San Francisco State University

The urban studies and planning major offers an interdisciplinary curriculum in urban planning and policy and reflects a social science education with an applied, problem-solving focus, training in research methods, and practical hands-on experience in a carefully supervised internship and a practicum (senior seminar). Core courses integrate social science, planning, and policy perspectives into the study of cities, develop the research and analytic tools necessary for urban planning and policy analysis, and offer hands-on applied research experience. Elective courses are designed to apply the basic core course content to urban planning and policy areas of interest.

The B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning is recognized as a solid basis for graduate study. Recent program graduates have gone on to M.A. and Ph.D. programs in schools of city and regional planning (Cornell, Harvard, UC Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, the New School for Social Research, and the University of Texas at Austin), schools of public policy and administration (Kennedy School, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, and San Francisco State), and other fields including law, architecture, social work, and public health. We also have a large number of students who seek entry-level urban planning and policy jobs with a B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Subject area student learning objectives o Understanding the basic evolution and development of cities, the fields of urban studies, and planning and the tools and approaches practitioners in these fields uses to address urban issues;
   1. Be familiar with a range of perspectives and methods used to understand and analyze the dynamics of urban life;
   2. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and critically evaluate urban issues;
   3. Understand the interactions between cities, metropolitan regions, and global forces;
   4. Be sensitive to and knowledgeable about the importance of equity and ethics in the fields of urban studies and planning.
2. Research methods/Basic skills student learning objectives
   1. Demonstrate competence in writing about the dynamics of cities informed by urban theory and practice; skills - critical thinking, oral presentation, GWAR;
   2. Demonstrate research and analytic skills used in urban studies and planning fields, including the ability to think critically, design and execute research, collect, analyze and interpret relevant evidence, and formulate reasoned conclusions;
   3. Be familiar with basic spatial and statistical analyses of urban data
3. Applied professional learning objectives
   1. Apply subject area knowledge and skills in a wide range of professional settings;
   2. Have an ethical and proactive stance towards addressing solving urban challenges;
   3. Demonstrate critical thinking, research, writing, presentation, and teamwork skills.