Urban Strategy MS

Major: Urban Strategy
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 48.0
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 48.0-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 616Public Finance and Cost Benefit Analysis3.0
EOH 550Introduction to Urban Health3.0
URBS 510History of Urban Space3.0
URBS 520What is a City3.0
URBS 530Quantitative Methods & Reasoning for Urban Strategists3.0
URBS 610Civic Engagement & Participatory Methods3.0
URBS 620City of Systems3.0
URBS 630Spatial Reasoning for Urbanists, Architects & Designers3.0
URBS 670Thesis I: Research Inquiry & Design3.0
URBS 675Thesis Seminar I1.5
URBS 680Thesis II: Fieldwork3.0
URBS 685Thesis Seminar II1.5
URBS 690Thesis III: Documentation3.0
Electives *12.0
Total Credits48.0
*

Select 12.0 credits from 500-600 level courses, including Special Topics (T580 and T680) in AADM, AAML, BUSN, CHP, COM ,DSRE, EDPO, ENTP,  ENVP, HMP, INTR, PBHL, PLCY, SCTS, URBS

* Students can select additional electives with advisor approval

Sample Plan of Study

Full-time Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
URBS 5103.0URBS 6103.0ECON 6163.0VACATION
URBS 5203.0URBS 6203.0Elective6.0 
URBS 5303.0URBS 6303.0  
 9 9 9 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
EOH 5503.0URBS 6751.5URBS 6851.5 
URBS 6703.0URBS 6803.0URBS 6903.0 
Elective3.0Elective3.0  
 9 7.5 4.5 
Total Credits 48

Part-time Plan of Study

First Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
URBS 5103.0URBS 6103.0ECON 6163.0
URBS 5203.0URBS 6203.0(GR) Elective3.0
 6 6 6
Second Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
URBS 5303.0URBS 6303.0(GR) Elective*3.0
(GR) Elective3.0(GR) Elective3.0 
 6 6 3
Third Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
EOH 5503.0URBS 6751.5URBS 6851.5
URBS 6703.0URBS 6803.0URBS 6903.0
 6 4.5 4.5
Total Credits 48

* 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

Urban Strategy Faculty

Dustin Fry, PhD (Drexel University). Adjunct Professor. Postdoc, U.S. Forest Service; epidemiology, greenspace, health, neighborhood exposures.
Susanna Gilbertson, MSW, PCC (San Francisco State University). Adjunct Professor. Civic engagement, facilitation, coaching.
Alan Greenberger, FAIA (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) Senior Vice President for Real Estate and Development. Distinguished Teaching Professor. Urban planning, economic development, urban governance
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, MS (Portland State University). Adjunct Instructor. Placemaking, Urban Anthropology.
Stephen Mullin, MA (University of Pennsylvania). Adjunct Professor. Urban economics, public policy
Clara Pinsky, MS (Drexel University) Thesis Advisor. Adjunct Professor. Communications & Impact Office, Working Solutions CDFI. Equitable development, entrepreneurship, creative placemaking.
Alex Quistberg, PhD, MPH (University of Washington). Associate Research Professor. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. Urban Health Collaborative. Data analysis methods; global health; health and place; health disparities; spatial analysis; geographic information systems (GIS); urban health; intentional/violent injury and trauma; unintentional injury and trauma; artificial intelligence; computer vision.
Harris Steinberg, FAIA, MArch (University of Pennsylvania) Executive Director, Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation. Distinguished Teaching Professor. Urban design and civic engagement.
Joshua Stratton-Rayner, MS (Drexel University) Thesis Advisor. Adjunct Professor. Interim Director, Economic Development, Ulster County, NY. Economic and community development and planning.
Andrew Zitcer, PhD (Rutgers University) Program Director, Urban Strategy. Associate Professor. Urban planning, creative placemaking, cooperative practice