School of Planning, Design and Construction

If you are applying as an undergraduate, admission to MSU will ensure you a spot at SPDC. For graduate students, the School handles admissions. Also available is limited enrollment for transfer students.

For more information about how to become a part of SPDC as a freshman, transfer or graduate student, please visit the MSU Office of Admissions. 

To speak with an advisor prior to your application, please call SPDC's Student Services at (517) 432-3393 or email an advisor directly.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
• Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
• Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
• Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
• Master of Science in Construction Management
• Master of Arts in Environmental Design
• Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Doctorate in Planning, Design and Construction.

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree. 

Enrollment in the Construction Management undergraduate major is limited. Factors used in consideration for admission to the upper-level courses include:

• Overall number of credits and GPA;
• Completion of and GPA in specific courses in calculus, physics, statistics and economics; and
• Completion of and GPA in 100- and 200-level Construction Management courses.

Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree. 

Freshman and Transfer Admission

The Office of Admissions and Scholarships handles admission applications for undergraduate students. Please visit Office of Admissions and Scholarships for more information. 

Admission Requirements for Interior Design, Upper Division Status:

To be reviewed for admission to the Interior Design Upper Division (professional level Interior Design courses) students must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Completion of 56 credits.
• Overall University GPA of 2.5 or greater.
• An artistic/portfolio component may be required.
• Interior Design GPA of 3.0 or greater, in the following courses: IDES 140 (**IDES 142) (**IDES 150) (**IDES 152) ATD 231 IDES 240 IDES 250 (**IDES 252).

During the Spring term of IDES 252, students will be able to fill out an application to the Upper Division Major. At the end of the Spring term, students will be evaluated on the (**) courses and ranked accordingly. Of those who meet the above requirements, up to 20 could be admitted to the upper division.

Interior Design Courses

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree. 

Degree Requirements and Course Sequencing*

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program, the following must completed: 1) Complete 28 credits, 2) Submit a completed Landscape Architecture application package by the deadline specified by the School, and 3) Achieve a grade of 2.00 or higher in the following Landscape Architecture core courses:

• LA 140 Graphics & Two Dimensional Design Studio (4 cr);
• LA 141 Graphics & Three Dimensional Design Studio (4 cr); and
• LA 200 Introduction to Landscape Architecture (3 cr).

Students should also complete the following course(s): MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry (5 cr); (The completion of MTH 103 College Algebra (3 cr) and MTH 114 Trigonometry (3 cr) OR MTH 103 College Algebra (3 cr) and STT 200 Statistical Methods (3 cr) may also be used to satisfy the University, College and School mathematics requirement.); and PDC 120 Planning and Design Digital Graphics (2 cr).

Requirements for admission to Fall Year 3 Upper Division courses are showing in italics.

*Note: This is only a guide for completing the BLA degree. Students must meet with their Academic Advisor each semester to ensure proper course scheduling for timely completion of the degree.

**Note: These courses are offered during the summer semester.

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree. 

The university requirement for this degree is 120 credits, including general elective credits. The curriculum is comprised of 30 core credits, in addition to the 13 credits of non-major requirements and 18 elective, planning-related credits. The remaining 59 credits are university-wide requirements. Students are encouraged to consider the URP Study Abroad program titled “European Planning and Practice" offered during the summer semester in odd years (2021, 2023, 2025) for their six credit electives. The program is usually three to four weeks long and includes study in Germany and one or two additional European countries.

Searchable course descriptions are also available online.

Student quality at the MSU undergraduate level is assured though an admission process. The number of students admitted to the BSURP program is limited to between 80-100 students. This approach to admission helps to assure the highest quality of students that major in urban and regional planning, assures a strong and workable student/faculty ratio, and enables a viable student body community. Although official admission into the program occurs in the junior year, undergraduate students may take classes as early as their freshman year.

Students must meet the following criteria before they are considered for admission to the Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning in their junior year:

1. Submit a completed application by the deadline (October 15) – the application includes questions and evidence of awards, work/volunteer experience, writing sample, statement of purpose, recommendations, etc. Prospective students meet the Undergraduate Academic Advisor before admission to assess whether or not the student meets minimum qualifications for admission.
2. Successfully complete UP 201 – Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning. This course is a pre-requisite for the 300 and 400 level urban planning courses.
3. Successfully complete CSE 101 – Computing Concepts and Competencies, EC 201- Introduction to Microeconomics, PLS 100 - Introduction to American National Government, and STT 201 – Statistical Methods.
4. Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0.

Admission to the BSURP program is competitive, and there is no guarantee that students with a major preference in Urban and Regional Planning will be admitted as a junior. For admission at the junior level, faculty considers the relative qualifications of the applicant, their suitability for the program, and enrollment capacity of the program. We encourage students that have interests in social science and economics to apply.

For freshman and transfer admissions, the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships handles admission applications for undergraduate students.

Master of Science in Construction Management

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree.

• Possess a four-year degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Provide scores from GRE. Admission requires a minimum combined score of 297 on verbal and quantitative sections, with an analytical writing score of no less than 3.5.
• Submit TOEFL scores if you are an international applicant. Admission requires a minimum average score of:
  • Computer-Based: 213 with no sub-score below 19.
  • Internet-Based: 80 with no sub-score below 19 for reading, listening and speaking; and no sub-score below 22 for writing.
  • Paper-Based: 550 (paper-based) with no sub-score below 52.

Admission to the master’s program is rolling. For priority consideration, applications should be received by:

• February 15 for fall semester admission.
• August 15 for spring semester admission.

Preferred backgrounds include:

• Construction management,
• Architecture,
• Engineering,
• Design,
• Urban panning,
• Business management and
• Real estate.

Master of Arts in Environmental Design

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree.

• Possess a four-year degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Provide scores from GRE. Admission requires a minimum combined score of 297 on verbal and quantitative sections, with an analytical writing score of no less than 3.5.
• Submit TOEFL scores if you are an international applicant. Admission requires a minimum average score of:
  • Computer-Based: 213 with no sub-score below 19.
  • Internet-Based: 80 with no sub-score below 19 for reading, listening and speaking; and no sub-score below 22 for writing.
  • Paper-Based: 550 with no sub-score below 52.

This graduate program is intended for students holding an accredited undergraduate degree in one of the major design professions, including:

• Interior design.
• Landscape architecture.
• Graphic design.
• Urban design.
• A related design field.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree.

Admission to the MURP program does not require prior urban planning coursework and is designed to build on undergraduate strengths. We encourage students from various backgrounds and different stages in their professional careers to apply. We take into account a number of factors including:

• A personal statement about your interest in the program.
• Undergraduate GPA.
• Letters of recommendation.

Ideal students are those with strong intellectual ability; good written and verbal communication skills; basic statistical methods and have demonstrated a proven potential for leadership in the field of urban and regional planning.

Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, Design and Construction

Learn more about requirements and courses for this degree.

To be considered for regular admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Planning, Design and Construction, an applicant must have all of the following:

1. A master’s degree in a related field.
2. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. GRE scores no lower than 301 in combined verbal and quantitative and at least 4.0 analytical.
4. TOEFL scores (for international applicants):
   • Paper-based: No lower than 575 (with no sub scores below 52).
   • Computer-based: No lower than 235 (with no sub scores below 19).
   • Internet-based: No lower than 90 (with no sub scores below 19 for reading, listening, and   speaking, and no writing sub score below 22).

Additionally, students are encouraged to submit a sample of scholarly work or a portfolio of design work. Depending on the proposed area of concentration, the school may ask for additional background information.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who does not meet the above requirements but demonstrates outstanding potential. Collateral course work will not count towards degree requirements.