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:

The number of students admitted to the major in interior design is limited. To be considered for admission, a student must have:

1. Completed at least 28 credits.
2. An all–university grade–point average of 2.50 or better.
3. A grade–point average of 3.00 or better in the following courses: Interior Design 140, 142, 150, 152, and 240. Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below in the Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design.

In addition, transfer students must have previous design work evaluated by the department prior to placements in required courses.

Selective admissions are made at the end of spring semester for Michigan State University and transfer students from those students who have met the criteria referenced above and who have completed Interior Design 240. The final selection of students to be admitted to the major is based on the cumulative grade–point average of all courses taken and a grade–point average calculated for selected courses and portfolio review by faculty members.

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. 

Degree Requirements and Course Sequencing

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning. The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Urban and Regional Planning major is met by completing Urban Planning 365. 
2. The College of Social Science requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

The BSURP curriculum is comprised of 37 core and 18 elective, planning-related credits. 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.

Suggested course sequencing for junior and senior years is below. This sequencing is modified for Fast Track MURP Option candidates. These candidates should schedule an appointment with the URP Undergraduate Student Advisor in year three to receive more detailed information.

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: 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.

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.
  • GPA REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL VALID FOR DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. DOMESTIC STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE.
• 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.
  • GRE SCORES WILL BE WAIVED FOR JAN 2021 AND AUG 2021 MSCM APPLICANTS.
• Submit TOEFL scores if you are an international applicant. THIS REQUIREMENT IS STILL VALID. 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. (Admissions capacity has been reached for Fall 2022, applications are now closed)
• August 15 for spring semester admission.

Preferred backgrounds include:

• Construction management,
• Architecture,
• Engineering,
• Design,
• Urban planning,
• 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 Requirements

Admission to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (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.

Degree Requirements and Course Sequencing

MURP Degree requires a total of 43 credits and can be achieved in two ways: Research Track (Plan A) or Professional Practice Track (Plan B). The foundation of the degree is contained in eight core courses (28 credits) required of all students:

1. Urban planning core courses (28 credits):
   1. UP 801: Concepts and Issues in Planning and Development.
   2. UP 814: Applied Research Methods for Planning and Development.
   3. UP 823: Urban Land Management and the Environment.
   4. UP 824: Geographic Information Systems and Design Tools for Planning.
   5. UP 844: Planning Theory and Ethics.
   6. UP 854: Economics of Planning and Development.
   7. UP 865: Planning and Development Law.
   8. UP 894: Planning Practicum. 

2. In addition to the core courses, all students take nine credits of Approved Electives (UP/PDC courses at or above 400 level).

Additional Requirements for the Research Intensive Track (Plan A)

Students are expected to write a Masters Thesis. This is a two-step process whereby the student must enroll in UP 889 Masters Research for two (2) credits with their major faculty advisor who will chair their research before they can enroll in four (4) credits of UP899 Master's Thesis Research or additional elective courses usually in their second year. A maximum of six (6) credits can be taken in UP889 and UP899.

Additional Requirements for the Professional Practice Track (Plan B)

Students choose six (6) additional credits from the list of approved electives (UP/PDC courses at or above 400 level). If a student wishes to take electives not already approved by the program, they must get approval from the Program Director or their major research professor.

Searchable course descriptions are available online. Below is the suggested sequencing of courses for MURP students which would allow for students to complete the degree in four semesters (This sequencing is modified for Fast Track MURP Option candidates.). Courses taken out of sequence may result in a longer time to degree. 

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.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 11 transfer credits equal to the 400- or 800-level at MSU may be accepted toward the Master in Urban and Regional Planning degree.

Time Limit

The time limit for completing the degree is six years from the first semester of enrollment in the program.

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.