Program Overview

Undergraduate Minor in Urban Studies

The minor in urban studies allows undergraduates in any field to explore urban and regional issues through a planning framework. Urban studies is an interdisciplinary field with a focus on tangible change. Planners have the power to directly impact the livability of urban environments and equity of communities. A minor in urban studies gives undergraduates a strong base to continue their education and receive a graduate degree in planning or other related fields.

Program Requirements

To earn the minor, a student must take five planning courses during the course of their studies. The requirements include:

• PLAN 246 or 256 (3 credits)
• PLAN 247 or 257 (3 credits)
• PLAN Electives (9 credits)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I waive out of PLAN 246 or 247 by substituting it with other advanced PLAN courses or other related courses? No. Completion of both PLAN 246 and 247 is required to earn the minor.
• Is PLAN 246 a requirement for PLAN 247? PLAN 246 is not a requirement for PLAN 247, though students who want to pursue a planning minor are strongly encouraged to take it as a sequence.
• Do 700 level PLAN courses count? Certainly. Many 700 level plan courses are routinely available with instructor permission.
• Can courses other than PLAN courses be considered towards a minor? Many courses that are offered across the university that deal with issues of space, place, and society with particular focus on environment, community, and politics are already cross-listed with PLAN.
• What section of a cross-listed course should I enroll in? Students seeking a planning minor should enroll in the PLAN section of the course.
• What summer school courses count towards the planning minor? All PLAN summer school courses count towards the planning minor.
• What is the procedure for counting study abroad courses toward the minor? Students wishing to count study abroad courses toward the planning minor should have the Director of Undergraduate Studies pre-approve the course at least one month before departing on the program. The department will review the syllabi to determine whether or not these credits will apply. At most, one study abroad course (3 credits) can be counted toward the minor. Once the student has successfully completed the approved course, they should work with their advisors to ensure that the credits transfer to be applied toward the minor.