Community Planning and Health Equity (CPHL)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Architecture/Public Health

ABSTRACT

A core element central to both community planning and public health is the built environment, which includes human-designed and built surroundings that provide the settings for all aspects of human life, ranging from buildings and homes to parks and recreation facilities. A well-planned community includes aspects of public health, while the public’s health requires healthy facilities and a built environment that supports and promotes healthy living.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Aside from student loans through the university, MCP students are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships with URSP and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education.

CONTACT

Clara E Irazábal Zurita, Arch., M.Sc., M.Arch., Ph.D.
Program Director
Urban Studies and Planning Program
School of Architecture, Planning, & Preservation
1244 Architecture Building
3835 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6290
Email: irazabal@umd.edu

Website: http://www.arch.umd.edu

Brit Saksvig, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor
Director of Graduate Student Services
2316 School of Public Health Building
4200 Valley Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2491
Email: bsaksvig@umd.edu

Melvin Seale
Associate Clinical Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Health Policy and Management
School of Public Health
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6125
Email: mseale@umd.edu

Website: sph.umd.edu/mph-health-equity

The Master of Community Planning and MPH in Health Equity dual degree program accepts standard-path applications through the Graduate School Application Portal; do not submit a SOPHAS application.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
Statement of Purpose
Transcript(s)
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Statement of purpose and objectives, including career and educational goals, professional experience, and areas of interest and how the dual degree program will help you achieve your career goals
Letters of Recommendation (3)
CV/Resume
Writing Samples (optional, up to 2)
Portfolio PDF Upload (optional)
Must be recommended for admission by both programs to pursue a dual degree.

There are no restrictions on applicants’ previous fields of study, and we indeed encourage academic heterogeneity in all respects.

Note for applicants with foreign credentials:
Evidence of English Language proficiency is required if the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries listed on the Graduate School website.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Graduate Application Deadlines-Fall
Type of Applicant	Fall Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents	March 5, 2027
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants	March 5, 2027

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Application Process: http://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/apply-now
SPH Admissions FAQ: https://sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-faqs
Program page: http://arch.umd.edu/programs/graduate-programs/interdisciplinary-dual-degrees/community-planning-public-health-eight-concentration

Community Planning and Health Equity, Master of Community Planning and Master of Public Health, (dual degree) (M.C.P. and M.P.H.)

Please visit the Community Planning and Health Equity program pages for a list of current graduate faculty.