Urban and Regional Planning

The Graduate Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning provides students with the option of deepening knowledge of urban, regional, and community planning principles and processes that will complement existing skills and knowledge.

Format

On campus

Credits Required

16

Time Commitment

1 year

Cost

2023-2024
$1,091/credit

Fees

2023-2024
$160/semester for part-time students

Download the RWU Urban & Regional Planning Certificate flyer
Download the program flyer

Required and elective courses are based on core concepts of sustainability and smart growth in order to provide a strong foundation for planning in a world of diminishing resources, environmental degradation, and climate change. Students who complete the certificate will have an understanding of the theory of planning, stakeholder engagement, land use and physical planning and its relationship to urban design, environmental/heritage conservation, transportation planning, sustainable development, planning law, and principles of equity and social justice. Potential areas of employment in which a student could use the skills gained through this certificate include architecture, landscape architecture and planning practices, in local governmental agencies, non-profit advocacy organizations, private consulting firms, and policy institutes.

The program is part of the Cummings School of Architecture, which offers additional graduate programs in Architecture, Preservation Practices, and Real Estate. The School is also home to the Cummings Institute for Real Estate

RWU Master of Architecture and M.S. Preservation Practices students can earn the Urban & Regional Planning Graduate Certificate as part of their degree with no additional cost or coursework. 

The Office of Graduate Admission hosts Open Houses and Virtual Information Sessions throughout the year. 

View our upcoming events for the most current opportunities to hear about the Urban & Regional Planning Graduate Certificate.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Urban & Regional Planning Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. To apply, submit the following:

  1. Completed online application form accompanied by the $50 application fee
  2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
  3. Letter of Intent (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in the program, relevant past experiences, and career goals

Where appropriate, documents should be submitted online through the applicant portal or via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu. Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e. transcripts) should be sent directly to:

Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809

Have questions about the application process? Visit the How to Apply page from the Office of Graduate Admission.