Undergraduate Degrees in CUPPA

Discover our programs

Welcome, all prospective students!

At the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA), our staff and faculty are here to help you match your hopes for the future with the skills to make real change possible. We teach students to first understand the needs and strengths of communities and then work together to improve them. In Chicago and around the world, we strive to create just, resilient, and livable communities.

Recognized For Excellence Heading link

# 5 in Urban Policy
# 3 in the Midwest
# 8 In City Programs

Public Policy Major Heading link

The Public Policy degree will lead students to analyze public problems and policies that impact our communities and training students to create equitable solutions. Public Policy majors take an internship course to integrate classroom learning with practical experience in a real workplace environment before graduation.

CAREERS:

This degree will help you get ready for jobs in a wide range of city government departments and nonprofit organizations. Job placement areas include policy analysis, data analysis, public finance, community organizing, government staffing, and more. A bachelor’s in public policy is a great foundation for graduate degrees in public policy/ public administration and other similar degrees including pursuing a law degree.

Explore our BA in Public Policy

Urban Studies Major Heading link

The Urban Studies degree will give students the tools to analyze urban issues from many different academic and practical perspectives in a department dedicated exclusively to the city. Urban Studies majors take a Senior Capstone course to tackle a real-world project with a local nonprofit or government agency. This experience provides great problem-solving skills development, and networking connections.

CAREERS:

This degree will lead to careers in a wide range of city government departments and nonprofit organizations. Job placement areas include urban planning, data analysis, policy analysis, urban agriculture, public finance, community and economic development, environmental protection, and more. A bachelor’s in urban studies is a great foundation for graduate school in urban planning and similar master’s degrees.

Explore our BA in Urban Studies

Minors Heading link

CUPPA Minors are a Complement to any Major. Whether you choose to major at CUPPA or not, you can select a CUPPA minor to use your general elective credits to gain tangible skills that will help you make a difference upon graduation.