International Planning Studies
Master of International Planning Studies
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$750
Per Credit
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Master of International Planning Studies is a one-year online degree program designed for students and professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and careers by focusing on contemporary international urban and regional planning issues.
MIPS provides the skills needed to address today’s challenges with emphasis on sustainability and the environment, economic and community development, transportation, health, housing and real estate, and disruptive technologies. The degree builds on the experience of students and enhances practical skills to better respond to the changing needs of society.
The MIPS degree is online, although opportunities to spend a summer at Michigan State University may also be possible. Participants are likely to be international practitioners seeking a US degree from a major research and professional university, as well as US based students planning to work in an international context. The MIPS experience will allow participants to accelerate their careers in planning and related fields, or to pivot to international applications of their skills. The program faculty have extensive international experience with most having studied and practiced planning in different countries in Asia, Europe, Australia as well as the United States.
Program Outcomes
Communities are facing a combination of challenges associated with urban growth, climate change, disruptive technologies, and adapting to a post-Covid way of life. The best way to prepare for change is through knowledge and experience, with MIPS graduates prepared to:
• Understand how societal change translates into planning action
• Lead community planning and community engagement processes
• Implement strategies to promote sustainability
• Facilitate change associated with online commerce, renewable energy sources, transportation, climate change, and equity needs
• Apply data-driven decision making to planning processes
• Recognize the role of diversity and equity in community development
• Develop projects based on current or future professional assignments or interests
Career Outlook
Program participants will be able to leverage their experience and combine it with technical skills to advance their careers. Past MIPS graduates hold leadership positions in government agencies (housing, transportation, environment, international development), nongovernmental organizations (community development, environmental management) and business (real estate, transportation).
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Mark Wilson
Professor and Director of the International Planning Studies program
Dr. Wilson is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University, and Director of the International Planning Studies Program. Research and teaching interests address urban planning, disruptive technologies, mega-events, and economic development. Current projects include the urban implications of autonomous technologies; planning for industrial parks in Africa and the Middle East; mega-event planning for world’s fairs and Olympics; and the role of innovation, knowledge, and information technology in urban development. His academic background focused on economics and regional science with degrees from the University of Melbourne, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Course Information
Core Courses (10 credits):
UP 801: Planning History and Theory (3 Credits)
UP 854: Economics of Planning and Development (3 Credits)
UP 884: Community Engagement: Charrette Systems (4 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following courses (5 credits):
UP 890: Independent Study (5 credits)
UP 893: Internship in Urban Planning (5 Credits)
Elective courses (15 credits):
Complete (400-level or 800-level) electives tailored to each student's needs that may include:
PDC 403: Domicology (3 credits)
PDC 491: Cities of Tomorrow (3 Credits)
PDC 491: Healthy Cities (3 Credits)
PDC 491: Mega Events Planning (3 Credits)
UP 458: Housing and Real Estate (3 Credits)
UP 478: Urban Transportation Planning (3 credits)
UP 488: Sustainable and Climate Resilient City (3 Credits)
UP 823: Land Management and the Environment (3 Credits)
UP 824: Geographic Information Systems (3 Credits)
UP 854: Economics of Development (4 credits)
UP 878: Autonomous Futures (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV)
- TOEFL/IELTS if English is not your native language
- A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$750
$750
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Master of International Planning Studies is a one-year online degree program designed for students and professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and careers by focusing on contemporary international urban and regional planning issues.
MIPS provides the skills needed to address today’s challenges with emphasis on sustainability and the environment, economic and community development, transportation, health, housing and real estate, and disruptive technologies. The degree builds on the experience of students and enhances practical skills to better respond to the changing needs of society.
The MIPS degree is online, although opportunities to spend a summer at Michigan State University may also be possible. Participants are likely to be international practitioners seeking a US degree from a major research and professional university, as well as US based students planning to work in an international context. The MIPS experience will allow participants to accelerate their careers in planning and related fields, or to pivot to international applications of their skills. The program faculty have extensive international experience with most having studied and practiced planning in different countries in Asia, Europe, Australia as well as the United States.
Program Outcomes
Communities are facing a combination of challenges associated with urban growth, climate change, disruptive technologies, and adapting to a post-Covid way of life. The best way to prepare for change is through knowledge and experience, with MIPS graduates prepared to:
• Understand how societal change translates into planning action
• Lead community planning and community engagement processes
• Implement strategies to promote sustainability
• Facilitate change associated with online commerce, renewable energy sources, transportation, climate change, and equity needs
• Apply data-driven decision making to planning processes
• Recognize the role of diversity and equity in community development
• Develop projects based on current or future professional assignments or interests
Career Outlook
Program participants will be able to leverage their experience and combine it with technical skills to advance their careers. Past MIPS graduates hold leadership positions in government agencies (housing, transportation, environment, international development), nongovernmental organizations (community development, environmental management) and business (real estate, transportation).
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Mark Wilson
Professor and Director of the International Planning Studies program
Dr. Wilson is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University, and Director of the International Planning Studies Program. Research and teaching interests address urban planning, disruptive technologies, mega-events, and economic development. Current projects include the urban implications of autonomous technologies; planning for industrial parks in Africa and the Middle East; mega-event planning for world’s fairs and Olympics; and the role of innovation, knowledge, and information technology in urban development. His academic background focused on economics and regional science with degrees from the University of Melbourne, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Course Information
Core Courses (10 credits):
UP 801: Planning History and Theory (3 Credits)
UP 854: Economics of Planning and Development (3 Credits)
UP 884: Community Engagement: Charrette Systems (4 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following courses (5 credits):
UP 890: Independent Study (5 credits)
UP 893: Internship in Urban Planning (5 Credits)
Elective courses (15 credits):
Complete (400-level or 800-level) electives tailored to each student's needs that may include:
PDC 403: Domicology (3 credits)
PDC 491: Cities of Tomorrow (3 Credits)
PDC 491: Healthy Cities (3 Credits)
PDC 491: Mega Events Planning (3 Credits)
UP 458: Housing and Real Estate (3 Credits)
UP 478: Urban Transportation Planning (3 credits)
UP 488: Sustainable and Climate Resilient City (3 Credits)
UP 823: Land Management and the Environment (3 Credits)
UP 824: Geographic Information Systems (3 Credits)
UP 854: Economics of Development (4 credits)
UP 878: Autonomous Futures (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV)
- TOEFL/IELTS if English is not your native language
- A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$750
$750
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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