Urban Studies (BA)
What is Urban Studies?
Wayne State's Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study that equips students with a firm grounding in knowledge about cities and metropolitan areas, their history and spatial patterns, social, economic and political life and their greatest challenges and opportunities.
We study cities around the world as well as in our own backyard to understand city life and find solutions to urban problems. Classes examine cities and their regions in historical context and in an international and comparative manner. Students will examine economic, political and cultural concerns and explore practical solutions to current urban problems.
What can I do with an Urban Studies Degree?
Students earning a degree in urban studies possess a robust skill set for entry-level positions in a wide variety of fields, including business, non-profit and governmental sectors. Community development, research, analysis, and writing about urban areas are among the many skills accorded to degree holders in urban studies. In addition, students are well-prepared to further their career goals by attending graduate education in law, planning, business, economics, or other urban-related fields.
Course planning
Choose an area of study (associate degree), earn Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and complete pathway courses. The below pathway outlines the required Wayne County Community College District courses. Courses not taken or transferred from Wayne County Community College District can be completed at Wayne State University.
Choose an area of study
| Associate Degree |
|---|
| Associate of Arts (AA) |
| Associate of Science (AS) |
Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
| MTA Requirement/Specific Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| *ENG 119 English Composition I (ENG 1020) | 3 | |
| *ENG 120 English Composition II (ENG 3010) | 3 | |
| Approved Mathematics (see MTA) | 4 | |
| Approved Natural Science (see MTA) | 3-4 | |
| Approved Natural Science with lab (see MTA) | 4-5 | Second science must be from different discipline with lab |
| *SOC 103 Social Problems (SOC 1020) | 3 | |
| Approved Social Science (see MTA) | 3 | Second Social Science must be from different discipline |
| +*Foreign Language (ARA 101, FRE 101, GER 101, or SPN 101) | 4 | 1 of 2 required foreign language proficiency |
| Approved Humanities/Fine Arts (see MTA) | 3 | Second Humanities/Art must be from different discipline. |
| Total | 30 credits min. |
*Meets MTA requirements and/or satisfies Wayne State degree requirement (prerequisites may be required, see WCCCD advisor).
Complete pathway courses
| Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COR 100 Intro to Corrections (CRJ 3350) | 3 | |
| +Foreign Language (ARA 102, FRE 102, GER 102, or SPN 102 | 4 | Satisfies 2 of 2 WSU required foreign language proficiency |
| Total | 4 credits |
+Meets required WSU College of Liberal Arts foreign language requirements (two-semester sequence in a single foreign language)
Course planning
The following courses are required to finish the degree requirements. Any pathway course(s) not completed at the community college can be completed at Wayne State University.
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| US 2000 Intro to Urban Studies | 4 |
| GPH 3130 Introductory Urban Geography | 4 |
| GPH 3600 Intro to Urban Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| US 4510 Cities and Regions | 3 |
| US 4620 Urban Studies Senior Capstone Research | 3 |
| UP 4460 Sustainable Cities | 3 |
| Electives (See WSU advisor) | 3 |
Research Methods Courses (Select one of the following) | 3-4 |
| CRJ 3550 Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| GPH 6420 Quantitative Techniques I | 4 |
| PS 3600 Methods of Political Inquiry | 4 |
| SOC 3200 Methods of Social Research | 3 |
Urban Studies Core Electives (Select one of the following) | 3 |
| US 2200 Global Urbanism | 3 |
| US 3530 Urban and Regional Planning | 3 |
| US 3140 Urban Visualization | 3 |
| US 3550 Public Health and the City | 3 |
| Total | 30-31 credits (minimum) |
Transfer credit summary
| Transfer credit summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Wayne County Community College District transferrable credits | 72 credits |
| Required Wayne State University Major credits Additional Electives, or Minor (see WSU advisor) | 30-31 credits (minimum) 18 credits |
| Total credits required to complete bachelor's degree | 120 credits (transferred or WSU) |
- WSU requires a minimum of 30 hours in residency.
- You can review how courses transfer using the course equivalency tool for other acceptable equivalences.
How do I get started?
- Join Wayne State Transfer Pathways
- Schedule a WSU Transfer Success Appointment
- Meet with your academic advisors and track your academic progress
Notes
- The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).
- All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at WCCCD will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of WCCCD and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.
Primary contacts
Wayne County Community College District
District Division of Student Services
Ms. Nanette Williams-Armstrong
313-496-2634 | nwillia2@wcccd.edu
Transfer Student Success Center
313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
Department of Urban Studies and Planning
313-577-2701 | Academic Advising
Career insights
This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.