The Urban Studies Program is designed as a multidisciplinary concentration in the study of cities and urbanization. Students examine the development of cities and their surrounding regions; the role of cities in the history of civilization; the social problems of urban life; the design of the built environment; and past and present efforts at planning for the future of urban societies.

The transformation of cities and their surrounding regions, urban history and geography, social problems of urban life, design of the built environment, and past and present programs of urban planning are among the major themes in this multidisciplinary program.

There are four major purposes of the program:

1. To introduce students to a temporal range and spatial variety of urban experiences and phenomena
2. To equip students with methodological tools to enable them to investigate and analyze urban issues
3. To engage students experientially in a facet of the urban experience
4. To develop within the student a deeper grasp of these issues through advanced study within at least one disciplinary approach.

In addition to coursework in a wide range of departments, students gain applied experience by engaging in field research, taking courses in urban practice, completing an optional senior thesis or project, and doing field work with a governmental agency, community group, or professional organization.

The program also offers a correlate sequence.