Urban Strategy MS
Major: Urban Strategy
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1201
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3051
About the Program
Drexel University’s Urban Strategy MS program prepares students to meet urban planning and public policy challenges through a 45.0-credit, two-year, interdisciplinary master's degree program that brings together Drexel’s expertise in design, engineering, business, policy, and public health. This unique master’s program empowers and prepares students for careers focused on improving the well-being of urban citizens.
Additional Information
For more information about the MS in Urban Strategy, contact: Andrew Zitcer, PhD.
Admission Requirements
Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Standardized Test Scores: GRE/MAT test scores are accepted, but not required. TOEFL scores are required for international applicants or applicants who earned a degree outside the U.S. (minimum scores: 100/577/233). Scores will be reviewed based on section scores and total scores. IELTS scores may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL scores.
Essay: Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.
Résumé: Please submit a resume electronically
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Academic Experience: You must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in your major.
Degree Requirements
| ECON 616 | Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis | 3.0 |
| EOH 550 | Introduction to Urban Health | 3.0 |
| URBS 510 | History of Urban Space | 3.0 |
| URBS 520 | What is a City | 3.0 |
| URBS 530 | Quantitative Methods & Reasoning for Urban Strategists | 3.0 |
| URBS 610 | Civic Engagement & Participatory Methods | 3.0 |
| URBS 620 | City of Systems | 3.0 |
| URBS 630 | Spatial Reasoning for Urbanists, Architects & Designers | 3.0 |
| URBS 670 | Thesis I: Research Inquiry & Design | 3.0 |
| URBS 680 | Thesis II: Fieldwork | 3.0 |
| URBS 690 | Thesis III: Documentation | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12.0 credits from the following 500-600 level courses (including T580 and T680): | 12.0 | |
Any AADM (Arts Administration) | ||
Any AAML (Arts Administration and Museum Leadership) | ||
Any BUSN (General Business) | ||
Any CHP (Community Health and Prevention) | ||
Any COM (Communication) | ||
Any DSRE (Design Research) | ||
Any EDPO (Educational Policy) | ||
Any ENTP (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) | ||
Any ENVP (Environmental Policy) | ||
Any HMP (Health Management and Policy) | ||
Any INTR (Interior Design) | ||
Any PBHL (Public Health) | ||
Any PLCY (Public Policy) | ||
Any SCTS (Science, Technology and Society) | ||
Any URBS (Urban Strategy) | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
* Students can select additional electives with advisor approval
Sample Plan of Study
Full-time Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| URBS 510 | 3.0 | URBS 610 | 3.0 | ECON 616 | 3.0 | URBS 680 | 3.0 |
| URBS 520 | 3.0 | URBS 620 | 3.0 | URBS 670 | 3.0 | (GR) Electives | 6.0 |
| URBS 530 | 3.0 | URBS 630 | 3.0 | (GR) Elective | 3.0 | ||
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | ||||||
| EOH 550 | 3.0 | ||||||
| URBS 690 | 3.0 | ||||||
| (GR) Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
| 9 | |||||||
| Total Credits 45 | |||||||
Part-time Plan of Study
| First Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| URBS 510 | 3.0 | URBS 610 | 3.0 | ECON 616 | 3.0 | (GR) Electives | 6.0 |
| URBS 520 | 3.0 | URBS 620 | 3.0 | URBS 670 | 3.0 | ||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Second Year (Part-Time) | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| EOH 550 | 3.0 | URBS 630 | 3.0 | URBS 680 | 3.0 | URBS 690* | 3.0 |
| URBS 530 | 3.0 | (GR) Elective | 3.0 | (GR) Elective | 3.0 | ||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| Total Credits 45 | |||||||
* Note: This term is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.
Program Level Outcomes
- Problem solving: students will undertake critical analysis and assessment of dynamic urban environments
- Data competency: students will gather and manipulate different types of data, including spatial, cultural, historical and demographic data
- Leadership skills: students will develop capacity for ethical leadership, understand different leadership styles and methods for motivating others
- Cross cultural perspective: students will gain awareness and competence in cross-cultural perspectives, learning how diverse cultures impact urban life
- Communication fluency: students will hone their oral & written communication skills, learning how to interact with and impact a range of audiences through democratic, participatory engagement
- Collaboration in teams: students will learn to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams to identify and address urban problems
- Grounding in Context: students will understand the role of history and culture in shaping urban institutions and systems
- Urban Awareness: students will investigate how cities are shaped by multiple systems, including public policy, health, economic development, and built environment