Urban Planning and Community Development Certificate
Default students: earn a validated Certificate in Urban Planning and Community Development in approximately 10–15 hours, self-paced. A limited number of seats remain.
For Default students:
14-day withdrawal (full refund) before completion
Self-paced · Start immediately
Default can enroll at heavily discounted prices through the enrollment deadline -
from $299 to $99.00

Default students are eligible through August 25th.
Enrollment closes at 11:59 PM CT. If you plan to enroll, we recommend completing
enrollment before the deadline.
Why this certificate matters
96%
Employers suggest certificates strengthen applications
$12K
Average reported salary increase with certificate
9/10
Hiring managers prioritize candidates with certificates
Based on industry surveys and self-reported outcomes from certificate program completers.
Individual results may vary.
Program Overview
Overview
Overview
The Urban Planning and Community Development Certificate Program is designed for college students interested in developing strong, in-demand urban planning and community development skills required across a wide range of roles and industries. It provides a comprehensive understanding of urban planning and community development, covering core concepts, tools, and techniques used to analyze communities, support development initiatives, and inform planning and policy decisions in professional environments.
Whether you are applying for internships, your first job out of college, or competitive early-career positions, this program helps prepare you for roles where urban planning and community development knowledge is a required skill and a core part of the job.
Key Features
Audience
Designed for students interested in urban planning and community development and roles that involve planning, housing, economic development, and community engagement. The program is well suited for students across public policy, urban studies, social sciences, and arts and sciences, as well as anyone seeking to strengthen their résumé for planning- and development-focused roles across industries.
Duration
Four months of access per semester to course materials and resources. At the end of four months, you can renew your access if needed.
Time to Complete
Expected to be completed within 10 to 15 hours, allowing for flexible, self-paced learning.
Certificate
Certificate in Urban Planning and Community Development.
Optional Custom Emphasis
Leveraging advanced AI technology, the program offers a personalized learning experience that allows students to tailor their certificate toward a specific industry or career direction.
Rather than focusing solely on abstract planning concepts, students may select an emphasis aligned with the types of roles or industries they are interested in pursuing, such as housing development, economic development, transportation planning, community engagement, or public-sector planning.
For example, a student interested in housing or development roles may choose an emphasis in housing and community development. This emphasis would be reflected in the title of the certificate earned; for example:
Certificate in Urban Planning and Community Development, Emphasis: Housing & Community Development
This approach helps students clearly communicate relevance to employers while maintaining broad applicability across industries.
Why This Certificate Matters
Urban planning and community development skills appear in job descriptions across public-sector development, housing, and infrastructure fields. This certificate provides a clear and credible way to demonstrate planning and community development ability, readiness for planning-focused roles, and the skills employers expect.
Key Features
No key features available.
Optional custom emphasis
No custom emphasis available.







