesters (pdf): The flow chart guides you through the curriculum in the program. Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator if you need to deviate from this specific progression of courses. (Old 2022-2026 Flow Chart)
- 2026-2028 Cal Poly Semester Catalog - MCRP: This is a list of courses in the MCRP program. It also includes courses recommended for specializations. Please use the catalog website to explore other courses to fulfill elective requirements. Reminder: graduate students may only take courses at the 4000 and 5000 level. (Previous catalog)
- Cal Poly Graduate Education: This website contains information you need to track your progress to degree, find financial aid resources, and receive general graduate advising. Please contact grad@calpoly.edu for general graduate student questions.
- Graduate Education Handbook (pdf)
- Graduate Program Guides / Forms
- American Planning Association
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning
Advising and support:
- Email Graduate Coordinator Dave Amos (daveamos@calpoly.edu
- Schedule a virtual office hours appointment with Dave
- For administrative issues, see Janet Murrieta (jmurriet@calpoly.edu) in the CRP office located in building 5, room 313
- Sign up for our MCRP monthly newsletter. It includes news, information links, upcoming deadlines, and notice of any Zoom informational sessions for the MCRP program. You can unsubscribe or change your email preferences at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of the email. Click here to sign up for the MCRP newsletter.
City and Regional Planning and Civil Engineering (Concurrent CRP/CE)
Application Deadline for Fall 2027 admission is February 1, 2027. Visit Graduate Admissions to apply.
The Concurrent CE-MS/MCRP with Specialization in Transportation Planning is a joint interdisciplinary program between the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in the College of Engineering and the City and Regional Planning Department in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Participation in the program requires enrollment in both Colleges. Participants successfully completing the program are awarded both the Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CE-MS) and the Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) with a Specialization in Transportation Planning.
Please visit the Cal Poly Catalog Page for this program for more information.
Other Information
- MCRP Program Video
- CAED Program Video (College of Architecture and Environmental Design)
- Graduate Admissions
- Cal Poly Graduate Education Office
- Application Deadlines
- Financial Aid Information
