Distribution Requirements (total 48 credits)

• English: Two courses: MET EN 104 and EN 201.
  
• Mathematics: Any Metropolitan College mathematics course numbered MET MA 110 or higher. MET MA 113 or MA 213 is highly recommended.
  
• Computer Science: One course: MET CS 101 Computers and Their Applications.
  
• Natural Science: Two natural science courses selected from natural science offerings designated by the letter (N).
• Literature: Any 100- or 200-level MET EN literature course or MET HU 221.
  
• Philosophy: One course.
  
• History: One course.
  
• Additional: Three courses: one from distribution course offerings in the humanities (H); one from the social sciences (S); and one from the humanities (H) or the natural sciences (N).

Professional Core (total 40 credits)

Ten courses completed with a grade of C or higher.

Required: Five courses, which must include those listed below:

• MET SO 201 Sociological Methods
• MET UA 301 Introduction to Urban Affairs
• MET UA 409 Urban Affairs Senior Project
• MET UA 503 Environmental Health and Safety Management
• MET UA 509 Urban and Public Finance and Budgeting

Professional Electives:

Five courses from offerings of the Urban Affairs Program in the Department of Applied Social Sciences. Courses are selected with the approval of the urban affairs faculty advisor and must form a coherent policy concentration in areas such as housing and community development, environmental management, health and human services, or public policy analysis and administration. Students concentrating in health and human services may select nondepartment courses with the prior approval of the urban affairs faculty advisor.

Related Courses (total 8 credits)

Two courses selected from disciplines other than urban affairs. Choose from the following or substitute courses approved by the department coordinator:

• MET AH 364 Architecture and City Planning in Old Boston
• MET AH 394 Urban Environment and Aesthetic Experience
• MET EC 367 Economics of the Public Sector
• MET HI 373 History of Boston
• MET HI 535 Urban History
• MET UA 508 Real Estate Development
• MET UA 510 Special Topics
• MET UA 515 History and Theory of Urban Planning

Free Electives (total 32 credits)

Usually eight courses (32 credits), but possibly more depending on transfer credits, chosen with the advice of an academic counselor. Courses should be selected to complement and broaden the student’s background. When selecting these courses, consider career objectives and personal interests.

Urban Affairs Minor

Students may earn a minor in urban affairs in conjunction with their major by successfully completing a coordinated set of approved courses. Twenty credits must be earned with a minimum grade of C. Two courses may be credited toward both a major and minor specialization. All minor concentrators develop their programs in consultation with and approval of the program advisor.

Required Courses (total 12 credits)

• MET UA 301 Introduction to Urban Affairs
• MET UA 509 Urban and Public Finance and Budgeting
• MET SO 201 Sociological Methods

Elective Courses (total 8 credits)

Contact information

For further information, contact Undergraduate Student Services, 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 102, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2980; email: metuss@bu.edu.

The Master of Urban Affairs (MUA) program is designed for students seeking a broad background in urban public policy, community development and service delivery, and the administration of public and private agencies in urban settings. The urban policy professional is prepared to assume a variety of responsibilities, including assembling and analyzing information for policy making, identifying community needs and resources, and administering effective service delivery programs. These tasks are common to public, private, and voluntary organizations in a wide variety of urban functions, such as housing, health services, economic development, transportation, and environment control.

The Program

The course of study emphasizes analytical skills. It is flexible and well adapted to students who (1) seek career entry or advancement in urban public agencies, private service organizations, or community programs; (2) desire advanced background in urban affairs for personal, community, or political activity; or (3) are in a related field such as real estate, law, finance, or social services. Many students obtain the MUA degree in preparation for further study.

The program accommodates students on both a part- and a full-time basis. The 36 credits required may be earned in one year of full-time study and must be earned within a maximum of five years.

Admissions Information

Candidates for admission to the degree program are selected on the basis of academic transcripts, academic and personal references, and interviews or statements of intent.

There are no fixed application deadlines. The program allows for students to submit applications on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are announced promptly, pending receipt of all application materials. Students can also register and take one course prior to applying to the degree program.

The Application for Graduate Admission can be found on the Metropolitan College website at www.bu.edu/met/admissions.

Degree Requirements

A total of nine courses (36 credits) are required, distributed as follows:

Urban Affairs Core Requirements (Six courses/24 credits)

• MET UA 515 History and Theory of Urban Planning
• MET UA 701 Urban Problems and Policy Process
• MET UA 702 Urban Analytical Methods
• MET UA 703 Urban Research Methods
• MET UA 704 Urban Economic Issues and Analysis
• MET UA 805 Boston Urban Symposium

Electives (Three courses/12 credits)

Elective courses are selected with the advice of the department coordinator or faculty advisor. See course descriptions for more information. Electives should constitute a coherent concentration within the general curriculum.

Sample Urban Affairs Elective Courses

• MET UA 500 Environmental Problems and Policy
• MET UA 505 Urban Management
• MET UA 508 Real Estate Development
• MET UA 521 Environmental Law
• MET UA 604 Urban Political Decision-Making: Citizen Participation in the Planning Process
• MET UA 611 Community Development
• MET UA 620 Urban and Regional Land Use Policy and Planning
• MET UA 623 Regional and Metropolitan Development Planning
• MET UA 801 Graduate Directed Studies in Urban Affairs/City Planning: Internship for Credit
• MET UA 804 Supervised Fieldwork

Additional Information

A maximum of one graduate course (4 credits) in an urban discipline may be transferred from another accredited institution for credit toward the degree. No credit is allowed for courses used to fulfill another degree. One course (4 credits) taken at Boston University outside the Urban Affairs and City Planning program may be applied to the degree, with prior approval of the department coordinator.

A maximum of one urban affairs and city planning course (4 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the degree program may be applied toward the degree. The courses must be of graduate level, with a grade of B– (2.7) or higher.

Minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is B- (2.7), but a grade average of B (3.0) must be maintained to satisfy the degree requirements. Students who earn a grade of C+ or lower in a Core Requirement must retake that class and earn a grade of B- or higher in order for it to count towards the degree.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Assistant Professor Enrique R. Silva, Boston University Metropolitan College, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-358-3264; email: ersilva@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/cityplanning.

Preservation Studies

Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences offers a Master of Arts in Preservation Studies (historic preservation). Master of City Planning and Master of Urban Affairs students interested in this subfield of city planning and urban affairs are encouraged to take courses from the Preservation Studies graduate program. These courses can count as electives toward the city planning or urban affairs master’s degrees. To learn more about the Master of Arts in Preservation Studies, contact the Preservation Studies program at amnesp@bu.edu or 617-353-2948.