Program Overview
This degree explores what cities are, and what they can be. It goes beyond the concept of a smart city to also cover important technological, social, economic and sustainability issues to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach to cities of today and tomorrow.

This degree will help students build and develop efficient, sustainable and community-based cities and cultivate awareness of interdisciplinary history of modern cities, urban economics, city development and planning theory, urban ecology, digital transformation, informatics, policy and decision making, demography, and applied problem-solving and research methods. Providing an all-encompassing view of the development of the city, the program also addresses key subjects such as water, food, waste, transport, education and energy systems, taking into account complex interactions between each of the elements. Smart Cities is an emerging interdisciplinary plan of action that includes the designer, the technologist and the humanist all working together. It prepares graduates for smart cities that can talk, giving live status updates through networks on traffic patterns, pollution, parking, water and energy and other vital information.

Mission Statement

1. To develop an understanding of the underlying elements that define a smart city; 
2. To equip students with the necessary tools to lead and manage the smart city of the future with a 360-degree view of the key elements of sustainability, informatics and human behaviour.

Program Goals

• Furnish the tools to apply the various elements of a smart city to enhance the quality of urban life for citizens
• Apply the tools learned in the program to a body of data to deliver a high-quality body of research

Program Learning Outcomes

• Conduct a City Impact Assessment Utilizing Both Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
• Develop Systems to Support Effective Governance and Responsive Citizen Engagement
• Analyze and Manage Plans for Accessible Infrastructure
• Assess the Feasibility of Smart City Data Infrastructure Networks and Technologies
• Measure Energy and Environmental Impacts
• Apply the Analysis of Big Data to Common Urban Problems and Service Delivery

The Smart Cities program is designed for working professionals looking to diversify and enhance their skills in order to take up leadership positions spearheading digital transformation in the smart city context.

ACCREDITATION

RIT is consistently ranked among the top American Universities. The degree you will earn from RIT Dubai is a fully recognized university degree from RIT New York and has the same value as a degree earned by studying there.

In the UAE, Master of Science in Professional Studies: Smart Cities degree program is accredited by the Ministry of Education - Higher Education Affairs, UAE and is licensed by the KHDA. The program is endorsed by Smart Dubai and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority.

Click here to know more about Scholarships.

To graduate, students need to complete all the requirements as listed in the curriculum. Click here for the graduation policy.

Click here to download graduate catalogue for complete descriptions of each course within the program.