Urban Studies and Planning (B.A.)
The field of urban studies explores contemporary cities and urban trends and addressed some of today's most pressing problems. Globally, complex systems of urban settlement house the overwhelming majority of the population and dominate their residents' social, economic, cultural, and intellectual lives. In the U.S., in particular, exploring the development and transformation of metropolitan regions is essential to understanding some of the most significant dynamics affecting the nation. Especially pertinent are the powerful forces of suburbanization, political fragmentation, and residential segregation along lines of race and class that reshaped our society in the latter half of the 20th century. These forces structure the resources, activities, and opportunities that unite and divide Americans. Wayne State's Detroit location offers a powerful vantage point from which students may gain valuable insight these complex dynamics.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the Departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Major Requirements
Students majoring in Urban Studies and Planning are required to complete a minimum of thirty-four credits. This consists of the completion of three or four credits (one course) in Fundamentals of Urbanism, 16 credits (five courses) in Fundamentals of Urban Planning, 12 credits (4 courses) in Planning Practice, and one 3-credit Urban Studies and Planning Elective from the approved list or from additional courses not included in the list but approved by the undergraduate director within the Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Urbanism | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| US 2000 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 4 |
| US 2200 | Global Urbanism | 3 |
| GPH 3130 | Introductory Urban Geography | 4 |
| Fundamentals of Urban Planning | ||
| The following courses are required: | 3-4 | |
| UP 3530 | ||
| UP 4420 | Methods for Urban Studies | 3 |
| US 4510 | Cities and Regions | 3 |
| US 4620 | Urban Studies Senior Capstone Research | 3 |
| GPH 3600 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| Planning Practice | ||
| Select four of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Advanced Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Public Health and the City | ||
| Introduction to Land Use and Transportation | ||
| Community and Economic Development | ||
| Sustainable Cities | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of three credits from the course list below. Any required course not already taken may also serve as an elective. | 3 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFS 2010 | African American Culture | 4 |
| AFS 2210 | Black Social and Political Thought | 4 |
| AFS 2350 | Black Detroit | 3 |
| AFS 2600 | Race and Racism in America | 3 |
| AFS 3160 | Black Urban History | 4 |
| AFS 3180 | Black Social Movements | 4 |
| ANT 2200 | Lost Cities and Ancient Civilizations | 3 |
| ANT 2020 | Global Detroit | 3 |
| ANT 2400 | Food and Culture | 3 |
| ANT 3020 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANT 3100 | World Cultures | 3 |
| ANT 3111 | Digital Storytelling and Ethnic Detroit | 3 |
| ANT 3410 | Global Health | 3 |
| ANT 5060 | Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| CRJ 3050 | Mental Health and Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 3120 | Politics of the Criminal Justice Process | 3 |
| CRJ 3200 | Police and Society | 3 |
| CRJ 3350 | Corrections | 3 |
| ELR 2500 | Introduction to Labor Studies | 4 |
| GLS 2700 | Introduction to Global Stories | 3 |
| GLS 2800 | Introduction to Global Issues and Institutions | 3 |
| GLS 2900 | Intercultural Competence for a Global World | 3 |
| GPH 4600 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| PCS 2000 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| PCS 2050 | The Study of Non-Violence | 3 |
| PH 2100 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| PH 3100 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health | 3 |
| PH 3300 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| PH 3500 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PS 2240 | Introduction to Urban Politics and Policy | 4 |
| PS 2410 | Introduction to Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 2420 | Ethics and Politics of Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 3250/HIS 3240 | Detroit Politics: Continuity and Change in City and Suburbs | 4 |
| PS 4460 | Techniques of Policy Analysis | 4 |
| UP 3530 | 3 | |
| SOC 2201 | Race Relations in Metro Detroit | 3 |
| SOC 2203 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 2207 | Sociology of Development | 3 |
| SOC 2300 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 2510 | People on the Move | 3 |
| SOC 2210 | Sociology of Health and Medicine | 3 |
| UP 3140 | Urban Visualization | 3 |
| US 4000 | Internship | 1-4 |
| UP 4460 | Sustainable Cities | 3 |
| UP 5650 | Metropolitan Detroit | 3 |
| UP 5820 | Urban and Regional Economics | 4 |
| UP 6320 | Quantitative Techniques I | 4 |
| US 2350 | Black Detroit | 3 |
| US 3650 | History of Detroit | 3 |
| US 3900 | Topics in Urban Studies and Geography | 3 |
Urban Studies Honors Program
Students with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher may be admitted to the Honors Program in Urban Studies. Department requirements (15 credits minimum):
- Maintain a 3.3 grade point average.
- Complete one HON 42xx-level Honors seminar (3 cr)
- US 4620 honors section: Thesis. (3 cr.): A senior thesis under the direction of a full time faculty advisor in their major
- Accumulate at least 9 credits in honors-designated course work, honors section, or honors option, within the major of Urban Studies coursework.
The Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program allows students to enroll simultaneously in the Master of Urban Planning and the undergraduate major in Urban Studies, or an aligned field. Students can apply a maximum of 16 credits towards both their undergraduate degree and the Master of Urban Planning. The 16 credits are paid at the undergraduate tuition rate. Because the Master of Urban Planning is a professional degree, the program accepts AGRADE students from all undergraduate majors, though students from Urban Studies or closely aligned fields are more likely to benefit from having all 16 credits double counted.
Students must apply to the AGRADE program during the semester in which they earn 90 credits toward their undergraduate degree (typically during junior year). Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and final approval from their major department. Early planning is essential. Courses in the Master of Urban Planning that typically count toward AGRADE include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| UP 5010 | Resources and Communication in Planning | 3 |
| UP 5110 | Urban Planning Process | 3 |
| UP 6120 | Planning Studies and Methods | 4 |
| UP 6320 | Quantitative Techniques I | 4 |
| UP 6510 | Urban and Regional Systems | 3 |
| UP 6700 | Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
For more information on AGRADE, contact the Graduate Director for the Master of Urban Planning program.