Urban Studies and Public Policy - 3/2 Program, B.S.

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Mission

The major in urban studies and public policy is designed to prepare students for careers in public service or private corporations involved in public issues. Career paths include government, law, city planning, non-profit management and public policy analysis. The curriculum explores urban issues in real estate development, transportation, land use and housing that focuses on finding solutions to inner-city problems such as unemployment, poverty and crime.

Student Learning Outcomes

Understand the relationship between the urban environment and human behavior.
Identify the causes and effect of urban problems.
Quantify the costs and benefits of public programs in order to conduct rational policy analysis.
Propose practical solutions to social problems.
Communicate complex policy issues in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
Influence the political process by explaining policy solutions to both public officials and the general public.

Programs/Opportunities

Students are offered the opportunity to gain practical experience in community affairs by working with:

Dillard University Community Development Corporation (CDC). The Dillard CDC - a non-profit corporation involved in urban revitalization by offering city planning services to the community, as well as offering homebuyer training and financial assistance to residents interested in purchasing or renovating homes in the Dillard neighborhood.

Exceptional students are encouraged to participate in one of the joint master’s degree programs offered by the Department of Urban Studies and Public Policy. Three/two (3/2) programs are available with:

New School University - Master of Arts Urban Policy Analysis and Management
University of New Orleans - Master of Urban and Regional Planning or Master of Science in Urban Studies

Requirements for Bachelor of Science Urban Studies and Public Policy – 3/2 Program

Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.

General Education Core - 41 credit hours
Major Requirements - 18 credit hours
Additional Coursework - 33 credit hours
Host Institution - 30 credit hours

Major Requirements

Additional Coursework

Includes minor in another discipline.

CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
GEO 115 - Principles to Geography 3 cr.
HIS 201 - U. S. History 1607 to 1865 3 cr.
HIS 202 - U. S. History 1865 to Present 3 cr.
POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.
SOC 308 - Social Research 3 cr.
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
Minor or General Elective: 9 cr.

Urban Studies and Public Policy - 3/2 Program Curriculum

First Year

First Semester

CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
ENG 111 - Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
GEO 115 - Principles to Geography 3 cr.
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. ♦
SPT 204 - Public Speaking 3 cr. ♦
UCO 101 - University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦

Total: 16

Second Semester

AWS 100 - Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
REL 208 - The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
ENG 112 - Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
FYS 102 - First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
HIS 101 - The Global Past I 3 cr. ♦ or
HIS 102 - The Global Past II 3 cr. ♦
MAT 121 - College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
UCO 102 - University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦
Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦

Total: 15

Second Year

First Semester

BIO 101 - Biological Sciences I 3 cr. ♦
BIO 101L - Biology Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦
ENG 201 - Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
ENG 202 - Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
FFR 121 - Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 121 - Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
HIS 201 - U. S. History 1607 to 1865 3 cr.
URB 204 - Introduction to Urban Studies 3 cr.

Total: 16

Second Semester

ECO 203 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr.
FFR 122 - Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 122 - Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
HIS 202 - U. S. History 1865 to Present 3 cr.
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
URB 205 - Introduction to Public Policy 3 cr.

Total: 15

Third Year

First Semester

POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
URB 206 - City and Metropolitan Planning 3 cr.
URB 311 - Urban Government and Politics 3 cr.
URB 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Second Semester

SOC 308 - Social Research 3 cr.
URB 304 - Research Seminar 3 cr.
URB 335 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.
URB 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)

Total: 15

Total Required Hours: 92

Total Hours Host Institution: 30

Total Graduation Hours: 122

*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102 .

**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.

***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination . Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 - Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).

****Students are required to consult their Faculty Advisor to have this portion their academic plan approved. Students complete Fourth Year at selected institutions and receive the B.A. in Urban Studies and Public Policy from Dillard University. Upon completion of the fifth year and all requirements at the selected institution students are awarded the master’s degree from the host institution.

Note

♦ General Education Core