Cornell University - Department of City and Regional Planning

About this program

Cornell's renowned Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P.) program combines theory and practice in both domestic and international realms, providing each student with a foundation in city and regional planning and spatial theory, economics, and the tools of planning analysis — both qualitative and quantitative. Each year, entering M.R.P. students create individualized programs, building on the department's core curriculum and selecting elective classes to reflect personal goals. Through almost unparalleled access to internships and workshops, M.R.P. students test their ideas, research, and coursework in practice, while bringing real world problems back into the classroom for critical examination. This provides an opportunity for RPCVs to continue their service to those in need while completing a rigorous and personally meaningful program of academic study. Beyond the core curriculum, the department offers four concentrations. The first three — Designing the City, Economic Development Planning, and Land Use and Environmental Planning — are thematic, while the fourth, International Studies in Planning (ISP), is for students wishing to work outside the U.S. It is common for students in ISP to also work in the other three concentrations.

Year partnership began: 2007
Fellowships awarded per year (average): 3

Application requirements

college transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, GRE is not required.

Admissions process

Check the Coverdell box on the application.

Degrees awarded

Masters of City and Regional Planning

Benefits and opportunities

	In-state	Out-of-state
Tuition and fees	$85,376	$85,376
Value of fellowship	$28,174	$28,174
Net cost	$57,202	$57,202

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $37,165

Cost savings details

All Fellows receive a minimum award of 33% of the total value of tuition and fees. The awarded amount will be divided between a tuition reduction grant and a work stipend to help cover living expenses. Amounts vary by year. Other possible opportunities include working as the on campus Peace Corps campus recruiter, a FLAS (Foreign Language Area Studies) Fellowship, a position as a graduate resident adviser, or the Telluride Fellowship (available every 2 years).

Internship

Over the summer, Paul D. Coverdell Fellows/USA participants will receive staff support in identifying and generating diverse summer internships in fields and locations of their choice. These internships typically provide stipends of $3,750 to be awarded on a 50-50 basis, combining Cornell and employer matching funds. Following the completion of their summer internship, Paul D. Coverdell Fellows/USA students return to campus to complete their second and final year of course work. Upon completion of the 60 required units of course work and submission of their independent writing requirement, participants are eligible to receive their M.R.P. professional degree.

Other opportunities

Other possible opportunities include working as the on campus Peace Corps campus recruiter.

Jobs for alumni

Paul D. Coverdell Fellows from Cornell have gone on to work for a number of organizations, including USAID, Pathstone Development Corporation, RUPCO, Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, senior analyst for Boston Consulting Group, Urban Ecology Center, USDA, Helber Hastert and Fee, FEMA, UCLA, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Fingerlakes Wealth Management, SUM Consulting, Community Development Department in the City of Las Cruces, Transportation Manager for University Circle INC, Planner for Kodiak Island Borough, FAO, Park Planner for City of Detroit, Planner for City of Reading, PA, Planner for City of San Jose, CA, Colorado West Land Trust, and NYC Dept of Housing Preservation and Development.