Urban and Regional Studies

What can I do with a major in Urban and Regional Studies

Urban and Regional Studies delves into the physical, social, economic, and political factors that shape our cities. It looks at the role of planning to manage dynamic forces of change such as immigration, global warming, aging populations, energy conservation, congestion, urban forests, homelessness, and smog, to name just a few.

URS is a multidisciplinary major, leading to a Bachelor of Arts, that provides students with a broad range of conceptual and practical tools to understand cities and regions. URS draws upon a wide range of urban-related disciplines to provide a solid foundation in the study and analysis of the physical, social, economic, and political factors that shape cities and regions, as well as the role of urban and regional planning in managing these dynamic forces of change. Students in this Program also have the opportunity to declare a concentration in Geographical Information Science (GIS).

Students interested in Urban & Regional Studies (URS) can complete:

  • Bachelor of Art (URS)
  • Bachelor of Art (URS)/Bachelor of Management (BMgt)

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

  • Awareness of the Importance of Social, Historical & Cultural Context
  • Collect, Question & Synthesize Data
  • Comprehend & Create Maps & Graphs
  • Conceptualize & Plan Long-Term Projects
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking
  • Decision Making
  • Knowledge of Diverse Needs of Communities
  • Make Comparisons
  • Oral & Written Communication
  • Organizational
  • Prepare Publications
  • Problem Solving
  • Report Writing
  • Understand the Linkages of Physical, Economic, Natural & Social Dimensions of Communities.
  • Viewing an Issue from a Variety of Perspectives
  • Visualization

Work Environment

Graduates of the URS Program may choose to pursue advanced degrees in professional fields such as law, planning, or architecture. Others enter directly into technical or administrative career positions in government, industry, or consulting firms. Graduates may find employment in consulting firms, law firms, real estate companies, retail and service firms, governmental organizations, industry associations, social agencies, non-profit housing groups or community centres.

Key Areas of Specialization:

  • Ecological Systems Design
  • Sustainable Development & Design
  • Urban & Regional Planning & Design
  • Theory of Environmental Design
  • Environmental Design Practice
  • Digital Design
  • First Nations Community Planning
  • Social Dynamics of Economic Performance
  • Urban Ecology
  • Historic Preservation
  • GIS & Spatial Analysis
  • Disaster & Risk Management Planning
  • Natural Resource Planning
  • Transportation Planning
  • Land Development Planning

Career Possibilities

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.

  • Assistant Planner
  • Assistant Policy Planner
  • Associate Coastal Planner
  • Bike Share Program Coordinator
  • Environmental Planning Intern
  • Fiscal/Economic Analyst
  • Front Desk Ambassador (Urban Planning Organization)
  • Graduate Planner
  • Graduate Planning Officer
  • Graduate Trainee Planner
  • Planner (Country Highway District)
  • Locations Associate
  • Planning Technician
  • Project Coordinator
  • Research Project Coordinator
  • Resource Development Planner
  • Safety Education Outreach Internship
  • Transportation Planner
  • Transportation Planner for Policy & Programming

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

  • Building Inspector
  • City Councillor
  • Columnist
  • Community Planner
  • Consultant
  • Demographer
  • Development Permit Technician
  • Economic Development Officer
  • Emergency Preparedness Planning Specialist
  • Environmental Auditor
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Policy Analyst
  • Housing Design & Policy Analyst
  • Impact Assessment Officer
  • Industrial Planner
  • International Development Officer
  • Land Appraiser
  • Land Developer
  • Land Use Analyst
  • Land Use Planning Advisor
  • Land Use Policy Analyst
  • Lobbyist
  • Local Government Administrator
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Natural Resource Specialist
  • Neighbourhood Council Coordinator
  • Parks Planner
  • Politician
  • Project Manager
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Real Estate Appraiser
  • Real Estate Developer
  • Realtor
  • Regional Development Manager
  • Regional Planner
  • Research Assistant
  • Researcher
  • Resource Manager
  • Social Planner
  • Social Policy Researcher
  • Statistician
  • Strategic Planner
  • Sustainable Housing Policy Associate
  • Tourism Researcher
  • Transportation Officer
  • Transportation Planner
  • University Professor
  • Urban Landscaper
  • Urban Planning Technician
  • Urban/Regional Planner
  • Zoning Administrator
  • Zoning Inspector

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

  • Architect
  • Cartographer
  • City Service Administrator
  • Community Development Worker
  • Energy Manager
  • Engineer
  • Estate Agent
  • Facilities Manager
  • Financial Examiner
  • Financial Planner
  • Geographer
  • GIS Technician
  • Government Social Research Officer
  • Harbour Attendant
  • Historian
  • Historic Buildings Inspector
  • Historic Buildings Conservation Officer
  • Librarian
  • Survey Technician

Useful Resources


Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.