The Urban Studies and Planning (USP) Program, founded in the 1970s, is one of UCSD's leading interdisciplinary undergraduate programs. It currently has 33 regular and affiliated faculty members representing a variety of backgrounds, approaches, and disciplines. The USP Program is widely acknowledged to be one of the best in the nation, based upon the caliber of its faculty and graduates as well as its comprehensive set of courses and rigorous requirements. An external Steering Committee, comprised of community leaders and alumni, provides guidance on program development.

USP draws from the various social science disciplines as well as arts and humanities and the natural sciences. The curriculum focuses upon regional planning and policy issues, particularly in the San Diego/Tijuana cross border region, and encourages students to think creatively and holistically across academic divides. Areas of concentration include Urban/Regional Policy and Planning; Urban Design/Built Environment; Health, Social Services and Education; Urban Diversity; and Cities in Historical and Comparative Perspectives.

The USP major provides students with a solid liberal arts background as well as the analytical and technical skills needed for successful graduate study and professional work in a number of fields. USP graduates have gone on to the nation's leading graduate and professional schools and to illustrative careers. USP majors pursue graduate study in planning, public policy, law, architecture, public administration, medicine, and public health. Many students find employment opportunities through their internship placement.

The Urban Studies and Planning Major

A bachelor of arts degree in urban studies and planning will be given to students who satisfactorily complete the general-education requirements of Revelle, Muir, Marshall, Warren, Roosevelt, or Sixth College in addition to the urban studies and planning courses.

The undergraduate program in Urban Studies and Planning requires a three-quarter lower-division sequence in urban studies; USP 1, USP 2, USP 3, and POLI 30 Political Inquiry; and twelve upper-division courses that serve the Urban Studies and Planning major. Students are encouraged to complete the lower-division courses before they enroll in the upper-division courses. In accordance with campus academic regulations, courses used to satisfy the major cannot be applied toward a minor, although some overlap is allowed for double majors. Lower-division and upper-division requirements must be taken for a letter grade, and graded C- or higher to count toward the major. A 2.0 grade-point average is required for all courses in the major. Transfer students should see the USP student affairs advisor to determine whether courses taken elsewhere satisfy USP major requirements. No more than one special studies course, USP 198, USP 199, will be accepted to count towards the major.

USP Senior Sequence

In their senior year, all students must complete the senior sequence, USP 186 in the fall, and USP 187 in the winter.  These courses must be taken IN ORDER. The sequence develops each students ability to: (1) critically review literature research, (2) formulate interesting research questions of their own, (3) design an original research project and investigative strategy, (4) conduct research, and (5) analyze, interpret, and write up findings. The final requirement of USP 186 is a research proposal. By the end of USP 187 each student must complete a Senior Research Project.

Because the senior sequence includes an internship, no other internship of field placement will be counted towards the major.

Senior Honors Seminar

Candidates for Honors in Urban Studies and Planning are required to take USP 190 Senior Honors Seminar, in which students write a senior thesis. Prerequisites for enrolling in USP 190 are a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major, senior standing, USP 186 and USP 187, and consent of instructor. Majors who plan to enroll in USP 190 must declare their intent fall quarter in USP 186.