The Urban Studies Program offers a bachelor of arts in urban studies with formal options in Community Development & Planning and GIS & Spatial Planning. The degree starts with an introduction into the discipline of urban studies with course topics on exploring cities, world development, and urban studies "in practice". The formal options deliver focused theory and skill-based courses that teach how to understand and impact the local and global dynamics of urban society. Graduates are prepared for public or private-sector jobs in areas such as housing and community development, planning, transportation, government agencies, and social services. The program is also excellent preparation for those interested in graduate study in such fields as community development, public administration, law or urban planning/design.
The Urban Studies Program at UW Tacoma offers a BA in Sustainable Urban Development (SUD). As one of the first such degrees in the nation, students will be prepared to address recent initiatives that have called for a significant “greening” of urban development, both locally and internationally. Graduates will be prepared for careers in planning agencies, corporations adhering to sustainability practices, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, and environmental/resource related agencies at the local, state, and federal levels of government. The degree is also excellent training for further graduate study in fields such as urban planning, public administration and law.
Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and at least 40 college-level credits will be considered for admission.
How to Apply
A completed application consists of the following materials:
UW Tacoma Urban Studies Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Urban Development. As one of the first such degrees in the nation, students will be prepared to address recent initiatives that have called for a significant “greening” of urban development, both locally and internationally. Graduates will be prepared for careers in planning agencies, corporations adhering to sustainability practices, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, and environmental/resource related agencies at the local, state, and federal levels of government. The degree is also excellent training for further graduate study in fields such as urban planning, public administration and law.
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Washington Tacoma, each student must complete the following requirements:
Urban design will prepare students to become design professionals who understand challenges of working in and with changing cities. In order to produce livable cities and neighborhoods, learning to design must be an inclusive and pragmatic process. Students will gain skills in inclusive urban design and incorporate a passion for social change, equality, and justice into meaningful urban design solutions. It will train students to be socially conscious designers who understand the importance of community voices, the dynamics of poser, and the challenges of creating a resilient urban environment with a focus on spatial equality. Students will acquire skills in visual communication, design thinking, and community engaged design processes, computer graphics and the use of digital technologies for visualization, analysis, and methods of data gathering and dissemination.
The School of Urban Studies admits students into the Urban Design major for autumn quarter only, due to the highly sequenced nature of the courses. However, in special circumstances there is an option to be admitted during winter or spring quarter. Contact the Urban Studies advisor for more information. Complete applications received by the priority application date will be assured of a review; complete applications received after the priority application date will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all college course work. Applicants with a completed application and a minimum GPA of 2.7 will be given priority consideration for admission.
Three years of high school math through intermediate (second year) algebra or a course in intermediate algebra at the college level
5 credits of English composition
How to Apply
Describe how personal, professional or educational experiences have shaped your academic, career and/or personal goals. How will a BS in Urban Design from UW Tacoma help you attain these goals?
Note: Freshman must have at least 40 college-level credits to declare Urban Design as a major. Students interested in this major are encouraged meet with an Urban Design advisor anytime.
Step 2: Meet with the Urban Studies advisor to discuss degree requirements and time to completion. (Optional, highly recommended)
If you are not a current UW Tacoma student:
Step 1: Submit an application for admission to UW Tacoma. In your application to UW Tacoma, you will be asked to submit a personal goal statement. Follow the essay prompt in the application, being sure to address how a BS in Urban Design from UW Tacoma will help you attain your goals.
If you are transferring from a community college or another university, complete the Application for Transfer Admission and select Urban Studies in section 2 under "Program Selector".
If you are a freshman or Running Start student, complete the Freshman Application.
Note: Freshman must have at least 40 college-level credits to declare Urban Design as a major. Students interested in this major are encouraged meet with an Urban Design advisor anytime.
If you were previously enrolled at UW Tacoma, complete the Returning Student Application in lieu of the Application for Transfer Admission.
If you are an international student, complete the Application for International Transfer Admission. Review the additional requirements for international students.
Step 2: Submit the Urban Design Online Application. Include a personal statement addressing the following topic:
Describe how personal, professional or educational experiences have shaped your academic, career and/or personal goals. How will a BS in Urban Design from UW Tacoma help you attain these goals?
Step 3: Meet with the Urban Studies advisor to discuss degree requirements and time to completion. (Optional, highly recommended)
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Design from the University of Washington Tacoma, each student must complete the following requirements:
Academic Standards/Policies
The Urban Studies Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies with formal options in Global Urbanism and Community Development & Planning. The degree starts with an introduction into the discipline of urban studies with course topics on exploring cities, world development, and urban studies "in practice". The formal options deliver focused theory and skill-based courses that teach how to understand and impact the local and global dynamics of urban society. Graduates are prepared for public or private-sector jobs in areas such as housing and community development, planning, transportation, government agencies, and social services. The program is also excellent preparation for those interested in graduate study in such fields as community development, public administration, law or urban planning/design.
The School of Urban Studies admits students every quarter except summer.
BA Urban Studies – Community Development and Planning. Examines the production and development of cities from different community perspectives and teaches how cities are planned and built, and the power dynamics that influence inclusion and exclusion from urban spaces and political processes. Explores new strategies for producing better cities and improving urban conditions.
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of Washington Tacoma, each student must complete the following requirements
Introductory Courses (11 credits)
General Electives
The balance of credits needed to meet University credit requirements are general electives. Students may focus on an in-depth area of study (i.e., a minor or certificate) or explore the liberal arts, business, social work or health-related fields, or may take further T URB or T SUD courses. Transfer credits from other institutions may apply toward general electives. Contact academic advisor for details
Option specific requirements
Prepares students to solve complex social, economic, and environmental problems by combining GIS (geographic information systems) based approaches to mapping and spatial analysis with a classical and theoretically critical foundation in urban planning.
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of Washington Tacoma, each student must complete the following requirements
Introductory Courses (11 credits)
General Electives
The balance of credits needed to meet University credit requirements are general electives. Students may focus on an in-depth area of study (i.e., a minor or certificate) or explore the liberal arts, business, social work or health-related fields, or may take further T URB or T SUD courses. Transfer credits from other institutions may apply toward general electives. Contact academic advisor for details
Option specific requirements
Academic Standards/Policies
The Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) minor provides an opportunity for students pursuing other majors to complement their learning with concepts and principles valuable in the largely urban world in which they live and vote. These principles include the necessity to consider social justice, environmental, and end economic outcomes as part of the sustainability matrix; the tensions, complementarities, and tradeoffs among these dimensions; and the role that urban/suburban growth and form play in furthering this multi-dimensional concept of sustainability. This background should be attractive and useful for students from many majors, including social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and the professional fields.
The Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) minor provides an opportunity for students pursuing other majors to complement their learning with concepts and principles valuable in the largely urban world in which they live and vote. These principles include the necessity to consider social justice, environmental, and end economic outcomes as part of the sustainability matrix; the tensions, complementarities, and tradeoffs among these dimensions; and the role that urban/suburban growth and form play in furthering this multi-dimensional concept of sustainability. This background should be attractive and useful for students from many majors, including social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and the professional fields.
Requirements
Courses
Urban Studies is multi-disciplinary by nature and can serve to complement a variety of degree programs in the social science, business, healthcare, and social work. The Urban Studies minor offers courses on contemporary urban issues with a global and community perspective. Courses include Exploring Cities, City in World Development, and Urban Studies in Practice - a course that exposes students to the field of urban studies through a variety of faculty research presentations, guest lectures, public forums, debates, workshops, and other events. The Urban Studies minor will be noted on the official UW transcript.
Urban Studies is multi-disciplinary by nature and can serve to complement a variety of degree programs at the UW. This minor is intended to provide students from other programs (across all UW campuses) with an understanding of and appreciation for urban issues and problems.
Requirements
The Master of Arts in Community Planning (MACP) degree program builds on an undergraduate education in urban studies or a related field. MACP graduates will build a portfolio of skills that prepare them to be competent collaborative professionals who work with and empower community constituents, influencing processes of policy formation, resource generation, community change and urban development. Graduates will gain theoretical and hands-on skills to transform passions for social change, equity and justice into professionally- driven actions that build community and create long-term positive change. The program’s emphasis on urban social studies, community development, and urban problem solving is a direct expression of the UW Tacoma’s mission as a higher education institution to build and enhance authentic connections with its communities. The MACP is a two-year, 60 credit program designed to support a cohort of up to 20 students per year. Admission is for autumn quarter only. Courses can be taken on a full-time basis (10 credits/quarter) and a part-time option is available.
Please see this program's Graduate Admissions page for current requirements.
Academic Standards/Policies
Each student is required to maintain satisfactory progress meeting the Graduate School and School of Urban Studies standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the master’s degree, including each of the following:
60 credits
Skills Developed
Learning Outcomes