• Exterior view of the Greenspun Hall building with the Las Vegas strip in the background
  • Faculty of work exhibit photo
  • students discussing crisis communication
  • students and faculty in groups

Creating Leaders Who Drive Meaningful Change in Their Communities

Our cutting-edge curriculum, research programs, and private-public partnerships help our students develop the necessary workforce skills to be prepared and successful for an adaptable, resilient, and dynamic career.

Apply Now

Study at the College of Urban Affairs

Our students work alongside industry professionals and learn from seasoned experts to gain practical experience before graduation. Our programs educate students on topics such as:

  • Civic engagement
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Community engagement
  • Community resiliency
  • Crime and safety
  • Public policy
  • Social well-being
  • Storytelling
  • Youth homelessness
People around a conference table

Communication Studies

Communicators work in a wide range of industries and lend their skills to transform business operations. Our curriculum will prepare you to be a dynamic collaborator, effective speaker, methodical thinker, exceptional writer, and problem solver.

Career Prospects
  • Advertising, health communications, law, marketing, politics, public policy, public relations, teaching, risk and crisis communications
An instructor standing in the middle of a classroom, talking to the students

Criminal Justice

From damaging cyber attacks and interpersonal violence situations to safety and security concerns that gain worldwide attention, crime issues are continually the focus of public interest. By understanding the criminal justice process, correctional institutions, and the causes of crime, students will be able to analyze and assess agency practices and the law/legal system.

Career Prospects
  • Corrections, cybersecurity, federal agencies, forensics, law enforcement, legal fields, public and private sectors
Reporters inside of a stadium

Journalism and Media Studies

Our society relies on vigilant, ethical, and efficient truth tellers who can communicate in a dynamic media environment. Students develop these skills through our program’s focus on advertising, broadcasting, reporting, public relations, social media, sports media, and practical experiences.

Career Prospects
  • Advertising, broadcasting, journalism, podcasting, public relations, social media, sports media, radio
A man writing down on a notepad

Public Policy and Leadership

Public policy professionals master the key principles of public management, research, and legislative advocacy to ignite change in their communities. You will learn to understand and analyze the physical, social, political, and economic environment of urban communities and policy.

Career Prospects
  • Community relations, education, non-profit, politics, public administration, public and private sectors
An instructor pointing to the projector on the wall in a classroom

Social Work

Social workers help others cope, change, and solve problems in all facets of their daily lives. Our program prepares students to engage, assess, and intervene with community, neighborhood, group or individual needs in activities such as community organization and development, policy, legislative advocacy; or through partnerships with community stakeholders, organizations, neighborhoods, and community agencies providing human and social services.

Career Prospects
  • Child development and welfare, counseling, trauma-informed practice, clinical social work, gerontology, health care, non-profits, policy, substance abuse treatment and prevention
“A bachelor's degree in communications from UNLV allows you to be creative, yet pragmatic, and opens a number of doors in a variety of fields so you’re never stuck. My degree opened so many opportunities in both the public relations and legal fields. Having a strong communications background has allowed me to think in different ways and address a number of client issues that other attorneys may not think about.”
Brandi Segura; Founding Partner Lex Domus Law; Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies; Class of 2009

Our Community Resilience Initiative

At the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, it is our mission to improve local, national, and global communities through our research and educating the leaders of tomorrow. Through our community resilience initiative, we partner and collaborate with community leaders, advance important social causes, and help inform decisions and strategies that serve the needs of individuals and society.

The UNLV Difference

R1
Classified as ‘Very High Research,’ the Highest Status for Research Institutions
Top 10
Diverse Campuses in the Nation*
16,000+
Degrees Awarded from the College of Urban Affairs

* According to U.S. News and World Report

Institutes

MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute

Housed within our college, the MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute focuses on public policy solutions that impact communities.

The Tourist Safety Institute

The UNLV Tourist Safety Institute’s research advances Nevada’s mission to create safe, immersive, and exciting experiences.

Urban Affairs Stories

Connect With Us