Graduate Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning

Planning Dynamic, Sustainable Communities

The College of Charleston's Graduate Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning equips you with the essential skills to shape the future of our cities and regions.

Our flexible 13-credit program provides an overview of the discipline and practice of American planning, as well as the critical planning issues facing the Lowcountry.

  • Land-use planning
  • Transportation systems
  • Community development
  • Environmental law and policy
  • Urban design
  • Geographic information systems
Catalog: Urban & Regional Planning

Application Information

Whether you are seeking a new career in urban planning, looking to enhance your skills as an established professional ,or planning the foundation for your MPA degree, the Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning can help you in your career in government planning, private consulting, and real estate development in the Lowcountry and beyond.
  • Admission Requirements

    • Baccalaureate Degree
    • Minimum Undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.0
    • Application to the Graduate School as an "Urban and Regional Planning Certificate" student
    • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
    • A statement of goals detailing the reasons for applying to the program, professional experience, academic skills, and career objectives
    • Resume
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which should be an academic recommendation, the second can be a professional reference.
    • Though not a requirement, applicants may submit a writing sample, such as an undergraduate thesis, a recent work project, professional presentation, etc.

    Apply to the Grad School
  • Program 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

Certificate Policy

Up to 13 hours taken in the certificate program may be transferred into the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program with the approval of the M.P.A. program director. Students in the certificate program must still apply and be accepted into the M.P.A. program before credit hours can be transferred.

M.P.A. alumni interested in obtaining a certificate in Urban and Regional Planning may use up to 12 hours taken in the M.P.A. program towards their certificate program with the approval of the program directors of the M.P.A. program and the Urban Certificate program. Students must go through the admissions process and be accepted into the certificate program in order to be eligible to earn a certificate.

Students earning the M.P.A. degree and an urban and regional planning certificate are expected to complete an internship relevant to urban and regional planning.