Introduction
Web site: http://urban.csuohio.edu
The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs prepares students to address urban issues effectively with creative and innovative programming and problem solving. Levin College students undertake projects that address these issues in
- Public policy
- City management
- City planning
- Public safety management and homeland security
- Economic development
- Environmental and sustainability policy
- Organizational leadership
- Nonprofit administration
Research undertaken through the college directly links the university with the organizations addressing challenges in the Cleveland metropolitan area and across the state and nation.
The Urban Center
For over 30 years, CSU’s Urban Center has served as the focal point of applied research, technical assistance and public service in Ohio. The Center draws on the talented pool of professional staff and scholars at CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, long considered a leader in City Management and Urban Policy. It is the largest resource in the state dedicated to urban policy research.
For more information about the Urban Center and research areas, please visit http://urban.csuohio.edu/research/.
Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service
The Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service was the first endowed chair established at Cleveland State University. The chair is dedicated to the memory of Albert A. Levin, a Cleveland attorney involved in commercial real estate who was committed to the preservation of the city as a vital center.
The general purpose of the Levin Chair is to attract leading professionals in the field of urban affairs to Cleveland State University. The chair holder is involved with both the community and university, acting as a catalyst in relating the resources of the university to the needs and problems of the urban community.
Activities of the chair holder are directed toward providing diverse public lectures and engaging in significant research and problem solving with faculty, students, and community groups. The Levin Chair is currently held by Robert Gleeson. The following distinguished individuals have held the Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service: David O. Meeker, deceased (1977-‘78), Wolf Von Eckardt, deceased (1978-‘79), Sarah Short Austin (1980-‘81), Martin Rein, (1981-‘82), Paul R. Porter, deceased, Edgar A. Rose (1982-‘84), Wilbur R. Thompson (1984-‘86), Phillip L. Clay (1987-‘88), David Perry (1989-‘90), James Banovetz (1991-‘93), Robert J. Waste (1994-‘95), Camilla Stivers (1996-‘03), Janet Kelly (2003-‘05) and Jeffrey L. Brudney (2007-2012).
Academic Programs
The college offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Economic Development, Environmental Studies, Nonprofit Administration, Organizational Leadership, Public Safety Management, and Urban Studies. Students in any discipline may elect to pursue a minor in Environmental Studies, Sustainable Urban Development, Nonprofit Administration, or Urban Studies.
The college offers undergraduate certificate programs in Public Management, Sustainable Urban Development, and Urban Geographic Information Systems.
Three accelerated five-year programs lead to degrees in the following areas:
- BA/MPA (Public Administration)
- BA/ MA in Environmental Studies
- BA/MNAL (Nonprofit Administration and Leadership)
The college offers the following programs in conjunction with the College of Graduate Studies:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Urban Planning and Development
- Master of Nonprofit Administration and Leadership
- Master of Science in Urban Studies
- Master of Arts in Environmental Studies
In conjunction with the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, the college offers dual degree programs leading to the:
- JD/MPA
- JD/MUPD
- JD/MA (Environmental Studies)
Office of Student Services
The Levin College’s Office of Student Services (OSS) is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of students. OSS staff provides registration assistance and academic advising and coordinates internships, graduate assistantships, and scholarship awards. Additional information about advising and student services is available on the Levin College web site. In addition, students can access www.csucareerline.com to search for jobs and internships, post their resumes, research employers, and arrange to have job openings emailed to them.
Financial Assistance
The Levin College of Urban Affairs offers a number of scholarships to undergraduate students. Students interested in Levin College scholarships should visit http://urban.csuohio.edu/students/financing.html for information and the online application. (Also see the section on Expenses and Financial Aid at the beginning of this catalog.)
Degree Completion Programs
The Levin College of Urban Affairs maintains partnerships and degree completion programs with Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, and Lorain County Community College. These programs include Urban Studies, Organizational Leadership, Public Safety Management, and Nonprofit Administration.
Graduates of community colleges with degrees in law enforcement, fire science, paralegal studies, public administration, nursing, environmental health and safety, and human services may complete their Bachelor of Arts degree through articulation agreements between their college and the Levin College.
Credit for life experience is available to students whose prior learning meets the criteria established by the faculty for academic credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
Undergraduate Requirements
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts degree is awarded to students who fulfill the following requirements:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours, of which 36 credit hours must be upper-division (300-and 400-level) courses
- Completion of university, college, and major-field requirements
College Requirements
Students in each Urban Affairs major must complete the following college requirements: