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Urban Affairs is an interdisciplinary program offering a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor
of Science degree. The program provides students with an appreciation of the urban
environment as a complex system and teaches them to approach urban processes from an
interdisciplinary perspective. The program is designed to prepare some students for junior-
or entry-level positions in both local government and selected community agencies, but it
also provides a foundation for students preparing for graduate work. To be admitted as
majors, students must have at least a 2.3 grade point average; interested students may
apply for admission any time. Majors are required to complete a common core of courses
and then select a specialization in one of three areas: urban planning, public management,
criminal justice, or community development.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs
Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Affairs
Minor in Urban Affairs
Urban Affairs Honors Program
Specialization Areas
Criminal Justice
Community Development
Urban Management Administration
Urban Physical and Social Planning
Specialization Areas
Students majoring in Urban Affairs are urged to develop an area of specialization in consultation
with their adviser . This will facilitate the student's effort at a later date in seeking employment
or further study at the graduate level.
Listed here are areas of specialization that can be followed by students. then include Criminal
Justice, Urban Management and Administration, Urban Planning: Physical/Social, and Urban Community
/ Economic Development.
Criminal Justice
This area is suggested for students who wish to develop careers in court or police administration,
or criminal justice planning. Employment may be with various judicial, planning, or police agencies.
The program includes courses in management, psychology, political science, and sociology.
This concentration meets the needs of students preparing for careers in crime prevention and law
enforcement. Knowledge of law, the urban environment, psychology and social relations provide a
foundation for work in the criminal justice system. Employment may be found in various judicial,
administrative and police agencies at all levels of government and in private companies. In addition
to required courses, students select elective courses that fit their unique career objectives. Prior
to enrollment, discuss with your advisor which elective courses best fit your need.
Community/Economic Development
Community development is suggested for those students who are interested in the revitalization of
urban areas through work with public, private, not-for-profit, and grassroots organizations. Such
work is directed at better integrating citizens into process of creating alternative policies in
pursuit of a better quality of life in their communities and neighborhoods. Students can build
careers specializing in any number of activities which enhance the viability of urban areas.
Closely related, local economic development focuses on sustaining and expanding business
opportunities, jobs, and the employability of citizens as the basis for strengthening community
health. Careers in this field tend to be in governmental and other development agencies designed
to facilitate and protect the economic well-being of urban areas.
Urban Management and Administration
This area is suggested for students who wish to develop careers in management and administration in
such agencies as municipal and county government, state departments of urban affairs, or the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It includes courses in management, personnel
and labor relations, public finance, and public administration.
Urban Planning: Physical/Social
Urban physical planning is suggested for students who wish to develop careers in urban physical
planning (urban design, zoning, land use planning, etc.) in municipal, county, or regional planning
agencies. On the other hand, urban social planning is suggested for students who wish to develop
careers in planning developing, and coordinating social services in the city. This would include
consideration for human needs in health, recreation, welfare, shelter, etc. Employment of Human Resources,
and the Ombudsman's Office. Students may wish to focus within the areas of specialization on some particular
aspect of social services, such as health care.
Urban Affairs Honors Program
The Urban Affairs Honors Program provides an opportunity for students to achieve their highest possible level
of intellectual attainment. Urban Affairs majors of superior academic ability are invited to apply. A student
may enter either upon successful application or at the invitation of the Urban Affairs Honors Committee. To be
eligible, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in all course work completed at Wright State
University. It is recommended that students apply to enter the program during their junior year and no later
than the first term of their senior year.
Honors students are required to complete all urban affairs degree requirements, maintain a cumulative GPA
of 3.5 in all course work, complete URS 4990 (Applied Research Project) with a grade of A, defend orally the seminar
paper to a committee composed of the URS Honors Committee and the faculty advisor for the seminar paper,
and complete at least one University Honors Seminar.
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