For these reasons, an appropriate and effective education in urban studies needs to combine mastery of a discipline or profession with interdisciplinary study and to join theory with practice. This combination of theory with practice underlies the de sign of the Graduate Certificate Program in Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Program First year students in the certificate program take a year long proseminar in Urban Studies which combines readings on urban theory and practice with independent research. The requirements for the degree also include four courses chosen in consultati on witha committee of faculty advisors to best meet students' interests and professional goals. Students are expected to participate in a faculty-graduate student workshop in urban studies, and they are given the opportunity to participate in an internship.
Interns also participate in a special seminar in which they share and reflect on their experiences.
The program provides its graduates with professional options by helping to prepare them for research careers in both academic and policy settings. By providing them with the flexibility to teach within both conventional disciplines and urban-related progrmas and professional schools, it enhances their attractiveness on the academic job market. Through its combination of rigorous, diciplinary based research training with the interdisciplinary analysis of urban issues and the application of ideas to p ractice, the program develops their skills as policy researchers. The Graduate Certificate Program in Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania responds to the need for leadership in urban research, policy, and governance. It is anticipated that a maximum of 15 students per year will be admitted into the certific ate program.