Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Fordham University offers the Bachelor of Urban Studies as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses in Manhattan , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for urban studies and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 30, 2027.

    About Bachelor of Urban Studies

    For the first time in human history, more people live in cities than on farms. How do cities differ from Anchorage to Santiago, Reykjavik to Tokyo, Casablanca to Capetown? What happens when so many people cluster so close together? How do people think, work, and live? Who excels, and who falls behind?

    Designed as an interdisciplinary program, our program offers a broad introduction to the city and the urban environment. You'll combine coursework and research in a variety of disciplines with hands-on experience in New York City as well as other American and international cities.

    You'll graduate ready to pursue a wide range of careers in government service, community development, nonprofit, journalism, teaching, social work, public policy, architecture, urban planning, law, and more.

    You'll learn more than urban studies here. You'll also study philosophy, theology, history, mathematics, languages, science, and the performing arts through Fordham's common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education.

    We want you to excel in your field__and as a human being.

    As an urban studies major, you'll take 10 courses. It's an interdisciplinary program, so you'll take classes in a range of disciplines, including:

    • Sociology
    • Economics
    • Political Science
    • African American Studies
    • Latino Studies
    • Architecture
    • Urban Design
    • Environmental Studies

    We also offer an urban design and architecture concentration that will prepare you for graduate study in urban and regional planning, architecture, and landscape architecture.

    Internships

    What better place to put your urban studies knowledge to work than New York City? An internship is an integral__and required__part of the urban studies major. We connect you with community organizations where you can choose from a variety of fields, including:

    • Tutoring
    • Youth Leadership
    • Housing
    • Urban and Economic Development
    • Counseling
    • Advocacy
    • Architecture and Planning

    Study Abroad

    We enthusiastically encourage you to venture abroad for your urban studies education. There is a globe of possibilities available through Fordham's International and Study Abroad Program.

    Some of the countries where universities offer urban studies and planning courses:

    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Brazil
    • Dominican Republic
    • France
    • India
    • Jordan
    • Korea
    • Portugal
    • Senegal

    Sample Courses
    Urban Politics
    Urban Psychology
    Architectural Design
    Anthropology of Cities
    Islamic City
    Urban Economics
    Green Architecture
    European Cities
    East Asian Cities
    The African City
    Urban Poverty

    The interdisciplinary approach of the urban studies major prepares you for a wide range of careers. Some of the many places our graduates have landed:

    __in the nonprofit sector:

    • Hostos Center for Arts and Culture
    • United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg
    • Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

    __in urban planning, architecture, and urban design:

    • New York City Department of Planning
    • American Society of Landscape Architects New York Chapter
    • Metropolitan Planning Council

    __in real estate, development, consulting, and management:

    • Centerline Capital Group
    • MP Engineers, P.C.
    • MTA Capital Construction

    __in business and finance:

    • Citi
    • Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
    • Symantec

    __in education and research:

    • Chicago Public Schools
    • San Francisco State University
    • NASA Ames Research Center

    __in lobbying and government:

    • Stop the Violence, Office of the Mayor, City of New York
    • Farmers Market, City of Ann Arbor
    • U.S. Department of Labor's Emergency Management Center

    __in medicine and health:

    • Holy Name Medical Center
    • Medic Mobile
    • Franciscan Hospital for Children

    __in arts and design:

    • WNYC Radio
    • London Artscom, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
    • Bruno NYC MSY Design

    You get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have.

    Disciplines

    ARTS AND HUMANITIES

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Entry Requirements

    • Common Application, including the essay and optional short answer response in the writing section, and the $70 application fee. 
    • Letter of Recommendation
    • Transcripts
    • English Language Proficiency Test Results
      • International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency through English Language Proficiency test results.
        • TOEFL iBT: 90+ (Fordham code: 2259)
        • TOEFL ITP Level 1 Test with Vericant Interview option (China only): 575+
        • IELTS & IELTS Indicator: 7.0+
        • Duolingo English Test (DET): 125+
        • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 65+
      • International students who are not submitting required TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE results must complete the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver Request Form linked within the online applicant portal after an application has been officially submitted.
      • Applicants who live in the New York City area can alternatively take Fordham’s ESL placement evaluation (FELT) at the Institute of American Language and Culture. Email [email protected] or call +1-212-636-6353 to make an appointment.
    • Fordham University Statement of Funding or CSS Profile 
      • Fordham University has a need-aware admission process for first-year applicants who plan to attend Fordham for the Fall term on a non-immigrant visa.
      • Applicants who plan to fully fund their study at Fordham are required to complete the Fordham University Statement of Funding. This form will be available to eligible applicants upon submission of the application.
      • Applicants who plan to partially fund their study at Fordham and will apply for need-based financial aid are required to complete the CSS Profile and demonstrate an ability to pay (Expected Family Contribution) at least $30,000 USD per year.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 7
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Application Fee 70

    How to Apply for Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University

    Required Components:

    • The Common Application, including an essay 
    • High school transcript
    • Letter of recommendation

    Optional Components:

    • SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 2259; ACT code: 2748). We are test-optional for the 2023-2024 admission cycle. Please review our additional guidance on test score submission.
    • Optional short responses
      • Additional information
      • COVID-19 impact
      • Unique Fordham question

    Selecting a College and a Campus

    • Students must select a campus when they apply to Fordham, either Rose Hill in the Bronx or Lincoln Center in Manhattan. 
    • Students must also select a college when they apply to Fordham, either Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center or the Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
    • Students are only evaluated for the campus and college to which they apply. 

    We’re here to help!

    • Make sure to check out what we're looking for in our applicants.
    • Requirements for international, transfer, as well as theatre, dance, and visual arts majors differ--so we have some helpful guidelines on these pages.
    • Due to our large applicant pool, we are unable to accommodate requests for personal interviews.

    Application Deadlines

    Note on application deadlines: For Fordham University, we would like your application to be as complete as possible by the deadline. We do understand that it is not always possible for official scores and supporting documents to arrive with the application. Only the Common Application needs to arrive on or before the deadline. However, we should receive any other supporting documents within two weeks of the deadline.

    Fall Admission

    • Early Action (Non-Binding)*: November 1
      • *Applicants to Dance and Theatre majors apply Early Action.
    • Early Decision I (Binding): November 1
    • Regular Decision: January 3
    • Early Decision II (Binding): January 3

    Spring Admission

    • November 1 Deadline
      • Students who are looking to enroll at Fordham in January 2024 should apply as Spring 2024 applicants.

    Information About Application Fee Waivers
    Our institution proudly participates in the following fee waiver programs:

    • College Board’s SAT-to-College Application Fee-Waiver Program. If you took the SAT using a fee waiver, you automatically qualify for a college application fee waiver to apply for admission here at Fordham University. You can learn more about this program at College Board.
    • Students can also select the "NACAC Fee Waiver" option on the Common Application.
    • We are pleased to offer waived application fees for members and dependents of members of the US Armed Forces. If you indicate you are a veteran on the Common Application, we will automatically waive your fee.
    • You’ll find a range of other fee waiver options on the Common Application. Please select the one that fits you best.

    Am I a first-year student or a transfer student?
    Any student who earns college credit after completing a secondary school diploma is considered a transfer student, regardless of the number of credits completed. Both matriculated and non-matriculated students who earn credit will be considered a transfer. If you have audited a class or completed noncredit coursework, then you may be considered an incoming first-year student. Typically, students who complete language intensive classes, who do not earn credit, are considered incoming first-year students.

    Students who begin their studies at a college or university and withdraw prior to earning credit must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission via email at [email protected] to confirm their status. In order to be considered as a first-year, a student must withdraw prior to the add/drop date at the institution they attended and provide official documentation (college transcript, withdrawal form) indicating the date of their withdrawal. In addition, to be considered a first year, the student must not have had any financial aid disbursed from the federal government while at the college or university that he or she attended.

    The Office of Undergraduate Admission will exercise professional judgment and consider each student’s circumstances to ensure that, regardless of status (first year or transfer), the best interest of the student’s needs are met related to enrollment.

    Note: Fordham University (its undergraduate colleges, graduate and professional schools) is an eligible institution of higher education that admits as students only persons who (i) have a high school diploma (ii) have a recognized equivalent.

    Bachelor of Urban Studies at Fordham University
    Fordham University
    Fordham University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Manhattan

    WhatsApp student consultation with YouApply