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Contact

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm

E-mail: dusp@sfsu.edu

Phone: (415) 338-1178

Fax: (415) 338-2391

Address:1600 Holloway Avenue, HSS 263 San Francisco, CA 94132

Last Update: 10-15-2009

Planning Your Major

Recommended sequencing of coursework in the major

Core courses

1. Historical and Social Science perspectives:

   USP 400 provides a broad introduction to the field of Urban Studies and should be taken during the first semester in the program, it is offered every semester.

   The basic social science courses should be taken early in the program, one or two per semester.  Social Science courses are offered at least every other semester.

2. Research methods/Data Analysis:

   USP 492 should be taken during the first semester; it is the foundation course in research methods and should be taken prior to USP 493. USP 493 should be taken as soon as possible after USP 492. Both courses provide skills which will be important in subsequent courses. Both courses are usually offered every semester.

3. Foundation course in policy or planning:

   USP 480 or USP 658 should be taken relatively early after the first semester as they provide the analytic foundation for the more specialized issue courses. Both courses are offered once a year.

4. Fieldwork and Practical applications

   The internship, USP 603/604, should be taken after you have some coursework--some knowledge and skills to apply, and some qualifications--under your belt. The internship should be done prior to the senior seminar, as the internship experience is very useful in developing senior seminar projects. Planning for the internship must begin the semester prior to the one in which you want to work. The internship is offered every semester.

5. The senior seminar, USP 680, is offered every spring and should be taken during your last or next-to-last semester. Students need to have completed all of the core courses, including the research methods and data analysis courses, prior to taking the senior seminar.

Electives/Foci of Interest

Electives should be taken throughout your program: they provide the opportunity to apply the analytic approaches and skills that you are using to concrete and current policy issues. Electives are generally offered only once a year: consultation with your advisor is critical to ensuring that you plan your schedule so as to be able to take the electives of your choice when they are offered.

Note: Courses in General Education and English and math proficiency required by the University for graduation should be taken as soon as possible.