Urban and Metropolitan Studies, BA
Do you daydream about improving your community? As the population in urban areas grows, so does the demand for leaders skilled in solving the challenges such growth generates. Through hands-on coursework and convenient internships, this program can help prepare you to begin a career that allows you to influence change.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Please explore Degree Search for other similar program options.
Degree description
Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the BA program in urban and metropolitan studies is for students who have a yearning to study and understand urban theory in order to effectively address the challenges of rapid growth along with other contemporary urban issues.
Students discover what makes the city tick --- and the city is their classroom. They examine challenges and solutions by researching history, society, culture, economy and politics in order to understand urban theory, and they use that knowledge to get involved in their communities. This gives them an outlet through which they can experience practical ways of solving complex problems faced by metropolitan regions. The students are invested in their neighborhoods. Many of them live and work downtown and they learn how to improve urban health and well-being, often training themselves to be the future leaders of urban environments. Others focus on making a wide variety of other contributions to society, studying the role of arts and culture, business and property development, revitalization and community-building in the life of the region.
Courses
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
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Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
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Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
As populations grow and lead to urban sprawl, countries around the world grapple with how to best serve society. Study abroad programs expose students to challenges facing large urban and metropolitan cities in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Students experience cultural immersion and research ways to improve and solve complex issues faced by urban and metropolitan cities on a global scale.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The urban and metropolitan studies program prepares students for work in a wide range of fields. The transdisciplinary approach of the program allows graduates to successfully enter fields as diverse as urban management, revitalization, community development, urban sustainability and urban planning.
There are many careers and advanced degrees that may be pursued with a bachelor's degree in urban and metropolitan studies. Some of these careers require additional graduate-level studies and professional experience. Students in the program are advised to explore their options with academic and career advisors to prepare an appropriate program of study and plan to participate in an internship that complements their long-term professional goals.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Public Affairs
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UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
