Urban Studies, MS

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

https://www.csuohio.edu/urban/msus/msus

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 have the opportunity to work with the faculty and staff in the research, public-service, and training centers of the Levin College. See https://www.csuohio.edu/urban/research/research for information on the Levin College facilities.

Financial Assistance

For fullest consideration, GA applicants should submit the Levin College of Urban Affairs GA application and be admitted with degree-seeking status by March 1st. 

Student employment opportunities are available to eligible degree-seeking students. Internship information is available through the Levin College Office of Student Services and student employment information is available through the CSU Career Services Center.

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 Special Programs (inactive)  in 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:

1. A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
2. 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 U.S. college or university are exempted from this requirement. Other standardized admission examinations may be substituted at the discretion of the Program Director.
3. Two letters of recommendation, using the Recommendation Form for Graduate Admission.
4. A current resume.
5. A personal statement of purpose (maximum of 1000 words), detailing your academic background and interests, your motivation for pursuing the MSUS, and your post-graduation plans.
6. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English-language proficiency as indicated under “Admission Requirements for International Students and Permanent Residents” in the Admissions  section of this catalog.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/graduate-admissions/how-apply

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 Admissions  section of this catalog for information on admission categories.

Admission for CSU Honors College Graduates

The Levin College of Urban Affairs offers expedited admissions for students graduating through Cleveland State University’s Honors College. Interested students should contact the Levin College’s Office of Student Services (urbanprograms@csuohio.edu) for details.