Urban Design

strange design
Courses are taught by faculty from architecture, community and regional planning and landscape architecture, with an understanding that urban environments should be engaged through an integrated design process that includes ecological, social, material, economic and urban-policy factors.
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The Master of Urban Design (MUD) is an initial, interdisciplinary program of study that focuses on contemporary challenges of urbanism at local, regional and global scales. The program is geared primarily toward students with previous professional degrees in architecture (BArch, MArch), landscape architecture (BLA, MLA) or planning (BSCRP, MCRP, MUP). The program draws faculty from these and other related disciplines within the college and university. 


Degrees Offered:

  • Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.)

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the master’s: 2.0 years (Methods)

Melissa Stenstrom

msten@iastate.edu
515-294-3366
Email for sending portfolio: janders@iastate.edu
Iowa State University
Attn: Graduate Programs Support
146 Design
Ames, IA 50011

Learning Goals

  • Obtain professional knowledge and integration of new practices, technologies and methods of urban planning and design.
  • Engage in advanced thinking skills in integrating concepts, ideas and approaches in a team-based, interdisciplinary design process.
  • Acquire new knowledge and skills in urban design that support professional leadership in the development of research and design work focused on local and global issues facing the contemporary city.

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Digital portfolio
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79 (for exams taken before January 21, 2026; 4.5 (for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026)
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo 115

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Program not accepting applications for admission at this time.