School of Urban and Public Affairs

The Certificate in Development Review provides training in zoning, subdivision plat review, site design, communication skills, and urban development, while keeping in mind the interests of citizens and the spirit of places. These skills are essential for planners who want to understand proposed development activity, ensure that proposed development is consistent with a city’s vision, and facilitate review of development proposals

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geographic information systems (GIS) has become the essential tool of analysis at all levels of public- and private-sector management, administration and planning. People with the skill to use GIS are in demand across a broad range of professions, in government, business and nonprofit organizations nationwide.

Law and Public Policy

The Certificate in Law and Public Policy provides a basic understanding of the legal-policy aspects of environmental, health, education, economic, social and urban-affairs issues. An understanding of these legal dimensions and their impacts can be a valuable asset in the modern employment environment. Increasingly, there is demand for managers and administrators who possess familiarity with the laws that affect their areas of expertise and employment.

Public Budgeting and Financial Management

Sound fiscal management at all levels of government is essential for meeting the demands of an increasingly expensive and complex service-delivery need. The purpose of this certificate is provide students interested in public sector affairs and local government officials (budgeters, planners, finance analysts, and elected officials) with the skills to enable them to effectively support local government financial decision-making.

Participants should expect to attain a comprehensive understanding of public budgeting and financial management processes and theories including knowledge of the various government revenue sources, major expenditures, and borrowing mechanisms used to finance long-life capital assets.

Urban Journalism

The School of Urban and Public Affairs offers its certificate program to provide journalists with comparative and historical perspective about urban events and issues. SUPA has been educating students and professionals in urban affairs for more than 30 years.

Urban Nonprofit Management

Demand for nonprofit-management education has surged along with job growth in the nonprofit sector and with the increased competitiveness between nonprofit agencies. Students, looking to move into the sector are finding entry easier and opportunities greater with nonprofit-management credentials.

Public-affairs programs, like the one at SUPA, offer a reliable venue for nonprofit-management education because, historically, public and nonprofit organizations are both grounded in public service. But, more importantly, SUPA’s program is tailored specifically to nonprofit-organization needs, guided by an advisory board of nonprofit professionals.

The certificate in Urban Nonprofit management is intended as preparation for students who are working in or are considering management careers in a nonprofit organization.