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Alumni Testimonials

In a recent survey, alumni responded to a survey question about the strengths of our program. They emphasized the program's breadth, flexibility, and diverse student body, as well as its academic excellence:

• "The interdisciplinary course of study opened up a whole range of subjects that I didn't even know I was interested in. I knew ahead of time that the courses would connect significantly to my professional work. I was not disappointed in this. The scheduling of classes was perfect for me."
• "A practical strength of the Urban Studies program was the ability to take classes part time, in a great city, with a mix of people from different disciplines and life experiences."
• "One of the strengths is the fact that faculty and students come in with very diverse backgrounds, bringing plenty of knowledge, ideas, as well as practice. The program stood out with its wonderful location, locally and internationally, to access academic, social, and cultural resources."
• "Multi-disciplinary, student-driven/flexible content, downtown location, evening hours suitable for working professionals."
• "The strengths of Urban Studies are the professors and the city/region. The city/region is a laboratory, of sorts, and the excellent profs use it to its fullest in teaching the field."
• "The wide range of courses that encourage students to get a broader knowledge base than more specialized programs. Similarly, the ability to explore new directions that may depart from one's previous work and education experiences."
• "Ability to work full time and take the program at my own speed. Ability to take time off to do work elsewhere and come back to apply what I had learned in the field. Central location downtown."

Another question asked graduates about how their education in our program contributed to their career. They stressed the importance of our program in obtaining their current employment, as well as the critical skills and broadened perspectives that have enhanced their work experience and career prospects:

• "It helped me get my job as a sustainability planner and will help me toward my planning certification ‚Äì I am a PIBC member in standing."
• "It provided a strong base of knowledge in housing, social sustainability, and local planning issues. Also, because of my M.Urb, I've been invited by the Portland Hotel Society to participate in a grassroots community planning process they have undertaken in the DTES."
• "Connections to influential people in the community that help forward my current work and objectives."
• "The seminars and field trips helped me to understand western urban issues and showed me how to analyze urban issues with a global view."
• "The Urban Studies program exposed me to the best practices from cities around the world, provided me with an interdisciplinary view of planning issues and provided a sound background in research to justify my philosophy on cities."
• "My writing and analytical skills certainly improved as a result of my education. Through exposure to the urban studies discourse, I've been able to make new connections and apply concepts in a different way that I would have."
• "The Master's designation has lent credibility to my work and provides some basis for establishing professional credentials for those of us fulfilling new, innovative roles."

Learn about more program eligibility.