Join a top-ranked, accredited program where research meets real-world impact.
The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign combines rigorous academic study with real-world experience. Our students come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds and graduate prepared for meaningful, impactful careers.
The internationally recognized PhD program in Regional Planning prepares scholars for leadership positions at universities and research institutions in the US and around the world as faculty and policy makers.
Why Earn Your Master or PhD in Planning at Illinois?
Accredited & STEM-Designated
Our MUP program is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board and STEM-classified, offering international students the opportunity for up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
Career Connections That Matter
Illinois planning graduates lead city and regional planning departments, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. Our strong ties with professional networks and employers translate into real career opportunities.
Renowned Faculty
Study with faculty recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in housing, transportation, climate adaptation, and urban equity.
Diverse & Inclusive Community
Illinois welcomes students from across the country and around the world. You’ll learn in an environment that values different perspectives and experiences.
Big Ten Research Power
As part of a leading Research 1 university, MUP and PhD students gain access to cutting-edge resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a vibrant academic community.
Dynamic, Vibrant, and Accessible Urban Environment
Our community is cosmopolitan and lively, with three different downtown centers offering a range of dining, shopping, entertainment, and living experiences. A top-notch transit system and robust active transportation network makes car-free and car-light living a breeze. The department’s strong connections with local planning agencies offer students behind-the-scenes access to the governance that has made Champaign-Urbana one of the best places to live in the Midwest.
The U of I is a phenomenal research institution with many available options to be engaged in research as a graduate student. It’s a big reason I chose to come to Illinois. During my master’s program, I had the chance to collaborate on a paper on the impact of eviction moratoriums on COVID exposure with researchers from across the country. The paper was cited by the CDC in their order to extend the eviction moratorium in the summer of 2021. This was my first exposure to how research can directly and positively impact policy.
Your Career in Planning Starts Here
Graduates from Illinois’ Master of Urban Planning and PhD in Regional Planning programs are shaping cities and communities across the nation. From local planning departments to global consulting firms, our alumni hold influential positions that make a difference.
Examples of where our alumni work:
- City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
- Regional Transit Authority
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations across the Midwest
- National consulting and engineering firms
- Nonprofit housing and environmental organizations
- State and federal agencies shaping policy and development
- Federal agencies including FEMA and the Federal Reserve
- International organizations including the United Nations and Inter American Development Bank
