About
The Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies (BSUS) is the degree for individuals desiring to make a difference in their community. The BSUS at UNLV is an undergraduate degree that provides students with the conceptual knowledge and technical skills they need to understand and analyze the physical, social, political and economic environment of large and small urban communities.
Urban Studies at UNLV will equip students with the skills and understanding to address many of the most pressing issues facing society today, and most of them are urban in nature. The curriculum will offer a set of core classes building a duel foundation of urban data analysis and community engagement. Because of the school’s belief in a multi-disciplinary approach to learning, Urban Studies students will develop a deeper grasp of specific aspects of the urban environment, including but not limited to economic development, sustainability, governance, or data analytics. Finally, and maybe most importantly, Urban Studies students will have the opportunity to apply skills to meeting community needs and solutions. Students, faculty, and graduates will work in public agencies and a wide range of community-based organizations in the Las Vegas metro region.
This program is available fully online as well as face-to-face.
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing an undergraduate degree program in Urban Studies, a graduate will be able to:
- Examine whether an organization or community meet multiple conditions of sustainability.
- Characterize the roles of individuals and organizations in policy and governance.
- Produce analyses that demonstrate information literacy and numeracy.
- Communicate data needs and analyses to multiple audiences to support decision making processes.
- Apply knowledge and skills required for successful collaboration.
Requirements
Urban Studies (BS)
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Urban Studies (US) is the degree for individuals desiring to make a difference in their community. The BSUS at UNLV is an undergraduate degree that provides students with the conceptual knowledge and technical skills they need to understand and analyze the physical, social, political and economic environment of large and small urban communities.
Urban Studies at UNLV will equip students with the skills and understanding to address many of the most pressing issues facing society today, and most of them are urban in nature. The curriculum will offer a set of core classes building a duel foundation of urban data analysis and community engagement. Because of the school's belief in a multi-disciplinary approach to learning, Urban Studies students will develop a deeper grasp of specific aspects of the urban environment, including but not limited to economic development, sustainability, governance, or data analytics. Finally, and maybe most importantly, Urban Studies students will have the opportunity to apply skills to meeting community needs and solutions. Students, faculty, and graduates will work in public agencies and a wide range of community-based organizations in the Las Vegas metro region.
Please see the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, School of Public Policy and Leadership web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing an undergraduate degree program in Urban Studies, a graduate will be able to:
- Examine whether an organization or community meet multiple conditions of sustainability.
- Characterize the roles of individuals and organizations in policy and governance.
- Produce analyses that demonstrate information literacy and numeracy.
- Communicate data needs and analyses to multiple audiences to support decision-making processes.
- Apply knowledge and skills required for successful collaboration.
Advising
Please see advising information at the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Student Advising Center.
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
University Graduation Requirements
Please see
for complete information.Recommended Courses That Meet General Education Core Requirements
The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs strongly recommends that students address their General Education Core curriculum requirements through our college. The following classes offered in our college meet graduation requirements:
Seminars
- First-Year Seminar
- GSC 100 - First Year Experience Seminar
- Second-Year Seminar
- GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities *required course for all majors in Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities
Loading from UNLV Catalog…Close
Humanities
Life and Physical Science
Multicultural
International
Urban Studies (BS) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits
General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 33-37 Credits
First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3
- GSC 100 First Year Experience SeminarLoading from UNLV Catalog…
English Composition - Credits: 6
Second-Year Seminar - Credits: (Fulfilled by Major Requirements)
- GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities
GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities
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Constitutions - Credits: 4-6
Mathematics - Credits: 3
- MATH 120 Fundamentals of College MathematicsLoading from UNLV Catalog…
Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18-19
Please see
for more information.- Humanities and Fine Arts: 9 credits
- Two 3-credit courses in the humanities and one 3-credit course in fine arts.
- Social Science:
- Automatically satisfied by Major requirement
- Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking - 9-10 credits
- PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking and ReasoningLoading from UNLV Catalog…
- and two courses from life and physical sciences category; at least one must be a lab.
Multicultural and International
Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
International, one 3 credit course required
These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses.
Major Degree Requirement - BS in Urban Studies - Subtotal: 39 Credits
- Urban Studies Core Requirements - Total Credits: 18
- GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities
GSC 300 - Second-Year Seminar: Civic Engagement in Urban Communities
Loading from UNLV Catalog…Close - URST 241 - Governance in the United States: An Urban Focus
- URST 301 - Theories of Urban Communities
- URST 303 - Introduction to Urbanization & Demography
- URST 305 - Data Analysis for Urban Studies
- URST 498 - Capstone in Urban Studies
Additional courses in Urban Studies - Credits: 21
- Select 21 credits from the following list, 12 credits of the 21 credits of Major Electives should be from Upper Division Classes:
- URST 101 - Brookings: Introduction to Public Policy
- ENV 206 - Introduction to Climate Change
- URST 310 - Introduction to Urban Policy Analysis
- URST 360 - Measurement and Analysis for Urban Management
- URST 400 - Public Organizations in an Urban Setting
- URST 405 - Diversity in Urban America
- URST 410 - Environmental Policy in Urban Settings
- URST 423 - Ethics in Urban Studies
- URST 425 - Public Resources Management & Analysis
- URST 427 - Data Visualization for Urban Studies
- URST 441 - Intergovernmental Relations in Urban Studies
- URST 442 - Brookings: Metropolitan Policy
- URST 450 - Policy Impact and Solutions
- URST 480 - Geographic Information Systems for Socioeconomic Analysis & Environmental Management
URST 480 - Geographic Information Systems for Socioeconomic Analysis & Environmental Management
Loading from UNLV Catalog…Close - URST 493 - Independent Study in Urban Issues
- URST 495 - Internship in Urban Studies
- URST 496 - Special Topics in Urban Studies
General Electives - Credits: 38 - 47
Total Credits: 120
Notes
- GSC 300is a required course for all majors in Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. In addition, must complete at least 42 credits at the upper division level to graduate.Loading from UNLV Catalog…
- URST 301is a Milestone Experience course for Urban Studies B.S.Loading from UNLV Catalog…
- URST 498is a Culminating Experience course for Urban Studies B.S.Loading from UNLV Catalog…
Documents/Downloads
Contacts
Degree Contact
Helen R. Neill, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Undergraduate Coordinator of Urban Studies
Phone
School of Public Policy and Leadership
The School of Public Policy and Leadership employs an interdisciplinary approach to create knowledge and understanding to support effective policy and governance through collaborations of faculty, students, and the greater community. Our programs enable students to master the key principles of public management, research, and public policy so they can spark change, improvement, and resiliency in communities.
Website
Phone
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs is committed to creating contemporary solutions for resilient communities. Our academic programs focus on making effective public policy, creating support structures to meet behavioral and mental health challenges, ensuring cities are safe and prepared to meet emergency situations, effective and ethical journalism, and interpersonal and public communication strategies.