Urban studies programs teach people about the history and growth of large cities. Students learn how to make policies and design programs for urban areas. They also learn how culture, ethnic diversity, and the environment affect cities.

What makes San Francisco classy and Miami energetic? Why do New Yorkers love plays while people in Chicago go nuts for baseball? Why do buildings in one city look different from those in a city 50 miles away? By studying cities and urban areas, you can learn the answers to these questions.

As an urban studies student, you learn about what makes cities grow and develop. You study why some cities have problems, such as homelessness and unemployment. You also learn about ways to make cities and urban communities better. For example, you might study ways to cut traffic or reduce pollution.

In urban studies programs, you take courses on statistics, the history of cities, and research methods. You take courses from many different areas, such as history, architecture, geography, political science, and economics. Often courses focus on the history of the city where your school is located. You can also take courses about your specific interests, such as transportation, public safety, or overcrowding.

Graduates from urban studies programs can work as city planners, policy analysts, and real estate developers (think Donald Trump). Many work for government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some people go to graduate school in programs such as architecture, public policy, sociology, business, and law.

Over 100 universities and colleges in big cities offer bachelor's degrees in urban studies. About 30 schools also have graduate degree programs. Typically you finish your bachelor's degree in four years. Graduate programs take from two to five years after you finish your bachelor's degree.