May 29, 2026

2025 -2027 Academic Catalog

Urban Studies and Public Policy, 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.

Requirements for Bachelor of Science Urban Studies and Public Policy

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

General Education Core - 35 credit hours
Major Requirements - 33 credit hours
Additional Coursework - 54 credit hours

General Education Core

This is a shared core of general education courses.

Financial & Digital Literacy

Menu Course Financial & Digital Literacy (Select One)

Critical Thinking in Humanities

Humanities Menu Courses (Select One)

ART 202 - Introduction to the Visual Arts 3 cr.
FLM 101 - Introduction to the Study of Film 3 cr.
FS 200 - Introduction to Food Studies 3 cr.
MUS 130 - Music Appreciation 3 cr.
PHI 200 - Perspectives in Philosophy 3 cr.
PHI 202 - Logic 3 cr.
SPT 102 - Introduction to the Theatre 3 cr.

Critical Thinking in Social Sciences

Social Science Menu Courses (Select One)

HIS 101 - The Global Past I 3 cr.
HIS 102 - The Global Past II 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.
POL 202 - State and Local Government 3 cr.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr.
URB 205 - Introduction to Public Policy 3 cr.

Quantitative Reasoning (Select One)

MAT 121 - College Algebra 3 cr.
MAT 121A - College Algebra Integrated 4 cr.
MAT 122 - Precalculus 3 cr.

Scientific Reasoning

Scientific Reasoning Menu Course (Select One Lec and Lab) 4 cr.

BIO 111 - General Biology I 3 cr.
BIO 111L - General Biology I Laboratory 1 cr.
CHE 111 - General Chemistry I 3 cr.
CHE 111L - General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 cr.
PHY 101 - Physical Sciences I 3 cr.
PHY 101L - Physical Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr.

Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness Menu Course (Select One)

HS 100 - Philosophy of Health and Wellness 3 cr.
PE 113 - Dance 2 cr.
PE 123 - Individual Sports 2 cr.
PE 101 - Basketball 2 cr.
PE 102 - Volleyball 2 cr.
PE 103 - Personal Health and Community Hygiene 3 cr.
PE 104 - Tennis 2 cr.
PE 106 - Swimming 2 cr.
PE 107 - Golf 2 cr.
PE 108 - Bowling 2 cr.
PE 109 - Softball 2 cr.
PE 110 - Beginning Weight Training 2 cr.

University Convocation

UCO 101 - University Convocation I 0 cr.
UCO 102 - University Convocation II 0 cr.

World Language & Culture (Select Two) 6 cr.

Major Requirements

URB 204 - Introduction to Urban Studies 3 cr.
URB 205 - Introduction to Public Policy 3 cr.
URB 206 - City and Metropolitan Planning 3 cr.
URB 304 - Research Seminar 3 cr.
URB 311 - Urban Government and Politics 3 cr.
URB 335 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 cr.
URB 411 - Housing Policy 3 cr.
URB 412 - Urban Land Use Policy and Real Estate Development 3 cr.
URB 431 - Internship 3 cr.
URB 450 - Senior Seminar 3 cr.
Urban Studies Elective 3cr.

Additional Coursework

Includes minor in another discipline.

CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
GEO 115 - Principles to Geography 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: 24 cr.
History Elective 3 cr
Social Sciences Elective 3 cr. ♦
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr.