The MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, offered through the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP) at Tufts, prepares you to be part of a new generation of leaders– ‘practical visionaries’ – who will contribute to the development and promotion of inclusive, sustainable and just communities. A nationally accredited urban planning program, the program is distinct from many other planning and policy programs by having a strong social justice focus. UEP is a community of practicing scholars and experienced practitioners. Our faculty, students, and alumni are public-spirited individuals committed to engaged processes and just outcomes for cities, communities, and ecosystems.

Students can choose to study either full-time or enroll in the part-time track for working professionals.

Dual degree programs are also available. A dual degree consists of two mater's degrees awarded for work done in distinct disciplines by two schools of Tufts University or Boston College. UEP offers the following dual degrees:

Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning and Agriculture, Food, and Environment
Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning and Food and Nutrition Policy and Programs
Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning and Law
Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning and Law and Diplomacy

Program Outcomes

As a student in the program, you will learn to engage and confront the social and environmental challenges in today's world of rapid urbanization and changing climate. You'll gain the necessary skills to work towards effective policy and planning solutions through academic coursework, applied fieldwork projects, work experience, and individual research. The program's flexible curriculum allows you to work with your faculty advisor to develop a coursework track and a thesis or capstone exam that focus on your interests in urban, social, and environmental issues.

Graduates of the MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning program go on to pursue careers in a wide variety of planning and policy fields. Alumni work in settings such as local and state planning and other government agencies, environmental and conservation organizations, housing authorities, transportation agencies, community development corporations and other community-based organizations, private consulting firms, and social welfare agencies, among others.

Application Requirements

Application Fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement
- In 3-4 double-spaced pages or up to 1000 words, please explain your motivations and purpose for applying to study in UEP. Please include the following:
  - What previous experiences have brought you to the decision to apply for graduate study?
  - What are your motivations to apply at this time and what do you hope to do after graduate study at UEP?
  - What specifically about UEP (faculty, curriculum, courses, location, mission, etc) will support your growth from your current set of experiences to your next steps?
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable
Transcripts
Three Letters of Recommendation
GRE not required

Contact gradmissions@tufts.edu for general information about applying and Rebecca Shakespeare for UEP specific information.

Tuition and Financial Aid

See Tuition and Financial Aid information for GSAS Programs. Note: This program is eligible for federal loans and Tufts tuition scholarships.

Racial Equity in Policy and Planning Fellowship

The Racial Equity in Policy and Planning Fellowship supports five students per year to complete the MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning or the MS in Environmental Policy and Planning.

Full-Time or Part-Time Tracks

Students can choose to study either full-time or enroll in the part-time track for working professionals, attending some courses during the evenings and on weekends.

Full-Time Track

The accredited urban planning MA program usually takes two years of full-time study. The program requires completion of twelve or thirteen courses plus a thesis or capstone exam for a total of 42 credits.

Part-Time Track for Working Professionals (domestic applicants only)

Using a trimester format for graduate coursework, the part-time accredited urban planning program allows working professionals to work full-time while attending some of their courses during the evening, online, and/or weekends, allowing completion of the program within three years, depending on student pacing. Some required courses are only offered during the business day; please consult the upcoming semester’s course schedule for the most up-to-date information. Requirements are the same as full-time study.

Meet Tufts UEP

Tufts UEP is a community of practicing scholars—our faculty, students and alumni are public-spirited individuals committed to engaged processes and just outcomes for cities and communities.

Program Spotlights

A Practical Visionary

Peyton Siler Jones, MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning '22, has had a lifelong passion for understanding the connections between social and ecological systems, which led her to Tufts.

Many of the faculty are practitioners who bring awesome experience from the field and really get it. I look forward to continuing to apply what I've learned from them.