Community, Urban Studies, and Planning B.A./B.S.
Community, Urban Studies, and Planning situates complex issues in local places. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills to act in neighborhoods, cities, and regions to create just and equitable communities. Bringing together theory and practice, CUSP students learn how to identify and understand how cities and communities function and change and about issues and forces that shape places. Climate change, affordable housing, healthy communities, and transit justice are just a few of the topics addressed in the program. CUSP students also learn how to understand the dreams and needs of, build relationships in, and advocate for the people and local communities affected by major issues.
Students develop participatory methods to identify community goals, build partnerships, and organize residents to act for change, as well as analytical tools to assess and mobilize spatial, economic, and social data. The CUSP program teaches students actions, programs, policies, and plans to achieve community goals. Students learn in classrooms, online, and in the field through individual and teamwork. Community based learning, working with community partners directly, is a hallmark of the program.
Community, Urban Studies, and Planning practitioners work at the intersection of topics and scales in community-oriented and public service careers. They may run nonprofit programs, work in local or state government, or support community members organizing for political and social change. They can pursue further study in graduate or professional schools to specialize in fields such as urban and regional planning, public policy, real estate, architecture, law, environmental policy, sustainable development, or landscape architecture.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general university degree requirements, students in the Community, Urban Studies, and Planning (CUSP) major must complete 58 credits of coursework comprising 32 credits of required courses and 26 credits of electives.
Some of these courses have prerequisites and some are only offered once a year, so students should plan their program carefully in collaboration with their academic advisor. Substitution of coursework is acceptable only by permission from the CUSP major coordinator; consult with your academic advisor before pursuing a course substitution.
Students pursuing the CUSP major are strongly encouraged to take a University Studies Senior Capstone (
UNST 421) that will allow them to apply skills and knowledge they have learned in the major by working with a community partner on a real-world problem or capacity-building challenge. A list of recommended Senior Capstones is maintained by the CUSP major coordinator, and students are advised to work with the major coordinator to select a Capstone that aligns with the CUSP major.
Major Requirements
Core courses (12 credits)
The core introduces students to the social, political, cultural, and economic aspects of communities and urban life, as well as the structure and function of cities and the practice of urban planning and design. Students completing the Community, Urban Studies, and Planning major may not use
UnSt 220 to also satisfy their University Studies Sophomore Inquiry requirement.
Skills courses (12 credits)
These courses teach practical skills for working on urban studies and planning issues in the real world, including foundational skills in: spatial and data literacy, communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork and leadership abilities, engagement and participation strategies, and ethical and just practices.
Complete both of the following:
Complete one of the following:
| USP 419/Soc 441 | Population and Society | 4 |
| USP 430 | Participatory Research Methods | 4 |
| USP 436 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Urban Studies and Planning | 4 |
Skills courses from related disciplines may be substituted with approval of the CUSP major coordinator.
Areas of Specialization (8 credits)
The “areas” courses take an interdisciplinary approach to major themes in urban studies, and planning. Each area has two required courses that provide a focused and coherent exploration of the knowledge, skills, and issues in that area. Students must complete at least one area of specialization for the major. Courses from other areas may be taken as electives, as described below under Electives.
Climate, Environment, and Health
Community Development, Organizing, and Advocacy
| USP 301U | Introduction to Community Development | 4 |
| USP 316 | Community Organizing and Social Change | 4 |
Housing, Land, and Communities
| USP 312U | Urban Housing and Development | 4 |
| USP 326U | Neighborhood Change and Gentrification | 4 |
Planning, Design, and Development
| USP 323U | Real Estate Development and Finance | 4 |
| USP 325U | Community and the Built Environment | 4 |
Electives (26 credits)
Students must take 26 credits of electives, with at least 8 of these credits from courses at the 400-level. No more than 8 of these credits may be from non-USP courses without consent of the CUSP major coordinator.
Any regularly offered USP course that is 300-level or higher can be used as an elective. Students interested in using "by arrangement" courses (
USP 401-409) as Electives should consult with the CUSP major coordinator.
The School also maintains a list of courses from around the university that can be used as electives. Consult with your academic advisor or the CUSP major coordinator about this list, or if you are interested in another non-USP course that aligns with the major’s student learning outcomes. The CUSP program encourages students to participate in study abroad and other intercultural experiences.
Total Credit Hours: 58
Course taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling major requirements.
All courses used to satisfy major requirements must be graded C- or above.