Master of Arts in Urban Affairs (MUA)

This is a nationally recognized program in interdisciplinary planning approaches to complex urban problems. The core curriculum together with the electives provide the student an in depth understanding of the multiple dimensions of physical planning, urban economic development, and the sociopolitical history of planning and urban architecture. Urban Planners have consistently remained essential players in national, regional, state and local policy development and planning.

Curriculum

The MUA program is comprised of course work totaling 36 hours: 18 hours of core courses and 18 hours of concentration courses and electives. In addition, the program requires an internship (3 credit hours) for students with limited professional experience in the public sector.

Upon completion of the program, students must take oral comprehensive exams. For more information on this requirement, visit Exams, Projects & Course Requirements.

Required Courses

PPS 500 - The Metropolis (3)
PPS 501or RMET 520 - Research Methods (3)
PPS 510 - Urban Economic Development (3)
PPS 530 - Planning the Metropolis (3)
PPS 531 - Land Use Development (3)
PPS 550 - History of Cities and Planning (3)

Elective Courses

Elective course work is available in a variety of areas. Students have taken classes in business, social work, American studies, communication and more. Of course, many also take classes offered by Public Policy Studies, including public administration, city planning and policy analysis. Typical focus areas for Urban Affairs students include:

• Nonprofit Management
• Fundraising
• Criminal Justice Policy
• Conflict Management
• The Policy Process
• Finance
• Public Health
• Organizational Psychology
  
  

Certificates

Add another dimension to your degree by supplementing it with a certificate:

• The Certificate in Organizational Development is an interdisciplinary program focusing on organizational effectiveness.
  
• The Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is designed to enhance decision-making capabilities with spacial analysis technologies.
  
  

Internships

The internship program has been developed in cooperation with numerous governmental, nonprofit and private sector agencies, serving both the St. Louis region and various governmental units through out the country. Interns have worked with organizations such as:

• The Bi-State Development Agency
• City of Chesterfield, MO
• City of Kirkwood, MO
• Bellerive Neighborhood Association
• East-West Gateway Coordinating Council
• City of St. Louis Community Development Agency
• St. Louis County Department of Planning
• St. Louis County Floodplain Management Program
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
  
  

To Apply

Application forms may be obtained from the Graduate School. Necessary documentation, including undergraduate transcripts, Graduate Record Examinations or other equivalent standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation should be completed and submitted to them.

For More Information

To have information sent to you, fill out this on-line form.

You can also find out more about the program by talking with admissions counselor Iris Hampton. She can be reached by phone at (314) 977-3934 or via e-mail at hamptoi2@slu.edu.