Close-up of a detailed architectural scale model showing buildings, roads, and a river through an urban landscape.

Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate

About the Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate

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.

Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Facts

Format

On campus

Credits Required

16

Time Commitment

1 year

Cost

2026-2027 Academic Year
$1,176 per credit
$2,437 Additional Fee for Studio Classes

Fees

2026-2027 Academic Year
$490 per semester (full-time students)
$165 per semester (part-time students)

Apply By

Fall: March 1 (priority), June 15 (regular), August 1 (final) 

Spring: November 1 (priority), December 15 (regular), January 6 (final) 

Summer: March 1 (regular), April 1 (final)

Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Program Overview

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.

Certificate Requirements

Loading course catalog information...

Application Requirements

Application Process

To be considered for admission to the Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

Each application will be reviewed using a portfolio approach - all parts of the application will be considered, inclusive of grades and trend of grades, letters of recommendation, the letter of intent, and other information that candidates for admission may wish to submit.

Application Materials

1. Completed application form and $55 application fee
An application fee is not required for RWU students.

2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
The Office of Graduate Admission will obtain transcripts on behalf of RWU students.

3. Letter of Intent (no more than two double-spaced pages) describing your interest in the Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate program, career goals, and how you can positively contribute to the graduate program at Roger Williams University

Uploading Materials

Once an applicant has submitted the application form they will have access to a portal to upload all supplemental materials (transcript copies, letter of intent, portfolio, resume, etc.)

Alternatively, documents can be submitted 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

International Applicants

International applicants are required to submit an external transcript evaluation.  If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results is also required to apply to graduate programs.

International applicants should read additional requirements for non-U.S. residents using the link below.

Upcoming Events

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.

Contact Us

Gregory Laramie