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Graduate Certificate Program


Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning

The UTEP Graduate School offers a Graduate Certificate Program in Planning which is a 15 semester hour interdisciplinary program based in the Master of Public Administration Program. The certificate program is aimed at professionals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of planning and at students in the MPA or other master’s or doctoral programs (in fields such as economics, political science, environmental science, and engineering) who wish to incorporate a certificate in planning in their graduate degree program. The certificate is designed for those employed as planners and students interested in a career in planning to provide them with core knowledge in economics, demography, law and administration and the technology (such as GIS) necessary for planning activities.

Certificate Requirements

Five courses (15 semester credit hours) are required of all students. Students will take a capstone course (PAD 5367, Comprehensive Integration of Public Administration) that calls for demonstration of competency in the area of interest, in a professional format. Each student will design and complete a research project that demonstrates the ability to synthesize and apply relevant knowledge and skills to a public service problem. The capstone course may be aligned with degree requirements.

Certificate Admission Requirements

Prospective students must apply through the Graduate School. Applicants should complete the Graduate School application and indicate the certificate area. The application fee will be waived for students already enrolled in a degree program. Applicants must provide transcripts according to the requirements of the Graduate School if these are not already on file in the Graduate School.
Students enrolled in the MPA program may select Urban and Regional Planning as an area of concentration. Courses taken to meet core curriculum requirements in the MPA program (PAD 5310 Public Policy Process and Institutions, PAD 5367 Comprehensive Integration of Public Administration) may not be included in the 9  semester hours of area concentration even though they are included in the Graduate Certificate Program in Planning.

Curriculum (15 semester hours)

Pick courses from the following (12 semester hours)

  • PAD 5359 Regional and Urban Planning
  • PAD 5310 Public Policy Process and Institutions
  • PAD 5360 Urban Administration
  • PAD 5363 Intergovernmental Relations
  • PAD 5380 Selected Problems in Public Administration
One required course (3 semester hours)
  • PAD 5367 Comprehensive Integration of Public Administration

Course descriptions are available at the following link:  http://catalog.utep.edu/grad/college-of-liberal-arts/college-liberal-arts-deans-office/master-of-public-administration/

Connect With Us

The University of Texas at El Paso
Public Administration
Benedict Hall 208
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79902

E: kviscapa@utep.edu
P: (915) 747-5879