MA in Urban Sustainability

Training the next generation of urban problem-solvers.

Meet the world’s dual challenges of climate change and inequality. If you dream about changing the system, our two-year program offers an educational home of like-minded students, faculty, and community partners who work and learn together in a hybrid, hands-on, cutting-edge program. Our urban centers can be just and sustainable places with effective educators, advocates, and agents of change leading the way. If you see yourself influencing how public policy is made; launching a disruptive, forward-thinking social enterprise; or working with urban communities to ensure equitable and affordable access to democratic governance, clean air and water, renewable energy, food, education, healthcare, and housing, a Master of Arts in Urban Sustainability (USMA) degree is the right one for you.

This degree is offered by AU Los Angeles.

Program Overview

Antioch University’s low-residency Urban Sustainability (MA) program involves intensive, problem-solving residencies and a high-touch online experience.

A central component of the first week of every semester is our Big Question Lab, an intensive partnership with a community-based organization where students problem solve around an injustice that community faces.

We believe that the greatest learning takes place by doing and then reflecting on our work in order to transform communities.Through designing and then carrying out two fieldwork internships, students enhance their professional skills, develop meaningful relationships in the field, and build self-confidence in their ability to make change.

In addition to in-person residencies, much of the Urban Sustainability (MA) coursework occurs online. Class discussions and collaborations range from student-only forums to real-time online classrooms. In the process, students become adept at working, communicating, and presenting online in much the same way that creative, dispersed groups solve urban sustainability problems together around the world.

Learn more about the Peace Corps/Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program

Degree Requirements

The graduate program in Urban Sustainability consists of 32 units of coursework, offered over a two-year period that is divided into four 16-week semesters. The Fall semester begins in late August; the Spring semester begins in late January. Students may enter the program at either semester.

During their first year, students engage in one 4-credit science-oriented course as well as two 3-credit content courses and a 2-unit research course. They also attend two residencies and begin their fieldwork during this first year.

In their second year of the program, students complete their core coursework, continue their fieldwork, and launch a capstone project while taking practice-based elective courses. Students attend two residencies in their second year and a final one at the end of their program.

Requirements

Year One

Semester One

• Science for Urban Sustainability
• Ecosystems Thinking
• Fieldwork Planning

Semester Two

• Sustainable Urban Economies
• Fieldwork 1
• Research & Writing for Practitioners
• Urban Infrastructure

Year Two

Semester Three

• Fieldwork 2
• Capstone Proposal
• Democratizing Community Planning

Semester Four

• Capstone
• Career Skills Portfolio

For detailed curriculum and degree requirements, please visit the AULA catalog.

Career Outlook

Graduates of the Urban Sustainability program have found meaningful careers in positions such as:

• Social and Green Business Entrepreneur/Consultant
• Sustainability Officer and Environmental Program Coordinator in the Public and Private Sector
• Policy Maker
• Community Activist and Advocate
• Sustainability Educator
• Community Organizer
• Program Director
• Executive Director

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Apply ecosystems thinking and a human-rights framework to the analysis of urban environments
• Utilize natural and social science theory, concepts, and principles to address urban sustainability challenges
• Produce effective strategies, at multiple scales, for sustainability planning, policy, and regulation
• Use effective research, communication, and reflective practice skills in service to urban sustainability
• Engage in collaboration, advocacy, and leadership to effect transformational change

Urban Sustainability Master of Arts Degree with Integrated GIS Certificate

The 36 unit USMA degree with an integrated Certificate in Applied Spatial Analysis for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) affords students the opportunity to earn both the MA degree and GIS certificate within 4 semesters. The GIS certificate is earned while satisfying several of the USMA program requirements.

Students completing both the MA degree and GIS certificate participate in the same program activities, with slightly different course sequencing.

The requirements are as follows:

Year One

Semester One

• Science for Urban Sustainability
• Ecosystems Thinking
• Fieldwork Planning

Semester Two

• GIS
• Research and Writing for Practitioners
• Urban Infrastructure
• Fieldwork 1

Year Two

Semester Three

• Advanced GIS
• Sustainable Urban Economies
• Participatory Planning
• Fieldwork 2

Semester Four

• Capstone

For detailed curriculum and certificate requirements, please visit the AULA Catalog.

The admissions requirements for the USMA/GIS Certificate program are the same as those for the stand-alone USMA program. An applicant may indicate on the application an intention to complete the integrated programs. Students who apply only to the USMA program may, with the advice of their USMA Mentor, elect to add the GIS option in Semester 2.

Students who need additional time to complete their capstone projects beyond their fourth semester have the option to enroll in Thesis Completion Status during a fifth semester for a nominal fee.

Additional Info

Residency Details

Residencies occur during the first week of each semester over a six-day period. Residencies are held on the AULA campus in Culver City, California.*

Students are required to fully participate in four residencies, with a capstone project presentation at a fifth.

*Note: Residencies will be held online through mid-2021.