Urban Studies, Undergraduate Certificate Undergraduate Certificate
The Undergraduate Certificate in Urban Studies 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.
Certificates are similar to minors in terms of credit requirements but draw on coursework from multiple fields of study rather than from a single department.
Eligibility
The Urban Studies Undergraduate Certificate program is open to all students seeking a bachelor's degree from 51ÁÔÆæ, to students who previously have received a bachelor's degree from 51ÁÔÆæ or any other accredited college or university, and to those who do not plan to pursue a college or university degree (non-degree students) but who have a strong interest in this subject. To be admitted to the University as non-degree students, individuals must meet regular University admission requirements. Students currently involved in baccalaureate studies who complete the requirements of the program successfully will be awarded the certificate at the time of graduation. Post-baccalaureate and non-degree students will receive the certificate upon successful completion of the program requirements.
Program Type
Undergraduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
Enhance your current program with an Urban Studies certificate
Getting a certificate in urban studies can be a strategic move depending on your goals, interests, or career path. It’s especially useful if you plan to earn a degree in fields such as architecture, geography, political science, or environmental studies and want specialized urban knowledge.
Working professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree at 51ÁÔÆæ or elsewhere are also eligible to apply to the certificate program for career development.
Requirements
- Completion of 18 credits in approved urban studies courses with a minimum GPA of 2.500.
- Completion of  (Exploring the Urban Environment),  (First-Year Seminar), or  (Perspectives on the Urban Scene).
- Of the 18 credits:
- 6 must be in the humanities;
- 6 in the social sciences; and
- 9 must be at the 300 level or above taken in residence at 51ÁÔÆæ.Â
- No more than 9 credits from any one department outside Urban Studies may count toward the certificate.
- A maximum of 6 credits in independent study may be taken. In the senior year, a student may plan an independent study course to synthesize previous work in urban studies.
- An internship in or is recommended highly.
- While students may elect courses outside the College of Letters and Science to count toward the certificate, at least 12 credits must be completed in L&S courses, at least 6 of these at the 300 level or above.
- Credits earned at other institutions in equivalent urban studies programs and accepted by 51ÁÔÆæ as transfer credits may count in partial fulfillment of the certificate requirements.
Urban Studies Approved Courses
The following courses in the College of Letters and Science are approved to count toward the Urban Studies Certificate. Each semester, the Advisory Committee will review and approve variable content course sections for the Certificate. Contact the Urban Studies Program for the most current list of approved courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography 1 | 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: (Making of the American Ghetto) | 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: (Approved topics: Big City Life Viewed Through HBO’s 'The Wire'; 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 | |
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data 1 | 3 | |
| Urban Government and Politics | 3 | |
| Public Administration | 3 | |
| Political Data Analysis 1 | 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 | |
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology 1 | 3 | |
| Perspectives on Latino Communities | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Social Change | 3 | |
| Economy and Society | 3 | |
| Environmental Sociology | 3 | |
| Urbanism and Urbanization | 3 | |
| The Theatrical Experience: (With topic: Out and About in Milwaukee) | 3 | |
| URBPLAN | All U and U/G courses | |
| URB STD | All U and U/G courses |
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If a student takes one of these quantitative courses, it is not recommended to take another from this group because of their similarity.
Advising for the certificate takes place within the program by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the “Declare a Certificate” button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the certificate with them as well since they will be familiar with any certificate in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a 51ÁÔÆæ college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a certificate and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the program directly for assistance.
Non-degree students who are just working on the certificate and no degree program can also work directly with the certificate program for advising and/or with their assigned non-degree advisor.