What is Urban Studies?
Penn Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary program within the School of Arts in Sciences that integrates resources across the social sciences (anthropology, sociology, history, economics, political science) and professional fields (city planning, education, environmental studies, public health, public policy, real estate) in the service of studying urban trends.
Urban Studies students, or “Urbies”, are interested in making a difference and connecting to real world issues. Urbies undertake the task of explaining the conditions of urban places, and work towards creating places that foster equity, positive health outcomes, environmental sustainability, and a better quality of life. In order to do this well, students learn about urban history as well as current challenges, and are equipped with a wide range of methodological tools and academic experiences to help them marry the theory (of the problem) with the practice (of solving it).
The field of Urban Studies explores problems like residential segregation, income inequality, homelessness or housing precariousness, unequal access to health care, climate change and other environmental threats, criminal injustice, and lack of investment in public goods such as schools, transportation, and infrastructure. Understanding these issues empower urban scholars and practitioners to enact meaningful change.
Urban Studies at Penn is a flexible and intimate program. Students can shape their experience through courses that reflect particular interests and that cover the range of concerns in the field. Urban Studies is the only major on campus that requires students to carry out an internship for academic credit. Our students experience a strong sense of community in the program as a result of small classes, an active Undergraduate Advisory Board, many extra-curricular activities, and the opportunity to learn directly from faculty working in their respective fields. Urban Studies also has a strong alumni network and opportunities for mentorship and career exposure.
Urbies pursue courses, research, and internship opportunities that set them up for careers in law, city planning, social work, public policy advising, consulting, education, healthcare, sustainability and environmental justice, city management, community development, architecture, non-profit management, social entrepreneurship, real estate, politics and governance, and creative enterprises.
About half of our graduates attend graduate school and most take a year or more before applying. The most common graduate degrees that Urban Studies alumni pursue are Masters in City Planning, Law, Public Policy or Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, Education, Master in Social Work, Certificate in Real Estate, Master in Architecture, and other various specializations.