If cities fascinate you and you want some hands-on experience included in your course credits, the urban studies program is for you. This is a small program that gives students the opportunity to learn by doing. Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers in such areas as planning, public relations, law, politics, real estate and community development. The Program is suited for those students who wish to study cities using several disciplinary approaches. It is also of interest to those students who wish to become involved in urban issues in Toronto. The Program offers an internship in the office of either a municipal politician, non-profit research group, or other government organization as part of its experiential learning program. Class sizes are typically small and interaction with other students and professors is enriched Because urban issues are so varied, a Specialist, Major or Minor in Urban Studies combines well with many other programs of study. Students are advised to consult the Program Director when designing programs that meet their particular interests.

Careers Because the urban studies program is interdisciplinary, our graduates find employment in a variety of places. Much of this depends on the issues you as a student find most interesting. Students specializing in housing related studies may find employment with a public sector agency that regulates the provision of public housing, for example, or a private sector developer of high-rise condominium projects. Students specializing in urban environmental issues may find work developing urban sustainability plans for municipalities, or assisting private sector developers meet government requirements for the remediation and re-use of contaminated lands. Many of our graduates decide to continue with their studies in graduate and/or professional programs. Historically, about one third of our graduates go on to graduate school, usually to pursue degrees in planning, architecture, or law.