College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

Dean, Robin Hambleton
115 CUPPA Hall
(312) 413-8088
http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/index.html

Introduction

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements (Effective Fall 2007)

• Semester Hour Requirement
• Course Requirements

Introduction

Urban and Public Affairs (UPA) prepares students to enter urban professions and graduate professional education programs with knowledge and understanding of the complexity and diversity of the urban environment and the policy and management processes that affect it.  Historically Americans lived in small towns and rural settings; however, today the vast majority of Americans live within expanding urban regions that are linked to a global network of cities.  The Urban and Public Affairs program educates students on the complexity and diversity of urban areas; teaches students comprehensive policy and management tools for addressing urban problems and creating solutions; and provides students with the opportunity to experience hands-on learning through internships, applied research, access to top scholars and professionals in the field, and by fostering leadership development.

Graduates of UPA will have mastered knowledge and skills in:

• The forces that impact urban areas affecting the quality of life and potential solutions to problem areas.
• Understanding of organizational theory and organizational behavior.
• Issues of efficiency, equity and social justice.
• Understanding human resource management and financial administration. 
• Collaboration, diversity and democracy in professional practice.
• Plan and policy implementation and analysis.
• Ethical and political values guiding city building and management.

Graduating Urban and Public Affairs students will enter careers in public and nonprofit service, commerce, real estate, or other city building activities.  Students entering graduate education will be prepared to study in related fields such as public administration, urban planning, public health, law, public relations, international studies, sociology, political science, or peace and social justice studies. 

Admission Requirements

Students apply for admission through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs. Admission into the Urban and Public Affairs program is selective and competitive.

1. Junior standing only (completion of 60 semester hours in Pre-Urban and Public Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, or from any accredited community college or four year college or university).
2. A grade point average of 2.75/4.00.
3. Phone or personal interview
4. Personal statement of educational goals
5. Availability of space
6. Successful applicants must also meet the admissions requirements of CUPPA.
7. One college-level economics course.
8. Special consideration will be given to students who have completed courses in public and urban concerns and having some knowledge of economics and government including the following courses (or their equivalents) from either a community college or a lower division program in a four-year institution:

• UPA/UPP 101—Introduction to Urban Studies (3)
• UPA/UPP 202—Planning Great Cities (3)

Degree Requirements (Effective Fall 2007)

To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs degree from UIC, students need to complete the University and college degree requirements. University and college degree requirements for all College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs students are outlined below.

Semester Hour Requirement

The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs semester hour requirement is 120 semester hours. UIC students complete the first two years of the program in Pre-Urban and Public Affairs through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If admitted to the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, students complete the final two years in the Urban and Public Affairs curriculum.

Course Requirements

Pre-Urban and Public Affairs

^a Humanities, natural sciences,  and social sciences electives should be selected from the Course Distribution Chart in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog. Students must choose courses from two different departments in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. One of the humanities or social sciences electives must be an approved cultural diversity course. A list of approved cultural diversity courses may also be found in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section.

^b Recommended electives include a college-level economics course, UPA/UPP 101, and UPA/UPP 202.

Quantitative Reasoning

Students in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs must demonstrate competency in quantitative reasoning to earn a degree. Such competence can be demonstrated in any one of the following ways:

1. Achievement of a score on the mathematics placement examination high enough to qualify for enrollment in Mathematics 180. Placement in Mathematics 180 may be by other means determined by the Department of Mathematics.
2. Grade of C or better in any one of the following courses: Mathematics 121, 123, 145, 150, 160, 165, 180, Statistics 101.
3. Grade of C or better in a mathematically oriented course in a department in LAS other than Mathematics. Such courses must require Mathematics 090 or 118 as a prerequisite. At present, such courses include Communication 201, Criminal Justice 262, Political Science 201, Psychology 343, and Sociology 201.
4. Grade of C or better in a logic course in the Department of Philosophy: Philosophy 102
   or 210.
5. Transfer students may present equivalent courses taken elsewhere, for which they have received a grade of C or better, to satisfy this requirement.

College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs Requirements