About the Major

The Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy undergraduate major is housed in the Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) department in the School of Social Ecology.

Effective Fall 2026: The major's name has changed from Urban Studies to Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy.

Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy majors learn to address housing affordability, climate change, gentrification, segregation, and other urban challenges. Students gain skills for careers in urban planning, public policy, community/economic development, and transportation. The major offers a specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), opening up new career opportunities in government, business, nonprofit, law, education, and research.

Urban studies is a growing field, as more people live in cities and face new urban challenges. Graduates work in urban planning, public policy, social work, community development, and environmental advocacy.

Resources and Opportunities

• Connect with other students via the Urban Studies Student Association.
  • See more student opportunities.
• 26-27 Tentative Course Offerings
• Research in UPPP
  • Resources to get started in research
  • Applying to Research (55 min): Workshop on applying to research labs, with a student panel.
• Meet your faculty and their specializations.
• Network with alumni
• Upcoming UPPP Departmental events
• Career Resources:
  • Careers in Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy
  • What can I do with this major?
  • Division of Career Pathways at UCI
  • Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management
• Field Study: All majors take at least one quarter of Field Study, engaging with community organizations in Orange County and beyond. Field Study helps you explore careers, develop professional skills, and learn about social and environmental problems.

Major in Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy

This major prepares students to address global urbanization challenges and develop analytical skills for graduate study or entry-level positions in urban planning, community development, transportation, and housing. Students can specialize in Geographic Information Systems.

• Major Requirements
  • GIS Specialization
  • 4-year academic plan for freshmen
  • 2-year academic plan for transfers
• Understanding the Major Requirements:
  • Short video explaining the major requirements
  • Degree sheet (PDF)

Interested in declaring this major? See the Change of Major requirements.

Environmental Science and Policy Major

The Environmental Science and Policy major is an interdisciplinary program integrating social and natural sciences to address environmental challenges. This major is a collaboration between the School of Social Ecology and the School of Physical Science.

• Student Opportunities
  • More opportunities
• Program Overview

Interested in declaring ENSP as a major? See the Change of Major requirements.

Minors in Urban Planning and Public Policy

The Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy offers two minors to help you learn about the design and development of urban areas, sustainable neighborhoods, urban environmental problems, housing affordability, transportation, and climate change. Students can explore urban issues from a variety of perspectives, including class, gender, and race.

• Urban and Regional Planning Minor Requirements
• Urban Studies Minor Requirements

UPPP Graduate Programs

Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy is excellent preparation for graduate or professional programs in urban and regional planning, public policy, law, business, public administration, public health, and social services.

• Master of Urban and Regional Planning
  • The MURP program prepares students for careers in urban and regional planning and related fields. Join us in our mission: “developing equitable, sustainable, empowered communities.”
• Master of Public Policy
  • The MPP program trains students to become leaders in policy development and management at all levels of government and the private sector.
• PhD in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
  • The doctoral program trains scholars in the analysis of social problems related to the built, natural, and institutional environments, for careers in academia, government, nonprofits, and consulting.