Urban and Regional Studies (BS)

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

A fresh look at the city, with emphasis on the reasons why cities have grown and how people can make cities livable.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-05, GE-08

Appreciation of the city as the highest cultural achievement in design and architecture.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-06

This course will identify and analyze global social, economic, political and environmental problems impacting community viability and explore the full range of solutions to these problems. The course will view communities as complex, sustainable organisms and bring together the works of the great minds working on sustainability.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-05, GE-10

Introduction to community leadership-elected, professional, or voluntary-and the skills and values which support it.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-09, GE-11

This course is a survey of the local community--the forces which shape it, the significance of a democratic public, and the professional practice of local government service.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:
none

Introduction to skills and techniques used to form questions about urban affairs, to organize and analyze information to answer it, and to present the results of one's analysis in a professional format.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:
none

Assemble and evaluate information and opinions into a coherent position on what makes cities work, and prepare for entry into professional world of work in cities.

Prerequisites:
none

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose 12 Credit(s). Select 12 credits from URBS upper division courses, or see advisor for approval. The department strongly recommends an internship (URBS 497).

Prerequisites:
none

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

A fresh look at the city, with emphasis on the reasons why cities have grown and how people can make cities livable.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-05, GE-08
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Appreciation of the city as the highest cultural achievement in design and architecture.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-06
Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course will identify and analyze global social, economic, political and environmental problems impacting community viability and explore the full range of solutions to these problems. The course will view communities as complex, sustainable organisms and bring together the works of the great minds working on sustainability.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-05, GE-10
Diverse Cultures Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Introduction to community leadership-elected, professional, or voluntary-and the skills and values which support it.

Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-09, GE-11
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course is a survey of the local community--the forces which shape it, the significance of a democratic public, and the professional practice of local government service.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
Writing Intensive Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Introduction to skills and techniques used to form questions about urban affairs, to organize and analyze information to answer it, and to present the results of one's analysis in a professional format.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Assemble and evaluate information and opinions into a coherent position on what makes cities work, and prepare for entry into professional world of work in cities.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits

Degree
Bachelor of Science

Major Credits
33

Total Credits
120

Locations
Mankato

Career Cluster
Government and Public Administration