Planning and Economic Development, Graduate Certificate

A completed application includes the following materials submitted online. Do not submit paper copies:

1. Submitted Online Application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
2. Application Fee:  A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
3. Goal Statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short, typed statement that answers the following:
   • What inspired you to pursue a degree and/or career in public service? Discuss any specific events, experiences (personal, academic, or professional), issue areas, or individuals that have influenced your decision.
   • How do you envision using a degree from the Andrew Young School to achieve your professional goals?
4. Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores (Optional): The GRE of the Educational Testing Service is optional. However, the GRE is strongly recommended for any applicant whose undergraduate grade-point-average (UGPA) is below 3.0. If submitting GRE scores, official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by GA State by the application deadline. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at www.gre.org.
5. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS academic scores.
6. Upload Transcripts from each Post-secondary College/University Attended:
   • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application or upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
   • Review requirements for submitting transcripts here.
   • Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.

The certificate is composed of 12 credit hours of courses, including:

• Required Core Courses (9 credit hours)
• Elective Course (3 credit hours)

View Curriculum Details

This certificate program provides courses covering planning theory, planning methods, and urban and regional theory, plus an opportunity to select electives in a single substantive planning specialization such as economic development planning, health planning transportation planning, environmental planning or land use planning.