The Master of City and Regional Studies (M.C.R.S.) is a 30-credit degree offered only in specialized circumstances. Applicants must hold an advanced degree and are seeking auxiliary knowledge in planning, or be international practicing planners.
Program of Study
Requirements and standards for admission are otherwise comparable to the M.C.R.P. two-year degree. The 30 credits required for this degree include the core required courses in theory and urban economics as well as two semesters of methods, including “Methods of Planning Analysis I” (34:970:515). Studio courses are not required and international students are waived out of the planning law course requirement. Course of elective study can be self-directed with support of advisor and director. All M.C.R.S. candidates are required to pass an extensive comprehensive examination.
International Students: CPT/OPT/Internship/Law Waiver
International students in the MCRP and MCRS degree programs often take coursework from other Rutgers units to complement the nature of their program of study. In addition, international students take on a series of professional work and internship experiences (practical training) throughout their program of study with outside planning and public policy private, non-profit and government sector organizations. International students must register (0-3 credits) for “Research Internship” (34:970:844) or “Internship in Urban Planning” (34:970:636) during semesters of professional work experiences (fall-spring-summer). All practical training experiences must be approved by the advisor/director using school paperwork through Handshake as well as with the Rutgers Global Center for proper CPT paperwork approval. These experiences are monitored and reviewed by the program director. Post-study OPT opportunities are also available if approved by the Rutgers Global Center and the Bloustein Student and Academic Services Office (note, early application deadlines necessary.) Students should see the Office of Student and Academic Services prior to engaging in any outside opportunity for consultation.
International students are also waived from Survey of Planning Law Principles (34:970:517), and instead should take an elective course specific to their interested and in conjunction with their advisor’s approval.
Academic Standing
Students must maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.0 in order to graduate. If a student’s grade-point average is below a 3.0 at the end of a semester, the student will have one semester to improve the average to 3.0 or greater. During the semester, the student will be on probation. Additionally, a student cannot graduate with more than three courses (9 credits) with grades of C+ or below.
Concentrations
The program offers six areas of concentration that allow students to specialize in one or more fields of planning, in addition to taking the required core courses. These concentrations are intended to help students develop a program of study that will help them fulfill their individual career goals.
Certificate Programs
Certificates are groupings of five or so courses offered by key, multiple departments that if taken, indicate that the student has developed cross-disciplinary expertise in a particular subject area. The Bloustein School offers 10 graduate certificate programs in transportation, climate change, energy, public policy, real estate, historic preservation, and more.