Overview

The Urban Design programme at Kent State University provides students with the essential tools and theoretical knowledge required to address modern challenges in sustainable design and social equity. This professionally directed course focuses on the physical shaping of urban environments through rigorous studio-based learning and research. Students engage with complex systems to improve the quality of life within diverse communities.

Why Urban Design at Kent State University?

The programme is uniquely situated in the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) at Playhouse Square in Downtown Cleveland. This location serves as a living laboratory where students work alongside professional staff on real-world regional initiatives. The facility fosters close collaboration with community members, public officials, and design professionals, allowing student work to directly influence the civic agenda. Participants also benefit from annual events such as the Community Design Charrette and the Urban Land Institute’s Hines Student Competition, providing valuable exposure to professional practice and competitive design environments.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 20332 per year
National fee: USD 20332 per year
Local fee: USD 10706 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum integrates design studios with seminars covering urban history, contemporary theory, and the economic realities of space production. Modules may include:

Urban Design Studio
Forces That Shape Cities
Urban Systems
Urban Ecological Systems
Community Development Process
Real Estate and Development
Contract and Planning Law
Urban Design Practicum Project
Masters Project in Urban Design

Careers with Urban Design

Graduates are prepared for specialist roles that tackle demographic changes and environmental sustainability within the built environment. The programme develops the expertise needed to identify opportunities in urban settings and provide innovative solutions to complex spatial problems. Common career paths for alumni include:

Urban and Regional Planners
Architectural Managers
Urban Designers
Postsecondary Architecture Teachers
Designers in municipal governments or planning agencies

These professionals work within architectural firms, public sector agencies, and non-profit organisations to revitalise communities and create sustainable public spaces.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Professional Practice: Real Estate And Development

Forces That Shape Cities

Urban Design Studio

Community Development Process

Urban Systems

Urban Ecological Systems

Urban Design

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

34 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cleveland, United States

Disciplines

Urban Planning View 211 other Masters in Urban Planning in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (starting with the fall 2026 admission term, a bachelor's degree in either design or urban-related studies is required)

Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale

Official transcript(s)

GRE scores (starting with the fall 2026 admission term, GRE scores will no longer be required)

Goal statement (include intent and background information)

Portfolio (design work should clearly indicate role in group projects)

Three letters of recommendation, with one letter from a non-academic source

English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20332 USD / year

≈ 20332 USD / year
Out-of-State

20332 USD / year

≈ 20332 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

10706 USD / year

≈ 10706 USD / year

Living costs

Cleveland

United States

980 - 1620 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Urban Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Cleveland

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners