About

The for-profit sector has embraced data and analytics to increase efficiency and grow the bottom line. The government and non-profit sectors are next in line. The Master of Urban Spatial Analytics is a one-year graduate program that teaches students how to use spatial analysis and data science to address the most pressing public policy and city planning conundrums of our day. We are teaching the next generation of civic technologists. The one-year MUSA program combines coursework on GIS, spatial analysis, data science, statistics, R and python programming, data visualization and web-based mapping with world-class urban content coursework from across the University of Pennsylvania. The program is administered jointly by the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design and the Penn Institute for Urban Research.

For more information on the program contact Program Director, Elizabeth Delmelle

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

  • Five courses in spatial analysis and GIS
  • Two courses in a selected urban content area
  • One elective course
  • One practicum or capstone project course - Check out examples of both from our recent end-of-year show.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, students graduating with a MUSA degree will:

  • Think critically about data. Be able to understand and identify their biases.  
  • Think spatially – visualize and interpret location, distance, direction, relationships, change, and movement over space.  
  • Be proficient in the steps of a spatial data science workflow: identify the problem or question, get data, explore data, model data, and organize results. 
  • Communicate and visualize analytical results in ways that are meaningful and accessible for specific audiences. 
  • Be able to identify and implement the appropriate tool, method, or model for a given problem.  
  • Exercise professional skills and be well-equipped to enter the current workforce. 
  • Be able to read, write, and trouble-shoot code. Have algorithmic thinking skills. 
  • Be able to work collaboratively and cooperatively with peers and stakeholders. 

Prerequisites

There are no specific pre-requisites to enter the program, but having some exposure to GIS, statistics, and coding (in any language) is beneficial. MUSA students take two summer bootcamp classes in GIS and spatial analysis in R and in statistics. This is virtual and takes place the week before courses begin.

Sample Curriculum

While there is some flexibility in the coursework, a typical student will take 9-10 courses during their degree, in addition to the two summer bootcamp classes.

Below is a sample schedule:

Fall

  • MUSA 5000: Statistical and Data Mining Methods for Urban Data Analysis (Required)
  • MUSA 5080: Public Policy Analytics (Required)
  • Either:
    • MUSA 5500 Geospatial Data Science in Python or
    • MUSA 611 Java Script for Planners and Designers
  • First urban content course
  • An elective

Spring

  • Either:
    • MUSA 6500 Geospatial Machine Learning in Remote Sensing (Python pre-requisite required) or
    • MUSA 5090 Geospatial Cloud Computing
  • Practicum or Capstone
  • Second urban content course
  • 1-2 electives

In addition to coursework, the program features a tight-knit, supportive, cohort of learners, speakers, career-building resources, and networking events.

Where do our graduates end up?

Our graduates find employment in both the public and private sector. Recent job placements include:

  • World Bank (Climate Adaptation Consultant; Data Analyst; Urban Resilience Analytics)
  • Farallon Geographics (Full-stack developer)
  • Defender Association of Philadelphia (Policy & Data Analyst)
  • Center for Economic and Social Research (Research Developer)
  • Guidehouse (Senior Consultant)
  • Swiss Re (Data Scientist)
  • Product Engineer (ESRI)
  • CityDNA Technology Group (Data Analyst)
  • Walmart eCommerce (Senior Data Analyst)
  • MIT Transit Lab (Research Assistant)
  • Deloitte (Senior Consultant)
  • Amtrak (Network Development)
  • Strategic Research Insights (Associate Manager of Analytics)
  • Truveris (Analyst)
  • Econsult Solutions (Analyst)
  • City of Philadelphia (Transit Project Coordinator)

MUSA’s Core Values

  • We will foster a sense of inclusion and belonging among students and faculty from all backgrounds. 
  • We will encourage students to find inspiration and enjoyment in their work. 
  • We will encourage students to embark on intellectual risk-taking – to be creative, push boundaries, and challenge themselves. 
  • We value a deep understanding of the core concepts that we teach.  
  • We expect students and faculty to demonstrate integrity in their work, with themselves, and with each other. 
  • We will focus on socially-relevant, impactful application areas and embrace the powerful role that these skills bring to public sector decision making. 

How do I apply?

Most of the admissions information can be found on the Weitzman Admissions website. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the program director.