Introduction
We are training the next generation of urban problem-solvers to 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 access to clean air and water, affordable renewable energy, food, education, healthcare, and housing, an Urban Sustainability MA 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 (the first and fourteenth weeks of the semester) and a high-touch online experience.
A central component of the first week of every semester is our Big Question Lab, an intensive engagement with a strategic community organization around an important sustainability question.
We believe that the greatest learning takes place by doing and then reflecting on our work in order to transform communities. Through fieldwork placements, 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 on a high-touch online environment. Class discussions and collaborations range from asynchronous online 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 semesters. Fall/Winter semester begins in late October; Spring/Summer semester begins in late April. 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 four 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 third semester, one at the beginning of their fourth semester, and a final one at the end of their program.
Requirements
Year One
Semester One
- Science for Urban Sustainability
- Eco Systems Thinking
- Fieldwork Planning
Semester Two
- Sustainable Urban Economies
- Fieldwork 1
- Research & Writing for Practitioners
- Urban Infrastructure
Year Two
Semester Three
- Fieldwork 2
- Research/Capstone Proposal
- Participatory Planning
Semester Four
- Capstone
- Two electives selected from the following options:
- Adaptive Leadership for Sustainable Change
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories
- Funding Your Mission: Grant Writing
- Group Facilitation
- Practical Map Making
- The Power of Story: Creating Strategy, Meme and Messages for Social Change
- Introduction to Environmental Journalism
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 attend a total of 7 residencies and need to enroll for 4 semesters rather than 3 in order for the GIS courses to maintain their necessary sequencing. The first 3 semesters are full-time terms, whereas the fourth one can be half-time.
The requirements are as follows:
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
Semester Four
- Capstone
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.
Admissions
How to Apply:
- Complete the Online Application.
- Submit the $50 non-refundable Application Fee
- Note: The application fee is waived for anyone attending an information session. Interested in attending, sign up now. The application fee is also waived for all AULA alumni
- Complete and submit the Admissions Dialogue Essay.
- Send in official transcript indicating Bachelor’s degree conferral from a regionally accredited college or university. Requested copy of official transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Antioch University Los Angeles from the institution from which you received your accredited bachelor’s degree. A student copy of a transcript may be submitted with your application, but official transcripts are required upon admission.
Please submit all materials to: Admissions Office, 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230
Admissions Deadline
| Semester | International*/Priority** Application | Final Application Deadline*** | 1st 6-day On-Campus Residency | 1st 4-day Off-Site Residency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring/Summer 2019 | Feb 11, 2019 | Apr 1, 2019 | Apr 23-29, 2019 | Jul 25-28, 2019 |
| Fall 2019/Winter 2020 | Aug 13, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | Oct 22-27, 2019 | Jan 23-26, 2020 |
| Spring/Summer 2020 | Feb 11, 2020 | Apr 1, 2020 | Apr 21-26, 2020 | Jul 30-Aug 2, 2020 |
| Fall 2020/Winter 2021 | Aug 11, 2020 | Oct 1, 2020 | Oct 27-Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 28-31, 2021 |
LEARN MORE
Cost
The Urban Sustainability (MA) is a 32 unit degree semester program that costs $1,205 per semester unit.
- Full-time students take 7-11 units per semester.
- Part-time students take 3-6 units per semester.
Please note: Additional fees for all Antioch University Los Angeles programs may include (but are not necessarily limited to) charges for materials, late registration, enrollment maintenance, parking, graduation, transcripts, tuition payment plan, late payments, late registration, and returned checks.
LEARN MORE
Financial Aid
A majority of AULA students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AULA. Returning to school is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one.
Interested in the USMA with the incorporated GIS Certificate?
cmcdonald1@antioch.edu
Learn more about the Peace Corps/Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program
Download the Sustainability Department Brochure
The Sustainability Committee seeks to ensure that the impact of AULA is one that integrates environmental protection, resource conservation, clean energy practices, protection of public health, justice awareness, and strengthening of academic and popular sustainability education efforts through development of policy, engagement, and practice.
New Student Orientation
MA in Urban Sustainability |
|
|---|---|
| Fall 2019 | Monday, October 21, ; 8am-3pm |
Residency Details
Residencies occur during the first and fourteenth week of each semester. The Week One residencies occur over a six-day period and are held on the AULA campus in Culver City, California. The Week Fourteen residencies last for four days, are held off-site, and include residential accommodations.
Students are required to fully participate in six residencies.
In the first year of the program, students participate in four residences. (2 six-day and 2 four-day).
In the third semester of the program, students are required to attend the 2 six-day residencies–one during Week One of the semester and one during the first week of the following semester. During the latter residency, graduating students participate in The Big Question Lab and deliver a public presentation of their Capstone Projects. Third-semester students may also choose to participate in any or all of the four-day, Week-Fourteen residency activities.
Related Degrees
Bachelor of Applied Arts in Urban Communities and Justice
Bachelor of Applied Arts
LEARN MORE
Dual Urban Sustainability MA and MFA Creative Writing
Master of Arts & Master of Fine Arts
LEARN MORE
Certificate in Applied Spatial Analysis for Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Certificate
LEARN MORE