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Senior Sequence for Urban Studies and Planning Majors

Updated 7/13/26

The Senior Sequence Capstone (USP-186 & USP-187) is designed to take the USP Major course material and put it into practice through an individual Senior Research Project (SRP). This is an opportunity for USP students to pursue a topic of interest and build out their portfolio. The Senior Sequence culminates with a poster display at the Urban Expo in March.

All students must complete the senior sequence during their final year at UC San Diego. USP-186 is only offered in the fall, and USP-187 in the winter. These courses must be taken in order.

USP-186 is restricted to USP Seniors and has the following prerequisite courses:

  • USP-030: Urban Studies and Planning Colloquium (2 units)*
  • USP-060: The Practice of Planning Research*
  • USP-124: Land Use Planning
  • Research Methods
  • Technical Elective

*USP-030 and USP-060 were added as prerequisites for students completing USP-186 in Fall 2025 and later.  The previous lower div stats class will also be accepted for continuing students who entered UCSD prior to Fall 2024. USP-030 has important scaffolding to help students prepare for their internship search.

USP-186 is a prerequisite for USP-187.

The sequence develops each students ability to:

  1. critically review published scholarly literature research 
  2. formulate interesting research questions of their own 
  3. design an original research project and investigative strategy 
  4. conduct research ethically
  5. analyze, interpret, and share research 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.

Internship Requirement

USP-186/USP-187 requires a 100-hour internship component.  Students are encouraged to start looking for and applying for internships the summer prior to USP-186.  

  • Internships must be secured by week 3 of fall quarter.
  • Students must start their internship by week 5 of fall quarter.
  • The Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning does not place students in internships; students are required to secure their own internship.  A variety of resources are available to help students in this process including, DUSP's Director of Industry Relations and Student Professional Development (internship/career advising), the Academic Internship Program (AIP), and the faculty instructors for USP-186/USP-187.
  • Once students have secured an internship they need to inform DUSP via this Google form.
  • Students also must complete a learning agreement and track their internship hours with AIP.  Directions can be found online. 
    • Hours may be counted as of September 1st, no earlier.
    • Students who start their hours in September have until the end of Week 1 to submit their learning agreement. 
    • Students who start their hours after the start of the fall quarter have two weeks from when they start their hours to submit their learning agreement.   
  • Because the senior sequence includes an internship, no other internship of field placement will be counted towards the major.
  • Additional links and information found below.

USP Senior Sequence Frequently Asked Questions 

USP Senior Sequence Orientation 2026

2026 Senior Sequence Orientation Slide Deck

USP Senior Sequence Orientation Transcript

Resource Links: