Graduate Admissions

Graduate Program Application Deadlines

Students may apply for admission to the MS and PhD programs beginning with either the Fall or the Spring semester. As a general policy, however, most students will be admitted for the Fall semester so that they can follow the typical courses of study.

Fall Semester The application deadline to begin in the Fall semester is February 1. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling admissions basis as space allows. Note the deadline for funding consideration is February 1 (see below).

Spring Semester The application deadline to begin in the Spring semester is November 1. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling admissions basis as space allows.

Funding Consideration The deadline for consideration of the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship (AOF) and other departmental funding is February 1. Students do not apply for these opportunities; the information in one’s application will determine eligibility.

How to Apply to Graduate Programs

All applicants who are applying to MS or PhD programs must start by submitting an electronic application to the Graduate School online here.

After completing this step, applicants are required to submit all of the following:

1. Reasons for Graduate Study
2. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
3. Official Transcripts
4. Test of English Proficiency (for students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not entirely in English)
5. Supplemental Materials [optional]
6. For the MSLA application: Design portfolio or research-based writing samples

Descriptions of each part of the application can be found below.

#1: Reasons for Graduate Study

This should be a thoughtful, reflective, one or two page statement discussing why you wish to go into the field of planning or design and what you expect to do professionally. If you have an interest in a particular concentration, you should discuss that; if you have planning or design related experience, this should also be discussed.

The statement of purpose should be attached to the electronic application to the Graduate School.

#2: Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of reference from people who know your academic or professional work. Letters are submitted through your electronic application to the Graduate School. When you put in the names and email addresses of your recommenders, they will receive an email instructing them how to submit their letter. You can send reminder emails through the electronic application portal to your recommenders if for some reason they misplace this email.

#3: Official Transcripts

You will be prompted to submit an unoffocial transcript in your online application. If recommended for admission by the Department, you will receive a request for your official transcripts from the Graduate School at that time. Send official transcripts or academic records from each institution attended to the Graduate School at the address below.

UW–Madison Graduate School
Office of Admissions
217 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Do not send transcripts to the Department. The Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture at UW–Madison only requires you send one official copy of your transcripts to the Graduate School.

International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and official signatures. Documents issued to the student are not considered official.

#4: Test of English Ability

See UW-Madison’s Graduate School requirements here: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/

#5: Supplemental Materials

Optional, supplemental materials, like a resume, curriculum vitae, or writing samples, should be emailed to the PLA Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Amy Rivera