Urban Studies
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
POSC 300 or ECON 201 |
3
3 |
American Political Economy or Introduction to Economics |
| 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 |
| URST 301 | 3 | Urban Theory |
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 |
Urban Studies is in the Department of Applied Social and Political Sciences in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.