2024–2025 Bulletin Addendum 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

• Critically analyze historical and contemporary urban planning frameworks, understanding their impact on urban development and policymaking.
• 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.

Program Requirements

Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree. Some courses may have other prerequisites.

Required Courses (four courses/16 units)

• MET UA 515 History Theory and Planning Practice
• MET UA 551 Urban Problems and Policy Responses

Plus, two electives from the following list:

• MET UA 503 Housing and Community Development
• MET UA 510 Selected Topics in Urban Affairs
• MET UA 604 Urban Political Decisionmaking: Citizen Participation in the Planning Process
• MET UA 619 Urban Transportation Policy and Planning
• MET UA 664 Planning and Development Process

Additional elective courses may be approved in consultation with the academic advisor.

Transfer of Units

The Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning can be earned as a stand-alone certificate or combined with the Master of Science in Urban Affairs (MSUA) or Master of Science in City Planning (MSCP) degree programs. Elective course units taken as part of the certificate may be applied to the MSUA or MSCP degree programs, but not to other certificate programs. Additional elective courses may be approved in consultation with the academic advisor.