graduate program in urban studies
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
The Master of Science degree program in Urban Studies is designed to prepare students for professional practice and responsible roles in the broad range of governmental and private sector activities including: city planning and urban development, urban government management, human resource services, urban education, inter-group relations, and community development.
The Urban Studies program offers students several areas of concentration: Urban Planning and Development, Urban Management, and Urban Education. These programs include an interdisciplinary component. Please consult with the Coordinator of Urban Studies for various program options.
Program requirements - 36 credits
Students may choose from the following courses with the approval of the program director:
URB 500 - Research Methods in Urban Studies
URB 548 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
URB 550 - Ethnicity and the American Society
URB 551 - Urbanization and the American Society
URB 552 - Public Policy Analysis
URB 553 - City Planning and the Urban Process
URB 554 - Urban Design and Land Development
URB 555 - Land Use Planning: Problems and Prospects
URB 556 - Education in the Urban Community
URB 559 - Application of Public Policy Research in Urban Affairs
URB 560 - Ethnic Realities in the American Community
URB 567 - Downtown USA: Evolution, Functions and Change
URB 568 - The Culture of Cities
URB 597 - Housing in an Urban Society
URB 598 - Seminar in Urban Affairs
URB 600 - Directed Independent Study
Master's Thesis:
Thesis Seminar (URB 590) and Thesis - 6 credits
Special Project
In lieu of the thesis, the student enrolls in URB 600 - Independent Study and completes a research project as part of the independent study.
URBAN STUDIES COURSES
URB 500 - Research Methods in Urban Studies
This course will examine the techniques, methods and research analysis used in Urban Studies context. Students will be introduced to the process of collecting data, analyzing, organizing, and presenting it in a formal and scholarly manner. 3 credits.
URB 548 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Comprehensive study of concepts underlying geographic information systems (GIS). Teaches the student how to use GIS and to understand its relevance to urban planning, including in the areas of urban design and land use conflict, managing land parcel data, keeping track of roads and utilities, and other planning issues. 4 credits.
URB 552 - Public Policy Analysis
An examination of the basic governmental, political, financial, and structural issues in developing and deciding policy in the public arena. State statutes, organizational frameworks, and the overt and covert forces in policy analysis will be presented. Scheduled fall semesters. 3 credits.
URB 553 - City Planning and the Urban Process
Analysis of basic city planning principles and their relationship to urban development and sprawl. Environmental, physical, legal, statutory, and economic issues in city planning and their impact on urban problems and solutions will be covered. Presentation of actual planning tools and techniques, including planning and zoning procedures. Scheduled fall semesters. 3 credits.
URB 554 - Urban Design and Land Development
The social purposes, economic processes, and cultural imperatives that shape the design renewal of American cities. Scheduled spring semesters of even years. 3 credits.
URB 555 - Land Use Planning: Problems and Prospects
Examination of basic land use issues and the conflicting forces involved in use and reuse of land development. Actual land use problems will be examined within the context of statutory authority, environmental restraints, and political realities. Scheduled spring semesters of odd years. 3 credits.
URB 556 - Education in the Urban Community
Analysis of the manner in which education is organized and functions with regard to issues of social, economic, and cultural stratification. Assessment of the way education has portrayed urbanization and notions of urban communities. The challenge for educators and planners is to make education a space of opportunity despite the barriers explored in this course. 3 credits.
URB 559 - Application of Public Policy Research in Urban Affairs
Evaluation research studies as applied to programs in urban affairs. Scheduled spring semesters. 3 credits.
URB 560 - Ethnic Realities in the American Community
Application of social theory and practice affecting institutional and individual response to ethnicity, cultural heritage, and inter-group relations in a pluralistic society. Scheduled spring semesters. 3 credits.
URB 567 - Downtown USA: Evolution, Functions and Change
The course is designed to introduce students to the complexity of forces that have shaped the form and function of Downtown USA by combining theory and research. The course consists of two main components: seminar/theoretical and research/applied. 3 credits.
URB 568 - The Culture of Cities
This urban theory course examines the culture of cities from an interdisciplinary perspective, employing a diverse body of both classic and contemporary texts and readings in order to assemble a set of concepts and themes that can be used to understand and analyze the complex nature of the culture of cities. 3 credits.
URB 590 - Thesis in Urban Studies
For thesis students only. Prerequisite: department permission. Scheduled fall and spring semesters. 6 credits.
URB 597 - Housing in An Urban Society
Social, political, and economic elements affecting the urban-suburban housing market. National local needs, policy formulation, federal programs, private planning, costs, and finances. Scheduled fall semesters. 3 credits.
URB 598 - Seminar in Urban Affairs
Analysis of urban and regional issues and the implications to today's society. The relationship of the central city to the suburbs and the region, growth issues, and the conflicting forces will be examined. Involvement in current urban affairs. Scheduled spring semesters. 3 credits.
URB 600 - Directed Independent Study
For special projects, not to be taken in conjunction with thesis. Prerequisite: department permission. Scheduled fall and spring semesters. 3 credits.
