BA in Urban Studies

Pitt's Urban Studies major lets you explore the fascinating complexities of urban environments in the U.S. and internationally. The concepts and skills you will master can help address the complex problems associated with urban change (urbanization) and appreciate urban residents' experiences (urbanism). Bring your interests in housing affordability, transportation planning, business administration, or public health to understand how urban areas shape these problems.

The Urban Studies Program is a vibrant, robust, interdisciplinary degree-granting undergraduate program. Over the past decade, the program has continued to grow and attract majors, and our students are exceptional--energetic, intelligent, and interested in their work here at the University. Recent graduates have gone on to careers within the non-profit sector. Many others have entered graduate school, and others opted to volunteer for a year or two with organizations like AmeriCorps or Pulse. Ultimately, Urban Studies students are prepared to be responsible, engaged citizens when they graduate. Our alumni work for employers, including community development corporations, private consulting firms, government and private planning departments, and local and state government offices.

The Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences constitutes the liberal arts core of the University of Pittsburgh, one of the major public research universities in the United States. We provide instruction in natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences for all students studying at the Pittsburgh campus.

Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty members excel at translating their research and scholarly expertise into top-quality graduate programs and a superb, highly selective liberal arts undergraduate program that integrates traditional disciplines with interdisciplinary and international perspectives and takes advantage of its breadth of the University and its urban environment.