Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Urban Sustainability, BA


Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy, Huxley College of the Environment

67-68 credits

Introduction

The Urban Sustainability major examines the human and environmental dimensions of cities in the United States and around the world. The curriculum incorporates approaches from a range of disciplines including urban planning, environmental policy, economics, political science, and history. The program emphasizes analytic and communication skills, which are valued by a range of employers. The program provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing graduate studies in a range of social science disciplines.

Why Consider a Study of Urban Sustainability Major?

Do you want to acquire knowledge and skills that promote positive change in the urban environment and learn about creating more livable communities through different disciplinary perspectives? Do you enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems in both natural settings and urban communities? Are you committed towards building a more equitable and sustainable society? Then a major in Urban Sustainability is the major for you.

 Contact Information

Department Chair
Grace Wang
Arntzen Hall 212
360-650-3278
Grace.Wang@wwu.edu

Huxley College Professional Advisor
Kathryn Patrick
Environmental Studies 539
360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu

Urban Sustainability
Faculty Advisor

Paul Stangl
Environmental Studies 207
360-650-2793
stanglp@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Sustainable Development Consultant | Urban Development Consultant| Non-Profit Organizations | Urban Advocacy Work | Graduate Studies in Professional Urban Programs

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

How to Apply as a Pre-Major:

At any time, you can declare yourself as a pre-major with interest in Urban Studies in the Huxley College of the Environment advising office, ES 539. There are several advantages to declaring as a pre-major during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a pre-major you are assigned a Huxley professional advisor and a faculty advisor based on your academic interests. Your professional advisor can help you understand graduation requirements and how to navigate through the Huxley curriculum. Your faculty advisor guides you in which courses to take, and when, and gives you advice about internships and how to prepare for graduate school or a future career. As a pre-major, your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements. The pre-major status will also give you access to priority registration for some classes.

How to Apply to the Major:

Before applying, students should complete Urban Sustainability foundation courses. To apply, students should submit an application that includes a 1-2 page essay describing your reasons for wanting to enter into the major, as well as a plan of study created with the Huxley professional advisor and signed by a faculty advisor.

The application to the Urban Sustainability major can be found on the Huxley College website. Applications are accepted during fall, winter, and spring quarters and must be received by 5 p.m. on October 6 (for winter quarter admission), January 15 (for spring quarter admission), or April 18 (for summer or fall quarter admission). If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due the following Monday.

If you have any questions, please contact a professional advisor at the Huxley College Student Support Office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or by phone 360-650-2817, or 360-650-3748.  

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements


Culminating Courses (8 credits)


Students are required to take one approved course with a capstone “CPST” attribute during their senior year. A capstone class is a field or project-based class. This class is meant to be a culminating experience for the students bringing all the varied disciplines together as applied work on a real-world issue. Several capstone options are open to all Huxley College students; others have prerequisites.

Experiential (5 credits minimum)