Degree Requirements
To earn the M.C.P. degree, a student must complete:
- 48 units of in-residence coursework or 36 units in concurrent/dual degree programs
- Successful completion of the core curriculum
- Courses in at least one concentration area
- A capstone project consisting of either a client report, a professional report, or a master's thesis
Program Selection and Advising
Students plan their individual programs with the help of their faculty advisor. All new graduate students are paired with an advisor, whose role is to help students structure their first-semester program. First-year students set up an intial meeting with their assigned adviors during the first three weeks of the fall semester.
Students declare a concentration at the end of the first semester by completing a Concentration Declaration Form and submitting it to the Graduate Student Affairs Officer (GSAO). Advisors are chosen within the area of concentration.
Internships
All students are expected to complete a three-month internship in a planning-related position, usually between their first and second years of study unless exempted by previous work experience. Frequently, the work completed during a summer internship forms the basis for the the Professional Report, Client Report or Thesis. International students who hold an F-1 or J-1 visa must complete an internship during their two years of study.
Financial Aid
DCRP and UC Berkeley offer multiple types of financial support to its graduate students. Details are available here.
STEM-Designated Program
The M.C.P. degree is an approved field of study within the U.S. government’s official STEM fields list. Practical work experience in your field of study, typically after completion of a degree for a maximum of 36 months (12 months of “regular” OPT with a 24-month extension possible). For further details regarding STEM extensions, contact the Berkeley International Office (BIO).