FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Following are a few commonly asked questions. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please scroll to the bottom for contact information.



What undergraduate majors do you accept into Planning?
Students are admitted to the Planning Degree Program from all undergraduate degrees. We have admitted students with majors from English Literature to Engineering. We balance students admitted to the program from a range of disciplines.


Are there required courses that I need for admissions? Prerequisites for the Planning Program are:
College-level Statistics (3 units)
Urban or Regional Studies (3 units)

An applicant may be admitted without these courses. This will result in three units of deficiencies per course. A maximum of six units is permitted. These must be completed in the first year of study. We recommend taking statistics at the local community college during the semester or summer prior to starting the program.


What are the requirements for admission to Planning?
• GPA of 3.1 based on 4.0 (Last 60 hours of undergraduate or 12 hours of graduate credit).
• GRE (Graduate Record Exam): 1200 combined score for verbal and quantitative sections and a 3 or better on the writing assessment section.
• A statement of intent.
• Three professional letters of recommendations from employers or professors.
For non-native speakers of English: Minimum TOEFL of 573 or 233 CBT.


Is it possible to be admitted to the M.S. Program with a GPA of less than 3.1?
If your total GPA is below a 3.1, the Admissions Committee will consider the Grade Point Average for the last sixty units of undergraduate coursework or twelve units of graduate coursework. The GPA requirement is not flexible but an applicant can substitute the GPA of 12 hours of graduate work as a non-degree student for a low undergraduate GPA.


Is it possible to be admitted to the M.S. Program with a GRE of less than 1200?
The GRE scores are recommended and used as an indicator. Other important indicators are a well-written statement of intent and strong letters of recommendation.


Is it possible to be admitted to the M.S. Program with a TOEFEL of less than 573 or CBT lower than 233?
No, English language proficiency for international students is an absolute necessity. The University of Arizona has English-learner courses for students seeking to improve their English skills.


When is the application deadline for domestic students?
There is a rolling admissions schedule for domestic students. The admission deadline for domestic applicants for receipt of all application forms and the $50.00 fee are February 1st, April 1st, and June 1st for Fall semester and November 1st for Spring semester.


When is the application deadline for Financial Aid from the Planning Program?
To receive full consideration for Financial Assistance, an application must be filed by February 1.


When is the application deadline for Federal Financial Aid?
US citizens may be eligible for need-based grants, loans, scholarships, and Federal Work-Study. To determine if you are eligible, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form available on line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Paper applications are also widely available.

Many funds are limited so those students who have their FAFSA completed by March 1 each academic year receive priority processing. Applicants must have been admitted to a degree program before the UA Office of Student Financial Aid will make financial aid awards. Graduate students must be enrolled at least halftime in order to receive Federal loans. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid: (520) 621-1858, Administration Building, Room 208, Email:askaid@arizona.edu


When is the application deadline for international students?
The deadline for receipt of all international application forms and the $50.00 fee is December 1 for Fall semester and June 1 for Spring semester.


How do I apply?
There are two parts to the application process. Each student completes a cover sheet for the University of Arizona Graduate College, available in paper format or on-line, and a Planning program application. The on-line application requires a credit card payment for the application fee. The paper format should be mailed with a check.

Start by completing an on-line application to the University of Arizona Graduate College at https://cosmos.arizona.edu/swsgrad/

To complete this section of the application, your first step is to register to enter the system. Then you need to select the term you would like to begin your studies.

The next click is selection of Degree-seeking.

Next, select Program of Study from the drop-down menu: Planning MS Soc and Beh Scis.

Then you will need to fill in schools attended, starting with most recent degree.

The form requests personal details, name, address, email address, telephone number.

Finally, you need a credit card to pay the $50 application fee. No application can be processed without payment of this fee.


Where do I send all of my application materials?
After completing on-line application form for the Graduate College please send all materials to:

Planning Degree Program
University of Arizona
Harvill Bldg., Room 341
1103 E. 2nd Street
PO Box 210076
Tucson, AZ 85719-0076

Send your original transcripts and statement of intent to this address. Have your recommenders send their letters to this address. If you are using a paper application and submitting a check for the application fee, please send this form with check to this address. We process all the submitted materials.


Where do I find an application form?
If you have access to the web and a printer, please download the Graduate College application form here: http://grad.arizona.edu/

To request a paper copy of the application form, please email gradadm@grad.arizona.edu mailto:gradadm@grad.arizona.edu

Or please mail request for an application form to the:

Planning Degree Program
University of Arizona
Harvill Bldg., Room 341
1103 E. 2nd Street
PO Box 210076
Tucson, AZ 85719-0076


If I need help completing the application form, who should I contact?
Our Program Co-ordinator is happy to troubleshoot admissions problems. Please contact:

Ms. Kristy Schmidt
Email: kristys@email.arizona.edu
Voice: 520-621-9597
Fax: 520-621-9820
Postal Mail:
Planning Degree Program
University of Arizona
Harvill Bldg., Room 341
1103 E. 2nd Street
PO Box 210076 Tucson, AZ 85719-0076



To receive information about the Planning Degree Program, please contact:

Planning Degree Program
Harvill, Room 341D
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721-0076
Phone: 1+ 520.621.9597
FAX: 1+ 520.621.9820
Email us: planning@u.arizona.edu