UNU-CCNY Graduate Program in the Study of the Americas

Offered at The City College of New York (CCNY) in collaboration with the United Nations University- Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).

 

The UNU Hub on Remote Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS) at The City College of New York offers students in the M.A. Study of The Americas the opportunity to earn also a UNU diploma in “Urban Sustainability Studies Across the Americas” from United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) by fulfilling program requirements with coursework that may be applied to both credentials.

 
Program Focus & Approach
 
The program emphasizes interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches to sustainability, urban resilience, and policy-relevant research across the Americas. Faculty expertise spans areas including:
  • Human rights and migration
  • Gender and race
  • Urban studies and planning
  • Economic inequality and education
  • Climate adaptation and sustainable development
The program engages the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through multiple disciplinary perspectives and real-world applications.
 
 
Program Structure & Curriculum
 
  • Core Requirements: IAS A5000 – Inventing the Americas; IAS A5010 – Graduate Research Methodology; IAS A6123 – International Institutions
  • STEM and Geospatial Coursework (6 credits): ENGR G7000 – Remote Sensing for Sustainable Development Goals and ENGR G6700 -GIS / Data Science for Sustainable Development
  • Professional Seminar Series on the United Nations (3 credits)
  • Electives (12 credits)
  • 3-credit Capstone Project or Thesis aligned with the UN SDGs
 
Degree & Credentials Awarded
 
  • A Master of Arts in the Study of the Americas from CCNY 
  • A Diploma in Urban Sustainability Studies Across the Americas from UNU-INWEH
 
Program Timeline
 
Fall 2026: Launch of the program with the inaugural cohort