Urban Studies Minor

Public Policy and Urban Planning Minor

IN THIS SECTION

Open the door to a career in government, nonprofits, consulting, and more.

Engage thoughtfully with the complexities of modern urban life and contribute to effective policy solutions.

Do you want to make a real impact in your community? The Public Policy and Urban Planning Minor gives you the opportunity to dive into the complexities of modern urban life and learn how you can promote inclusivity, sustainability, and better quality of life in your city.

This program equips you with an understanding of urban demography, transportation, and housing and blends insights from economics, sociology, and environmental science. You’ll also hone your analytical skills in thought-provoking discussions and hands-on projects. Whether you aspire to work in government, nonprofits, or consulting, this minor will prepare you to navigate the intricacies of policy-making and urban planning with confidence.

What you will learn:

  • Growth and characteristics of urban populations
  • Factors that shape urban population dynamics
  • Policies to support inclusion in diverse societies
  • Issues surrounding urban ecosystems and land use
  • Policy, politics, planning, and design of transportation systems in urban areas
  • Political behavior and perceptions in cities and towns

View the Catalog

Explore sample courses in this program.
UR-214 Urban Demography
Covers topics such as growth and characteristics of urban populations, relationships between urbanization and the three demographic processes (fertility, mortality, and migration), social disparities, residential segregation, housing, and population policy.
3 credits
UR-270 Leadership in Nonprofit and Public Organizations
Traditional and popular approaches to leadership in the not-for-profit world. Review of important areas within the not-for-profit world (the micro-environment) including strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, governance, and financial management.
3 credits
UR-310 Power, Politics, and Decision Making in Urban Communities
Exploration from a multi-disciplinary approach of social power and its relation to decision making in urban communities. Emphasis on theories of power, understanding research methodologies, and policy implications.
3 credits
UR-311 Urban Politics and Policies
Political behavior and perceptions in cities and towns from a multi-disciplinary perspective with emphasis on how policy is initiated, developed, and implemented in various governmental forms.
3 credits
UR-319 Transportation Planning
The policy, politics, planning, and design of transportation systems in urban areas. Planning for different modes (e.g., public transit, auto, active travel), tools for transportation planning and policy analysis, transportation impacts, and citizen participation and needs.
3 credits
UR-340 Urban Housing Dilemma
Analysis of the factors that shape the nature, location, and supply of urban housing with special focus on federal policies and the housing needs of elders.
3 credits
UR-360 Environmental Systems and Public Policy
Examination of urban ecosystems, focusing on land uses designed to effectively utilize water, open space, and other natural resources.
3 credits
UR-380 Public Policy and Cultural Diversity
Examination of contemporary policy issues to support inclusion in diverse societies. Topics addressed include race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religion, immigration, segregation, and affirmative action.
3 credits

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