Online Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning

18 credit hours |  In-state tuition: $480.90/credit hour | Out-of-state tuition: $590.53/credit hour

• Available in an easily accessible, 100% online format
•  Interdisciplinary, NASPAA-accredited program based in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
• Perfect for working students, active military, full-time employees seeking a career change or enhancement, and others who are place-bound
• Curriculum uniquely centered on aspects of public administration and economic development, with attention to current public policy issues such as border security, housing, health, emergency management and public safety

NOTE:

• YOU MUST HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE TO APPLY.
• GRADUATE CERTIFICATES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID.

PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Join a NASPAA- (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) Accredited Program 

Urban and regional planning is an interdisciplinary field of study that is essential to the planning and development of settlements and communities. Urban planners engage in a whole range of activities involved with developing policies as well as physical and economic infrastructure of urban areas so they will best support the needs of diverse and growing populations. In doing this, planners must manage resources of all kinds effectively and also be able to plan for both current and future needs of the population.

Graduates of UTEP's urban and regional planning online certificate will

•  Acquire core knowledge in economics, demography, law, and administration, and the technology (such as GIS) necessary for planning activities and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world issues
• Be qualified to work in any government, nonprofit or professional organization that requires the services of a planner
• Be prepared to seek additional certifications such as those from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The job outlook for graduates is positive; in addition to proceeding to graduate school for an MPA, many graduates find employment in local and state government and nonprofit organizations, locally, regionally and even internationally.

The UTEP Career Center also provides graduates with resources to help them pursue their career goals.

UTEP Edge

Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers. These are the Edge experiences Urban and Regional Planning students will have and the Edge skills they will graduate with:

Learn more about UTEP Edge

Work With Accomplished Faculty 

Our faculty are accomplished teachers and mentors who bring a personal touch to online learning. Many of them are frequently published in peer-reviewed journals and students often use free digital texts produced by the faculty and co-authors in their courses. This allows students to have a closer understanding of their professors. Coursework also includes a capstone project paper in which each student is mentored by faculty to analyze and make recommendations to an organization local to the student, regardless of location. Faculty have mentored students in El Paso and other US urban areas but also in cities in Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Turkey, the European Union, Africa and Asia.

Course Overview

Students must complete two required courses and four elective courses for a total of six courses (18 semester credit hours) with a grade of C or better to receive the certificate.