The Urban School of Sciences Po (Paris) and the Urban Planning Department at UCLA (Los Angeles), two of the most highly rated programs in urbanism, policies, governance and urban planning in the world, have launched a dual master’s degree program. This is a world-class, cutting-edge program, building on the strengths of both programs and the specialized training offered by each.
The Urban School of Sciences Po is renowned for its comparative approach to metropolitan governance around the world. Its interdisciplinary social science approach to urbanism draws on political economy, the political sociology of urban policies and their implementation, emphasizing political protest and participation, planning and the social/ethnic transformations of cities. At the forefront of its different programs are the climate crisis, urban policies, housing, transport and infrastructure, digital governance, and citizen participation.
The Urban Planning Department at UCLA offers rigorous training in a wide array of areas of concentration, including community development, housing, transportation, urban design and development, regional and international development and environmental analysis and policy. A hallmark of UCLA’s program is its deep commitment to social, environmental and racial justice, democratized planning, inclusivity, and the integration of practice and research.
Two World-Class Programs: Combines UCLA’s rigorous training with Sciences Po’s renowned comparative urban governance scholarship.
Global Perspective: Sciences Po brings expertise in comparative metropolitan governance, political economy, and the social transformation of cities.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrates social science approaches to urban change, climate crisis, urban policies, digital cities, and citizen participation.
Justice-Focused Practice: UCLA’s deep commitment to social, environmental, and racial justice complements Sciences Po’s comparative governance focus.
Applicants to the UCLA–Sciences Po Double Degree apply through the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission; a separate application to Sciences Po is not required. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a minimum 3.5 undergraduate GPA or international equivalent. Coursework in microeconomics, statistics and college algebra is highly recommended, along with previous experience in planning, community development or a related field. The GRE is optional, and international applicants may be required to demonstrate English proficiency. All applications are reviewed jointly by faculty from UCLA Luskin and the Sciences Po Urban School, with a maximum cohort of 12 students expected each year.
Applications are due January 15, with admission decisions typically released in March and the national enrollment deadline on April 15. Students are admitted for the fall term only, and admission cannot be deferred. Applicants who are not admitted to the Double Degree may request consideration for UCLA Luskin’s regular MURP program through the application.
Please direct any questions about the program to Sean Campbell, Associate Director of Admissions & Recruitment, at sean@luskin.ucla.edu or feel free to give him a call at (310) 825-8957. You can also schedule an appointment here!
This is the only degree program that combines urban planning training from a US university and training in metropolitan governance in cities of the Global South. The second year of the dual degree is embedded in the Governing the Large Metropolis master’s program, which tackles the challenging issues faced by the urban areas of the Global south, representing around half of the world population. It offers academic courses and professional workshops dealing with housing, utilities and transport, project management and financing, public policies, and a yearly rotation of classes specialized in specific geographic areas. We train our students how to practice planning and shape urban collective action and policies in different political and institutional contexts.
Students spend:
During their internship for UCLA and their group projects in their second year at GLM, students have opportunities to work individually and in teams in real hands-on professional situations in fields including urban planning, transport, infrastructure, housing, the ecological transition and climate policies, local and community development, and smart cities, among others.
Provided that all course requirements are met, students will graduate after two years with two master’s degrees, one granted by UCLA and the other by Sciences Po. The year at UCLA will also be accredited professionally in the United States.
Validation of Degree
Students are registered for two full years at both universities and have access to the student services of both Sciences Po and UCLA. Students must validate their course work under the requirements of the university at which they are studying.
To earn the dual degree, students must validate the two years of study in both universities.
Students pay tuition and fees to UCLA during Year 1 and to Sciences Po during Year 2. During the spring quarter of Year 2, students also pay UCLA’s In Absentia fees, with nonresident students responsible for applicable nonresident tuition. Students should consult each university’s current tuition and fee schedules for the most up-to-date costs.
Current UCLA students preparing to study at Sciences Po can find detailed information about the program timeline, enrollment, visas, housing, insurance, course registration and other requirements on the Sciences Po for UCLA Students page.
For information on preparing to study at UCLA, including enrollment, orientation, housing, visa requirements, costs and other resources, visit the For Sciences Po Exchange Students page.
The UCLA – Sciences Po Dual Degree provides access to stimulating career paths in the US and France but also, thanks to a strong comparative and critical approach, in America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. They will be prepared to take on jobs in the public sector, nonprofits and NGOs, research organizations, and private planning, consulting, and development firms. For career survey data from recent UCLA Luskin MURP Alumni, visit our career services page.
For information about graduates from the Urban School at Sciences Po, see their career page.
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