Urban Studies Major

Program Highlights

• Internship Opportunities

  As an urban studies major, you will complete an internship. As part of this course, you will intern in a variety of settings, like: 

  • local government planning departments. 
  • consulting firms. 
  • urban, suburban or rural businesses.
  • non-profit organizations. 

• Location

  Have you ever thought about the significance of maintaining a city’s character such as Charleston’s?

  Have you ever wondered how Charleston has been able to balance the preservation of the historic character with the planning and cultivating of a city of responsible growth and development?

  Have you considered how cities can efficiently plan for diverse community interests while meeting the pressing challenges of the 21st century, including:

  • urban growth.
  • sustainability.
  • food supply decreases.
  • poverty.
  • flooding and sea-level rise.
  • other environmentally sensitive pressures.
  • demographic changes
  • housing and employment needs.
  • transportation.
  • implementing adequate service infrastructure.

  Because the College of Charleston is located in the center of such a unique city - the city of Charleston - you will learn all that goes on to ensure that these questions are properly addressed.

  The connection to the city allows you to not just learn about, but also experience how the history and background of cities and urban life began and developed over the years. you'll understand how land use laws, environmental policies and social protections are adopted through political process.

• Faculty Expertise

  Our faculty include professors from history, political science, sociology, economics and urban studies. You'll find faculty that study and research in other disciplines as well, such as historic preservation and community planning and psychology.