Urban and Public Policy Studies BA

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Urban and Public Policy Studies BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements

Academic Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 in the major. All courses taken by a student that are included in the Urban and Public Policy Studies curriculum will be used in calculation of the major GPA. For example, if the curriculum requires a student to select two courses from a particular section and the student completes three courses from that section, all three courses would be used to calculate the student’s major GPA.

Each course taken may be counted only once and applied toward only one requirement (e.g. SOC 348 may be used as a required advanced course or an advanced elective but not both).

The Urban and Public Policy Studies major may not be combined with any other major to form a joint major. Students pursuing a double major may use a maximum of two advanced (300- or 400-level) courses towards both majors. For example a student completing a double major between Urban and Public Policy Studies and Sociology may apply only two advanced level sociology courses toward completion of the Urban and Public Policy Studies major.

Transfer Credit Policy

For students not continuously registered at UB or who are newly admitted transfer students, courses taken more than 10 years prior to the date of admission or readmission to the University may constitute no more than 20% of the coursework applied to the Urban and Public Policy Studies major. Students who have more than 20% of course work over 10 years old will be required to complete additional courses in the major. At least 50 percent of coursework toward the major must be completed at UB.

Program Distinction

A student in this major is eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met. Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Program Distinction is noted on the official transcript.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

• UB Seminar Credits: 3
• ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4  OR  Pathway Credits: 3
• SOC 101LEC - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3  
• PSC 101LEC - Introduction to American Politics Credits: 3  
• Elective Credits: 2
  Total Credits: 14 or 15

Spring Semester

• ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4  OR Pathway Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
• Scientific Literacy Lab Credits: 1
• Major - Introductory Course 1 Credits: 3
• Major - Research Methods Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 16 or 17

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

• Pathway Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Major - Statistics Credits: 4
• Major - Introductory Course 2 Credits: 3
• Scientific Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester

• Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Major - Introductory Course 3 Credits: 3
• Major - Advanced Elective 1 Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

• Elective Credits: 3
• Major - Advanced Elective 2 Credits: 3
• UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1  
• Major - Advanced Elective 3 Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester

• Major - Advanced Elective 4 Credits: 3
• Major - Advanced Elective 5 Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

• Major - Advanced Elective 6 Credits: 3
• Major - Advanced Elective 7 Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester​

• Major - Advanced Elective 8 Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
• Elective (300/400-level) Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 12

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Urban and Public Policy Studies BA, students will:

• Understand foundational principles of the social science disciplines relevant to urban issues and public policy.
• Understand basic principles of economics, globalization and economic development, urban studies, and urban social problems.
• Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of urban politics, policy development, planning processes, land use and spatial organization, social policy, and environmental politics.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the statistical methods used to evaluate social science data in relation to knowledge claims in urban studies and public policy.
• Understand the basic methodology of social science research; be able to critically evaluate social science research and propose a project to address a significant research question.
• Understand formation and growth dynamics of cities; industrial, residential, environmental, planning, and transportation aspects of urban systems; technological, social, and political factors that affect urban design.
• Understand how social factors and urban space interact; social stratification; intergroup relations; urban renewal and poverty.

(HEGIS: 49.03 HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCI, CIP: 45.1201 Urban Studies/Affairs)