Mission and Learning Outcomes

Mission Statement

The Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, through an interdisciplinary liberal arts framework, inspires students to think critically about the diverse issues, problems, development and prospects of metropolitan areas and their citizens.

Program Goals

1. To provide students with a broad interdisciplinary liberal arts framework for understanding the issues, problems, development and prospects of metropolitan areas and their citizens.
2. Understand the social, economic, political and governmental conditions of metropolitan areas and their impacts on individuals, institutions and society.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the diverse nature of urban populations and the social justice issues many of these populations face.
4. Identify ways of creating more humane, equitable, sustainable and efficient built environments to improve urban futures.