Beginning in Fall 2021, Columbia GSAPP will offer a part-time option allowing students to complete the Master of Science in Urban Planning (MSUP) degree over the course of four years (eight semesters) as an alternative to two years (four semesters) of full-time study. This part-time option is specifically intended for active practitioners in the field who wish to maintain professional positions while completing their degree. To qualify, an applicant must have work experience in planning or a related field for at least two years of full-time or four years of part-time employment prior to application.
The MSUP part-time option is based on the same academic requirements as the full-time option, and successful completion results in the same degree. Students must maintain enrollment with a minimum of 6-9 points per semester to complete the degree requirements within a continuous four-year (eight-semester) period beginning in the Fall semester. Optimal completion is within four years of continuous study, and no more than five years if a leave is granted for extenuating circumstances during the course of studies. A typical curriculum and course sequence is shown below, and a student may follow a different sequence upon consultation with the Program Director.