Urban Policy (UP)

The Urban Policy (UP) certificate emphasizes the social, economic, and political dimensions of urban problems and is designed to prepare students for careers in urban policy analysis and economic development in a variety of sectors. It has a global focus, and coursework is grounded in the interdisciplinary and comparative study of cities and urban problems in both advanced industrialized and developing countries. 

UP certificate students are required to complete two core courses and two elective courses.

Certificate Faculty Advisor
Benjamin Bradlow
Email: bhbradlow@princeton.edu 

Certificate Administrator
Madeline Hehir
Email: mhehir@princeton.edu

Core Courses

  • SPI 537: Urban Inequality and Social Policy
  • SPI 538: Urban Economics

Electives (Two Required)

A list of approved electives is made available at the beginning of each academic year.

Two half-term courses count as one course credit. If one of the core courses is not offered in a given academic year, an approved substitute is designated.

Recent UP Courses Offered

Here are some recent UP course offerings.

Full Terms:

  • SPI 527a:  Implementing Urban Economic Development
  • SPI 527b: Immigrant Integration and Public Policy
  • SPI 527d: Race, Place, and Public Policy
  • SPI 528c: Poverty and Public Policy
  • SPI 528g: Policing, Militarization and Policy
  • SPI 531: Identity, Power and Policy
  • SPI 539: Urban Politics and Policymaking
  • SPI 540: Urbanization and Development
  • SPI 572a: Migration Policy
  • SPI 585b: Cities and Climate Change
  • SPI 591a: Policy Workshop: Mercer County Community College Visioning Project for Trenton campus

 

Half Terms:

  •  SPI 593a: Global Systemic Risk
  • SPI 593n: GIS for Public Policy
  • SPI 593o: Affordable Housing
  • SPI 594b: Political Psychology of Race
  • SPI 594h: Crisis Management and Leadership
  • SPI 594i: Racial Democracy in America
  • SPI 594n: The Economics of Education
  • SPI 594t: International Migration: Challenges and Policy Responses

Courses by Petition

Students who wish to count one course from another Princeton department toward the certificate requirements must seek prior permission from the UP certificate faculty advisor.