Urban Studies

More than half of the world's population lives in cities, and the majority of work, living, and recreational spaces; cultural institutions; and ethical development and commercial activities exist in the context of cities and their surrounding metropolitan regions. As an Urban Studies student, you explore courses in multiple academic disciplines as you learn to address the myriad ways urbanization affects many facets of life, including politics, social justice, the environment, and the economy. You develop an understanding of the peoples and structures that make up cities both in the United States and internationally.  

Drawing on the expertise of faculty and courses from across the university, you can design a customized academic pathway for your personal interests and goals, exploring issues such as:

• The role of the city in the national and global economy
• How the city shapes and is shaped by cultural life and the natural environment
• The intersection of municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations in areas such as housing and homelessness, health, and social welfare
• How neighborhoods are created, destroyed, and revitalized
• How urban politics reflects these issues and drives change

Major requirements

Minor requirements

Interdisciplinary Excellence

Urban Studies is part of The New School's suite of cross-college, interdisciplinary undergraduate programs, which includes Global Studies, Environmental Studies, and Urban Studies. These interdisciplinary programs are designed to prepare students for the new careers of the 21st century.

Lang continues to offer courses and co-curricular opportunities in urban studies. Students who begin their studies at Lang in Fall 2026 or after can continue to explore this subject through:

• The Urban Studies minor.
• Topical courses in urban studies, such as Political Economy of the City, NYC Community Non-profit Partnerships, and Gentrification.
• Programming and events hosted by institutes such as the Housing Justice Lab, the Center for NYC Affairs, and the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility.
• Fellowships and grants such as the Lang Social Science Fellowship at the Center for an Urban Future, where fellows research policy positions of City Council members.
• Internships and independent work in the community. Students have recently interned at the Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture and the African Services Committee. 
• Civic Liberal Arts classes connecting partners at local organizations with your coursework. Recent offerings include Community Psychology: Research, Action, and Social Justice
• Lang’s annual Dean’s Honor Symposium, in which students connect their interests and scholarship with experiences outside of the classroom and in context with one another. 

Connecting to New York City

While it offers the atmosphere and intimacy of a small college, Eugene Lang College is part of The New School, a major progressive university in New York City. With a focus on the study of cities, Urban Studies students engage with NYC as a living laboratory for experiential learning, field-based research, university-community partnerships, internships, and immersive learning building on existing and expanding relationships with community organization, employers, and government agencies.

Career Paths

Our flexible and interdisciplinary Urban Studies curriculum provides a strong foundation for graduate study and exciting careers in community organizing, development, public policy, urban planning, management, advocacy, arts, education, journalism, or law.

Consult our 4-Year Lang Career Pathways Map (PDF) for helpful steps and resources to link your academic journey to your future plans. If you are planning to pursue graduate studies, consider applying to the Bachelor's-Master's program, which enables you to earn graduate credits that will apply to both your Lang degree and a master's degree in Public and Urban Policy or in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management at the university's Schools of Public Engagement.

Outcomes at Lang