College of Health & Social Sciences
USP is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of urbanization and cities. The world's population is mostly urbanized, so the study of cities and how they work is critical to improving the conditions of people's lives. We look at how urban planners, geographers, sociologists, historians and others approach the problems and promise of the city, and train students to begin careers in urban planning and related fields.
The USP degree is a great choice for those who might want careers in non-profit housing, community advocacy, transportation, real estate development, environmental planning, historic preservation, and others.
Our degree is straightforward, requiring 43-45 units to complete. There are no concentrations to navigate, although we do have a selection of required courses. We are the home to the Merritt Capital Scholarship, a competitive scholarship awarded to two undergraduates each year who have an interest in housing.
We are also home to Urban Action, a student-run journal that has been published for 40+ years (with an interruption due to Covid). Students who take on formal roles with the journal can earn elective credit for their work.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy to follow semester by semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Urban Studies and Planning
HSS Building, Room 133
Phone: (415) 405-3483
Email: pace@sfsu.edu
Website: https://pace.sfsu.edu/usp
Program Coordinator/Director: Jasper Rubin
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
No lower-division major classes
|
- |
- |
|
Focus more on GE for your first semester |
|
|
If there are any course(s) listed above, please enter this information onto “Step 4” of your Freshmen Class Planner.
Urban planning (city planning), transportation, and related government agencies and various careers in the non-profit sector especially in housing, and community development and advocacy. Private sector opportunities are commonly in real estate, real estate development, environmental consulting, and historic preservation.
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.