mit phd in urban planning

Application Overview

Application instructions, program-specific requirements, graduate admissions.

Learn more about our programs

View our 2023-2024 MIT Architecture Graduate Student Program guide

Admissions Timeline

September 15: Applications open for all programs November 7 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST): Fall Open House (virtual) January 7 (11:59 p.m. EST): Applications due for all programs  Dec. 23—Jan 3: Staff on break (no email responses during this time) March 10—April 1: Application results released April 2, 2024: Recording of Admitted Students Open House   April 15 (5 p.m. EST): Decisions due from admitted students There are no rolling admissions. Applications for all degrees are reviewed in January for programs beginning the following September.

Application Links

Applicants to the Department of Architecture can create a user profile with MIT, then create an application in that system for our programs. To create your profile, go to apply.mit.edu/apply .  

If you have reviewed the admissions information on this site, and find that you have additional questions, we have developed an interactive form to help you better understand our programs:  Architecture Admissions Information Portal

We have a team of dedicated students who conduct tours of the Department during the academic year, both in-person and virtual. You can request a tour here: Tour Request Form

Admissions Information

Applying to more than one program.

You may apply to two different programs within the Department of Architecture. If you are considering two programs, it may be useful for you to discuss your plans with our admissions staff.

Before applying to two programs, here are some guidelines for you to consider:

• The career path of an MArch applicant is to become an architect. The SMArchS degree is for advanced research, usually after the MArch or other advanced degree.
• If you are unclear which SMArchS program is right for you, contact the discipline group of your choice and discuss your goals. If you wish to apply to two or more SMArchS programs, you will need to submit a separate application for each. If faculty think your work better suits another area than the one to which you applied, they will circulate your application among the different SMArchS admissions committees. You may be admitted to a different area than the one to which you applied.
• If you wish to apply to a SMArchS and a PhD program in the same area, just apply to the PhD program. The admissions committees may choose to admit some PhD applicants to the SMArchS program, but they will not admit SMArchS applicants to the PhD program.

Dual Degree Options

The only formal dual degree program is between the Department of Architecture, and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning: the dual Master of Architecture and Master of City Planning degrees. Other dual degrees have been crafted by qualified students already in the program by arrangement.

Applicants to the MArch/MCP program have two choices for applying: • Apply to both programs simultaneously. The applications must be accepted by both programs in order for student to enroll, but one program must be chosen to begin first. • Apply to either the MArch or the MCP program. Once admitted, at the end of the first year, apply to the second program. Admission to the second program is not guaranteed. • Students already enrolled in a graduate program at MIT need to have their study plans approved by both Architecture and the dual departments. Applicants will need two letters of recommendation from MIT faculty. Be aware each department or degree program may have different application deadlines. 

STEM Classifications

The majority of our programs are classified as STEM. This allows international students to extend their Optional Practical Training an additional two years for a total of three. The only programs NOT classified as STEM are the following: • SMACT (Master of Science in Art, Culture and Technology) • HTC SMArchS • HTC PhD • AKPIA SMArchS

Transferring Into MIT

The graduate program does not allow transfer students to enter the program. Applicants who have begun another program may qualify to waive required courses they have already taken and instead take electives. There is no option to shorten the 3.5-year MArch program.

Taking Classes Outside of a Degree Program

You can take courses within the MIT Architecture Department without being admitted to a degree program. There are two ways you can do this (both require an application): - You can apply to be a special student - Or you can apply to join the MIT Advanced Study Program

Summer and Online Courses

No MIT Architecture programs or courses are offered during the summer; however you may be interested in Harvard’s Career Discovery program . MIT also provides online course content through MIT OpenCourseWare . Search for Department of Architecture courses by choosing "course 4." These courses are not for credit.

Financing Your Education The philosophy of the Department of Architecture is based upon a desire to maintain a diverse student body and encourage those who have the interest and ability to succeed in the profession, regardless of their financial resources. The Department wants to make it possible for all of our students to graduate with a debt no larger than they can reasonably expect to repay while working in their profession. Financial aid from the Department is in the form of direct tuition awards and Departmental employment. Additional resources and information is available from MIT's Student Financial Services Office. Financial aid awards for incoming students are on a merit basis and are made upon admission. In general, PhD students are funded on financial aid packages that consist of a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) salary component, plus a tuition component. TA or RA assignments are made by the faculty Discipline Group Director at the beginning of each term.

Financial aid awards to Master's degree students are in the form of a partial tuition award. Master's degree students are also eligible to compete for work opportunities in the form of Teaching or Research Assistantships, or hourly positions available in the department.

Students are eligible for financial support from the Department, both tuition and/or Departmental employment, for the period of the standard residency requirement of the degree program. For PhD students this is up to a maximum of ten semesters. For MArch students the maximum number of semesters of eligibility is seven. SMArchS, SMBT and SMACT students are eligible for a total of four semesters of financial aid. Students in all degree programs must be registered as a full-time resident graduate student for the period of the award, and be in good academic standing in order to be eligible for continued financial aid.

In all cases, students should refer to the details laid out in their offer of admission.

Tuition MIT tuition and fees are posted by the MIT Registrar's Office . TA, RA and hourly rates are set by the Institute and the Department.

For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the SFS website:

• Undergrad link:  https://sfs.mit.edu/undergraduate-students/the-cost-of-attendance/annual-student-budget/
• Grad link: https://sfs.mit.edu/graduate-students/guide/grad-cost-of-attendance/

Students are also assessed a Student Life Fee per year which cannot be paid by MIT funds. The tuition component of a financial aid award is applied directly to the student's account in the Bursar's Office. Academic year awards are divided equally between the Fall and Spring terms.

Payment in full, or a satisfactory arrangement for payment, is due in advance of Registration Day of each term. Students may opt for a Bursary Payment Plan to pay tuition in monthly installments. This plan involves a finance charge.

The office of Student Accounts coordinates the billing and collects payment for the official Institute charges, including on-campus housing, medical insurance, tuition, and the Student Activity Fee. Questions or concerns about student accounts, billing, charges and/or payments should be directed to the Student Financial Services / Student Services Center, 11-120.

Additional Fellowships To research additional fellowship opportunities, please sign up and check out MIT’s online financial literacy platform iGrad, where you will find a searchable scholarship database. Some other good databases can be found at:  https://www.petersons.com/  and  http://college.usatoday.com/2016/01/06/best-scholarship-resources/  (some may require registration).

Financial Aid for MArch and SMArchS Programs Financial Aid Information for Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology

The Department of Architecture is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We are pursuing actions to increase the diversity of our student population and to create an environment that welcomes and empowers all members of our community. This work includes new initiatives in outreach, admissions, support programs, and increased student participation in department governance. Our current population of students is a balance of half US-based and half international students, representing over forty-five countries. A fifth of our US-based graduate students identify as POC. 57% of graduate students are women, 43% are men. The Department will continue working purposefully to improve these numbers in the belief that broad perspectives and multiple role models are necessary for the future of the architectural profession.

• Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP)  The Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP) pairs prospective applicants with current students who can offer guidance and answer questions throughout the application process. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and those lacking support or facing other challenges in their pursuits of graduate studies to sign up for AMP!   

GradCatalyst Program

Part of MIT's GradCatalyst. Student-led workshops to help undergraduates plan their academic trajectories. This interactive webinar covers the unwritten rules to preparing for, applying to, and succeeding in graduate school. Sessions are open to anyone exploring the option of graduate education in architecture and similar fields.

Once Admitted

We send all notifications of admission and waitlist status by email, and many students will also receive telephone calls, beginning in early to mid-March and running until April 1. All admitted applicants will have until April 15 to let us know if they accept our offer. If we do not receive notification that you accept our offer by April 15, the offer is rescinded. Because we may not hear from some admitted applicants until April 15, those admitted from waitlist status may not receive notification of admission before April 15.

We will send admissions letters to admitted and waitlisted applicants along with a link to a response form. Those planning to enroll will need to have official copies of their transcripts sent before enrolling. There is no deposit required to hold your place in the program. Information for newly admitted students is provided by the Institute.

Requirements

​​​​​​ Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution or a link to the URL should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.

When you enroll in the program, the academic administrator will review your final transcripts to see if have already completed required courses in the program. If so, you may not waive the credits, but you may waive the requirement. Instead, you can take an elective of your choice. Additionally, you may qualify to TA for classes you have taken previously. You will be granted access to an online TA application system before the semester begins. Some students will receive TAs as part of their admissions package. They will be assigned to their TA position by the program area.

• Letters of recommendation (3-4)
• Transcripts for all relevant degrees
• IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English exam score (if English is not your first language)

Curriculum Vitae

Statement of objectives.

• $90 application fee
• Portfolio (or writing sample as appropriate, such as SMArchS HTC, and PhD programs)
• The GRE is NOT required for any Architecture program

Letters of Recommendation

Letters from instructors are preferred unless you have been working for several years, in which case supervisors may be included. The application can be submitted on the deadline with fewer than three letters, but be sure to remind your instructors to complete their letters. 

We encourage you to ask for three letters of recommendation, but do not penalize applicants for missing letters; applications with fewer than three letters will be considered without a penalty. Applicants may include up to four recommenders if necessary. Notify your letter writers as early as possible to let them know you will be requesting letters. This will give them time to prepare and submit their letters by the deadline. Letters submitted one year may not be used to apply again in subsequent years unless uploaded by the recommender.

If your recommender has trouble with the online system, be sure to complete their contact information and have them email the letter to  [email protected] . In this case make sure that you have completed the form in the system with their information and check whether or not you have waived your right to view the letter. Inform the recommender of your choice. 

You should return to your online application to check the status of your letters, and remind your recommenders. You may submit your application even if all your recommendation letters have not yet been submitted. Review begins about a week after the deadline, so any letters not received by then will not be viewed.

Transcripts

Transcripts for all relevant degrees,  official or unofficial, must be uploaded to the application system. PDFs must be clearly readable and oriented correctly on the screen. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Please do not have official copies of transcripts sent to our office unless you are admitted. Certificates, study abroad, and community college transcripts do not need to be sent unless the courses are  not  also listed on your primary college transcripts. Non-English transcripts must be translated into English, and if necessary, signed by a licensed notary and accompanied by the original version. If you have taken studios, indicate this on the Test Scores/Experience/Electronic Portfolio section.

We expect you to scan your personal, unofficial copies to the online application. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection or withdrawal of our admission offer. Applicants should NOT send any supplemental material with their application by mail, and only provide those documents required in the application. You do not have to have completed your degree when you apply, but the final transcripts and certification of the degree will be required before you may enroll, if you are admitted.  Applicants who have begun another program may qualify to waive required courses they have already taken and instead take free electives. There is no option to shorten the 3.5-year MArch program. The graduate program does not allow transfer students to enter the program.

English Test Scores

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit an International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) score (Academic test), a Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ), or the Cambridge English Exams upon admission. Starting for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, the Institute will accept official scores from two Cambridge English exams: the C1 Advanced assessment and the C2 Proficiency assessment. The admissions committee regards English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. In order to meet the admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take their test on the earliest possible date. We do accept the Home Version of both IELTS and TOEFL.  NOTE: Official scores do not need to be sent unless you are admitted, and intend to enroll.

You must take an English test if:

-       You did your undergraduate studies in the US but are from a non-English speaking country you DO need to take a test. -       You are from the US but were raised speaking another language, you DO need to take a test.

You do not need to take it if you were raised in a non-English speaking country but have spoken and been educated in English all your life.

Only admitted   applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to MIT by IELTS International or Educational Testing Service. Scores must be no older than two years as of the date of application. To avoid delays, please use the following codes when having your scores sent to MIT: 

• Institutional Code: 3514
• Department Code: 12

The minimum score required for the IELTS is 7 and the minimum TOEFL score is 600 (250 for computer-based test, 100 for Internet-based test). While either test score is accepted, the IELTS score is preferred. (HTC PhD requires a TOEFL score of 110 or  IELTS score of 8.) If your scores do not meet the minimum required for admission we are not able to admit you. Applications with scores lower than 100 on the TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS, or missing test scores, will not be reviewed. We will NOT have access to your "My Best Scores" from ETS. We will see all your test scores you have sent to us.

All students whose first language is not English are required to take the  English Evaluation Test (EET)  prior to registration at MIT. Even students who satisfy the IELTS/TOEFL requirement for admission may be required to take specialized subjects in English as a Second Language (ESL), depending on their EET results. These subjects do not count toward the required degree credits. If you do not believe you need to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score, you may use the language test waiver choice in the application, and explain your situation to the faculty in the space provided. No official waiver will be granted unless you are admitted, so the application will not show whether or not the waiver was approved.

Some MIT fellowships are available to MIT Departments. The CV is used by our administrative staff to learn additional information about you in order to apply for MIT scholarships on your behalf. 

The Statement requested by the Department will vary depending on the program to which you are applying. MArch applicants will answer these two questions: 

Statement 1 Our department encompasses architecture, design, history, and the arts; all have a social and cultural meaning and purpose. How does your background and life experience inform your understanding of that purpose? (500 word limit)

Statement 2 Given your values and goals, why is this degree from MIT the best next step for you right now? What will you contribute to our community, and how will our community support your specific future contributions to the world? (500 word limit) SM and PhD applications will answer these two questions: Personal Statement Our department encompasses architecture, design, history, technology, and the arts; all have a social and cultural meaning and purpose. How does your background and life experience inform your understanding of that purpose? (500 word limit) Research Statement Please share a research statement, considering the following: What research questions matter to you, and how might they shape what you want to accomplish at MIT? Who would you consider working with and why? (700 word limit)

Financial Support

Aside from fully funded programs, such as the PhD and SMBT programs, the majority of students receive Departmental support. Be sure to check off whether or not you wish to be considered for financial support. No preference is given to either answer. If you need money to attend grad school, be sure to say "yes." Department aid is distributed on a combined basis of merit and need. The Department will review admitted applicants to see if any additional MIT scholarships may apply. If an admitted applicant to an Architecture program is eligible for an MIT scholarship, the Department will apply on your behalf and detail this in the admission letter.

Application Fee

A non-refundable Application Fee of $90 USD is required to submit your application. You will need to submit a credit card number on the Architecture Graduate Application to process this fee. If submitting an application fee provides any challenge in submitting an application, prospective students are asked to submit a fee waiver application through the  Office of Graduate Education . A fee waiver request is entirely independent of the admissions process itself and is not seen by the admissions committee. Note that those applying to the PhD programs will automatically be considered for the SMArchS program in that area. SMArchS applicants may choose to be reviewed by more than one SMArchS program. 

A portfolio is required for the following programs:

-       MArch -       All SMArchS programs -       Encouraged but not required for Computation PhD -       Optional for SMBT (writing sample instead) -       Optional for BT/PhD (writing sample instead)

The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum (10 pages for ACT) including cover pages and contents), PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.

The MArch is the first professional degree preparing students for a career as an architect. The program takes 3.5 years, comprising six studios, followed by a semester working on thesis. Courses are drawn from each of our discipline groups, as well as electives from the Department and throughout MIT.

Degree Prerequisites

The MArch program requires the following academic preparation: • A Bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree. • One semester of satisfactory study in college-level mathematics (such as, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus). • One semester of satisfactory study in college-level natural sciences (such as, physics, biology, chemistry). • Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level humanities and/or social sciences.

Students may be admitted with limited deficiencies in 2, 3, or 4 above, but this deficiency must be removed prior to entry into the first year of graduate study in the department. Pre-requisites may be taken at any accredited institution of higher learning, including on-line courses. Natural science classes with a lab are not required. Upon completion, provide an official transcript showing the final passing grade to the Department of Architecture. AP credit will be accepted if the undergraduate transcript includes institutional credit for each subject taken. The Advanced Placement track has been discontinued, so all applicants apply to the full 3.5-year program. If you have taken any courses in another school, you may petition to waive the required courses and instead take free electives.

Interviews are NOT required for MArch applicants. If you would like to arrange for a student-led virtual tour of the Department, please complete this form  Tour Request .

A digital portfolio is required of all MArch applicants, including those who do not have a previous architecture degree or background. The portfolio file should be exported as PDF for screen viewing. The file should contain no more than 30 pages. Two-page spreads are allowed, but each spread counts as one of the 30 pages.

Our goal is to constitute a diverse community that includes a wide range of interests and talents. We do this for many reasons, including our understanding that, particularly in a community like ours, we all learn from each other. To better understand your creative voice and background, please share a PDF portfolio that best reflects who you are. We review portfolios from a variety of backgrounds; we are seeking the potential to explore and engage architectural questions, but not necessarily previous experience with architecture. We want to understand your potential to think and operate visually and in three dimensions, at any scale. Please share with us any work that best illuminates how you perceive and structure the world that surrounds you. If some of your work cannot easily be understood in a static pdf, please include a link to a sample for review. This field is intended to augment the portfolio submission with audio files from composers and musicians, or video files from performance art, interviews from journalists, etc. If time-based media is not central to your work, there is no problem with leaving this field blank.

If some of your work cannot easily be understood in a static pdf, please include a link to a sample for review. This field is intended to augment the portfolio submission with audio files from composers and musicians, or video files from performance art, interviews from journalists, etc. If time-based media is not central to your work, there is no problem with leaving this field blank.

The Master of Science in Architecture Studies (SMArchS) is a two-year post-masters program of advanced study founded on research and inquiry in architecture as a discipline and as a practice. The program is intended both for students who already have a professional degree in architecture and those interested in advanced non-professional graduate study. We offer this degree in each of our discipline groups, with some overlap between groups. Our goal across the SMArchs programs at MIT is to bring together a diverse set of voices and research interests where students conduct their research through discipline-specific skills, abilities, tools, and media.  We do this for many reasons, and it enables us to create a community at MIT and construct a larger dialogue across disciplines in which we learn from each other. So that we may better understand your creative voice and background, please present a PDF portfolio that reflects your experience and preparation for the specific SMArchs program you are applying to. Interviews are NOT required for SMArchS applicants. All prospective students are welcome to visit the Department. If you would like to visit the campus for a student tour of the Department, please contact in advance of your trip.

Writing samples are required for the MIT SMArchs programs that engage history and theory as research in these programs is presented primarily through the vehicle of writing. Writing samples may be submitted optionally in other SMArchs Programs. If you chose to provide an optional writing sample one for the admissions committee to consider, please share a document that shows how you structure and articulate your views on a subject that matters to you. 

For admission to the SMArchs AKPIA program, a writing sample of a research paper length (15-20 pages) is required of all non-architectural applicants and is an important component of the application. Publications are welcome, but they are not expected. For students of design background, an explanation of how designs presented in the portfolio have prepared the applicant for the intended research project can be submitted in the place of a writing sample. 

Note: The GRE is NOT required or reviewed for any program in the Department of Architecture.

SMArchS Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture 

This program is focused on the history of Islamic art and architecture, Islamic urban and landscape history, and critical history and theory of urban heritage and conservation, especially in conflict- and post-disaster contexts. AKPIA SMArchS students come from diverse backgrounds – from the humanities, architectural, art historical, historical, or curatorial practice or individuals with professional architectural degrees from outside the US who want to continue research in topics related to Islamic architecture. We welcome portfolios so that applicants with design training can communicate their design intelligence and show their capacity for research within a design context. Applicants without design training are not required to submit a portfolio. 

The SMArchS AKPIA program requires the following academic preparation: BArch or BA in architecture or any related field (Art history, planning, landscape, archeology, etc.) Areas of study: architectural and art history, urban history, urban studies, design inquiry, with a special focus on the Islamic world.

SMArchS Architectural Design

This program advances research on a broad range of concerns through the vehicle of design—through fabrication, model making, drawing and representation, prototyping, exhibition design, mapping, digital analysis, and more. A portfolio is a required component of the SMArchs Architecture Design application: it should reflect who you are, include distinctions between individual work and work done in groups, and contain examples of academic projects and/or professional work and community projects that demonstrate your experience in architectural design. 

The SMArchS AD program requires the following academic preparation: • A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS Building Technology

This program is focused on technical and scientific research to improve the sustainability of the built environment and the health of its inhabitants.  A portfolio is required for the SMArchs BT program, with projects that speak to the applicants’ design experiences and sensibilities. We welcome portfolios that demonstrate applicants’ knowledge of environmental performance analysis workflows and their application to design.

The SMArchS BT program requires the following academic preparation: • A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS Computation

The SMArchS Computation program requires the following academic preparation: • An undergraduate or higher degree in architecture or related field with high academic standing from a recognized institution. 

SMArchS Urbanism

This program is focused on the exploration of a broad range of concerns that advance design and research at the larger scales of city, community, and territory. For this reason, the portfolio is a required component of your application: it should reflect who you are, include distinctions between individual work and work done in groups, and contain examples that demonstrate urban thinking: through a design component on the urban scale and a research/ analytical part applied to the urban scale.

The SMArchS Urbanism program requires the following academic preparation: • A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.

SMArchS History Theory + Criticism of Architecture and Art

This group is focused on the history of architecture, art and design, as well as the theoretical and political presuppositions informing that history. We place a strong emphasis on historiography and on interdisciplinary analytical methodologies as means to explore the philosophical, social, and material contexts for works of art, architecture, and design. While not a requirement, we welcome portfolios so that applicants with design training can communicate their particular design intelligence and show their capacity for research and thought within a design context. Applicants without design training are not required to submit a portfolio.

The SMArchS HTC program requires the following academic preparation: • A professional degree in Architecture (Master of Architecture or 5-year accredited Bachelor of Architecture) with high academic standing from a recognized institution or BA in architecture or any related field (Art history, planning, landscape, archeology, etc.). For admission to the SMArchs HTC program, a writing sample of at least 15 pages is required of all applicants and is an important component of the application. For those who have them, publications are welcome, but they are not expected. 

The Program in Art, Culture and Technology (ACT) facilitates artist-thinkers’ exploration of art’s broad, complex, global history and conjunction with culture, science, technology, and design via rigorous critical artistic practice and practice driven theory. ACT emphasizes experimentation and transdisciplinary approaches to studio production in both traditional and new media. Students are encouraged to consider both the physical and the cultural context of their artworks/projects as central to their interpretation. Presentations on contemporary art as well as discussions in theory and criticism, and an understanding of research-based artistic practice complement studio production and the development of projects.

Zoom interviews are only arranged with candidates after the faculty have made an initial assessment of the applicant pool.

The SMACT program requires the following academic preparation: • A bachelor's degree.

What should I put in my portfolio? The portfolio should include evidence of your recent creative work, whether personal, academic, or professional. Collaborative projects should be identified accordingly, and your role must be clearly defined.

What are the portfolio specifications?

• Images and Documentation - Submit one PDF document, maximum of ten 8.5x11 pages, including documentation and/or images of your projects. - Include captions/descriptions for each image: title, artist, year, material, and/or project description.
• Time-based media - Submit no more than seven minutes of material - This means seven minutes if you add the runtime of all your files together, not seven minutes for each file. Video:  High quality QuickTime .mov files only Audio:  high quality .mp3 or .aiff files only
• Technical notes - Portfolios will be reviewed digitally using computer monitors and digital projectors. Do NOT send slides or printouts. - Make sure that all files are able to open on a Mac. - Double-check your files to make sure they open before submitting

May my portfolio include other items as well? The portfolio may also include the following optional items, which are considered secondary material, and will be reviewed only if time permits: Writing sample – five page PDF maximum.

Webpage URLs: I prefer to submit weblinks instead of a portfolio. Is that OK? Yes. If you submit a link or website, you can enter it in Section 3 of the application, under Personal Information: Web page URL (optional).

Can I get advice on the content of my portfolio? No. Your portfolio should reflect the range and depth of your artistic practice. As you prepare it, you may wish to view the profile pages of ACT faculty members to see how your projects may intersect with their research.

How are portfolios submitted? Applicants are encouraged to provide a web link to their online portfolios. Web links can be provided in Section 3 of the application, under Personal Information: Web page URL (optional). Portfolios that are CD or DVDs can also be accepted as an alternative to links. Portfolios are not returned to you.

The disk should be labeled “Attention: Admissions ACT” and include your name and address.

Please do not mail any materials directly to ACT.

Send your portfolio to the Department of Architecture at this address: MIT Department of Architecture 77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 7-337 Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Attn: Admissions ACT

The Master of Science in Building Technology (SMBT) provides a focus for graduate students interested in the development and application of advanced technology for buildings. Students in this program take relevant subjects in basic engineering disciplines along with subjects which apply these topics to buildings. The program accepts students with undergraduate degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines, in the physical sciences, or in architecture with a suitable background in technology. Students also come to the program with diverse job experiences, from the design of space-conditioning equipment for buildings to the Peace Corps. All share both a keen interest in buildings and a thorough education in mathematics, physics and other technical subjects.

Because of the small size of the program, interviews with faculty are recommended, but not required. It is advantageous for applicants to meet with the Building Technology faculty member doing research most closely aligned with the research interests of the applicant. Faculty schedules vary, so it is best to contact the Building Technology office several weeks prior to an intended visit.

Arrangements can also be made to sit in on final reviews (mid-May) or attend an Open House (mid-November).

The SMBT program requires the following academic preparation: • A bachelor's degree. Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

The Department of Architecture offers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture (PhD), which may be pursued in any of these disciplines:

• Building Technology
• Computation
• History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art
• Concentration in Advanced Urbanism

Each student admitted into the doctoral program will work closely with one faculty advisor in their area to develop a plan of study. The minimum residence required by the Institute for the doctorate is two full academic years. Completion of all of the requirements for the doctorate, including the dissertation, is usually accomplished in five or six years. Progress toward the PhD follows required coursework, minor and major declaration, qualifying paper, general examination, and dissertation research, writing, and defense. Students are encouraged to take relevant courses in other departments at MIT and at Harvard University.

The PhD programs require the following academic preparation: • A master's degree is required for a PhD application in Building Technology and Computation, but is not required for a PhD application in HTC.

Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

Interviews with faculty are recommended but not required. It is advantageous for an applicant to meet with the Building Technology faculty member whose research is most closely aligned with the applicant's interests. Faculty schedules vary, so students should contact faculty members directly at least two weeks prior to an intended visit.

PhD Computation

A portfolio is strongly suggested for PhD applicants. Research papers or a portfolio of the applicant's work (maximum of 30 pages) may be uploaded to the Architecture Graduate Application to aid the admissions committee but are not required.

The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Choose what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum) PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page. Because of the small size of the program, interviews with faculty are highly recommended, but not required. It is advantageous for applicants to meet with the Computation faculty member doing research most closely aligned with the research interests of the applicant. Faculty members have varying schedules, and travel when school is not in session. Thus it is best to contact the faculty member directly at least two weeks prior to an intended visit.

All applicants should submit evidence of recent work: scholarly and/or professional. A 15 to 30 page writing sample is required of all HTC/AKPIA PhD applicants. In addition to the writing sample, a portfolio can be submitted if it demonstrates intellectual direction, scholarly interests, or design capability. Writing sample(s) should illustrate research interests and capacities.

If you choose to submit a portfolio, it should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Select what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Your name, and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.

We encourage you to meet with an HTC faculty member by phone or Zoom in the Spring or Fall prior to applying. Applicants are also open to sit in on a class if an in-person visit is possible. Contact  [email protected]  to discuss the HTC faculty you are interested in meeting. Interviews with faculty are not required and should take place well before the application deadline.

Urban Studies and Planning

Simar K. M.

Stephanie R.

Nayantara M.

Nishanth K.

Jennifer S.

Gohar Irfan C.

Nauryzkhan D.

Brittany L.

Victoria H.

Jonathan B.

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Landscape + Urbanism at MIT

Admissions For admission to The Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (S.M.) with a concentration in Landscape + Urbanism see DUSP’s admissions web site Please specify City Design and Development as your designated Group and indicate an interest in streaming through the Landscape + Urbanism concentration in your admissions statement letter.

For the degree of Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning with a concentration in Landscape + Urbanism, a student must have satisfactorily completed a program of study of at least 66 units of G- or H-level subjects, of which at least 42 units must be H-level, and a thesis (or terminal project with a written component).

An Advanced Landscape + Urbanism seminar or workshop, covering key issues and trends in landscape urbanism, is a required subject for all concentration students.

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Department of Urban Studies + Planning

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The Department of Urban Studies & Planning (DUSP) is a department within the School of Architecture + Planning at MIT offering degrees in Bachelor of Science in Planning (SB);  Bachelor of Science in Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science (SB); Master of City Planning (MCP); Master of Science (SM); Master of Science in Transportation (MST); Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department Information Urban Studies and Planning, Course XI 7-346 (617) 253-9403 (617) 253-2654 M.C.P., S.M., Ph.D. September January 3 TOEFL: Minimum score required: 600 for paper-based, 250 for computer-based, 100 for internet-based TOEFL waiver accepted: No All international students must take the TOEFL or IELTS (minimum score required: 7) Department code: 97 GRE: general test required Department code: 2205 M.C.P. no minimum Ph.D. minimum score required: 1200 (verbal and quantitative) combined; 5.0 analytical writing TWE: we strongly suggest to take along with the TOEFL. December testing date is latest accepted date for TOEFL Applicants are urged to see for thorough information about applying to the department. All applicants should include a second copy of the Statement of Objectives (please include your name on copy) and send to the address below. Your interests may cut across more than one Program Group. If you see your interests so aligned, you in your Statement of Objectives. If you define yourself in terms of two Program Groups, you need to make a case for such bridging as a critical part of your application process. Under special circumstances, admission may be granted to candidates seeking a one-year Master of Science (S.M.) degree. The SM is intended for professionals with a number of years of distinguished practice in city planning or related fields. The department requires a letter from a DUSP faculty member indicating their willingness to advise their thesis. (This letter should be sent to the address below.) Department of Urban Studies and Planning Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 7-346 Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 City Design and Development Environmental Policy Program Housing, Community and Economic Development International Development Group Transportation* Urban Information Systems** -Only Ph.D. applicants may designate Urban Information Systems (UIS) as the primary program group. *Although we do not have a separate Program Group focusing on issues of transportation, many DUSP students choose this as an area of focus. Applicants with particular interest in transportation should indicate this on their application, but should also specify a Program Group (for example, "HCED/transportation"). **MCP applicants with a particular interest in computing and technology should select Urban Information Systems as the secondary program group. Getting Started Peer application support services, financial support, faq (general). Underwater: The Case for Land Island. Mary Anne Ocampo Please visit MIT Grad Admissions for an overview of DUSP: graduate application requirements, standardized test requirements, areas of research, terms of enrollment, and additional details Core criteria and guidelines for doctoral admission decisions: Application strength: cohesiveness of statement, compelling research topics, preparedness for doctoral level work. Alignment with Departmental research priorities: achieving racial justice, tackling the climate change, enhancing democratic governance, and closing the wealth gap Could an applicant work with more than one DUSP faculty on their committee? Does applicant have a strong match with at least one lead faculty? 11.001J    Introduction to Urban Design & Development 11.002    Making Public Policy 11.005    Introduction to International Development 11.200    Gateway I 11.201    Gateway II 11.202/203    Microeconomics 11.205/11.188    Introduction to Spatial Analysis 11. 220   Quantitative Reasoning   11.222    Introduction to Critical Qualitative Methods  Cross-cutting substantive areas – research of interest to multiple DUSP program groups and strategic priorities graduate degree programs, Undergraduate Students who wish to study urban planning at MIT at the undergraduate level must first be accepted to MIT. At the end of the first year MIT students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. Undergraduate applicants do not apply directly to the Department. Additional information and instructions for undergraduate applicants are available in the MIT Admissions website:  http://mitadmissions.org/ We as a department are striving to "center racial justice within urban design and planning and to create space for imagining what is required to build inclusive, thriving, and just cities” – Adapted from a statement from CoLab . In seeking to address the historical underrepresentation of certain groups and identities in the field of planning and urban design, Peer Application Support Services (PASS) is excited to offer support to students who may face structural barriers in applying, including (but not limited to) international applicants, first generation college students, and applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, queer, disabled, and/or a person of color. PASS is a student-run mentorship program that connects prospective Masters and PhD students with current students who can provide guidance during the application process. Mentors can advise individual applications, proofread final drafts of essays, and answer questions about the curriculum. The PASS program is active during the months leading up to the application deadline. If you are interested in taking part in PASS:  Fill out the PASS interest form by November 3rd, 2022 at 11:59PM EST. For questions about PASS, reach out to [email protected] . For specific admissions questions, reach out to [email protected] . A current graduate student volunteer will contact you by November 15th to connect you with a mentor. If you sign up for PASS after the deadline, we will do our best to accommodate you on a rolling basis and as mentors become available. Please keep in mind that graduate students are volunteering their time to PASS and are offering this service to supplement other support you should be getting from your own personal and professional networks. Though PASS is intended to extend support to you in this application process, this is not a guarantee of admission. Tuition (Graduate, PhD) Five to seven PhD students are admitted with complete financial support packages for five years, including optional summer work funding. A typical funding package consists of a first-year fellowship with no work requirements, followed by four years of department funding with research or teaching requirements. This covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, and student health insurance. Optional summer work funding is available in the form of research assistantships or curriculum development teaching assistantships for four summers. PhD students admitted with faculty-sponsored research or external funding must also be financially supported for five academic years.  Tuition and the estimated living expenses for a MIT graduate student are available via the MIT Graduate Admissions Office .  Tuition (Graduate, MCP) Applicants to the MCP program who are accepted are offered a minimum financial aid package of 75% tuition and student health insurance. In addition, some Master's students are also offered a research assistantship covering a monthly stipend in exchange for ten hours per week of work for a faculty member. MCP students may also seek additional financial aid through opportunities such as faculty sponsored research grants and hourly-paid jobs. All students are eligible to apply for departmentally funded hourly jobs and off-campus internships. Tuition (Graduate, SM) Unfortunately, there is no departmental funding available to support the SM program a this time. SM students may seek additional financial aid through opportunities such as faculty sponsored research grants and hourly-paid jobs. All students are eligible to apply for departmentally funded hourly jobs and off-campus internships. Tuition (Undergraduate) MIT Student Financial Services provides financial aid and customer service to all MIT students by helping students understand their financial options and select the best ones for them and their family. They award need-based financial aid from MIT and coordinate the receipt of aid from other sources. Learn more via their site:  https://sfs.mit.edu/ For undergraduate students, MIT Admissions provides an online calculator to estimate what it will cost to attend MIT .   All Master's and PhD students are eligible at any time to apply for loans and nondepartmental funds. Some restrictions may apply to international students. MIT's Student Financial Services (SFS) administers both need-based and non-need-based loans. Loan eligibility for need-based loans is determined by using a standard budget developed by the SFS. Learn more via SFS: Graduate Loans Undergraduate Loans I don't have a background in design--can I apply? Yes. Our students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including but not limited to public policy, urban design & planning, architecture, economics, political science and engineering. What is the deadline for applying to DUSP? Please refer to DUSP's MIT Grad Admissions page for complete information on application deadlines. I submitted an application but would like to know if you have received it, or if anything is missing. How do I check? Because of the large volume of applications we receive, we can not confirm receipt materials. Can I submit more than 3 letters of recommendation? No, we will not review more than three letters of recommendation. Do I need to submit a portfolio or writing sample? It is recommended that applicants who select the CDD program group submit a portfolio, however; it is not required. How many applications do you receive each year? We have approximately 400 applicants to our MCP program each year, and of those we accept 55-60 students. For the PhD program we have approximately 125 applicants and accept 4-10 doctoral candidates. What are my chances of admission to your program based? We cannot provide preliminary evaluations of chances for admissions based on any one or two qualifications. The Graduate Admissions Committee carefully reviews the entire application package (statement of intent, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc.) to determine admission decisions. I applied to DUSP in a previous year, but was not admitted. How do I re-apply? If you would like to re-apply to the program, you must follow the same steps as a new applicant. We do not keep application materials on file from previous years. Do I need to take the TOEFL exam? Can the TOEFL exam be waived in certain cases for international students? The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants whose native or first language is not English. If you completed an undergraduate or masters degree in the US or at a college or university where the instruction was in English, you are not required to take the TOEFL/IELTS. The Admissions Committees regard English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based) is required by DUSP. We also accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System with a minimum of 7. Permanent residents or US Citizens do not need to take the TOEFL exam. When will I know if I have received financial aid? All financial aid decisions are made at the same time as the admission decisions. Do I need to request an interview before I apply to DUSP? We do not conduct interviews as part of the admissions process but we encourage you to attend an Information Session in the fall or reach out to [email protected] with questions. Do you have interpreters to read international applications? No, it is the applicants responsibility to have an application and all its contents translated to English before it is submitted. If a college or university does not issue transcripts, a certified letter must be provided. It should list courses, grades, and degrees and date received. When will I be notified of my admission decision? Admission decision letters will be sent by early March. May I defer admission? No, we do not defer admissions. You may re-apply the following year by following the same steps as a new applicant. Do you provide any assistance in preparing an application? The Students of Color Committee at DUSP have created the "Peer Application Support Service" (SCC PASS) to provide assistance to prospective Masters in City Planning students in the application process. SCC PASS is intended to support student of color applicants through individual application advising, proofreading final drafts of essays, and answering questions about the program. Can I get two degrees from MIT at the same time? Can I get a degree from Harvard and DUSP at the same time? Students may pursue dual degrees in virtually any other department at MIT, provided they are accepted for admission and complete degree requirements in each department. Some common dual degrees completed by planning students are with architecture, real estate development, and transportation. Students who have been admitted to study for the Master in City Planning may apply to the other program during their first year of study at MIT and propose a program of joint work in the two fields that will lead to the simultaneous awarding of two degrees. Please be aware that pursuing a dual degree will add at least a year to your studies. MIT students are not eligible to complete a degrees at both Harvard and MIT simultaneously. Areas of Study Environmental policy and planning. Indigenous Community Planning. Credit: Melissa Teng, Franceska De Oro via TA SUNGON MO'NA: Navigating Change Effects of Climate Change Related Disasters on Low-Income Renters. Justin Steil Electricity Market Institutions and Governance. David Hsu Pedestrian Impact Assessment. Andres Sevtsuk Operationalizing a Civilian Climate Corps. Chris Zegras, Mary Anne Ocampo Health Impact Assessment Program Development. Mariana Arcaya Enhancing Urban Water Affordability. Gabriella Carolini, Lawrence Susskind Documenting and Evaluating the Resettlement Planning of Isle de Jean Charles. Janelle Knox-Hayes Overcoming Opposition to Renewable Energy Facilities in America. Lawrence Susskind We seek to improve the way society conserves and manages natural resources, pursues environmental justice and sustainable development, particularly in urban and metropolitan settings around the world. Members of the Environmental Policy and Planning group are most concerned about confronting the difficult changes and transformations required to achieve sustainable and equitable development in a world facing the short term impacts of the climate crisis. Some specific areas of research and teaching include indigenous environmental planning, climate adaptation at the local level, the adoption and diffusion of technologies that aim to mitigate or remediate environmental problems, particularly renewable energy, energy-efficiency, and water-conservation technologies; the efficacy of efforts to prevent and reduce air and water pollution and manage the disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes; the prospects for international, national, state-level, and local strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change; the resolution of conflicts surrounding facility siting and the allocation of transboundary water resources; the pursuit of environmental justice including affordable water and energy services; and the development of more flexible forms of urban infrastructure. We invite talented undergraduate and graduate students to work with our world-renowned faculty to become problem-solvers and leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Our diverse community of scholars and activists share a commitment to the development of sustainable and resilient urban regions, as well as a thoughtful integration of science and values into environmental planning and policymaking. Our aim is to find better ways of harmonizing science, policy and politics. In addition to working with faculty on research and planning projects, EPP students are welcome to sample from the array of courses and resources available across MIT and at other Boston-area universities. Many students also play critical roles in environmental initiatives on the MIT campus and in Cambridge, Boston, or other nearby cities. In the process, they gain a deeper understanding of the complexities they will face in the course of their careers and learn to become reflective practitioners. Any student in DUSP who meet the requirements will be eligible to receive an Environmental Planning Certificate when they graduate. Learn more. Adeposi Adeogun Mariana Arcaya Eran Ben-Joseph Gabriella Carolini Faith Cerny Jungwoo Chun Lucy Corlett Simone Delaney Pedro Ferraz de Abreu Khadija Ghanizada Amanda Huang Thomas Hyo-min King Janelle Knox-Hayes Daniela Morales Julie Newman Lidia Cano Pecharroman Mrinalini Penumaka Jean-Luc Pierite Chenhan Shao Justin Steil Lawrence Susskind Bruno Verdini Chris Zegras Environmental Justice and Indigenous Rights We are working to establish a research and teaching cluster within the Department that focuses on Indigenous Studies and Planning. The cluster represents a collaborative effort to help faculty and students in EPP and other program groups make Indigeneity more central to what we do in the department.  The cluster addresses questions of sovereignty, identity, and historical land-taking as well as present efforts to ensure environmental and social justice in land-use planning, climate adaptation and natural resource development. Our research, curriculum development, and practice in the cluster are undertaken in partnership with indigenous communities. These efforts are all linked to the department’s overall strategic objectives of a) achieving racial justice, b) enhancing multi-racial democratic governance, c) tackling the climate crisis and d) closing the wealth gap. Furthermore, we are trying to highlight lessons and practices from indigenous planning that can be applied more generally.  Finally, we are seeking to strengthen connections with local Indigenous communities in Massachusetts, with the MIT SOLVE Indigenous Fellows program, and with Indigenous student groups at MIT as they seek to add indigenous students, staff and faculty to the MIT community. Environmental Justice and Post-Disaster Housing Climate change is sometimes presented as an inescapable equalizer, but it is already worsening inequality, in part through its uneven effects on housing.  DUSP faculty and students are conducting ongoing research on the effects of climate change related disasters on low-income renters, including the effects of flooding disasters on rents, on evictions, and on the location of publicly subsidized affordable housing construction.  The research focuses on identifying crucial environmental justice dimensions at the nexus of affordable housing policy and climate change. Urban Sustainability and Infrastructure Planning In the 21st century, cities hold the key to environmental sustainability; around the world, cities are competing to be the most "green." For western cities, becoming more sustainable involves radical improvements in energy and water-use efficiency; increased reliance on walking, bicycling, and mass transit; investments in green infrastructure; waste minimization through reduced packaging and increased use of composting, waste-to-energy, and recycling; cultivation of regional food systems; and other measures.  The Science and Politics of Natural Resource Management Most of the nation's estuaries are under stress as a result of nutrient runoff, development of coastal wetlands, and toxic pollution. Similarly, dams, streamside logging, and livestock grazing of riparian areas have degraded rivers around the country. And urban sprawl threatens wildlife habitat in rural areas, while depleting the economic vitality of inner cities. Figuring out how to manage natural resources in the face of ever-increasing development pressure is a major focus of EPP faculty and students. Faculty are involved in projects that aim to explain the relationship between science and politics, as well as the effectiveness of emerging approaches in natural resource management.  International Environmental Policy Making and Regulation Many of the concerns associated with development differ between developing and developed countries, but there is a shared need for analytic tools to anticipate the consequences of development and growth-management decisions. Research in EPP investigates new approaches to making trade-offs between environmental and developmental objectives, as well as devising and testing methods to resolve disputes over such issues. Many environmental problems can only be tackled on a global basis. Therefore, we focus on the dynamics of transboundary environmental negotiations, such as those concerning climate change, biodiversity conservation, and dozens of other regional and global issues.   Urban Climate Adaptation Planners are poised to play pivotal roles in minimizing the impacts that climate change will have on cities and their inhabitants. Faculty members in EPP conduct research on urban climate adaptation in all corners of the globe and are engaged efforts that span from local level studies of adaptation planning, to the creation of national and regional role-play simulations and implementation of scenario planning exercises, to collaborations with international organizations and institutions on their adaptation initiatives. Throughout these efforts, faculty members draw on social science methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, as well as participatory and consensus-building techniques. The goals of these activities are to understand what cities are doing to address climate impacts, evaluate the ways in which scientific assessments shape decisions and actions, and identify the processes, programs, projects, and partnerships most likely to give rise to effective planning and implementation while ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable populations are addressed. Urban and Community Energy Systems At the local scale, energy systems are complex networks of technology, markets, regulation, and behavior. Local conditions exert considerable influence over the design and operation of these systems, and how easy or difficult they are to change. EPP faculty members are interested in energy system governance and regulation, technology options, market structures, and the link between energy and local economic development. Current faculty research projects include studies analyzing the viability of different clean energy technologies; the impact of federal stimulus funding on local energy systems; an analysis of how local energy use data can be employed to promote energy efficiency and the optimization of energy system design; the role that energy technology can play in promoting job creation in cities, and community participation in energy efficiency planning and policy making. EPP faculty consult to leading energy industry players, local government agencies, and international organizations, creating research and collaboration opportunities for students and other departments and research institutes around MIT. Participatory Action Research Often social scientists try to emulate natural science – that is, to strip away the significance of place-specific context so that any researcher can, following the scientific method, produce the same results in any location. Participatory Action Research (PAR) researchers have abandoned that objective, arguing context is “everything.” PAR advocates follow well-documented procedures (that others could emulate), but they seek to draw lessons only with the people in the place they are studying, for that particular place. PAR scholars must be careful not to marginalize the subjects of their research. PAR can involve either quantitative or qualitative research, but it tends to be focused on one place or community at a time. While acceptance is growing as methods improve, applied social science research that follows the PAR philosophy is still discounted in some academic circles because it does not sufficiently mimic natural science or maintain an arms length relationship between researchers and the communities being studied. Moreover, society no longer believes that academics or other experts should impose their biases on communities. PAR methods are integral to the practices of the Science Impact Collaborative and the Community Innovators Lab.  The MIT PAR website brings together the work, knowledge, and discussions of graduate students, researchers, and faculty. Societal Dimensions of Environmental Governance and Climate Change Many students and faculty study public participation, collaboration, and the roles that members of civil society play in environmental policy and planning. Working in domestic, international, and comparative contexts, faculty research examines issues such as the challenges environmental organizations encounter as they seek to monitor corporations and implement environmental agreements; the types of responses environmental groups have to development proposals, natural disasters, and environmental health hazards; and the extent to which civil society actors and organization are able to realize their goals in the midst of heightened transnational and global pressures. The intended outcome of this research is to generate policy strategies that foster innovation in environmental governance. Water Diplomacy DUSP faculty members, working with colleagues at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts and at Harvard Law School, are challenging conventional engineering thinking about transboundary water management. Applying multiparty negotiation theory and emerging ideas about complexity, faculty and students are helping to build an Aquapedia summarizing cases of water conflict and developing new tools, like multiparty role plays, to teach what is called the Water Diplomacy Framework to water professionals around the world. Land Use and Racial Justice Racial inequality is embedded in place in part through state and local land use regulations that limit access to particular places and associated place-based resources.  DUSP faculty and students have been conducting research on the role of land use regulation in exacerbating racial inequality and in advancing racial justice.  One branch of recent work has focused on how the structure of planning policies and land use regulations shape metropolitan inequality in comparative international perspective. Another branch of work has focused on how zoning and housing policies can be redesigned to increase equality of access to resources and advance racial justice. Social and Environmental Impact Assessment All efforts to plan for infrastructure improvement and new development anywhere in the world should be preceded by an analysis of possible social and environmental impacts. Formal assessments provide an opportunity for stakeholders of all kinds to learn about what project designs are under consideration, what their likely social and environmental impacts might be, and what mitigation strategies ought to be considered. EPP faculty have been involved in efforts to improve the way social impact assessments (SIA) and environmental impact assessments (EIA) are used to engage stakeholders, model likely impacts, and reach fact-based or science-based decisions in the public arena. Impact Assessment is both an art and a science. Finding ways to estimate financial costs and benefits (and their distribution) and incorporating this information into consideration of project options is as important as modeling and evaluating ecological, sociological and justice-related impacts. EPP faculty have played a leadership role in developing EIA and SIA theory and practice.  Facility Siting The United States government is committed to rapidly constructing renewable energy facilities that can replace fossil fuel plants of all kinds. The problem is, there is growing opposition, from coast to coast,  to the construction of new solar, wind, geothermal and transmission facilities. By identifying the sources of local opposition to such facilities (i.e. not just environmental protection and natural resource management concerns, but tribal justice as well) we are able to formulate better ways of avoiding or resolving facility siting disputes. Drawing on the Facility Siting Credo that DUSP developed several decades ago (and that has been tested empirically in many parts of the world), EPP is seeking to create a Renewable Energy Facility Siting Clinic that will train and assign students to work with communities in the midst of facility siting disputes. We are trying to enhance both the theory and practice of facility siting, and to provide direct assistance to communities that need help at the same time. Making Climate Action Accessible to Everyone Promoting Equitable Climate Change Adaptation Convening for Cultural Change Fortifying Water and Food Systems Against Climate Change DUSP in the Media: June 2024 Understanding the Impacts of Floods on Rental Markets Changing Real Estate’s Carbon Footprint with Data as a Guide Congratulations to the Class of 2024! DUSP in the Media: May 2024 312 IMAGES MIT PhD Graduation. Graduate wearing Doctoral Cap & Gown Regalia from capgown.com. Urban Planning Portfolio by Shrujal P. MIT Doctoral Regalia Set includes Doctoral Gown, Tam, and PhD Hood PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design Courses NSW proposes urban planning rules changes MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Fall 2005 COMMENTS Doctoral Doctoral. Building 7, MIT. The Department of Urban Studies and Planning offers a degree in a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Planning which is an advanced research degree in planning or urban studies and is focused on training individuals for research and teaching in the areas of applied social research and planning. Department of Urban Studies and Planning The Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) offers four degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Planning; a two-year professional Master in City Planning (MCP); a one-year Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (reserved for mid-career students); and a PhD in Urban Studies and Planning. In addition, DUSP has other, nondegree ... Home Welcome to the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. We are home to the largest urban planning faculty in the United States and enjoy the advantage of operating within the context of MIT's culture of innovation and interdisciplinary knowledge creation. We provide our students with an education that combines rigorous academic study and ... Urban Studies and Planning Urban Studies and Planning. 77 Massachusetts Avenue. Building 9-413. Cambridge, MA 02139. 617-253-9403. [email protected]. Website: Urban Studies and Planning. Apply here. PDF Department of Urban Studies and Planning The Department of Urban Studies and Planning o ers graduate work leading to the Master in City Planning and the Doctor of Philosophy. In conjunction with the Center for Real Estate, the department also o ers a Master of Science in Real Estate Development. These programs are open to students from a variety of backgrounds. Advanced Urbanism The Norman B. Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism (LCAU), together with the Department of Architecture and Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), have established a collaborative, doctoral-level concentration in advanced urbanism.Advanced urbanism at MIT integrates research on urban design, urbanization, and urban culture. This doctoral concentration is intended for those who have ... Landscape+Urbanism at MIT Landscape + Urbanism subjects are offered through MIT School of Architecture and Planning graduate degree programs and their respective admission process: The Department of Urban Studies and Planning - DUSP- offers a professional Master of City Planning, a mid-career Master of Science in Urban Planning and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning ... PDF Department of Urban Studies and Planning Nicholas de Monchaux, MArch Professor of Architecture Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Head, Department of Architecture. Joseph Ferreira Jr, PhD Professor Post-Tenure of Urban Planning and Operations Research. Dennis M. Frenchman, MArch, MCP Professor Post-Tenure of Urban Design and Planning. David M. Geltner, PhD Professor Post-Tenure ... About By 1967 the heightened interest in urban problems and urban studies throughout MIT increased both the research and teaching capacity of this multidisciplinary field. Within the department, work developed primarily in four directions: city design; planning for developing areas; urban planning and social policy; and quantitative methods. Admissions Students who wish to study urban planning at MIT at the undergraduate level must first be accepted to MIT. At the end of the first year MIT students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. ... Tuition and the estimated living expenses for a MIT graduate student are available via the MIT Graduate Admissions Office. Tuition (Graduate, MCP) PDF School of Architecture + Planning Department of Urban Studies and The MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning PhD program: 1958 Responding to a growing demand by educational and professional institutions for planners with more advanced training in research, the department established a doctoral program in City and Regional Planning. Graduate Admissions The only formal dual degree program is between the Department of Architecture, and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning: the dual Master of Architecture and Master of City Planning degrees. ... • Students already enrolled in a graduate program at MIT need to have their study plans approved by both Architecture and the dual departments ... Urban Studies and Planning Urban Studies and Planning. Serving on the board of an MIT member's existing company. MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children (GGSC) Graduate application resources for prospective students. Housing: Expanded availability and new options for on-campus housing. Landscape+Urbanism at MIT The Department of Urban Studies and Planning - DUSP- offers a professional Master of City Planning, a mid-career Master of Science in Urban Planning and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning. The Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (S.M.) with a concentration in Landscape + Urbanism, is designed to provide opportunities for ... Department of Urban Studies + Planning Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Career Advising & Professional Development. Building E17-294. 40 Ames Street. Cambridge, MA 02139. 617-715-5329. [email protected]. Our mission, vision, and values. Student leadership opportunities. Admissions Urban Studies and Planning Toggle Urban Studies and Planning. Planning (SB, Course 11) Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science (SB, Course 11- 6) ... is registered for a program of advanced study and research leading to any of the post-baccalaureate degrees offered by MIT. To be admitted as a regular graduate student, an applicant must ... Urban Studies and Planning Urban Studies and Planning ; About. The Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a degree in a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Planning which is an advanced research degree in planning or urban studies and is focused on training individuals for research and teaching in the ... MIT: The application process Department of Urban Studies and Planning Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 7-346 Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Program groups offered: City Design and Development Environmental Policy Program Housing, Community and Economic Development International Development Group Transportation* Urban Information Systems** Masters DUSP provides graduate professional education for individuals who will assume planning roles in public, private, and nonprofit agencies, firms, and international institutions, in the United States and abroad. The Master in City Planning (MCP) is a professional degree in the field of planning and seeks to provide MCP students with the skills and ... Admissions Students who wish to study urban planning at MIT at the undergraduate level must first be accepted to MIT. At the end of the first year MIT students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. ... Tuition and the estimated living expenses for a MIT graduate student are available via the MIT Graduate Admissions Office. ... PDF Department of Urban Studies and Planning The Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) o ers four degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Planning; a two-year professional Master in City Planning (MCP); a one-year Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (reserved for mid-career students); and a PhD in Urban Studies and Planning. In addition, DUSP has other, nondegree ... People Assistant Professor of Urban History, Public Policy & Planning. Catherine D'Ignazio. Associate Professor of Urban Science and Planning. Mary Jane Daly. Director, Professional Development. Zachary Davidson. MCP Student. Nicholas de Monchaux. Professor and Head of Architecture. Environmental Policy and Planning Members of the Environmental Policy and Planning group are most concerned about confronting the difficult changes and transformations required to achieve sustainable and equitable development in a world facing the short term impacts of the climate crisis. Some specific areas of research and teaching include indigenous environmental planning ... assignment essay homework paper report resume review speech thesis