Sustainable Urban Planning Graduate Certificate
With the rise of both the megalopolis and small cities alike, the global trend of urbanization shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. As people continue to gravitate towards urban living worldwide, we must contend with new challenges: Questions of local vs. national authority, the tensions and tumult of scarce resources, inequality and environmental degradation, among many others. Beyond their roles on infrastructure projects, urban planners are engaged in work that leads to cities that have a more socially stable, prosperous future.
Designed for working professionals, the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Urban Planning is tailored to students seeking a credential in the field but who are not in need of a complete master’s degree. Taught by expert practitioners in the field who can provide you with firsthand insight on projects they have conducted with government agencies and private firms alike, you will learn how to leverage your knowledge into forward-looking economic, environmental and social frameworks and sustainable policies and actions for metropolitan regions all around the world.
Program at a Glance
Required Courses
There are six required courses for the program — four required and two electives
Combine Courses for an MPS
You can combine this certificate and other courses to earn an MPS in Sustainable Urban Planning
Relevant Areas of Study
Key areas of study include urban growth, land use, agricultural impact and transportation engineering
Where You'll Study
You’ll take your classes at the GW Education Center in Arlington, Virginia which is conveniently located near the Ballston Metro stop.
What You'll Study
In this program you will learn the fundamentals of urban planning with a keen focus on sustainability across economic, environmental and social frameworks. Key areas of study include urban growth, land use, agricultural impact and transportation engineering.
The certificate consists of six courses - a sequence of four required courses and two electives, which facilitate flexibility by enabling you to fine-tune your study and engage with the broader Sustainable Urban Planning Program.
The required classes are:
- PSUS 6201: Principles of Sustainable Urban Planning (3 credits)
- PSUS 6202: Urban and Environmental Economics (3 credits)
- PSUS 6210: Transportation Planning in City Systems (3 credits)
- PSUS 6211: Regional Development and Agricultural Economics (3 credits)
Your elective courses may be fulfilled by any of the courses in the Sustainable Urban Planning Program.
Admissions Information
To apply to the program you must have:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
Deadlines: Fall Application Deadline Extended to August 1. Apply Today!
Students are admitted for the fall and spring semesters. Applicants that have complete applications are eligible to request an application fee waiver by 11:59 p.m. on the Priority Deadline.* To request an application fee waiver, contact your program representative before submitting your application. Fee waiver details. Applications received after the Final Deadline will continue to be processed, space permitting.
Fall Admissions
In-person program
- Fall Priority Deadline: February 1*
- Fall Final Deadline: May 1
Spring Admissions
In-person program
- Spring Priority Deadline: August 1*
- Spring Final Deadline: October 1
Summer Admissions
In-person program
- Not offered
- Costs & Aid
GW tuition and fees are comparable to the national average for private universities. These costs are set by the GW Board of Trustees and generally increase year to year, variable by program and location. Please use this information as an estimate based on current tuition rates and fee structures. Total tuition and fees will vary according to the courses taken and the timeframe in which you complete your coursework.
2024-25 Rates in Effect for Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Terms Tuition: 18 credits @ $2,025/credit hour $36,450 Registration fees: 3 registration sessions @ $35 each $105 TOTAL tuition + fees: $36,555 Other costs to consider: Application Fee: $80; Matriculation fee: $200 (one time); Books approximately $100-150/course.
GW tuition and fees are comparable to the national average for private universities. These costs are set by the GW Board of Trustees and generally increase year to year, variable by program and location. Please use this information as an estimate based on current tuition rates and fee structures. Total tuition and fees will vary according to the courses taken and the timeframe in which you complete your coursework.
| Rates in Effect for Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Terms | |
| Tuition: 18 credits @ $1,885/credit hour | $33,930 |
| Registration fees: 3 registration sessions @ $35 each | $105 |
| TOTAL tuition + fees: | $34,035 |
Other costs to consider: Application Fee: $80; Matriculation fee: $200 (one time); Books approximately $100-150/course.
Contacts
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Shakiba Shaheer
Assistant Director,
Recruitment & Admissions
202-994-2739
shakiba [dot] shaheer
gwu [dot] edu (shakiba[dot]shaheer[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Schedule a time to chat
Sandra Whitehead, Ph.D.
Program Director
swhiteheadgwu [dot] edu (swhitehead[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Schedule an Appointment