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

 

Program News

 

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

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

Contacts

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Shakiba Shaheer

Assistant Director,
Recruitment & Admissions
202-994-2739
shakiba [dot] shaheergwu [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