Graduate Certificate in Urban Informatics

Current UM students:
Admissions are accepted on a rolling basis. For a decision by the Fall term, students must apply by March 1, and for admissions in Winter, by December 1. Note that admissions decisions will not be made until final grades are recorded from at least one term of study at UM.

/ Eligibility

  • Current UM Rackham graduate student (for instance, MURP, MPP, MS SEAS, Ph.D.)
  • Current UM non-Rackham graduate student (for instance, M.Arch., MUD, MBA, JD, MPH)
  • Note to incoming students: Please wait to submit your application materials until after arriving on campus.

/ Application Materials

Students currently in any U-M Rackham program must submit the following:

  • Rackham online Dual Admission Application
  • One-page letter of intent: (emailed to taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu):
    • A statement of the student’s intent to complete the certificate
    • A brief explanation of the student’s goals in participating in the certificate
    • A brief explanation of how the certificate contributes to the student’s post-graduation goals
  • One-page curriculum outline (emailed to taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu):
    • Identification of a proposed focus area
    • A proposed list and schedule of coursework (see the Urban Informatics Certificate Requirements Checklist for more information)
    • Identification of any courses expected to be double-counted with other degree requirements
  • Note: The program will obtain from the student’s home department:
    • Current UM transcript
    • GRE, GMAT, or LSAT Test Score (optional)

Students currently in any non-Rackham U-M graduate program must submit the following:

  • Rackham online application
  • Non-refundable application fee
  • Official transcripts (submit to the Rackham graduate school)
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Include an explanation of the student’s goals in participating in the certificate as well as how the certificate contributes to the student’s post-graduation goals
  • Personal Statement
  • One-page curriculum outline (emailed to taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu)
  • GRE, GMAT, or LSAT Test Score (optional)
  • TOEFL (required for international students)

/ Required Information

Letters of Recommendation

The Certificate application requires (2) letters of recommendation, which may be those used for your current program or may be newly acquired. The letters should testify mainly to your academic and professional capacity and promise.

Letters must be submitted via the Rackham online application. If obtaining new letters, you will be prompted to register recommenders using the online application, enabling recommenders to submit letters of recommendation electronically. If you are having recommendations sent from your university’s career center, no cover sheet from UM is required.

Transcripts

Students currently in any UM Rackham program: An official transcript is automatically placed with your application, no action on your part is required.

Students currently in any UM Non-Rackham program:

Submitting your transcripts:

Step 1: TO APPLY, submit a scanned copy of your official transcript. Applicants must scan and upload an official transcript/academic record into the ApplyWeb online application. This transcript must display the institutional seal and signature of the Registrar or Recorder of Records.

Step 2: AFTER an offer of admission, submit your official transcript. Admitted students must submit to the Rackham Graduate School an official transcript/academic record, front and back, issued by the Registrar or Records Office for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned.

For more information, please see Transcripts.

/ Questions

Direct inquiries about the application process or requirements to:

Graduate Certificate in Urban Informatics
2000 Bonisteel Blvd
Room 2332, Art & Architecture Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Email: taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu
Phone: 734-763-1275

Direct inquiries about the Rackham Graduate School to:

Rackham Graduate School Admissions
The University of Michigan
915 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Email: help@applyweb.com

Direct inquiries about how your background and goals would fit this program to:

Assistant Professor Robert Goodspeed
Academic Director of the Graduate Certificate in Urban Informatics
Email: rgoodspe@umich.edu
Phone: 734-615-7254