Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning
The Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning provides an in-depth, multidisciplinary perspective on how to address complex 21st century urban issues, including housing and community development, public health, economic and infrastructural management, and environmental sustainability. Students in the program study policy analysis and formulation; urban public financing; comparative planning and development; urban spatial analysis; the political, legal, social, and economic dimensions of urban development; and the relationship between urban land use and the environment.
The Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning is designed to enable mid-career professionals and recent graduates to advance their careers in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors as urban managers, policy analysts, city planners, researchers, and consultants. Upon completion of the graduate certificate, students will be able to work with public and private leaders at the city, state, and federal levels to overcome conflicting goals and evaluate how to better incorporate equitable and sustainable urban strategies. Coursework will prepare students to analyze a range of information in order to cultivate successful urban policies, identify community needs and resources, and administer effective service-delivery programs. Graduates will be equipped to develop policy and planning solutions in conjunction with various urban stakeholders, in order to manage conflicting goals and strategic priorities.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the history and theory of urban and regional development, the structure and functions of urban systems, local and national policy-making processes, and the role of planning.
- Explain and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues inherent in planning theory and practice to develop effective policy for urban development.
- Create strategic policy and planning solutions that incorporate the diverse perspectives of various stakeholder groups, including those of minority and disadvantaged communities.
Admissions Information
For current admissions information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.
Transfer of Credits
The Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning can be earned as a stand-alone certificate or combined with the Master of Urban Affairs (MUA) or Master of City Planning (MCP) degree programs. Elective course credits taken as part of the certificate may be applied to the MUA or MCP degree programs, but not to other certificate programs. Additional elective courses may be approved in consultation with the academic advisor. However, if MET UA 664 is completed as part of this certificate requirement, it may not be counted toward the required courses for the MUA degree program; it may, however, be counted toward the required courses for the MCP degree.
Program Requirements
Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree. Some courses may have other prerequisites.
A total of four courses (16 credits) is required and distributed as follows:
Required Courses (two courses/8 credits)
- MET UA 664 Planning and the Development Process
- MET UA 701 Urban Problems and Policy Responses
Electives (two courses/8 credits)
Choose two from the following:
- MET UA 503 Housing and Community Development
- MET UA 508 Real Estate Development
- MET UA 509 Public Finance and Urban Infrastructure
- MET UA 510 Selected Topics in Urban Affairs
- MET UA 523 Skills and Techniques in Planning
- MET UA 527 Feeding the City: Urban Food
- MET UA 580 Boston Experience: The Role of Architecture in Creating the Sense of Place
- MET UA 610 Urban Environmental Issues
- MET UA 613 Urban Design and Development
- MET UA 619 Urban Transportation Policy and Planning
- MET UA 654 GIS and Spatial Analysis
Additional elective courses may be approved in consultation with the academic advisor.
