bachelor of science in urban studies and planning (BSUSP)

College Mission: The mission of the Department of Planning and Urban Studies (DPUS) is “building livable communities, through education, research and engagement.” The Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning degree offered by DPUS helps fulfill this mission by preparing our students for the challenge of bringing about social change at the local, regional, national and international levels.
This challenge is even more apparent in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as local governments, the State of Louisiana and the Federal government partner to develop recovery plans for the communities impacted by these storms.  The University of New Orleans’ College of Urban and Public Affairs will be participating in planning, technical support and other activities to aid in the rebuilding of South Louisiana.
DPUS has over 30 years of research and planning experience in the areas of Southeast Louisiana hardest hit by the hurricanes.  This expertise includes the provision of a variety of planning, public administration and technical support activities to local, state, and federal agencies.  DPUS also has significant GIS, Remote Sensing, database and data analysis capabilities that can assist all levels of government in long-term community recovery planning.
DPUS undergraduate students will be able to take courses relating to recovery planning activities and gain real world experience through, independent study options.  Additionally, internships, assistantships and part-time employment opportunities are also possible.  The recovery of the entire Gulf Coast region will be a multi-year process.  The BSUSP degree offers students the chance to acquire a top quality education and real world experiences while participating in recovery planning efforts. 

Degree Overview: The Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning degree is an interdisciplinary program that draws on the strength of several subject areas to provide students with a holistic approach to the study of the urban environment.  This methodology exposes students to the historical, cultural, social, economic and environmental aspects of urban areas. An academic area of concentration or focus is required and complements the major so as to provide in depth understanding of a specific topic.  Areas of concentration are: nonprofit leadership, environmental studies, hazard policy studies, historic preservation, transportation studies, geographic information systems (GIS), public culture, urban design and housing.  Other concentrations may be selected by students with permission from an academic advisor.  For details please see the list of the concentrations or contact your academic advisor.
Students who complete the program may qualify for entry-level positions in public, private and non-profit sector organizations.  Students will also be prepared for urban and environmental professional or scholarly graduate degree programs in Urban Studies, Urban Planning or related disciplines such as Public Administration and Environmental Studies.  By design, the program meshes well with the graduate programs in those fields offered at UNO, all of which are fully accredited by national professional associations.

Educational Emphasis:
The Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (BSUSP) revolves around three major areas:

1. Give students an overall understanding of the problems and prospects of our state’s metropolitan areas;
2. Equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers related to urban planning, public administration and urban administration;
3. Serve as a resource, through technical assistance and community outreach to cities and towns particularly in the Gulf South Region.

The overall academic goals of the BSUSP program are to:
* Develop an enhanced awareness of the form and function of cities;
* Offer an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to study the complex interrelationships of the urban environment in which they live;
* Give students access to those analytical skills necessary to undertake research in an urban context.
Upon completion of the program students should be able to:
* Approach urban issues from an interdisciplinary perspective;
* Apply analytic and qualitative skills to develop and implement strategies to resolve urban issues;
* Compare and contrast approaches used to design and undertake research in urban areas;
* Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills;
* Demonstrate an appreciation for the diverse nature of urban populations and the unique social justice issues facing those populations.

Course Requirements:
120 total hours needed to complete the degree which consists of:
50 credit hours of university general degree requirements required of all baccalaureate programs
60 credit hours of foundation studies in Urban Studies and related disciplines
10 credit hours of Urban Planning Electives at the 4000 Course Level.
Students, with assistance from their advisor, will develop a program of coursework leading to the BSUSP degree when the student enters the program.  The student will follow the program and if any changes are to be made an amended program of study will be completed.  It is required that this be done in conjunction with the designated counselor/advisor.
If you have any questions please contact your undergraduate advisor or program coordinator.

For more information please contact:
Dr. Patrick Haughey
BSUSP Coordinator
Math Rm 343
504.280.1231
pmhaughe@uno.edu

Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (BSUSP) Program Curriculum Outline and Student Advising Guide

Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (BSUSP) Program Concentrations

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