Urban Studies, BA BA
The Urban Studies major draws from classes in sociology, geography, history, political science, economics, urban studies, and urban planning to explore issues related to cities, suburban communities and metropolitan regions such as transportation, education, housing, population shifts, crime, discrimination, and more.
The Department of Urban Studies develops students analytical and critical thinking abilities through an examination of the history and growth of urban centers and the challenges they face today and into the future. Our faculty includes international specialists, but much of our curriculum focuses on American cities, and Milwaukee in particular. Our home city is unique, vibrant, and a wonderful place for hands-on study and research.
Because of their interest in urban populations and problem-solving, many graduates work in the areas of community development, land-use planning, public works, community organization, housing policy development and implementation, public education administration, social services, construction management, public health, journalism and fund-raising. Entry-level roles can include tasks ranging from research to planning to program implementation to customer support.
Students in Urban Studies take courses in a variety of disciplines with elective classes that reflect their specific interests and goals. Classes may come from the History Department, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, and more. An internship or study abroad experience is a popular option for students to gain real-world experience working in urban environments. We believe so strongly that experiential learning is an essential part of an urban studies education that we require a service learning experience for all of our majors. An is also available for students seeking a program that is closer to a minor.
Career Resources and Job Outcomes
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Why study Urban Studies at 51ÁÔÆæ?
- Get involved. At 51ÁÔÆæ, research is for everyone. From literature to engineering, every student and faculty member can investigate important issues, build new knowledge and contribute to their fields. Dive into hands-on research projects alongside faculty mentors, gaining experience for your professional career.
- Engage in high-level research. Ranked among the nation’s top 187 research universities by the , the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has contributed to breakthroughs in sustainable energy, neuroscience, cancer research and water science. Our physicists were a key part of the research that won the 2017 Nobel Prize for the discovery of gravitational waves.
- Make an impact. At every corner of 51ÁÔÆæ, faculty, staff and students are undertaking research projects to address pressing challenges and create positive change. Explore even more stories of 51ÁÔÆæ’s wide-ranging research efforts.
Listed below are the requirements for the Urban Studies major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Urban Studies Major Requirements
Four required urban studies courses form the foundation of the major: , a core course in which students conduct service learning by working in an urban organization or agency; one of two urban studies survey courses; a theory course on urbanism and urbanization; and a capstone course () taken in the senior year. Students also take a statistics course, which is a standard requirement for social science majors. In addition, students complete five elective courses selected from urban studies and approved courses in the affiliated areas. Student internships ( or ) are encouraged strongly. Students also are encouraged to participate in and present at various urban studies-sponsored events, such as the annual Urban Studies Student Research Forum conference and the Urban Studies State of Milwaukee Summit, and to contribute to the epolis ejournal (currently, each issue includes one paper from an undergraduate).
To declare a major in Urban Studies, students can complete the declaration form on the Urban Studies website which will be followed by an appointment with the Urban Studies Associate Director to review needed courses and plan upcoming semesters.
Course of Study
The Urban Studies major requires a minimum of 30-31 credits, including at least 18 credits in the College of Letters and Science with coursework from at least two L&S departments. No more than 9 credits in a single curricular area outside of urban studies may count toward the major. , which is jointly offered in the Urb Std curricular area, will count as an Urb Std course for this purpose. Students must complete at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 and above) L&S courses for the major in residence at 51ÁÔÆæ. In addition, students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all 51ÁÔÆæ credits attempted for the major. The College of Letters and Science also requires that students attain a 2.0 GPA in all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. The following are required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Multicultural America | 3 | |
| Survey | ||
| Perspectives on the Urban Scene: | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý | Exploring the Urban Environment | |
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography | ||
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
Or equivalent course approved by the program director | ||
| Theory | ||
| Urbanism and Urbanization | 3 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Urban Studies (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 15 credits (see below) | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30-31 | |
Electives
15 credits selected from the following courses or other appropriate courses approved by the program director. (No more than nine credits from the same department outside of urban studies may apply to the 30- or 31-credit minimum in the major.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| URB STD | All U and U/G courses | |
| URBPLAN | All U and U/G courses | |
| Economics of the Black Community | 3 | |
| Urban Violence | 3 | |
| African American Urban History | 3 | |
| Black Politics and City Government | 3 | |
| Race and Social Justice in the United States | 3 | |
| Cities and Culture | 3 | |
| Living Learning Community: (only with topic "Field School") | 1-3 | |
| History & Theory III | 3 | |
| History & Theory IV | 3 | |
| Age of Apocalypse: Western European Art after the First Millennium | 3 | |
| Chivalry and Spirituality: French Gothic Art and Architecture | 3 | |
| American Architecture | 3 | |
| Renaissance Architecture in Italy | 3 | |
| Frank Lloyd Wright | 3 | |
| Diversity in Organizations | 3 | |
| Current Issues in Criminal Justice: | 1-3 | |
| Race, Crime, and Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Introduction to Community Engagement and Change | 3 | |
| The Milwaukee Community | 3 | |
| Community Issues, Policies, and Solutions | 3 | |
| Communities and Neighborhoods in America | 3 | |
| Public Policy in Urban America | 3 | |
| Geography of Race in the United States | 3 | |
| Our Urban Environment: Introduction to Urban Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Science | 3 | |
| Geography of Cities and Metropolitan Areas | 3 | |
| Cities of the World: Comparative Urban Geography | 3 | |
| Environmental Problems | 3 | |
| Physical Geography of the City | 3 | |
| Geographic Information Science | 4 | |
| Globalization and the City | 3 | |
| Urban Environmental Change and Social Justice | 3 | |
| Intermediate Geographic Information Science | 4 | |
| First-Year Seminar: (Living in Ancient Rome or The Burbs: History of American Suburbs) | 3 | |
| Historical Roots of Contemporary Issues: | 3 | |
| A History of Greek Civilization: The Greek City-State | 3 | |
| A History of Rome: The Republic | 3 | |
| A History of Rome: The Empire | 3 | |
| Topics in American History: (Big City Life Viewed Through HBO’s 'The Wire' or A Tale of Two Cities: Milwaukee and Los Angeles) | 3 | |
| Immigrant America Since 1880 | 3 | |
| History of the American Working Classes | 3 | |
| African Americans Since the Civil War | 3 | |
| The History of Milwaukee | 3 | |
| The History of Poverty in America | 3 | |
| History of the American City | 3 | |
| Urban Government and Politics | 3 | |
| Public Administration | 3 | |
| Urban Political Problems | 3 | |
| Administrative Law | 3 | |
| Public Administration | 3 | |
| Administrative Law | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Welfare Policy | 3 | |
| Families and Poverty | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 | |
| Social Change in the Global Economy | 3 | |
| Perspectives on Latino Communities | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Social Change | 3 | |
| Economy and Society | 3 | |
| Environmental Sociology | 3 | |
| The Theatrical Experience: (With topic: Out and About in Milwaukee) | 3 |
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at 51ÁÔÆæ, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.Â
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.Â
Currently enrolled students should use the  to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Career intro. You’ll also find a note I wrote to you about there being two career pages. One for undergrads and one for grads. I don’t know if that needs to be addressed here in the intro or not.