Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)

In collaboration with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, the Global Environmental Science (GES) program offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Global Environmental Science and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) pathway that helps students earn both degrees in an accelerated timeframe. This pathway allows GES students to earn six (6) graduate-level credits that apply to the MURP degree, in addition to the nine (9) upper-division credits that will be double-counted towards both GES and MURP degrees in their senior year. Once in the MURP program, after graduating with their GES BS degree, students take the remaining 27 credits necessary to complete the MURP degree.

BAM pathway guidelines:

  • Minimum Credits: A minimum of 153 credits total is required for both degrees, including 42 credits of MURP degree coursework (inclusive of thesis or capstone credits).
  • Double Counting: The following courses (nine total credits) will be double-counted for both GES and MURP degrees: PLAN 473, 600, and 620. To be double counted, these courses must be:
    • Passed with a grade of B or better; and
    • Taken at UHM (not transferred in from another university) and while as an undergraduate
  • Eligibility (Gateway Course): PLAN 310 is the “gateway” course that determines eligibility for the pathway, and which must be passed with a minimum grade of B+ to be considered for this pathway.
  • Application: Interested candidates must submit the Graduate Admissions Application and fee as well as all required program admission materials in the spring semester of their junior year (February 1).
    • Students must notify GES and the MURP program of their intent to apply for this pathway.
    • Accepted pathway applicants will not be required to take the GRE.
  • Pathway Admission: Once accepted, students will be dually-enrolled in GES and MURP in the fall semester of their senior year and begin the double-counted coursework (PLAN 473, 600, and 620) at the undergraduate tuition rate.
    • An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (upon graduation with the GES degree) is required to apply for and continue in the MURP program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree: The GES degree is conferred after successful completion of all required GES coursework, including meeting the minimum upper division credit requirement (45 credits) for the undergraduate degree (ideally in the 8th semester).
  • Graduate Enrollment: Pathway students begin their 9th semester as graduate students in the MURP program and complete semesters 9 and 10 at the graduate tuition rate.
    • Continuous enrollments after conferral of the bachelor’s degree is required (unless on approved leave of absence (LOA) after the first semester as a graduate student).
    • If the baccalaureate degree is not conferred, graduate status will be inactivated and the student may not continue to take courses applicable to the graduate program.
  • Leave of Absence (LOA): Until the bachelor’s degree is conferred, pathway students should follow the undergraduate procedures to request a LOA, if needed. Graduate students, once classified, must be enrolled for at least one semester before becoming eligible for a LOA.
  • Undergraduate Excess Credit Policy: GES undergraduate seniors earn six (6) total credits (PLAN 603 and 640) toward the MURP degree (but not towards the GES degree) by completing those courses during the final two semesters as an undergraduate student. These credits would be in addition to the double-counted credits identified in the pathway. These graduate courses are in excess of the GES degree requirements.

Advising

Interested and eligible pathway students will need to be advised appropriately throughout this process by both GES and MURP for their respective degree requirements.

MURP faculty advisor: Dr. Priyam Das

Compare all GES Bachelor’s and Master’s pathways here.

Updated July 7, 2023.