Urban Studies Degree Programs

Dynamic metropolitan regions are increasingly seen as central to economic, social, and political development throughout the world. Composed of one or more central cities, suburbs, and adjacent agricultural and natural areas, they are the essential building blocks of the global economy and the sources of social and political innovation. Scholars and activists have identified three major obstacles that need to be overcome in order to maintain the dynamism of these metropolitan regions: problems associated with growing social and economic inequalities between different places and population groups within the metropolitan region; environmental problems related to the prevailing pattern of urbanization; and the lack of effective institutions of regional governance.

Understanding metropolitan regions and their problems, and analyzing policies to shape their evolution and overcome obstacles are major concerns of the Urban Studies Ph.D., Master of Urban Studies, and Urban Studies/Regional Science Ph.D. programs at Portland State University. The Portland metropolitan area, which is widely known for its regional approach to dealing with these issues, is an excellent setting for both theoretical and applied studies of metropolitan region phenomena. The nation's only directly elected regional government is here. The state of Oregon and the metropolitan area are committed to fostering environmentally sustainable patterns of urban growth, as the ongoing transformation of the Pacific Northwest's historically resource-based economy continues. A variety of grassroots and official efforts aimed at dealing with social and economic inequalities are in place as well.

The doctoral programs explore these issues from multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary points of view. Through participation in classes and seminars, and supervised research and teaching activities, Ph.D. students are prepared for careers in institutions of higher education and in research organizations. M.U.S. graduates generally work in applied research and community-based advocacy settings.