More than just “green”

Earn your master’s in Sustainable Urban Development and explore how cities cope with the demand for environmental sustainability while supporting economic growth and social justice. The program is framed by a simple value—that a sustainable city is one that’s sustainable for everyone. You will look at sustainability holistically, researching urban environments as an integrated system. Beyond theoretical knowledge, you’ll gain a technical foundation using industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping software.

Courses are offered in the evening and the program can be completed in two years.

For international students: this is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend their post-graduation stay in the United States for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT provides an opportunity for international students to develop their careers while also helping meet the demand for STEM-educated professionals in the U.S. workforce.

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Use Chicago as your lab

Drawing on the city’s resources, you’ll engage with expert guest speakers, delve into community-based projects and gain hands-on experience through internships. You’ll study how neighborhood growth interacts with the environmental, economic and social challenges of being a global city.

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, two-page personal statement, résumé and official transcripts.

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Required Courses

You’ll complete six core courses and five interdisciplinary courses.

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95%

of Sustainable Urban Development graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Study food systems with a local focus

You’ll study urban food systems with Howard Rosing, who has worked with nearly 100 DePaul students to research the community gardens of Chicago. In collaboration with Neighborspace, his work measured garden yields and examined challenges facing these spaces, including access to water, healthy soil and land tenure; this research is integrated into his coursework in food systems.

“Learning how to create a report from start to finish was something that set me apart when I interviewed for a job after graduation. I brought a report I had worked on for an Applied Housing Analysis course to my interview with The Lakota Group. Being able to think critically about an issue and then visually communicate the analysis put me at an advantage at a firm where every project essentially ends in a concise and graphic report.”

Rachael (MA ’17)

Associate Planner/Designer, The Lakota Group 

Alumni Network

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers a wide range of experiential learning, community-based internships and study abroad experiences to help prepare students for life after graduation. With a network of 8,900 fellow College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences master’s-level graduates in Chicago and beyond, you have a variety of opportunities to grow your professional and academic connections.

Scholarships & Aid

Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.

Admission Requirements

??To be eligible for the sustainable urban development program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, successful applicants will demonstrate a strong academic record, coursework and/or professional experience in sustainable development or related fields, and an interest in pursuing a career related to sustainable urban development.

Applicants

International Applicants

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Applicants

Please note that the information provided is current as of September 2022 and is subject to change.

 

Learn more about Graduate Admission.

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

Students complete 13 courses (52 credit hours).

Required Core (5 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
SUD 401	SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT I: PLANNING, POLICY & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	4
SUD 402	SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT II: APPLIED ANALYSIS OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY	4
SUD 404	URBAN DESIGN LABORATORY	4
SUD 501	PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT	4
SUD 502	CAPSTONE - PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO	4

Interdisciplinary Requirements (5 courses)

Geography

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
GEO 441	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	4
GEO 442	GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT	4

Public Service 

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select two of the following:		8
MPS 511	SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MPS 526	LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
MPS 541	ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
MPS 571	METROPOLITAN PLANNING
MPS 572	POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY
MPS 573	HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Statistics 

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:		4
SOC 402	STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
MPS 533	APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL)
MPS 536	APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING SPSS)
GEO 491	STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR GIS
IT 403	STATISTICS AND DATA ANALYSIS
MAT 448	STATISTICAL METHODS USING SAS

Electives (3 courses)

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select three of the following:		12
ENV 402	URBAN ECOLOGY
ENV 506	SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS, HUMAN NEEDS, & SYSTEMS THINKING
GEO 445	PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON FOR GIS
GEO 446	GIS ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH
GEO 447	WEB GIS AND SPATIAL DATA VISUALIZATION ON THE WEB
GEO 448	SPATIAL DATA SCIENCE
GEO 491	STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR GIS
GSB 595	DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES: PRACTICUM
INT 408	NATURE, SOCIETY, AND POWER
MLS 404	THE CITY
MPH 557	ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
MPS 511	SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 526	LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 541	ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 542	POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
MPS 546	ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
MPS 571	METROPOLITAN PLANNING (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 572	POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 573	HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
MPS 576	ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
MPS 577	ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND MEDIATED SOLUTIONS
MPS 578	URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY
MPS 579	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
RE 525	PROJECT MANAGEMENT: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
RE 798	SPECIAL TOPICS (Sustainability & the Built Environment)
SOC 412	DATA ANALYSIS (if not taken as an Interdisciplinary Requirement)
SOC 426	URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
SOC 495	SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
SUD 403	BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT: PRACTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION
SUD 420	SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOOD SYSTEMS
SUD 430	SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION
SUD 433	URBAN PLANNING
SUD 451	SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND FOOD JUSTICE
SUD 490	SPECIAL TOPICS
SUD 499	INDEPENDENT STUDY
WRD 521	TECHNICAL WRITING
WRD 526	GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING

Other courses may be taken as electives, with advisor approval.

Non-Credit Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
SUD 600	CANDIDACY CONTINUATION	0
SUD 601	CANDIDACY MAINTENANCE	0

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