The Master of Arts (MA) in Urban Affairs is an interdisciplinary degree program focusing on how cities work and the challenges they face, such as economic growth or decline, globalization and immigration, and the impact of the housing market on neighborhood stability. The curriculum brings together viewpoints and analytical tools from multiple fields to provide different perspectives on the causes of urban problems and their possible solutions.
The Urban Affairs program at Loyola is a two-year professional degree focused on training students to assume leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, or business. Part-time students typically finish in three years. Students apply the skills developed in the program and gain work-related experience during internships or capstone policy clinics.
Required Coursework:
The MA in Urban Affairs requires 37 hours of coursework—11 three-credit courses, plus a three-credit internship or capstone experience.
Core Courses: perspectives on urban areas (6 credits).
Students take at least two of the following four courses:
MPP 407 Local Economic Development (urban economics)
MPP 413 Urban Politics and Policy (urban politics)
SOCL 462 The Urban Metropolis (urban sociology)
HIST 460 Urban America (urban history)
Analytical Tools (9 credits).
A one-semester course in statistical analysis is required (MPP 405). In consultation with their advisor, students select at least two additional courses that would provide a foundation for their specific career goals. Several common choices include
MPP 405 Statistics Methods for Policy Analysis (required)
MPP 406 Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis II
MPP 501 Program Evaluation
MPP 400 Policy Design and Analysis
MPP 403 Public Budgeting and Finance
SOCL 412 Qualitative Methods in Social Research
UNIV 410 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
RMTD 403 Survey Research
Professional Development (1 credit)
All students attend a series of lectures given by practitioners in the field.
Policy Internship or Practicum (3 credits).
All students complete an internship or participate in a group policy practicum project.
Electives (18 credits).
Students are encouraged to select related courses in consultation with their advisor to develop expertise in a specific urban affairs area (e.g. community development or education policy.
Learning Objectives for MAUA Program
Knowledge of urban issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives- such as politics, economics, sociology, and history.
Knowledge of local government structures and intergovernmental relationships.
Ability to analyze urban problems and determine possible government, non-profit, or business sector solutions.
Development of technical skills appropriate to the student's specific career goals- such as statistics, GIS mapping and analysis, finance, surveys, and community impact analysis.
Experience working in the public policy arena in a government agency, non-profit, research, or private sector organization.
Expected November 2025
Start date
September 2025
School of Continuing and Professional Studies
820 North Michigan Avenue,
Lewis Towers 401,
CHICAGO,
Illinois,
60611, United States
Applicants seeking admission must have completed a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent.
English language requirements:
For the TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the written test is required. The minimum score for the new TOEFL IBT (internet-based test) is 79.
For the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required.
Deadlines: Fall-June 30; Fall with funding consideration- February 15; Spring-October 31
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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