Dec 15, 2024  
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog [DRAFT] 
    
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog [DRAFT] [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Certificate

Gerald Gordon, Program Director
843.953.6697

https://puba.cofc.edu/academic-information/certificate-programs/urban-planning/index.php

Mission Statement

This certificate program is designed to give master’s level students and working professionals an introduction to urban planning as an academic discipline and as a professional field.  As a 13-credit introduction, students will acquire an overview of the work that urban planners do, and the information, tools, and skills that they use to complete this work.  Course content is clarified via exploration of planning, legal, development, and transportation issues relevant to the planning profession and the Lowcountry.

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate Program in Urban and Regional Planning provides advanced training in the skills and competencies required to address the multifaceted problems posed by rapid growth and development in the Lowcountry. Students obtaining the certificate in Urban and Regional Planning seek employment in government planning agencies, or in private consulting and/or real estate development. The certificate courses are offered through the Master in Public Administration Program, but successful completion of certificate courses does not include admission to the MPA program. Students who wish to apply to the MPA program should do so within the first six hours of certificate study.

Admission Requirements and Application Deadlines


Institutional Admissions Requirements

  • A completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $60.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • International applicants should refer to the International Students area within the “Admissions Information” section of the catalog for information on providing appropriate documentation with the application.

Program Admissions Requirements

  • Undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.000
  • A statement of goals detailing the reasons for applying to the program, professional experience, academic skills, and career objectives
  • Résumé
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • Though not a requirement, applicants may submit a writing sample, such as an undergraduate thesis, a recent work project, professional presentation, etc.

* A separate degree-seeking application is required for admittance to a master’s degree program at the College of Charleston; Admission to the certificate program does not imply acceptance to a master’s program.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: January 15, priority; July 1, final
  • Spring: November 1, priority; December 1, final
  • Summer: January 15, priority; April 1, final

 

Transfer Credit Policy

A student may request the approval from the program director to accept up to three transfer credit hours. This course, if approved, must have a grade of B or higher.

Certificate to Degree Option

Students who are interested in both the MPA degree and the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate are encouraged to apply to both programs simultaneously by selecting the dual application designation on the graduate application.  Students who enroll in the MPA Program and later decide to add the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate must submit a separate application to the certificate program.  Please contact the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate program director if you are interested in this option.

Students who enroll in the certificate program and later decide to pursue the MPA degree may apply up to 13 certificate credit hours to the MPA program as electives.  Students interested in this option must submit a separate application to the MPA program.  Please contact the MPA program director if you are interested in this option.

MPA alumni interested in obtaining a certificate in Urban and Regional Planning may apply up to 13 credit hours taken in the MPA program towards the certificate program with the approval of the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate program director. MPA alumni interested in this option must submit an application to the Urban and Regional Planning Certificate program.

Students earning the MPA degree and an Urban and Regional Planning Certificate are expected to complete an internship relevant to urban and regional planning. 

Program Requirements
Program Learning Outcomes