Programme Director’s Message
Today’s complex global challenges demand solutions that reach beyond traditional academic boundaries. At the College of Integrative Studies, our postgraduate degrees are purposefully designed to bridge disciplines, equipping you to navigate and shape a rapidly evolving world.
Our Master of Sustainability draws on expertise from across SMU, preparing professionals to champion environmentally sound and socially equitable practices within the green economy.
For research scholars, our MPhil and PhD in Asian Urbanisms offer a deeply interdisciplinary platform to investigate the forces shaping the region's cities. Recognizing that urban spaces are multidimensional, students can ground their work in foundational fields like geography, anthropology, and urban planning, while integrating modern tools from urban informatics and data science. Scholars can also draw insights from climate science, sustainable finance, political science, and other disciplines to tackle urban challenges from every angle.
By joining the College of Integrative Studies, you are stepping into a vibrant community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to driving meaningful, real-world change. I invite you to explore our programmes and discover how our unique interdisciplinary environment can accelerate your intellectual and professional journey.
Sonny Rosenthal
Associate Professor of Sustainability Communication
Lee Kong Chian Fellow
Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Education)
SMU College of Integrative Studies
Postgraduate Research
MPhil & PhD in Asian Urbanisms
Our postgraduate programmes in Asian Urbanisms offer an opportunity to study cities in an inter-disciplinary way. Students are primarily supervised by faculty from the College of Integrative Studies, with optional co-supervision from other SMU Schools, and will undertake coursework and independent research culminating in a dissertation. Graduates explore diverse topics, from changing food consumption to e-commerce economics, waste management, and sea-level rise.
PhD graduates are prepared for academic and policy-related roles, while MPhil graduates gain skills for careers in research, policy, or consulting. With access to expert faculty, our students are well-equipped to address the most pressing urban issues in Asia.
Postgraduate Coursework
Master of Sustainability
jointly offered with SMU School of Social Sciences
The Master of Sustainability programme is the first of its kind in Asia to offer a graduate sustainability programme based on an inter-disciplinary curriculum. The programme provides a foundational toolkit that will prepare students for dynamic sustainability roles in various sectors. The curriculum prioritises essential skills in sustainability, focusing on reasoning, communication, coordination, and management.
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