United Nations University HUB at City College of New York
M.A. in The Study of the Americas
Focus: Urban Sustainability Across the Americas
Students in our UNU-CCNY HUB earn an M.A. in The Study of the Americas from the City College of New York (CCNY) and a diploma in Urban Sustainability Studies Across the Americas from United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). Interested students should apply and be accepted to the M.A. in the Study of the Americas Core Track.
Start Here: Graduate Program Interest Form
About the Collaboration
Students pursue an M.A. in The Study of the Americas from the City College of New York (CCNY) while simultaneously earning a diploma in Urban Sustainability Studies Across the Americas from United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), integrating humanities, social sciences, policy, and geospatial methods to address sustainability challenges across the region.
Combining expertise from CCNY's M.A in The Study of The Americas and the UNU INWEH, our students follow an interdisciplinary approach to sustainabilty and urban resilience across the Americas.
Focus & Approach
Our courses emphasize 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
We engage the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multiple disciplinary perspectives and real-world applications.
Watch: UNU-INWEH at CCNY
Structure & Curriculum
Coursework retains the core structure of CCNY's existing M.A. in The Study of The Americas, with targeted additions aligned with UNU's priorities.
Core Requirements:
Core Coursework (9 credits)
Students complete the following required courses:
- IAS A5000 Inventing the Americas
- IAS A5010 Graduate Research Methodology
- IAS A6123 International Institutions
STEM & Geospatial Training (6 credits)
To ensure interdisciplinary breadth, students complete two courses in the School of Engineering:
- ENGR G7000 Remote Sensing for Sustainable Development Goals
- ENGR G6700-GIS Data Science for Sustainable Development
UNU Seminar Series (3 credits)
Students participate in a semester-long professional seminar series featuring UN and UNU scientists and specialists. The seminar provides exposure to international research and access to UNU’s global network.
Electives (9 credits)
Students select four elective courses from the M.A. curriculum, drawing from offerings in areas such as inequality, migration, race, gender, urban life, climate change, and human rights.
Capstone Project/Thesis
Students complete a capstone project or thesis (3 credits) that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project will be co-supervised by a UN- or UNU-affiliated expert.
Last Updated: 10/09/2026 15:01