Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Urban Affairs 231
(216) 687-3884
http://urban.csuohio.edu/academics/graduate/msus/
Brian Mikelbank, Graduate Program Director
Areas of Study
Economic Development
Public Finance
Urban Real Estate Development
Community and Neighborhood Development
Urban and Public Policy
Introduction
The program offers advanced training in urban studies to recent undergraduate-degree recipients, practitioners already working in the field, and returning students who wish to pursue careers in public, not-for-profit, or private service. No single discipline adequately covers the broad spectrum of knowledge that the modern urban problem solver needs. Thus, the program draws on many disciplines to broaden and extend the student’s knowledge and expertise through a combination of specially developed urban core courses, research seminars, and electives. It is an interdisciplinary program drawing on resources and faculty from a variety of disciplines, colleges, and departments. Classroom knowledge can be augmented by internships and other experiential training that add scope to the program.
The objective of the program is to educate students to the major theoretical perspectives and applied research methods useful for effective problem definition and problem solving. These skills enhance organizational capacity in attempting to define, analyze, and solve urban problems. Special emphasis is placed on economic development, public finance, law and public policy, community and neighborhood development, and urban policy analysis.
For updated information about the MS in Urban Studies program, visit http://urban.csuohio.edu/academics/graduate/msus/
Faculty Research and Publications
Urban Studies faculty members conduct research in the areas of housing, economic development, environmental policy and planning, historic preservation, neighborhood and community development, social policy, conflict resolution, public finance, and urban management.
Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.
Research Units
Students may have opportunities to work with the faculty and staff in the research, public service, and training centers in the Levin College. See http://urban.csuohio.edu/urban_center/ for information on the Levin College facilities.
Financial Assistance
The Levin College provides graduate assistantships on a competitive basis to full-time students. Although the deadline for receipt of graduate assistantship applications is March 1, fullest consideration is given to those who have submitted all application materials for the MS program by February 1.
The College also offers paid internships and tuition grants to eligible degree-seeking students. Application forms are available from the Levin College Office of Student Services. See also the section on Expenses and Financial Aid: Graduate Assistantships Graduate Assistantships in this Catalog.
Career Information
The Levin College, through the Department of Urban Studies, the Office of Student Services, and the faculty, provides a variety of services related to career planning to help students and graduates find employment related to their program of study. Current job postings are maintained in the Office of Student Services and on the College Web site. Cleveland State’s Career Services Center also provides graduate students and alumni with career advice and career development assistance, including resume review. (See the section on Campus Services and Programs: Career Services of this Catalog).
Careers in Urban Affairs
Graduates of the MS program in Urban Studies hold a variety of positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The alumni roster includes elected officials, directors of local development corporations and other nonprofit organizations, real estate redevelopment entrepreneurs and program planners and managers working in a broad spectrum of urban organizations
Admission Information
Applicants to the Master of Science in Urban Studies Program must meet the minimum requirements established by the College of Graduate Studies and the MS program faculty:
- A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, with an average Verbal and Quantitative score at the 40th percentile, and an Analytical Writing score of at least 4.0. Students with a graduate degree from an accredited college or university are exempted from this requirement. Other standardized admission examinations may be substituted at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Two letters of recommendation, using the Recommendation Form for Graduate Admission (available online at http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/pdf/recommend.pdf).
- Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English-language proficiency as indicated in this bulletin under “Admission Requirements for International Students and Permanent Residents”.
Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html
Types of Admission
The academic status of a graduate degree-seeking applicant is determined after a review of admission credentials. Graduate Program Committees, in concurrence with the Office of Graduate Admissions, may recommend admission of applicants as regular or conditional graduate students. Please refer to the Admission to the College of Graduate Studies section of this catalog for information on admission categories.