Program: Urban Studies, Urban Political Economy and Public Policy Specialization, B.A. - San Diego State University

Jun 10, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Academic Plan Code: 117013BALS)

Urban Studies, Urban Political Economy and Public Policy Specialization, B.A. (2025-2026) - Roadmap

All candidates for a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the graduation requirements in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .” Students are cautioned that several of the required and elective courses have prerequisites.

A minor is not required with this major.

Preparation for the Major

(15 units)

ANTH 102 - Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology Units: 3
or
P A 200 - The Urban Scene Units: 3
ECON 101 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
or
ECON 102 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
or
POL S 101 - Introduction to American Politics in Global Perspective Units: 3
or
POL S 102 - Introduction to American and California Government and Politics Units: 3
GEOG 102 - People, Places, and Environments Units: 3
SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology: The Study of Society Units: 3
ECON 201 - Statistical Methods Units: 3
or
POL S 201 - Statistics and Politics Units: 3
or
SOC 201 - Elementary Social Statistics Units: 3
or
STAT 250 - Statistical Principles and Practices Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 36 upper division units to include:

Nine Units of Urban Theory Selected from

CCS 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
also listed as
LATAM 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3
POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3
P A 320 - Introduction to Urban Planning Units: 3
SOC 448 - Urban Sociology Units: 3

Nine Units of Urban Methods Selected from

ECON 301 - Introduction to Applied Econometrics Units: 3
GEOG 380 - Map Investigation Units: 3
GEOG 381 - Computerized Map Design Units: 3
GEOG 385 - Spatial Data Analysis Units: 3
GEOG 484 - Geographic Information Systems Units: 3
GEOG 584 - Geographic Information Systems Applications Units: 3
GEOG 585 - Quantitative Methods in Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 586 - Qualitative Methods in Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 589 - GIS-Based Decision Support Methods Units: 3
GEOG 590 - Community-Based Geographic Research Units: 3
P A 420 - Methods of Analysis in City Planning Units: 3
P A 540 - Community Mapping: Geographic Information Systems Units: 3
SOC 301 - Social Research Methods Units: 3
SOC 406 - Intermediate Social Statistics Units: 3
SOC 407 - Survey and Experimental Research Methods Units: 3
SOC 408 - Qualitative Research Methods Units: 3

Three Units of High Impact Learning

Other high impact courses or study abroad may qualify if appropriate and preapproved by the undergraduate adviser:

Three units of high impact learning and the submission of a capstone portfolio to the undergraduate adviser. This requirement may be met with

GEN S 480 - Engaged Citizenship and Social Responsibility Units: 3
GEN S 490 - Undergraduate Research Units: 1-3
GEOG 499 - Special Study Units: 1-3
GEOG 590 - Community-Based Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 595 - Geographic Internship Units: 3
HIST 495 - Internship in Applied History Units: 3
P A 497 - Investigation and Report Units: 3
P A 498 - Internship in Public Administration Units: 2-6

Urban Political Economy and Public Policy

Fifteen units selected from an area of specialization:

CCS 301 - Political Economy of the Chicano People Units: 3
CCS 306 - Mexican Immigration Units: 3
CCS 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3 (if not taken as a requirement)
also listed as
LATAM 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
ECON 401 - Public Finance Units: 3
GEOG 348 - Environment and Development Units: 3
GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3 (if not taken as a requirement)
LATAM 430 - Immigration and Border Politics Units: 3
also listed as
POL S 430 - Immigration and Border Politics Units: 3
POL S 335 - Policy Issues and Debates Units: 3
POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3 (if not taken as a requirement)