Urban Studies, MS MS
The Master of Science degree program in Urban Studies provides students with a broad understanding of urban society and trains them in research techniques appropriate to the study of metropolitan communities. The course of study stresses the understanding of social processes and the analysis of social and economic policies affecting cities.
The PhD degree program in Urban Studies is designed to prepare individuals to obtain employment in academic departments, as well as government institutions and social agencies, and to conduct sophisticated research in the field of urban studies. The course of study emphasizes history, research methodology, and social science theory.
Urban Studies Programs offers two interdisciplinary graduate programs of study that are housed in the College of Letters and Science and led by social science faculty members from the Departments of Africology, Architecture, Criminal Justice, Educational Policy and Community Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Nonprofit and Public Administration, Public Health, Sociology, and Urban Planning.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
New to Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is a bustling city and metro area with a smaller town vibe. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, recreational opportunities abound all year round. Parks, beaches, bike trails, water sports and more are enjoyed by residents.
The restaurant scene is hopping, and Milwaukee is known as a foodie city. From casual to fine dining, food lovers will find no shortage of choices across all types of cuisine.
Milwaukee also hosts countless music and ethnic festivals throughout the year and boasts a large number of concert venues from small intimate clubs to large arenas, all of which bring in today’s hottest acts.
The area offers all of the amenities of any large city at a lower cost than comparably sized areas. Housing choices range from urban city living to suburban homes to rural areas, all within a reasonable commute from campus.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following requirement to be considered for admission:
- Undergraduate major in one of the social sciences or experience in relevant occupational roles such as planning, community organization or social work.
- Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic ability. Recommendation forms may be obtained online from the Urban Studies Programs website.
- A letter of intent (reason statement) outlining the applicant's reasons for graduate study.
Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses.
The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree.
Credits and Courses
The minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits. Students must earn at least 15 of their 30 credits in courses numbered 700 or above. All Urban Studies students are required to take a core curriculum of 15 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Select an approved quantitative analysis course | 3 | |
| URB STD 921 | Seminar: Research Methods in Urban Studies | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| URB STD 901 | Urban Social Structure | |
| URB STD 913 | Seminar in Urban Political Process | |
| URB STD 945 | The Internal Structure of the City | |
| URB STD 971 | Seminar on the History of American Urban Problems | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 15 credits of approved electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students may opt to enroll in URB STD 990 and earn up to 3 credits toward the MS degree for their paper/thesis research and writing.
Application to all graduate programs are completed through the UWM Graduate School. Please see their website for detailed information about the application process and contact them with questions.
We also have provided information about applying to one of the Urban Studies graduate programs and our admissions criteria:
Teaching and Research Assistantships are the primary form of financial support for sociology graduate students. These positions provide a salary and tuition remission. Some small scholarships are also available. Click below for more details.