Cities across the world face many questions about their urban future:
- How can urban communities be made more sustainable?
- How can low carbon urban transitions be equitable?
- What should cities do with old industrial sites?
- Can urban transportation networks modernize?
- Where should cities invest their economic development dollars?
- What is the role for community organizations in these debates?
These questions are at the center of the Master of Arts in Sustainable Urban Development (MASUD). With classes in Chicago’s Loop and Lincoln Park campuses, this 13-course (52 credit hour) interdisciplinary graduate program integrates academics with practical learning. Instructors draw on the city’s resources and incorporate expert guest speakers, site visits, and industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) digital mapping and spatial analysis technology. A genuinely interdisciplinary program that incorporates perspectives from fields such as Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Sociology, Public Service Management, Environmental Studies and Real Estate, the MASUD introduces students to sustainable urban development policy, data collection and analysis, planning processes, strategies for implementation, modes of communication, and evaluation mechanisms. The first year of study provides a theoretical background as well as an introduction to the technologies used in urban development and planning. The second year of the curriculum is dedicated to teaching advanced courses and completing a required internship and a capstone/portfolio component.
The MA in Sustainable Urban Development may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MA/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate is required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- Sustainable Urban Development + Graduate GIS Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Development + Community Development Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Development + Global Health Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Development + Metropolitan Planning and Development Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Development + Sustainable Urban Food Systems Certificate
- Sustainable Urban Development + Social Research Certificate
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 52 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the practical and theoretical links between sustainable urban development and issues of economic development, community development, social justice and the environment.
- Articulate details and apply critical insights about strategies being used to transform U.S. urban areas to make them more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.
- Define and describe contemporary urban issues and debates by citing and critiquing contemporary scholars and through employing either qualitative or quantitative methodologies using either primary (including fieldwork) or secondary sources.
- Articulate, research, and present publicly an assessment of critical social, environmental, and economic issues facing contemporary U.S. cities.
- Use with competence geographical information systems and/or other technology to assess and analyze sustainable urban development and design.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students complete 13 courses (52 credit hours).
Required Core (5 courses)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SUD 401 | SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT I: PLANNING, POLICY & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| SUD 402 | SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT II: APPLIED ANALYSIS OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY | 4 |
| SUD 404 | URBAN DESIGN LABORATORY | 4 |
| SUD 501 | PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| SUD 502 | CAPSTONE - PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Requirements (5 courses)
Geography
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 441 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| GEO 442 | GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
Public Service
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION | ||
| ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | ||
| METROPOLITAN PLANNING | ||
| POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
Statistics
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL) | ||
| APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING SPSS) | ||
| STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR GIS | ||
| STATISTICS AND DATA ANALYSIS | ||
| STATISTICAL METHODS USING SAS | ||
Electives (3 courses)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| URBAN ECOLOGY | ||
| SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS, HUMAN NEEDS, & SYSTEMS THINKING | ||
| PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON FOR GIS | ||
| GIS ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH | ||
| WEB GIS AND SPATIAL DATA VISUALIZATION ON THE WEB | ||
| SPATIAL DATA SCIENCE | ||
| STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR GIS | ||
| NATURE, SOCIETY, AND POWER | ||
| THE CITY | ||
| DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES (FORMERLY GSB 595) | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY | ||
| SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS | ||
| ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING | ||
| METROPOLITAN PLANNING (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND MEDIATED SOLUTIONS | ||
| URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | ||
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS | ||
| PROJECT MANAGEMENT: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (Sustainability & the Built Environment) | ||
| DATA ANALYSIS (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement) | ||
| URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
| BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT: PRACTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION | ||
| SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOOD SYSTEMS | ||
| SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION | ||
| URBAN PLANNING | ||
| SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND FOOD JUSTICE | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| TECHNICAL WRITING | ||
| GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING | ||
Other courses may be taken as electives, with advisor approval.
Non-Credit Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SUD 600 | CANDIDACY CONTINUATION | 0 |
| SUD 601 | CANDIDACY MAINTENANCE | 0 |