The undergraduate major in Urban and Community Studies is an interdisciplinary program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a focus on educating citizens on the multiple dimensions of urban and community life and preparing students for careers in public and community service as well as graduate study in social work, public administration, law, planning, public health, or other related areas.

The major has three parts. First, students receive a broad education in the study of cities, suburbs, neighborhoods and communities through core courses in three academic subject areas drawn from Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, and Urban and Community Studies. Second, students acquire a solid foundation in analytical techniques such as quantitative methods (e.g., statistical analysis of survey research), qualitative methods (e.g., textual analysis of interview, observational, ethnographic and archival research),  and geographic information systems . Finally, students take additional electives in order to broaden their academic training or to develop a deeper specialization in selected areas.