About Us
The Department of Urban and Public Affairs prepares students to improve cities and public systems through interdisciplinary education grounded in policy, planning and community engagement.
Explore Comprehensive Programs
The Department of Urban and Public Affairs offers comprehensive programs in urban studies, planning, sustainability and public administration. We foster analytical thinking, civic awareness and hands-on learning, preparing students for careers in planning, policy and public service through engaged teaching, research and community partnerships.
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History & Mission
The University of Louisville is home to Kentucky's first urban planning degree – the capstone of a department built, from the start, to shape communities through research, practice and public service. The Department of Urban and Public Affairs traces its roots to 1966, when it began as the Urban Studies Center in the university president's office, at a time when housing, land use and growth were pressing concerns for cities and states.
The work was action-oriented from day one. A 1968 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funded an experimental graduate program in community development, laying the groundwork for today's graduate degrees in public administration and urban and public affairs. The department became its own college in 1983 and now makes its home in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Innovation still defines it. That landmark master's in urban planning arrived in 2002 as a statewide first, and newer undergraduate programs in sustainability (2017) and urban studies (2020) reflect an evolving, interdisciplinary vision – preparing students to lead, plan and serve the cities of today and tomorrow.
Who We Serve
You belong here – whether you’re just beginning your academic journey or advancing your professional impact. The Department of Urban and Public Affairs serves:
- Undergraduate majors in Urban Studies and Sustainability
- Students pursuing minors (Sustainability) or undergraduate certificates (Peace, Justice, and Conflict Transformation)
- Learners fulfilling Cardinal Core requirements
- Graduate students in master’s and PhD programs
Across undergraduate and graduate levels, you’ll explore how cities work, how policy shapes lives and how sustainability and equity drive the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our graduates take jobs in government, the nonprofit sector, or private industry. Approximately 60% of alumni work in government and nonprofits and the other 40% work in industry.
Yes! We offer an accelerated bachelor of science in urban studies and masters of urban planning, as well as an accelerated bachelor of arts in sustainability and masters of urban planning.
Build Tomorrow's Sustainable Communities Today
Ready to turn your commitment to sustainable cities, equitable policy, and community development into professional impact? Explore Urban and Public Affairs at the University of Louisville — where the Urban Studies bachelor's degree, NASPAA-accredited MPA, and Master of Urban Planning prepare graduates to lead the organizations, governments, and initiatives that shape how communities grow and thrive.