Academic Advising & Resources

You are encouraged to use the online Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) to check on progress toward your degree. DARS is a useful tool but it should not replace one-on-one degree planning with the Urban Studies advisor. The Urban Studies Degree Planning Worksheet may be useful.

Under exceptional circumstances, a student may petition for a substitution to the Urban Studies core or major curriculum. The petition is reviewed by the Curriculum Committee. You will be required to describe the circumstances of the course being petitioned.  The decision generally has no applicability beyond the petitioner and is considered on a case-by-case basis.  The decision does not automatically apply to other petitioners. 

Before submitting a course petition:

• Consult with your academic advisor.
• Check your degree audit through MyPlan to see how your transfer and/or UW credit is currently being applied toward graduation and major requirements.
• Review degree planning worksheet(s) for your major(s)

After consultation with the academic advisor and it is determined that a course petition is appropriate, submit the online petition.

The review process can take up to 3 weeks to process. You will be notified of the decision by email.  If you have any technical problems submitting the petition, contact us at 253.692.5880 or by email at uwturban@uw.edu.

• Satisfy all University and general education requirements to include the following:

  • General Education: No fewer than 40 credits of general education courses, to include a minimum of 10 credits in each of three areas of study: Natural World, Individuals and Society and Visual, Literary and Performing Arts

  • Writing/Composition: A minimum of 15 credits of writing to include 5 credits of English composition (with a minimum 2.0 grade) and 10 credits of writing-intensive courses.

  • Quantitatvie/Symbolic: A minimum of 5 credits of Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning course work

  • World Languages:  College-level study in a single world language either through two sequential years in high school or through the second-quarter level (102) of college coursework prior to applying for graduation.

  • Diversity:  A minimum of 3 credits in Diversity coursework; designated courses study diversity in the United States with a focus on the sociocultural, political and economic diversity of human experience and help students develop an understanding of the complexities of living in increasingly diverse and interconnected societies.  (For students admitted as of Autumn 2014.) 

• Be a matriculated major (in Urban Studies or Sustainable Urban Development) in good academic standing with the University of Washington Tacoma.
• Complete at least 45 of last 60 credits in residence at the University of Washington Tacoma.
• Complete at least 50 credits at the upper division level (e.g. 300 or higher).
• Complete a minimum of 180 credits.
• Earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in each required course.
• Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 for all coursework.
• Apply for graduation with a program advisor by the deadline posted by the University for the expected quarter of graduation. 

The following grade standards apply to all students in Urban Studies and Sustainable Urban Development. These standards may be in addition to other academic standards at UW Tacoma.

• You must complete all core and core elective coursework by achieving a minimum 2.0 grade in each class. If a grade below 2.0 is received, you must repeat the course. Course credit will only be awarded once, and both grades will be computed into the grade point average. If a grade below a 1.7 is received in a general elective course, it will not count toward graduation; however, you are not required to repeat the course.
• Courses in the Urban Studies/SUD core area may not be taken S/NS (satisfactory/not satisfactory).
• Upper-division core courses completed at other regionally accredited four-year institutions may be applied toward the general elective requirement. Adviser transcript evaluation is available upon request.
• Upper-division courses considered for transfer credit will apply toward the general elective requirement.
• Upper-division courses considered for transfer credit are held to the 1.7 grade standard.

More on graduation

Graduation is not automatic. In order to officially graduate and receive your diploma, you must submit a graduation application. Graduation applications are completed during an appointment with an academic advisor and are due by the second Friday of the quarter in which you wish to graduate. It is recommended that you apply for graduation two quarters before your planned date of graduation.

The School of Urban Studies is excellent preparation for those interested in graduate study in such fields as public administration, law or urban planning/design.

University of Washington Tacoma

• MS Geospatial Technologies
• MA Community Planning

University of Washington Seattle

• Architecture
• Construction Management
• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Design and Planning
• UW Graduate School

Portland State University

• Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Other graduate school resources

• GradSchools.com: Urban Planning
• Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning
• Sustainability Degrees