{"id":6882,"date":"2018-07-24T14:44:36","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T18:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/?page_id=6882"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:23:09","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/admissions\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the deadlines for applying to the Metropolitan College City Planning and Urban Affairs Programs?<\/h3>
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BU MET offers rolling admission for all degree and certificate programs, normally granted for September, January, and May of each year, with additional starts in October, March, and July for most online programs. Graduate Admissions Committees meet on an ongoing basis and admission decisions are made after a full evaluation of each candidate\u2019s application materials.<\/p>\n

For application deadlines visit the Admissions page<\/a> of the BU MET website.<\/p>\n

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What is the minimum GPA required for acceptance into the Program?<\/h3>
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There is no minimum GPA requirement. However, applicants with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) lower than 3.0 are encouraged to submit additional information to demonstrate their capacity to succeed in graduate school.<\/p>\n

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What is the Graduate Admissions Exam (GRE) score required to be accepted into the Program?<\/h3>
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The GRE exam is not required for admission to graduate programs at Metropolitan College.<\/p>\n

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What is the minimum TOEFL\/IELTS\/Duolingo score required for admissions into the Program?<\/h3>
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International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency by submitting official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)<\/a>, International English Language Testing System (IELTS)<\/a>, or Duolingo English Test<\/a>. Recommended scores can be found on the International Graduate Student Application page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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If I am an international student and I completed my undergraduate degree or another graduate degree in the United States (or at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English), can I waive the English Language Proficiency scores?<\/h3>
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The language proficiency requirement may be waived for certain applicants, details can be found on the International Graduate Student Application page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Is financial aid available?<\/h3>
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Yes. BU\u2019s Metropolitan College offers scholarships, loans, and assistantships to help you meet your educational goals.Metropolitan College\u2019s Graduate Financial Aid office offers comprehensive financial assistance to graduate students, including\u00a0scholarships<\/a>,\u00a0assistantships<\/a>, and\u00a0loans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All domestic and international applicants to a master\u2019s degree program are automatically considered for a\u00a0merit scholarship<\/a>. The admissions committee will nominate admitted students to receive this award, based on the strength of each applicant\u2019s academic qualifications and professional experiences. Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award with their admissions decision.<\/p>\n

International students are not eligible for federal loans but can apply for graduate assistantships and private loans, as noted on our\u00a0International Student Tuition & Fees<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n

More detailed information can be found on the\u00a0Metropolitan College Financial Aid web page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Are there scholarships available for students in the City Planning and Urban Affairs Programs?<\/h3>
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The City Planning and Urban Affairs programs have two scholarship opportunities per academic year for domestic (US citizens and US permanent residents). The Bill & Charlene Burges Graduate Scholarship Fund<\/a> and the Nancy Foster Scholarship are both intended for CPUA students who demonstrate financial need. Information on all MET graduate scholarships can be found on the Scholarships page<\/a> of the MET website.<\/p>\n

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Are payment plans available?<\/h3>
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Information on how to pay and payment plans can be found on the Payment Information & Deadlines page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Is the Master of Science in City Planning degree program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)?<\/h3>
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Metropolitan College\u2019s MSCP program is not PAB-accredited, though it has been listed with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) since 2008. The University is currently assessing the relevance of PAB accreditation and the prospects of undergoing the accreditation process.<\/p>\n

Students graduating from a non-PAB-accredited institution have similar competitive advantages as most other graduates of planning schools. Employers generally do not require students to be certified by the American Institute of City Planners (AICP) when applying for a job. If interested in AICP certification, Metropolitan College City Planning students are eligible to take the AICP exam upon completing the standard three years of relevant professional experience.<\/p>\n

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What are the academic standards of the program?<\/h3>
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An average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained during the course of study to remain in good academic standing and satisfy the degree requirements. Students who earn a grade lower than B- in a required course or elective must retake that class and earn a grade of B- or higher for it to count toward their degree.<\/p>\n

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Is the degree I earn at Metropolitan College a Boston University degree?<\/h3>
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Yes. Metropolitan College, as one of\u00a0Boston University<\/a>\u2019s 17 schools and colleges, is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education<\/a> (NECHE). When you successfully complete a degree program with us, you receive a diploma stating that you have earned your degree at Boston University.<\/p>\n

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Do MSCP and MSUA students have access to career counseling or job placement services during or after their studies?<\/h3>
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MET Career Development<\/a>\u2014in collaboration with BU\u2019s\u00a0Center for Career Development (CCD)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Alumni & Friends office<\/a>\u2014offers career guidance and coaching, programs, and resources to matriculated online and in-person degree-seeking students. Please visit BU MET Career Development web page<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n

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What is the difference between the MSCP and the MSUA?<\/h3>
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The MSCP is recognized professionally and academically as a two-year graduate degree (full time; part time is three+ years) for people interested in the multi-disciplinary field of city planning. An MSCP education provides the theoretical, analytical, and practical tools of the planning trade, whether it is exercised in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. The MSCP can be treated as a terminal professional degree or as a bridge degree towards doctoral studies in city planning, urban sociology, or human geography, among other social science disciplines.<\/p>\n

The MSUA is a one-year graduate degree (full time; part time is two+ years) that provides the theoretical and analytical foundations for understanding the complexities of the urban environment. Students interested in pursuing an MSUA are often in search of a challenging academic experience that helps them delve further into urban issues and debates, or they need a graduate degree for internal advancement within their current professional environment.<\/p>\n

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