Certificate Programs

 

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

Eligibility for the Certificate Programs and Application Process

The certificate programs are open to graduate degree students
enrolled in any program at San José State University (SJSU), and most
are also open to SJSU undergraduates as well. Members of the public
who hold an undergraduate degree may also complete the certificate
program through SJSU's Open University.

Students interested in pursuing one of the certificate programs should consult with the department's graduate adviser, Professor Hilary Nixon prior to beginning course work. The graduate adviser 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 between 12 and 16 units of coursework.

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 Design and Development

Requirements for the Certificate in Community Design and Development:

Students in the certificate program in Community Design 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. Students emphasizing community design also learn the knowledge and skills that planners use to enhance the design of the physical environment.

Core Courses: 4 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 136/225* Introduction to Land Use Planning/Land Use Planning and Law 4
Electives (any three): 11 or 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 163 20th Century Urban Design 3
URBP 203 Collaborative Neighborhood Planning 4
URBP 205 Private Development and Urban Planning 4
URBP 123/223A* Introduction to Housing/Housing I 4
URBP 228 Urban Community Development 4
URBP 151/231* Introduction to Urban Design/Urban Design in Planning 4
URBP 152/232* Introduction to Urban Design Studio/Urban Design Studio 4
URBP 133/233* Introduction to Social Planning/Social Planning 4
URBP 148/248 Computers in Urban Design/Advanced Computers in Urban Design 4
URBP 250 Urban Planning Public Finance 4
URBP 123/275E* Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Revival/Historical Preservation 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.

Real Estate Development

Requirements for the Certificate in Real Estate Development:

This certificate program is designed to help current and aspiring real estate developers and city planners prepare for successful real estate development careers. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to initiate, navigate, and manage real estate development projects located in existing communities of Northern California. Please visit our Certificate in Real Estate Development page for more information about the certificate program, including overview, course structure, and eligibility information. 

Courses: 12 units
Course Number Course Title Units
URBP 205 Private Development and Urban Planning 3
URBP 206 Market Analysis, Appraisal, and Finance of Real Estate Development 3
URBP 207 Real Estate Development Business and Planning 3
URBP 208 Urban Real Estate Development Studio 3

 

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