Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs

https://levin.csuohio.edu/msus/msus

Areas of Study

1. Urban Studies Track
2. Diversity Leadership and Change Management Track

Introduction

The MSUS 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.

Students may choose an Urban Studies or a Diversity Leadership and Change Management Track. Students may decide their track as early as the application process, but no later than taking classes beyond the MS Core. They will consult with a graduate advisor to select their track and coursework.

In the Urban Studies Track, students can select electives freely (without restrictions) or apply courses to certificate programs such as Environmental Sustainability, Local Government, Nonprofit Management, or Society 5.0 (Advanced Technology and Society). The objective of the US Track 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.

In the Diversity Leadership and Change Management Track, a special emphasis is placed on enhancing organizational and individual performance by promoting practices that foster inclusivity and promote the wealth of opportunities, benefits and outcomes realized through diversity.  Appropriate for practitioners of all stages in their careers, the program will guide students through practical experiences, self-reflection, and theoretically grounded research.  The objective is to equip students to grow personally and professionally into culturally competent leaders with the tools to lead and enact change. They will be able to think systemically and identify opportunities to partner with other like-minded change agents at all levels of organizations and the community.

For updated information about the MS in Urban Studies program, visit https://levin.csuohio.edu/msus/msus.

Faculty Research and Publications

Urban Studies Track 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.

Diversity Leadership and Change Management Track faculty belong to several schools and departments in addition to Urban Affairs, including Social Work, Communication, Business, and Education, with respective research interests.

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 of Public Affairs and Education and The Diversity Institute. See https://levin.csuohio.edu/research/research for information on facilities.

Financial Assistance

For fullest consideration, GA applicants should submit the School of Urban Affairs GA application and be admitted with degree-seeking status by February 15.

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

Career Information

The School of Urban Affairs, through the Public Affairs Student Services Center 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 on the Levin College website. Cleveland State’s Office of Career Development and Exploration also provides graduate students and alumni with career advice and career development assistance, including resume review.

Graduates of the Urban Studies Track 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.

Graduates of the Diversity Leadership and Change Management Track are qualified to hold a variety of positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.  Positions include but are not limited to: Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity Consultant, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, and Equity & Inclusion Director.

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. Ideally, applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, we understand that GPAs don’t always fully reflect an applicant’s abilities and potential. Students who have a lower GPA are encouraged to enhance their applications by detailing their readiness for success in the program within their statements of purpose.
2. Applicants are asked to describe their motivation for applying to the program at CSU’s Levin School, their qualifications, and how the program will help them advance their career goals. This statement of purpose should be concise, ranging from one to two single-spaced pages. We encourage applicants to present their writing unassisted by ChatGPT or other large language models to ensure it truly reflects their individual voice and writing skills. If you do decide to use such a tool, please clearly acknowledge this by mentioning how you used it in your statement of purpose.
3. 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: https://grad.engagecsu.com/

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 School of Urban Affairs offers expedited admissions for students graduating through Cleveland State University’s Honors College. Interested students should contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator (urbanprograms@csuohio.edu) for details. 

Additional Information

• Internship opportunities are available to all students, and scholarships and graduate assistantships are available to qualified students through a competitive selection process.
• A formal mentoring program is also available in which students are paired with public service practitioners working in the student’s area of interest.