Undergraduate Programs
Urban Studies and Planning is an interdisciplinary field that influences the future of neighborhoods, cities, and rural and metropolitan areas in a systematic way.
Urban planning is a profession devoted to serving communities facing social, economic, environmental, and cultural challenges. Urban planners operate in cities and regions to steer growth and development, foster communities, and elevate the quality of life. Their efforts influence development patterns, protect natural and built environment, promote equity and equality, and improve services to disadvantaged communities.
Undergraduate Students' Final Projects
Urban Studies and Planning undergraduate seniors work under the guidance of a department faculty to develop their final community project. These projects often address pressing issues within urban environments, such as sustainability, transportation, housing, and community development.
Program Requirements
- All Urban Studies and Planning majors are required to complete the lower division required courses and the upper division core courses. Students must then choose five elective courses.
A. Required Courses (34 units)
- Lower Division Required Courses (6 units)
- URBS 206 Introduction to Graphic Communication Tools Used by Urban Studies and Planning Professionals (3)
- URBS 250 Planning the Multiethnic City (3)
- Upper Division Required Courses (22 units)
- URBS 300 Planning Theory (3)
- URBS 310 Growth and Sustainable Development of Cities (3)
- URBS 340A Quantitative Urban Research Methods (3)
- URBS 340B Qualitative Urban Research Methods (3)
- URBS 440 Community-Based Urban Design (3)
- URBS 450 Senior Seminar in Urban Studies and Planning (4)
- URBS 460 Legal Foundations of Planning (3)
- Fieldwork and Internship (6 units)
- URBS 490C Fieldwork (3)
- URBS 494C Internship (3)
B. Elective Courses (15 units)
- GEOG 206/L Introduction to Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
- GEOG 306/L Intermediate Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
- URBS 345 The General Plan and Zoning (3)
- URBS 350 Cities of the Developing World (3)
- URBS 380 Los Angeles: Past, Present, Future (3)
- URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment (3)
- URBS 415 The California Environmental Quality Act for Urban Planners (3)
- URBS 416 Urban Housing (3)
- URBS 425 Social Policy, Environmental Justice and the City (3)
- URBS 430 Planning in the Public Sector (3)
- URBS 435 Planning for Community Development (3)
- URBS 440 Community-Based Urban Design (3)
- URBS 480 Urban Transportation Planning (3)
- URBS 495A-Z Selected Topics in Urban Planning (3)
Total number of units required: 120
The Planning Accreditation Board requires this information be posted for the
B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning program.
Student Achievement
|
The Department of Urban Studies and Planning highlights program and student accomplishments in the Department Newsletters that are sent out twice a year. (https://w2.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/news-events/department-newsletters). |
2024-2025 Tuition and Fees
|
In State Residents, per full-time academic year |
$6,084 |
|
Out of State Residents, per full-time academic year |
$12,384 |
Student Retention Rate
|
Percentage of students who began studies in fall 2023 and continued into fall 2024 |
89.5% |
Student Graduation Rate
|
Percentage of students graduating within 4 years, entering class of 2020 |
66.7% |
|
Percentage of students graduating within 6 years, entering class of 2018 (for accredited undergrad) |
82.4% |
Number of Degrees Awarded
|
Number of degrees awarded for 2023-2024 Academic Year |
28 |
AICP Pass Rate
|
Percentage of bachelor’s graduates taking the AICP exam within 3 years who pass, graduating class of 2020 |
No students took the exam within 3 years. |
|
Percentage of bachelor’s graduates taking the AICP exam within 5 years who passed, graduating class of 2018 (for accredited undergrad) |
No students took the exam within 5 years. |
Employment
|
Percentage of all graduates obtaining professional planning, planning-related, or other positions within 12 months of graduation, graduating class of 2023 |
37.5% |