School of Public Policy and Leadership

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Purpose and Focus

The undergraduate degree program in Urban Studies focuses on urban challenges and opportunities for citizens living in metropolitan areas.  It is an interdisciplinary program that is based upon multiple fields of study relating to public infrastructure, demography, population dynamics, and civic engagement.  Students will have the opportunity to develop skills while responding to community needs and identifying solutions. The major is intended to serve as a foundation for careers and graduate programs in government, community service, education, environmental studies, law and real estate.  Graduates are expected to serve the governmental, nonprofit, and business-professional sectors. 

Please see the Urban Studies web page at https://www.unlv.edu/publicpolicy for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Please see advising information at the Undergraduate Advising at https://www.unlv.edu/urbanaffairs/advising.

Learning Outcomes (B.S.)

Upon completing an undergraduate degree program in Urban Studies, a graduate will be able to:

• Examine whether an organization or community meet multiple conditions of sustainability.
• Characterize the roles of individuals and organizations in policy and governance.
• Produce analyses that demonstrate information literacy and numeracy.
• Communicate data needs and analyses to multiple audiences to support decision making processes.
• Apply knowledge and skills required for successful collaboration.

Meeting and Assessing Learning Outcomes

The School of Public Policy and Leadership assesses learning outcomes through course outcome measures, surveys and successful completion of a portfolio.

Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, www.nwccu.org

Undergraduate Major

Urban Studies — Bachelor of Science

Department Policies

Internships

Because urban studies demands more than the study of the abstract, the School suggest that students find internship opportunities with government, business, or industry. Students are strongly encouraged to gain critical nonprofit, government and business experience while in school. See undergraduate coordinator for more information.

Capstone

Each student in the major will complete a portfolio of work in URST 498 .

Transfer Policies

Transfer students are required to consult with an academic advisor from the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ Student Advising Center. This initial advising session will determine to what extent those credits accepted by the university will be accepted as part of the major.

Advisement 

Upon acceptance as a major, each student must meet with an advisor from the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ Student Advising Center. To ensure orderly progress toward the degree, the faculty of the School of Public Policy and Leadership strongly suggest that majors see an advisor at least once each year, preferably every semester. Upon acceptance as a major and at least once a year thereafter, students should contact the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ Student Advising Center.

Curricular decisions must be made through consultation with an advisor. Decisions about the appropriate courses in related areas must be approved.

Transfer students are required to consult with an academic advisor within the first semester after admission to the department. This initial advising session will determine to what extent those credits accepted by the university will be accepted as part of the major.

The Advising Center can be reached at 702-895-1009 or Urbanaffairs@unlv.edu Urbanaffairs@unlv.edu or may be visited in person on the 4th Floor of Greenspun Hall.

Admission to the Major

Minimum GPA:  2.00

12 credits of university-level work.

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