Urban Studies

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

About

Where we live can affect how we live—learn how to build and reshape urban communities to positively affect the people who call those communities home.

Introduction

A lot of people live in urban areas today, and the United Nations projects 2.5 billion more people will live in cities and other urbanized areas by 2050. Rising population trends and urbanization demand trained professionals with the skills to create and maintain livable spaces. A degree in urban studies offers real-world value, and jobs are on the rise.

City and infrastructure planning, architecture and landscape design, transportation, public health and education, as well as community development need diverse voices to ensure our cities can improve in quality, equity, and access. The skills you’ll learn help you make strategic and collaborative decisions that have the potential to affect millions—or even billions.

Learn how to:

  • Apply knowledge of methods, vocabulary, and concepts of urban studies
  • Use technology to access, capture, analyze, and report social science data and literature
  • Understand and apply social science research methods to social issues and policy discussions
  • Critically analyze urban issues within larger historical and global contexts
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge and skills to research and community engagement efforts
Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

Our urban studies degree provides classroom and practical experience where students gain an appreciation for the diverse nature and needs of urban communities. Courses, community service, and a comprehensive internship prepare you to understand economic, political, and environmental factors that shape these areas, and apply that knowledge to a range of professional careers. You’ll graduate ready for entry to mid-level public sector positions, as well as private industry and nonprofit careers.

There is more information about major requirements in the Program Requirements section on this page.

See Where an Urban Studies Degree Can Take You

With urbanization trends spreading throughout the world, there are a wealth of professional opportunities where you can put your degree to work.

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split between General Education Requirements (GERs), foundation and core courses, as well as electives.Each section below explains the range of course offerings.

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Students must complete these courses in sequential order: 

COURSE Credits Course options
URST 201 3 Introduction to Urban Studies
URST 301 3

Urban Theory

URST 401 3

Urban Studies Internship

Core Courses (39 credits)

Course Credits Name

ECON 201

or

POSC 300

3

 

3

Introduction to Economics

or

American Political Economy

HIST 318 3 History of African Americans in American Cities
HIST 319 3 Urban America Since 1870
SOCI 301 3 Community Organization
POSC 301 3 American Government
POSC 302 3 State and Local Government
SOSC 304 3 Introduction to Public Administration
SOSC 307 3 Urban Planning 
SOSC 340 3 Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership
GEOG 406 3 Urban Geography
HEED 420 3 Community Health
SOCI 406 3 Sociology of the City

SOSC 407 

or

SOSC 430

3

 

3

Social Research Methods

or

Social Science Applications

Sample Degree Plan

Be sure to connect with your academic advisor to plan your semester courses. The plan below is just an example—your journey may have different requirements.  

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 101 3 English Composition I
SOCI 201 3 Introduction to Sociology
MATH 125 3 Math for Liberal Arts
ORIE 101 1 Freshman Seminar
HIST 205 3 African American History I
IDIS 102 3 Music and Dance

Spring Semester (15 credits)

course credits name
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II
PHSC 103 3 Technology and Human Affairs
SPCH 105 3 Speech
MISY 150 3 Technology Fluency
HIST 206 3 African-American History II

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ECON 201 3 Introduction to Economics
PHIL 102 3 Logic
WLIT 207 3 World Literature
BIOL 101 4 Biological Sciences
URST 201 3 Introduction to Urban Studies

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
URST 301 3 Urban Theory
POSC 301 3 U.S. Government
HIST 318 3 History of African Americans in the City
SOCS 304 3 Introduction to Public Administration
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
HIST 319 3 Urban America Since 1870
POSC 302 3 Sate and Local Government 
SOSC 407 3 Social Research Methods
SOSC 340 3 Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOSC 310 3 Introduction to Social Statistics
GEOG 406 3 Urban Geography
SOSC 307 3 Urban Planning
SOCI 301 3 Community Organization
XXXX xxx 3 General Electives

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOCI 406 3 Sociology of the City
HEED 420 3 Community Health
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course Credits Name
URST 401 3 Internship
SOSC430 3 Social Science Applications
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective

Related Social and Political Sciences Programs

Nonprofit Leadership

Undergraduate

Political Sciences

Undergraduate

Sociology

Undergraduate

Social Science

Undergraduate

Anthropology

Undergraduate
College

Urban Studies is in the Department of Applied Social and Political Sciences in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.