University of Pittsburgh

Urban Studies Program

Major Requirements

Required courses for Pitt's Urban Studies major

Download the Urban Studies Program brochure PDF

The Urban Studies major requires the completion of 33 credits distributed as follows:

  1. Urban Studies Courses (15 credits)
    • URBNST 0080 Introduction to Urban Studies (3 credits)
    • URBNST 1300 Urban Studies Research and Presentation Skills
      Seminar (3 credits)
    • URBNST 1500 Urban Studies Research Seminar (3 credits)
    • URBNST 1900 Urban Studies Field Placement(6 credits)
  2. Concentration (18 credits)
  3. Additional Courses

    Courses that count toward the major can be found in the Course Descriptions Web site.

Recommended Courses

Rules and Other Requirements

Grade Requirements

A minimum QPA of 2.0 in departmental and concentration courses is required for graduation.

Satisfactory/Audit Option

There is no limit on the number of courses in the major that can be taken on an S/NC basis.

Writing (W) Requirement

Students must complete at least one (1) W-course in the major.

Related Area

A minimum of 12 credits is required in any one (1) Arts and Sciences department chosen in consultation with the major advisor. The completion of an official Arts and Sciences minor or an Arts and Sciences/UCIS certificate also satisfies this requirement. Particularly appropriate areas are: sociology, economics, political science, anthropology, Africana studies, and history, although students may consult with the advisor about other possibilities.

Study Abroad

It is desirable for students to add an international dimension to their undergraduate educations by participating in a study abroad program.

Urban Students Association

The Urban Students Association (urbanSA) is an official student organization formed by students in the Urban Studies Program. Through urbanSA, students have been actively involved in issues related to the major throughout the Pittsburgh region. urbanSA has invited guest speakers to appear on campus, organized field trips, and participated in numerous community projects. Please visit the urbanSA Web site.

An Urban Studies major …

Helps address problems like urban poverty, homelessness, and troubled schools.

Contact Us:

Coordinator:
Dr. Carolyn J. L. Carson
E-mail: cjlc@pitt.edu

Director:
Professor Edward K. Muller

Urban Studies Program
University of Pittsburgh
3500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Tel: 412-648-7489