Urban Planning or Community Development Program?

Hello All

Since learning of this board less than two years ago (April 04), I have gone from no degree at all (17 college credits), to a completed Bachelors degree and enrollment for graduate studies. Needless to say, the information on this board has been INVALUABLE!! You guys are the best source for tackling educational obstacles.

Right now I am finishing up my Masters degree in public administration (less than 30 days away) and am looking to supplement it with a low cost RA undergrad or graduate certificate in some type of planning discipline. This could be in the form of urban planning, urban development, community development, etc. I thought about getting the full degree but it's just too expensive. The certificate program seems to be the best way (4-6 courses right?) without having to burden myself with more student loans (I'm also not looking to take on a full time course load again). I've done some searching but all the certificate programs I've found however have been on campus programs.

The program must be regionally accredited and completely DL. Cost is a HUGE factor as this is coming out of my own pocket so the fewer courses required, the better. Also, short terms are preferable (i.e. 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks).

Does anyone know of any programs that would meet the above requirements.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Good luck to all those continuing their education.

 

You can start by copying-and-pasting the folowing search string into the Google search box:

• +certificate +"urban planning" OR "urban development" OR "community development" OR "community planning" +"distance learning" OR "distance education" OR online site:.edu

Don't worry if the above search string wraps to a second (or even a third) line as it displays here, above. There are no carriage-returns or line feeds in it here, so you can just clck-and-drag the mouse over it and copy (Ctrl-C) it to your clipboard as one long string, and then paste it (Ctrl-V) into the Google search box at www.google.com.

Then, if you find something that interests you, be sure to verify that it's regionally accredited by looking it up here and/or here.

Others may (hopefully) chime-in with specific suggestions, but the above is a way to get started.

 

DesElms

Thanks a lot, I typed in that search exactly as you wrote it and came up with a certificate program in Community Development at Fort Hayes State University that looks like it will fit the bill. Other suggestions and input is still welcome.

Thanks again.

 

Here are a few progrsams that I have found:

Colorado State University:
Ceritifcate in Community-Based Development
This is a non-credit program
Complete 4 courses
About $300.00 per course, $1200 total
LINK


Iowa State University:
MS in Interdisciplinary Studies, specialization in Community Development
I know you said you were looking just for certificate programs, but contact them to see if you can transfer a few of your MPA courses which can be related. It ten course, but they allow for a three course transfer per university regulations. (I have applied to the program this is why I know about this.)

This is program is a multi-university collaborative program through GPIDEA. Othe universities include Kansas State, U Nebraska-Lincoln and a few others. You can actually applied with any university. I just chose ISU because that's where I first found out about the program. Here is a link: LINK


Iowa State University (just them) also has a DL professional masters program in Planning which is accreditied through the the American Planning Association's accrediting body the Planning Accreditation Board. Here's a link:

LINK



Also, there are also planning courses at Northern Arizona. I think there is a concentration there, but no certificate.

If you look at U Illinois-Springfield, they have an online graduate program in Environmental Studies. Some of their courses are in land use, transportation and environmental planning. I believe they are quite reasonable if you aplly to an online degree program. (In-state rates at about $600/course) I believe it is out-of-state tuition rates for being a non-degree student.

 

tmartca

Wow, the program at Colorado State looks promising as well. 5 week terms is just what I was looking for.

Again, this board has been extremely helpful. Thank you for your quick reply and valuable information.