Additional Learning Experiences

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning offers several unique learning opportunities. The following courses and programs create hands on experiential learning opportunities for students in all of our majors and minors.

Experiential/Community Engaged Learning Opportunities

• Climate Justice/Action/Resilience Scholars Program (CJARS):
  Learn about the climate crisis (including climate justice, health, and equity) through hands-on, community-based learning, research, and action.
• Life Course Scholars (LCS) Program:
  Find a new perspective on aging, health, learning, and research through a cross-generational learning experience in San Diego's communities.
• Mexican Migration Field Research Program (MMFRP):
  Expand your knowledge of the consequences of migration and forced displacement and train to become the next generation of immigrant advocates.
• Urban Challenges: Food Systems:
  Learn about the environmental and social impacts of food systems and food policy and foster cultural relationships through recipe sharing, harvesting, and cooking
• Urban Challenges: Homelessness in San Diego:
  Understand how people are affected by homelessness in San Diego through hands-on research like oral history interviews.

Internship and Applied Learning Opportunities

• NAIOP University Challenge:
  Compete in a head-to-head real estate competition and present research based on sustainable development, affordable housing, community benefits, and more to a panel of real estate professionals.
• UCDC:
  Intern for a quarter in Washington D.C.

Advanced Research and Instructional Opportunities

• Senior Honors Thesis:
  Take on a research project under supervision of a DUSP faculty member and earn departmental honors.
• Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice:
  Assist and undergraduate course and learn how to teach through applied practice.