Urban and Regional Studies
Graduate Programs
Description
The Urban and Regional Studies Institute (URSI) offers multidisciplinary professional degree programs oriented toward examining the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s local governments. Since 1966, one of the first graduate multidisciplinary urban studies degrees in the nation, the Institute has trained students dedicated to problem solving in a variety of environments. Local government management and urban planning are rapidly expanding professions that require a professional education; applicants with master’s degrees are typically given a hiring preference. URSI provides graduate education that prepares quality local government management and administration professionals, urban planners, and community leaders.
URSI students are engaged in practical training during their academic careers. They engage in internships, community service projects, field studies, and culminating their studies with a Studio project, applying the skills they developed during their studies to address issues for an external client. These applied learning opportunities prepare students for careers in public and community service by requiring them to apply theory to practice.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Studies MA | MA - Master of Arts |
|
36 |
| Urban Planning MA | MA - Master of Arts |
|
36 |
Certificates |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Planning GC |
|
12 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of College of Graduate Studies and Research, admission to the program as a degree-seeking student requires:
- Undergraduate course in research methods/statistics, or equivalent
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 in last two years of coursework
- Two recommendation letters assessing potential for successful graduate study
- Personal statement describing applicant's interests and experience.
Admission to the program on a provisional basis may be approved for applicants with a GPA of at least 2.6 in the last two years of coursework and who demonstrate special circumstances and potential. Absence of specific undergraduate coursework in urban studies or statistics will result in the assigning of deficiency coursework which must be completed before graduation.
Financial Assistance
Applicants seeking university sources of financial assistance should apply to the Office of Financial Aid. Special awards are also available to qualified Institute students for research and teaching assistantships, fellowships, and cooperative work/graduate study positions. These awards are administered by the Institute based upon criteria established by alumni donors, local/state/federal agency grants, and faculty and professional association gifts. Although applications to the Institute for financial assistance will be accepted anytime, most complete consideration will be afforded to those complete applications received before April 1 for consideration of awards for the following academic year. Financial assistance awards are normally made for one academic year. Students in good standing may apply for professional internship appointments during the second year of graduate study.
Contact Information
106 Morris Hall
http://sbs.mnsu.edu/ursi/Faculty
Department Coordinator
- Beth Heidelberg, DPA
Faculty
500 Level
Credits: 3
This course is a survey of the local community--the forces which shape it, the significance of a democratic public, and professional practice of local government service.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to develop the skills needed to gather, analyze, and present information for resolving applied problems in local government and community settings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Prepares students to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and utilize techniques of analysis.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed for students preparing for a professinal career in local government or public service, focuses on media relations and building citizen involvement through public awareness projects.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Reviews processes and techniques related to evaluation of public programs.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Public policy and programs and non-profit initiatives that address issues of housing supply, quality, and costs.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An overview of local government law and local governing powers. In addition, public issues in the legal context will be examined from a management and planning perspective.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Basic working knowledge and vocabulary of urban design concepts and techniques in an applied problem-solving context.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Theory and applications of principles of landscape architecture or urban design.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examines the problem of central business district deterioration and explores the changing patterns of economic and social mobility with primary focus upon the trends of downtown revitalization currently being employed by the public and private sectors.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Preservation techniques, principles of structural evaluation, adaptive use potentials and options, economic consideration in preservation, and the role of legislation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Historic Preservation: Policy and Field Methods introduces students to the rules and laws of structural historic preservation. The course will investigate the major policy documents, laws, agencies, survey methods, and examine how they are applied in local government preservation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Nature of the Third Sector, from a variety of perspectives, and implications for managing both internal and external relations of nonprofit organizations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Raising resources for public and nonprofit organizations from needs assessment through obtaining funding to managing the grant after it is awarded.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Regional and county planning content and procedures, including basic research, land use planning, and implementation of regulations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A survey course covering the concepts, processes, tools, and strategies of economic development in local communities. Emphasis is on the why and how of economic development.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examines and applies the fundamental concepts, techniques and mechanisms for environmental planning at the city, county, and sub-state regional levels.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examines transportation problems of, and solutions for, large and medium sized cities. Special emphasis on reducing traffic congestion, improving management of transit systems, and linking transportation and land-use planning.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Presentations of research and major trends in urban professions.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Varying topics dealing with emerging trends and contemporary needs of students resulting from professional changes.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Varying topics dealing with emerging trends and contemporary needs of students resulting from professional changes.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Problem solving in communities and direct involvement into specific areas of study of student interest.Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
Survey course which examines the professions and processes of urban management, including community leadership, organizing, and delivering community services.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Survey of the history, concepts, values, and ethics of public-sector planning. Emphasis on practical and comprehensive approach to developing and implementing plans.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Changing nature of management of urban and human behavior in the municipal organization. Emphasis on the development of decision-making and communication skills.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course covers the role of law and its influence on the planning profession. Specifically, the course addresses the legal standards by which land use is regulated and controlled in the United States.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Reading and research class with emphasis on student projects, analysis of contemporary urban problems, and major skills and concepts of urban professions.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Provides an overview of urban administrative services with an emphasis on urban finance systems and human resource management. Examines the economic and human resource environment for local government managers' decision-making.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course examines financial management utilizing accurate forecasting, fund accounting and fiscal reporting. Covers budget cycle including legal limitations on local taxation, expenditures, and debt financing.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Discussion, research, presentation, and critique of standard and emerging concepts of urban management.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Comprehensive planning process in urban areas, including basic studies, capital improvement programming, and exercises.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Current planning, including zoning, subdivision regulations, annexations, and special projects.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Discussion, research, presentation, and critique of standard and emerging concepts of urban and regional planning.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An advanced learning experience working in small group settings on applied projects and problem solving. The team project produced in the studio meets graduate student's capstone project requirements.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Individual learning experiences arranged with faculty on a learning contract basis.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-2
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Scheduled work assignments varying in length and content under the supervision of selected professional sponsors.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
The collection and dissemination of original research in compliance with accepted research standards.Prerequisites: none
