Introduction to the Major
The Urban Studies major educates students on the significance and implications of the global movement towards urbanization. The major trains undergraduates for a variety of future careers and fields of graduate study that are related to urban studies and planning. These include practice-oriented fields such as urban planning, law, non-profit management, and public policy, as well as research-oriented fields such as geography, sociology, and anthropology. Above all, the intent of the major is to produce urban citizens and global leaders.
Admission to the Major
First-year applicants must declare the major at the time of application to the College of Environmental Design (CED). However, current UC Berkeley students may apply to change colleges into CED if admission requirements are met and space is available. Transfer applicants must complete lower division college and major requirements prior to Berkeley to be considered for admission to CED.
The department offers a minor in City Planning. The minor is open to undergraduate students at UC Berkeley except those in the Urban Studies major.
Amplify Your Major
- Get involved with the college as a CED Admissions Ambassador or as a member of the Undergraduate Student Council or CED student organization such as the Berkeley Urban Studies Student Association.
- Complete a course thread in the Historical and Modern City or certificate in Global Urban Humanities.
- Study Urban Studies in international contexts through Berkeley Summer Abroad.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet your CED advisor in 250 Bauer Wurster Hall or virtually via Zoom.
- Review the Urban Studies Major Handbook for degree requirements, sample study plans, and student resources.
- Enroll in ENV DES 1 Intro to Environmental Design and ENV DES 5 Cities and Sites.
Connect and Build Community
- Meet other CED students at a CED social event.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
- Join a CED student group such as the Berkeley Urban Studies Student Association.
Discover Your Passions
- Join the CED Info Hub—the central place for announcements and enrichment opportunities.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore career resources on the CED website.
- Attend the CED Career Fair to learn about possible careers.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete your lower division major requirements.
- Consider additional academic degree programs and whether you want to pursue any minors, certificates or simultaneous degrees.
- Consider doing a course thread in the Historical Modern City or certificate in Global Urban Humanities.
Connect and Build Community
- Apply to be a CED Admissions Ambassador, CED Community Fellow or a member of the CED Undergraduate Student Council.
- Attend college events like the CED Lecture Series and CED Circus.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Explore campus beyond Bauer Wurster Hall.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Browse faculty research taking place in CED.
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Help prospective and incoming students as a CED Admissions Ambassador.
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Check out events from SPUR and other local organizations.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Shadow alumni in the Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Continue following the graduation plan in your major handbook.
- Check your degree progress in your Academic Progress Report (APR) in CalCentral.
- Complement your major with a summer minor or CED minor such as History of the Built Environment.
Connect and Build Community
- Represent CED on the Student Advisory Council on Undergraduate Education or another campus advisory committee.
- Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
- Attend seminars and workshops hosted by the Institute of Urban and Regional Development.
- Check out CED research opportunities.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
- Apply for CED prizes and awards to fund your studies and projects.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
- Get inspired by what others have done in the City & Regional Planning online gallery.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Conduct informational interviews. Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
- Update your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “dream list” courses and finish remaining major, college, and university requirements.
- Enroll in a required upper division capstone course, such as a thesis, research or planning studio, or field experience.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional association such as the American Planning Association (APA).
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Advisory Associate, KPMG
- Analyst, BAE Urban Economics
- Asst. Management Analyst, City of San Diego
- Asst. Project Manager, Habitat for Humanity
- Asst. transit planner, City of Union City
- Designer, IDEO
- Designer/Drafter, CA Landscape & Design
- Electric Bike Mechanic, Electric Bikes LA
- Investment Analyst, Prudential
- Junior Designer, BDE Architects
- Park Planner, Central Park Conservancy
- Research Asst., CapitalEdge
- Senior Urban Planning Consultant, Hatch
- Sourcing Coordinator, Clif Bar & Company
- Transit Data Specialist, Swiftly
- Transportation Planner, City of Oakland
Graduate Programs
- Energy & Resources, PhD
- City and Regional Planning, Master’s, Phd
- Urban Studies
- Architecture
- Landscape Architecture
- Real Estate Development
- City Planning
- Land Use Law
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ced.berkeley.edu/news-events for news and updates.
Advising
Advising for prospective and current students is available in-person at the CED Office of Undergraduate Advising in 250 Bauer Wurster Hall and virtually via Zoom. See ced.berkeley.edu/advising/connect-with-advising for the advising schedule.
Advising Hours
Fall/Spring: Tuesday - Friday 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
Summer: Tuesday - Friday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm
Visit ced.berkeley.edu/advising/undergraduate-advising for more information or with advising questions.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
