Urban Studies

Overview

The substantive knowledge and analytical skills provide excellent preparation for employment in public agencies, private firms, and non-profit organizations. Since the core curriculum of the MUS program mirrors that of the Urban Studies Ph.D. program, MUS students can make a relatively easy transition into the doctoral program, if they apply and are accepted. In any case, the MUS program is academically focused on researching issues in the urban setting.

Students in this Urban Studies program from Portland State University delve into such things as problems associated with growing social and economic inequalities between different places and population groups within the metropolitan region; environmental problems related to the prevailing pattern of urbanization; the lack of effective institutions of regional governance; and challenges such as unemployment, affordable housing and gentrification, environmental and food justice, and sustainable transportation.

The program explores these issues from multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary points of view. Through participation in classes and seminars and supervised research activities, MUS graduates are prepared to work in applied research and community-based advocacy settings.

Career

Master of Urban Studies graduates generally work in applied research and community-based advocacy settings. Some MUS students also choose to continue their studies in the Urban Studies Ph.D. program. Since the core curriculum of the MUS program mirrors that of the Urban Studies Ph.D. program, MUS students can make a relatively easy transition into the doctoral program.

Through participation in classes and seminars, and supervised research and teaching activities, Ph.D. students are prepared for careers in institutions of higher education and in research organizations. Our graduates pursue academic and professional careers, most often in the fields of applied social research.