Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the urban and metropolitan studies program is for students who have a yearning to study and understand urban theory in order to effectively address the challenges of rapid growth, along with other contemporary urban issues. Our students discover what makes the city tick — and the city is their classroom. They examine challenges and solutions by researching history, society, culture, economy and politics in order to understand urban theory. They use that knowledge to get involved in their communities, giving them an outlet through which they can experience practical ways of solving complex problems faced by metropolitan regions. Our students are invested in their neighborhoods. Many of them live and work downtown. In the urban and metropolitan studies program, they learn how to improve urban health and well-being, often training themselves to be the future leaders of our urban environments. Our students don't stop there; others focus on making a wide variety of other contributions to society, studying the role of arts and culture, business and property development, revitalization and community-building in the life of the region. This major is eligible for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program at the following location: Downtown Phoenix campus. Students from Western states, who select this major and campus, may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition at a rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

The urban and metropolitan studies program prepares students for work in a wide range of fields. The interdisciplinary approach of the program allows graduates to successfully enter fields as diverse as: architecture and finance city management and policy city planning and law nonprofit management real estate development Graduates from this program work in public, private and not-for-profit fields dedicated to improving urban life. Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in: arts administration business education historic preservation journalism law public administration public policy real estate development urban planning and other fields Example Careers: Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to the following: *growth *median salary Appraisers, Real Estate 4.6% $48,870 Architectural and Engineering Managers Green OccupationGreen 6.16% $122,190 Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 15.12% $73,070 Assessors 4.6% $48,870 Chief Executives Bright OutlookBright Outlook $166,910 Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other 15.7% not available Compliance Managers Green Occupation Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary $59,480 Distance Learning Coordinators Bright Outlook 23.88% $76,730 Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs 9.19% $41,060 First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 8.06% $77,890 Foresters 12.13% $55,190 Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 15.12% $80,330 General and Operations Managers Green Occupation Bright Outlook $95,150 Investment Fund Managers Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Legislators 0.72% $19,630 Logistics Managers Green Occupation Bright Outlook $80,860 Loss Prevention Managers Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Postmasters and Mail Superintendents $62,920 Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers 8.42% $52,510 Real Estate Brokers 8.57% $59,340 Real Estate Sales Agents Bright Outlook 16.16% $39,070 Regulatory Affairs Managers Green Occupation Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Security Managers Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 15.12% $71,600 Social and Community Service Managers 13.78% $58,660 Sociologists 21.9% $73,670 Supply Chain Managers Green Occupation Bright Outlook 7.32% $99,540 Transportation Managers Green Occupation $80,860 Urban and Regional Planners Green Occupation 19.02% $64,100