Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Planning

Plan for the sustainable development of our cities and region with theÌýGraduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Planning in 51¶¯Âþ’s . This certificate in sustainable community planning is available to nonmatriculated students and students in other 51¶¯Âþ graduate programs, with the approval of their graduate advisor.ÌýThis certificate meets the needs of public and private sector employees who work to improve the sustainability of cities, neighborhoodsÌýand regions and to address the adverse impacts of climate change without academic degrees in planning.Ìý

Elective courses provide the opportunity to deepen knowledge and training in specific areas of sustainability and environmental planning. Undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Planning allows students toÌý

  • develop indicators to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of site, community and regional actions, plans and designs;Ìý

  • interpret the discourse of theory and practice of sustainable development at the local, regional and global levels;Ìý

  • understand how to incorporate sustainability principles into planning practice to address the interrelationships between social, economic and environmental factors;ÌýandÌý

  • recognize models of sustainability and know how to use such models to inform their professional practice.Ìý

An image of a sustainable clothing drive on campus

Program Format & Curriculum

This 12-hour postgraduate certificate program can be completed on a part-time basis. This program includes a required sustainable community design and development course that presents an introduction to the evolution, theory and practice of planning for sustainable communities. Students will also evaluate recent conceptions of sustainable development, building an understanding of characters that define sustainable communities, implementation strategies and local-regional-global relationships. Other coursework you might take includesÌý

  • Collaborative Planning;
  • Ecological Planning and Development;
  • Sustainability in Suburban Communities; and
  • Regional Development.

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Internships & Opportunities

Every year, Tyler students benefit from exposure to scores of artists, scholars, architects, designers and professionals who are at the top of their fields. Students meet with these inspiring individuals through lectures, class visits, demonstrations and more, including three diverse lecture series and two major speaker programs—the and the . Ìý

°Õ²â±ô±ð°ù’s renowned Critical Dialogue Series, Architecture and Environmental Design Presents series, and Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist in Glass series bring influential to enrich the Tyler experience and interact with students.  Ìý

Students also connect with a plethora of arts projects, programs, studios, workshops, design firms, art centers and collections through internships, residencies and other opportunities listed in °Õ²â±ô±ð°ù’s biweekly newsletter, . Ìý

Careers

Pursuing a certificate in the builtÌýenvironment disciplines will teach you how to be a dynamic thinker and problem-solver—two of the most valued skills that today’s employers seek in new hires. Planning and design programs teach creative ways of seeing, thinking and making. 

Tyler career coaches specialize in the , mentoring students on everything from cover lettersÌýto interviewsÌýto career advice.  Ìý

is another resource that empowers students to find pathways to future success. The Career Center offers comprehensive career development services, from résumés and interviewsÌýto finding internships and jobs.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51¶¯Âþ’s commitment to access and affordability, this Graduate CertificateÌýoffers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,105.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,518.00 per credit

You can view the full .

TA-SCP-GRAD

Additional Program Information