The modern world is increasingly an urban world. Urban Studies seeks to understand the physical, social, economic, demographic, political, and environmental implications of urbanization and urbanism.
The MS in Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program offered through the School of Public Administration. As UNO is a comprehensive, metropolitan university, the MS in Urban Studies helps fulfill the urban mission of UNO.
Graduates with the MS in Urban Studies:
will possess a broad range of technical skills and an understanding of the problems and challenges of contemporary urban society
will pursue professional, research or teaching career in the urban studies field
careers with governmental, non-profit agencies and private businesses who employ urban studies graduates in a variety of management, planning, technical, analytical, human service, and other professional positions
Students enter the MS in Urban Studies with a variety of undergraduate degrees and a range of interests. They will take either a practitioner or research track in their studies and their plans of study will include an area of concentration or specialization reflecting career goals and
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Omaha, a metropolitan area of nearly three-quarters of a million people, contains a rich and diverse urban environment. Its ethnic neighborhoods contribute to a vital and energetic community that provides the student in the MS in Urban Studies program with many opportunities and venues for field research and training.
The Center for Public Affairs Research, the Labor Institute, and several neighborhood-based development programs operated by faculty and staff of the School of Public Affairs and
Community Service also offer community research, outreach, and service learning activities that the Urban Affairs student may utilize.
Admission
The general prerequisite for admission to the Urban Studies program is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent.
To be admitted unconditionally, the student must have achieved a grade average of 3.0 on a 4.0 system for either the full undergraduate program, for the undergraduate major of urban studies, or for the junior- senior years and must have completed all other admission requirements for Graduate Studies.
Provisional admission may be granted where the applicant has achieved a grade point average of 2.7 or above. Exceptions to the 2.7 grade point average may be made by the Graduate Program Committee in conjunction with the Graduate Dean where the applicant:
has a demonstrated record of work experience directly related to Urban Studies; and
has demonstrated through recent course work an ability to successfully complete up to 12 hours of graduate work.
Students who wish to take courses for professional growth or personal interest but who do not intend to pursue an advanced degree may be granted unclassified admission.
A detailed resume and a two-page typed essay on how the Master of Science in Urban Studies will further the applicant's career objectives must be included with the application for admission.
Transfer of Credit
Students may transfer up to one-third of the course work required for the urban studies degree requirements. This requires approval of the Graduate Program Committee and Graduate Dean. Students should discuss this with a faculty advisor. The request for a transfer of credit should be made as soon as possible and a letter of explanation from the student is required. An official transcript is also required.
Degree Requirements
The Urban Studies program consists of 37 hours, or 12 courses. Core courses required of all students are
140 UBNS 8000 Seminar in Urban Studies* PA 8120 Research Methods*
PA 8010 The Public Economy
UBNS 8020 Race, Ethnicity and American Urban Culture GEOG 8126 Urban Geography**
GEOG 8056 Geographic Information Systems I** UBNS 8060 Introduction to Urban Planning
UBNS 8200 Community Organizing and Development PA 8990 Capstone Seminar***
9 hours of electives - Students select three elective courses, to be approved by the Director of Urban Studies, which fit their career goals.
*UBNS 8000 and PA 8120 must be completed before other courses are taken (PA 8010, UBNS 8020, GEOG 8126, or approved electives may be taken concurrently).
**GEOG 8126 must be taken before GEOG 8056.
***PA 8990 is to be taken in the final semester of coursework, in spring semester. In unusual circumstances it may be taken in other semesters by arrangement, but it should be taken in spring with the Urban Studies group.
Internship
Students who have not had at least two years full-time professional experience in the public or nonprofit sector (experience must have been in the sector of the student's primary future career interest) will complete an internship. The internship is given as a supervised course of three credit hours in addition to the 37 hours required in the Urban Studies program. The internship is taken following completion of preparatory coursework as determined by the Director of the Urban Studies program.
Thesis Option
A thesis option is available for students who wish to explore a particular aspect of urban affairs in depth, or who want to prepare for advanced graduate work. Students choosing the thesis option do not take PA 8990, the capstone seminar, but instead take 6 credit hours of UBNS 8980, Thesis, engaging in a major research project. This results in an addition of 3 credit hours to the student's overall program. Please contact the director of the Urban Studies program for more information.
For more information
For more information about the graduate program in urban studies, please contact Prof. Robert Blair (402) 554-3865.
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