Urban Affairs & Planning Concentration

The major in Urban Affairs and Planning takes a city-focused perspective on international development. More than half of the world’s people now live in urban areas, raising important questions about how governments should meet the public’s needs for transportation, health and sanitation, education, and other essential services.

As the developing world urbanizes, booming cities like Shanghai, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and Johannesburg face critical challenges, including poverty, homelessness, and pollution. The major prepares students to confront those problems on an international scale, while developing valuable skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), regional economic planning, and sustainable development management. 

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SPIA Core Classes (12 credits)

    Quantitative Methods
    Microeconomics
    Public Policy Analysis
    Capstone Seminar
OR
    Thesis
Internship Requirement: All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at SPIA. The internship must be approved by the student’s career advisor in advance. Students with at least three years of relevant full‐time work experience may petition their career advisor for a waiver of this requirement during their first semester.

MPA Degree Core (9 credits)

    Administration of Public Affairs
    Public Program Evaluation
    Financial Management

UAP Concentration Courses (12 credits)

    City & Region Theory & Practice
    GIS for Public Policy
PIA 2--- UAP Concentration Course
One of the following three courses:
    Economic Development Strategies & Practices
    City of White Supremacy
    Planning/Analysis for Sustainable Regions

Free Electives/Minor Courses

PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective
PIA 2--- Elective

Below is a sample of electives that may be offered depending on the semester. Please speak with your advisor to confirm availability and create your personalized plan of study.

PIA 2125: City & Region Theory & Practice
PIA 2131: Leadership
PIA 2210: Race, Gender, Law & Policy
PIA 2522: Climate Policy: Local and Global
PIA 2705: Neighborhood & Community Development
PIA 2715: GIS for Public Policy
PIA 2720: Applied GIS in Local Government
PIA 2740: Planning & Analysis for Sustainable Regions