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Certificate Programs

 

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University offers five certificate programs which lead to specialization in:

Eligibility for the Certificate Programs and Application Process

The certificate program is open to upper-division undergraduate or graduate degree students enrolled in any program at San José State University (SJSU). Members of the public who hold an undergraduate degree may also complete the certificate program through SJSU's Open University.

Students do not formally apply to the certificate programs. However, they should consult with the department's graduate advisor, Professor Hilary Nixon prior to beginning course work. The graduate advisor will help students decide what classes to take and whether to take classes through Open University or as an enrolled degree student.

Overview of Program Requirements

To earn a certificate, students complete 16 units of coursework (the Urban Design certificate can be completed with 15 units of coursework). Each certificate includes two or three required core courses, and the remaining units are taken from the specified list of electives. The student may also petition the graduate advisor for permission to substitute an elective course not listed on the programs of study.

In addition, the student must:

  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 over all semester credits of course work applied towards the certificate.
  • Earn a minimum grade of “B Minus” in every course applied towards the certificate.
  • Complete all the course work within seven years.

**Note that upper-division students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at SJSU may take the graduate-level courses listed in the certificate course offerings with the instructor's permission.

Applications of Technology in Planning

Requirements for the Certificate in Applications of Technology in Planning:

In this certificate program, students develop their knowledge and skills at using information technologies in the planning process. Classes and studies draw on the rich agglomeration of technical applications and skills available in the Silicon Valley region.

Core Courses: 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 136/225* Intro to Land Use Planning/Land Use Planning and Law 4
URBP 148/248* Computers in Urban Design/Advanced Computers in Urban Design 4
URBP 179/278* Urban Geographic Information Systems Techniques/GIS Computer Planning Applications 4

*Undergraduates should enroll in the 100-level version of this course, while students already holding an undergraduate degree should enroll in the 200-level course.

Electives (any one): 4 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 204 Quantitative Methods 4
URBP 279 Advanced GIS Applications 4

Community Planning and Development

Requirements for the Certificate in Community Planning and Development:

Students in the certificate program in Community Planning and Development study how to ensure that development in our communities addresses the needs of all residents. This area examines the interactions among social, economic, political, and cultural factors, and the built environment.

Core Courses: 8 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 203 Collaborative Neighborhood Planning 4
URBP 136/225* Introduction to Land Use Planning/Land Use Planning and Law 4
Electives (any two): 8 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 123/223A* Introduction to Housing/Housing I 4
URBP 228 Urban Community Development 4
URBP 133/233* Introduction to Social Planning/Social Planning 4
URBP 250 Urban Planning Public Finance 4
URBP 123/275E* Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Revival/Historical Preservation Planning 4
URBP 275F Urban Planning Topics: Private Development and Urban Planning 4

*Undergraduates should enroll in the 100-level version of this course, while students already holding an undergraduate degree should enroll in the 200-level course.

Environmental Planning

Requirements for the Certificate in Environmental Planning:

This certificate program prepares students to understand the linkages between land use patterns, the natural environment, and the policy tools that planners use to promote sustainable urban development.

Core Courses: 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 136/225* Introduction to Land Use Planning/Land Use and Urban Planning 4
URBP 185 Environmental Impact Assessment 4
URBP 142/240* Introduction to Environmental Planning/Environmental Planning 4

*Undergraduates should enroll in the 100-level version of this course, while students already holding an undergraduate degree should enroll in the 200-level course.

Electives (any one): 4 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 260 Environmental Planning Topics 4
ENVS 190 Advanced Environmental Impact Analysis 4

Transportation and Land Use Planning

Requirements for the Certificate in Transportation and Land Use Planning:

Students in this program learn the principles of transportation and land-use planning at the local and regional levels. In today's rapidly growing regions, planners recognize that transportation and land use planning are intricately connected and must be planned together to allow residents and freight carriers to access destinations quickly and efficiently, improve accessibility options for residents who cannot or choose not to drive, and build economically and environmentally sustainable communities.

Core Courses: 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 136/225* Introduction to Land Use Planning/Land Use and Urban Planning 4
URBP 178/226* Regional Transportation Planning 4
URBP 178/256* Introduction to Transportation and Urban Planning/Planning Topics: Local Transportation Planning 4


*Undergraduates should enroll in the 100-level version of this course, while students already holding an undergraduate degree should enroll in the 200-level course.

Electives (any one): 4 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 211 Regional Analysis & Planning 4
URBP 236 Urban and Regional Planning Policy Analysis - Tools and Methods 4
URBP 250 Urban Planning Public Finance 4
URBP 255 Urban Growth Management 4

Urban Design

Requirements for the Certificate in Urban Design:

Students in the certificate program in Urban Design study learn the knowledge and skills that planners use to enhance the design of the physical environment.

Core Courses: 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 136/225* Introduction to Land Use Planning/Land Use and Urban Planning 4
URBP 151/231* Urban Design in Planning 4
URBP 152/232* Urban Design Studio 4

*Undergraduates should enroll in the 100-level version of this course, while students already holding an undergraduate degree should enroll in the 200-level course.

Electives (any one): 3 or 4 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 148/248 Computers in Urban Design/Advanced Computers in Urban Design 4
URBP 163** Twentieth Century Urban Design 3