Overview

Northeastern University 's MS in Urban Planning and Policy program prepares you to lead transformative change in neighborhoods, communities, cities, towns, and regions. Seeking place-based solutions, you’ll learn to manage today’s most urgent environmental, social, and political challenges.

You’ll focus on topics from mitigating the impact of climate change to leveraging big data for equitable decision-making and planning inclusive, vibrant urban spaces. As a student, you’ll have access to leading research centers, including the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.

Shape your degree around your professional goals with four optional concentrations, and gain professional experience by participating in an optional, full-time paid co-op. You’ll graduate prepared for broad roles within the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Unique benefits

Engage in impact-focused studies, grounded in real-world practice, and gain hands-on experience addressing pressing urban challenges.
Learn from leaders and experts who influence climate progress, public health, and sustainable development.
Earn your degree with full- or part-time options in Boston with ties to the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and the School of Architecture.
Participate in an optional, paid co-op or research exchange.
Join alumni who are frontline leaders shaping national policy and driving meaningful change.
Get right to work. Our graduates have a 94.4% employment rate within a year of graduation—working in government, nonprofits, civil rights and advocacy groups, financial institutions, engineering firms, and more.

This program is visa-eligible at Northeastern University campuses in the United States and Canada.

Disclaimer: Visa eligibility may vary by location and individual circumstances. Applicants are responsible for verifying the most up-to-date visa regulations with the relevant visa or immigration agency before applying.

Get more details

Visit programme website

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The 21st-Century City: Urban Opportunities and Challenges in a Global Context
Economic Analysis for Policy and Planning
Statistical Analysis
Law and the City
Urban Planning and the Law
Contemporary Community Development
Participatory Community Planning Methods
Race, Justice, and Belonging in Planning Practice

Check out the full curriculum

Visit programme website

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-04-15 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-09 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-06-15 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-01-07 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Summer intake not available to Out-of-country international students

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

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

48 SCH

50 with optional co-op

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Urban Planning View 214 other Masters in Urban Planning in United States

Explore more key information

Visit programme website

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

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

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

Application
Application fee
Personal statement
Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
Three letters of recommendation
Resumé
English proficiency for international applicants

Make sure you meet all requirements

Visit programme website

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

34704 USD / year

≈ 34704 USD / year
Out-of-State

34704 USD / year

≈ 34704 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

34704 USD / year

≈ 34704 USD / year

Additional Details

$69,408 - $72,300

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 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.

Check for any work restrictions

Visit programme website

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 Planning and Policy.

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

Unique benefits

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Boston

Financing

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners