Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs

Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs Inspiring community-engaged leaders to shape projects and policy for a better world.

Welcome to all of our new and returning UPA students! We are so excited for a new year to learn and grow.
08/27/2022

Welcome to all of our new and returning UPA students! We are so excited for a new year to learn and grow.

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 🎓! By being both resilient and driven by social justice, this class has worked remo...
05/22/2022

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 🎓! By being both resilient and driven by social justice, this class has worked remotely and in-person to make a positive impact in the world. We are so proud of you, and cannot wait to see the things you all accomplish!

Please join us today and tomorrow to watch our second years present their Capstone Projects! See Zoom link in post. ...
05/16/2022

Please join us today and tomorrow to watch our second years present their Capstone Projects! See Zoom link in post.

Check out what David Woo (‘17) had to say this week in SFist! Link for the article in bio.
04/12/2022

Check out what David Woo (‘17) had to say this week in SFist! Link for the article in bio.

Yesterday, the Urban and Public Affairs colloquium hosted a viewing of “Never Surrender: The Fight for Environmental Jus...
03/30/2022

Yesterday, the Urban and Public Affairs colloquium hosted a viewing of “Never Surrender: The Fight for Environmental Justice in Bayview Hunters Point” with a thoughtful Q&A session with the director, M. Reza Shirazi, via Zoom. Students had the opportunity to discuss the environmental justice fight for Bayview Hunters Point, and the critical need for policy action regarding the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund Site. Thank you to those in attendance, and for the insightful conversation with M. Reza Shirazi.

Some pics from the California Landscapes elective course with .grafiando! The walking tour took students from the Giants...
03/06/2022

Some pics from the California Landscapes elective course with .grafiando! The walking tour took students from the Giants Stadium to the Mission District while learning about the significance of every turn.

Meet second-year Julia from San Francisco, CA! Here’s what she has to say about her experience in the Urban and Public A...
02/17/2022

Meet second-year Julia from San Francisco, CA! Here’s what she has to say about her experience in the Urban and Public Affairs program, “The Urban and Public Affairs program has allowed me to explore the different policy scopes I am passionate about. For my capstone, I am researching equity in San Francisco’s education system by understanding why families choose private school over public. My capstone research is allowing me to better understand how individual choices have a greater impact on a public system. As someone who is interested in both education and environmental policy, I have been able to conduct research on California wildfire prevention and water justice issues in California farming towns for Dr. Keally McBride. The program has helped me develop skills to navigate my many passions, and improve both my writing and critical analysis skills.”

Meet first-year Jeremy from Brooklyn, New York! Here’s what he has to say about his experience in the Urban and Public A...
02/14/2022

Meet first-year Jeremy from Brooklyn, New York! Here’s what he has to say about his experience in the Urban and Public Affairs program, “I’m here to learn how to work with communities to dismantle harmful systems and build healing ones. I appreciate how UPA’s values are reflected in my own, and am glad to have this program serve as an introduction to the Bay Area.”

Meet second-year Emilio from San Diego, CA! Here is what he has to say about his capstone research this semester, “My ca...
02/14/2022

Meet second-year Emilio from San Diego, CA! Here is what he has to say about his capstone research this semester, “My capstone encompasses the experience of street vendors in San Diego, the presence of informality, and how the urban landscape is affected by the legislative actions of municipal governments and their regulatory agents. I examine these variables through the process of ordinance advocacy, construction, and enforcement. I hope my research becomes a supportive effort for community advocates and street vendors seeking the implementation of an equitable municipal ordinance.”

Check out the Urban Field Class, one of our electives this semester, taught by Professor Rachel Brahinsky! Read the cour...
02/08/2022

Check out the Urban Field Class, one of our electives this semester, taught by Professor Rachel Brahinsky! Read the course description below. Thank you for the great pictures, Rebecca Murillo (‘22)!

“One of the best ways to deeply know a city or a region is to wander, studying the streets, and searching for signs of how the past has shaped the present. In this class, we’ll wander the Bay Area with intention, looking for evidence of the political geographies of the region in sidewalk imprints, abandoned infrastructures, political signage, and architectural curiosities. We'll 2 examine the formal impact of government in the shape of public infrastructure like freeways and power lines, and we'll get to know vernacular landscapes, evident in the quirks of neighborhoods that make places feel like ‘a place.’ We’ll use buses, trains, and our feet to traverse the region and you'll learn the art of seeing history, capital, and political struggle in everyday urban landscapes. These are tools that you can use beyond this course in developing research projects, crafting better public policy, and enriching your everyday life. Most of our walks will take place within the city of San Francisco, but we'll get out of the city a few times, and many lectures and readings throughout the semester will center regional political economies and regional cultures.”

Student spotlight! “Hi! I’m from Piedmont, CA in the East Bay. For my capstone, I’m looking at how community organizers ...
02/04/2022

Student spotlight! “Hi! I’m from Piedmont, CA in the East Bay. For my capstone, I’m looking at how community organizers in CA address immigrant rights within the reproductive justice movement. I’m excited to hear organizers’ perspectives on the intersection of these issues, especially as abortion rights are being challenged across the country. I hope that I can take what I learn through this project beyond grad school, to continue working for reproductive justice for underserved communities.” - Megan (‘22)

Student spotlight! “Hi My name is Maria Membrila. I’m from Graton, California a small agrarian town in Northern Californ...
02/02/2022

Student spotlight! “Hi My name is Maria Membrila. I’m from Graton, California a small agrarian town in Northern California. I am a first generation, daughter of immigrantes who is beyond excited and privileged to be able to pursue a Master’s in Urban & Public Affairs. I always knew I wanted to work in serving others, but this program has helped shape my path and my purpose and I cannot wait to see where I go from here!” -Maria (‘23)

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San Francisco, CA
94117

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Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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