URBAN & REGIONAL STUDIES
Interdisciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/urs/
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:
Urban and regional studies offers students an opportunity to develop the insight, knowledge, and technical skills needed to deal effectively with the far-reaching challenges of contemporary urban society. We prepare students to become educated world citizens through a solid foundation of core courses emphasizing skills and tool subjects, broad introductory courses at the freshman and sophomore level, and more demanding courses at the junior and senior level which explore topics at a greater depth. Students with the major in Urban and Regional Studies can take a general program of study, or follow more specialized programs of study in one of the following areas:
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Community Development. Students focus on micro and macro issues in economic development and community planning, and on the applied study of development projects in NE Wisconsin in courses such as Community Economic Development and Land Use Controls.
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Ethnic Studies. The ethnic studies emphasis examines the experience of various population subgroups in the United States . Courses include Ethnic and Racial Identities, Race and Ethnic Relations, Hispanic American Communities, Hmong Culture and Tradition, and Economics of Discrimination
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Urban and Regional Planning. Emphasizes planning theory and methods and requiring internship work with local planning agencies. Courses include Urban and Regional Planning, Urban and Regional Economics, and State and Local Government.
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Land Survey Certificate Program. Offered in conjunction with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Students completing this degree program along with the required courses at NWTC will receive state certificate in Land Surveying.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR :
Urban and regional studies develops individuals who want to make a difference in their community: a difference in what happens to older neighborhoods in transition, a difference in what happens as new suburban communities are planned and built, a difference in the lives and well-being of persons across metropolitan and rural regions. Each year a number of our graduates enter careers in architecture, community development, urban and regional planning, and related areas, while others go on to graduate school.
WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB :
Urban and Regional Studies is one of only a dozen undergraduate programs in the country where you can earn a degree in urban and regional studies. You will join a very select group of students from just a handful of universities across the country when you major in this program
The faculty in urban and regional studies bring together perspectives from a variety of disciplines, including architecture, economics, ethnic studies, physical and human geography, political science, psychology and sociology. Urban and regional studies faculty have traveled widely and have lived and conducted research in many countries outside of the United States . In addition to teaching in the program, faculty are active in applied work in northeast Wisconsin, including work with community and grass-roots organizations, organizing neighborhood resource centers, participating in city and county task forces and planning committees, and consulting for government and international agencies.
SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:
Urban and regional studies offers students an opportunity to develop the insight, knowledge, and technical skills needed to deal effectively with the far-reaching challenges of contemporary urban society. It prepares students to become educated world citizens through a solid foundation of core courses emphasizing skills and tool subjects, broad introductory courses at the freshman and sophomore level, and more demanding courses at the junior and senior level which explore topics at a greater depth.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR :
The Urban and Regional Studies major and minor offer the skills and knowledge base for a wide range of challenging and rewarding careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including architecture, community organization, economic development, housing and real estate, and urban and regional planning. The interdisciplinary major provides excellent preparation for graduate study in master's and doctoral programs in architecture, geography, political science, public administration, urban and regional planning, urban studies, and other fields.
The Urban and Regional Studies major and minor offer the skills and knowledge base for a wide range of challenging and rewarding careers in both the private and public sector, including:
Architecture, Community Organization, Economic Development, Education, Journalism, Marketing, Real Estate, Social Services, and Urban and Regional Planning.
The following list represents a few of the kinds of career titles for Urban & Regional Studies majors:
Community/county/city planners, Neighborhood Planner, Urban and regional planners, Architect, Land Planner, Water Resources Manager, Landscape Architects, City Managers, Civil Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Directors of Community or Economic Development, Geographers, Transportation Planner, Land Acquisition & Development, Zoning Officer,
Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:
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Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
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Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
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Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
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Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com
LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Urban Affairs Association : The Urban Affairs Association is the international professional organization for urban scholars, researchers. Homepage is at http://www.udel.edu/uaa/
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Project for Public Spaces: PPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities. Homepage: http://www.pps.org/
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The Urban Institute
"A nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization" or think tank, the Urban Institute site contains papers, research, links and more dealing with urban issues. See their Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center as well. -
American Planning Association. Organized to advance the art and science of urban and regional planning. Homepage @ http://www.planning.org/
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The Taub Urban Research Center
From New York University , "The Taub Urban Research Center at NYU's Wagner School explores issues and challenges affecting cities and metropolitan regions. The Center issues reports and conducts forums that include participants from government, business, nonprofit organizations, and the academic community."
LINKS FOR MORE HELP:
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For information about Urban and Regional Studies, including courses, areas of emphasis, faculty, and recent graduates, visit the URS website: www.uwgb.edu/urs
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More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
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Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
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Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
