Urban Studies major features

  • The study of cities: how they function, grow, and prosper or decline.
  • Policy-focused and interdisciplinary coursework: students are able to take courses in other departments, such as criminal justice, sociology, political science, and history. Course subjects include how cities are planned, population trends, and urban policy issues like housing, sustainability, and environmental justice.
  • Fieldwork and internship opportunities: apply what you are learning to acquire a range of skills prized in the wider labor market, including how to marshal leadership, how to conduct community-based participatory action research and policy analysis, and how to use computer mapping programs to diagnose problems and facilitate community engagement.

 

Skills developed as an Urban Studies major or minor:

  • Researching
  • Strong interpersonal and presentation skills
  • Managing projects and programs
  • Analyzing components of complex problems
  • Designing programs
  • Understanding planning research
  • Reading graphs and maps
  • Analyzing policy
  • Critical thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Facilitating group dialogue
  • Presenting ideas and information clearly, both orally and in writing
  • Managing people, processes & projects

 

Urban Studies majors and minors pursue multiple career paths:

  • Non-profit Management
  • Urban Planning and Design
  • Economic Development
  • Neighborhood & Community Development
  • Healthcare
  • Social Services
  • Public Administration
  • Real Estate
  • Education Advocacy
  • Teaching
  • International Development
  • Community-based organizing