About University of Washington Tacoma
The Master of Arts in Community Planning degree is designed to develop civic leaders who are equipped to make change in networks of public and private actors, helping to create more just, sustainable, and livable urban futures. We believe that: “Community” is not a singular concept; "Planning” is about creating shared futures; Places are co-produced by engaged planning leaders working with the communities we serve. We are not a traditional land use planning program, however we work closely with all planning professionals in pursuit of socially sustainable and economically just communities. https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/urban-studies/ma-community-planningPoints of Distinction
We are a cohort-based program with a two-term, community engaged culminating studio experience. Most students enroll full time, however we work to accommodate professionals with a variety of constraints and have graduated highly successful cohort members on a part-time pathway when needed. Strong relationships within cohorts and among alumni are a hallmark of the program, and over the first five years of our existence (2017-2022) we GREW in enrollment, publications, and community-driven outcomes, despite the impact of COVID-19 on all of us in higher education. Our students hail from Washington State, across the US, and abroad.Degrees & Programs
| Master's Degree | |
| Degree Name | Master of Arts in Community Planning |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Minimum GRE | N/A |
| Minimum TOEFL | Applicants holding Permanent Residence Status and an international degree must submit scores for the TOEFL exam. Minimum scores are 580 (paper-based), 237 (computerized TOEFLC), 92 (Internet-based TOEFLIBT). See UW Graduate School Policy 3.2 for details related to English proficiency. |
| Minimum IELTS | 6.5; recommended 7.0 |
| Year this program started | 2017 |
| In-state tuition per year | $19,797 (2024-2025) |
| Out-of-state tuition per year | $34,323 (2024-2025) |
| Application deadline | Jan 31 (priority and international); May 31 (final) |
| Financial aid and scholarship deadline | Varies; Feb 15 or Mar 15 https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/urban-studies/scholarships-fellowships |
| Students in program | 20 max per cohort |
| Full-time equivalent student:faculty ratio | 4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree | |
| Degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board: | No |
School of Urban Studies
Tacoma Washington
Address
1900 Commerce StTacoma, Washington 98402-3112
Last Updated: October 10, 2025
Faculty Members
