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• | Sustainable Communities Institute

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning program also offers the following graduate certificate programs:

• Certificate in Urban Revitalization
• Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The Certificate in Urban Revitalization provides specialized training in the techniques and processes of city and neighborhood revitalization. Topics include adaptive reuse of buildings, historic preservation, real estate market analysis and the role of private-public partnerships in financing development projects. The certificate is useful for mid-career professionals who wish to learn new skills to expand their career options. It also is useful for recent college graduates who desire advanced training beyond the baccalaureate level and accelerated entry into the job market.

At any time, students in the certificate program may apply for admission into the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program and, if accepted, may transfer the certificate credits toward partial fulfillment of the master’s degree requirements.

Curriculum

The certificate in Urban Revitalization program requires 18 credit hours of course work, which blends instruction in planning, urban design, economics and finance. With the advice of an adviser, students may take any of the following courses to satisfy the certificate requirements:

• URSP 517 | Historic Preservation in Planning
• URSP 610 | Introduction to Planning
• URSP 611 | Principles of Urban Design
• URSP 643 | Housing Policy
• URSP 666 | Urban Commercial Revitalization
• URSP 647 | Adaptive Reuse of Buildings or FIRE 629 Real Estate Investment Analysis
• URSP 691 | Architectural Analysis and Historical Preservation
  
• URSP 691 | Historical Preservation Application

Admissions Requirements

• Completion of an official application form
• Three letters of reference
• Letter of intent describing interest in applying for the Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
• An official transcript showing successful completion of baccalaureate degree or its equivalent form from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 (out of 4.0) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
• Demonstration of professional experience in planning or work related to the certificate program. The experience requirement may be waived for candidates who demonstrate professional promise.

The graduate certificate in geographic information systems (GIS) emphasizes the core functions and applications of GIS. It provides specialized training in the operations and techniques related to the creation, analysis, modeling, visualization, interpretation, and management of geographic information.

The GIS Certificate program is designed to meet the education needs of both traditional and non- traditional students. For traditional students, the GIS Certificate program prepares them to utilize GIS in their major areas of studies. Non-traditional students can also take advantage of the GIS Certificate program to learn and/or upgrade their GIS knowledge and skills that are applicable and important to their professions.

Curriculum

The GIS Certificate program can be completed in one academic year. To receive the GIS Certificate, students must complete 12 graduate credits of GIS coursework that includes two required and two elective courses with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0). The following schedule is suggested as a means of completing the certificate program:

Fall Semester (6 credits)

• URSP 621 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (required)
• one elective course

Spring Semester (6 credits)

• URSP 625 | Spatial Database Management and GIS Modeling (required)
• one elective course

–Suggested elective courses–

• URSP 622 | Community Socioeconomic Analysis Using GIS (offered in Fall semester)
• URSP 626 | Transportation Analytics and Modeling (offered in Spring semester)
• URSP 627 | GIS Applications in Urban Design (offered in Spring semester)
• Other GIS-related courses approved by the certificate program coordinator.

–All credits earned in the GIS Certificate program are transferable to the Master of Criminal Justice program, the Master of Public Administration program, or the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. However, students must apply to the Certificate and graduate degree programs separately.

Admission Criteria and Student Eligibility

The prerequisites and general criteria of eligibility for admission to the GIS Certificate program include:

• Completion of an official application form
• Three letters of reference
• Letter of intent describing interest in applying for the Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
• An official transcript showing successful completion of baccalaureate degree or its equivalent form from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 (out of 4.0) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.

A certificate-seeking graduate student may enroll on either a part-time or a full-time basis, as determined by the certificate program coordinator. Graduate students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program of study leading to a degree, who wish to pursue a simultaneous GIS Certificate must complete a separate official application form plus a letter of intent.

At any time, students in the GIS Certificate program may apply for admission into the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program, the Master of Public Administration program, or the Master of Criminal Justice program. If accepted into the Master’s program, students may then transfer all credits earned in the GIS Certificate program toward partial fulfillment of the Master’s programs.

–GIS Certificate Program Courses–

URSP 621 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
This course introduces the components, capabilities, and functionalities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In addition to the concepts upon which GIS is based, how it works, and what it does; this course introduces cartographic techniques necessary to design and construct effective maps with an emphasis on thematic mapping. It also examines the processing, compilation and symbolization of spatial data and the application of related analytical techniques. Laboratory work emphasizes practical applications and uses of ArcGIS and the Spatial Analyst extension.

URSP 622 | Community Socioeconomic Analysis Using GIS This course introduces students to data sources and database management for community analysis using of geographic information systems (GIS). Including an overview of database structures, public domain software and data resources, descriptive statistical analysis, population projection, graphic presentation of data, and principles of cartographic design. Laboratory exercises using GIS software and public domain data to describe communities and identify planning issues. Laboratory work emphasizes practical applications and uses of ArcGIS.

URSP 625 | Spatial Database Management and GIS Modeling This course covers advanced spatial techniques related to the creation, analysis, modeling, visualization, interpretation, and management of geographic data. It provides an extensive coverage of geo-relational database concepts and design, and the applications of descriptive and predictive GIS modeling techniques using map algebra, Boolean logic, and spatial statistics. Laboratory work emphasizes practical applications and uses of ArcGIS and the Model Builder, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, and Geostatistical Analyst extensions.

URSP 626 | Transportation Analytics and Modeling Introduces conventional travel demand forecasting techniques, i.e., the Urban Transportation Modeling System. UTMS typically consists of trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice and trip assignment. Land-use modeling and post-processing procedures will also be introduced. Additionally, other latest modeling developments, such as activity/tour-based modeling, 4D post- processing and land use/transportation integration models will also be explored. Case studies of the Virginia Transportation Modeling and its Cube Voyager applications are included.

URSP 627 | GIS Applications in Urban Design This course covers GIS tools and techniques in relation to 3D visualization, decision analysis, program evaluation, and Internet-GIS. It emphasizes the integration of exploratory/predictive spatial analyses and 3D visualization into the decision-making process. GIS tools and techniques are used to automate decision analysis and facilitate future visioning in analyzing and visualizing decision actions. Laboratory work emphasizes practical applications and uses of ArcGIS, ArcIMS, and the CommunityViz software suite.