Motion: On
Motion: Off
Contrast: Standard
Contrast: High
Apply site-wide
Overview
Communities today face complex challenges related to housing, economic development, sustainability, infrastructure and social equity. The Community Development and Planning Graduate Certificate prepares students to understand these challenges and develop effective, community-centered solutions.
This fully online graduate certificate focuses on the social, legal, analytical, and community development dimensions of planning practice. Through four required courses, students develop core competencies in planning law, history and theory, community revitalization, and planning methods, with an emphasis on equity, inclusiveness, social justice, and community well-being.
Aligned with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Core Knowledge Areas, the program prepares students to understand how planning decisions shape communities and equips them with practical, applied skills for professional growth and leadership opportunities.
Careers
The Community Development and Planning Graduate Certificate prepares professionals for careers focused on shaping stronger, more sustainable, and equitable communities. Graduates gain essential knowledge and applied skills that support work across public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Career paths possible to pursue with this program.:
- Community Development Coordinator
- Urban or Regional Planning Assistant
- Community Outreach Specialist
- Housing Program Coordinator
- Sustainability Coordinator
Admission Requirements
- College transcripts certifying successful completion of a bachelor’s degree.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- A personal statement describing:
- Interest in Community Planning
- Reasons for applying
Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | DNP | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Summer 2026 | 15-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Fall 2026 | 15-Jun-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Spring 2027 | 15-Oct-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Summer 2027 | 15-Mar-27 | |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer II 2026 | 2-Jun-26 | 7-Jul-26 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Fall II 2026 | 29-Sep-26 | 3-Nov-26 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Spring II 2027 | 26-Jan-27 | 2-Mar-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer II 2027 | 1-Jun-27 | 6-Jul-27 |
| Master of Oceanography | MO | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Oceanography | MO | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Public Administration, Blue MPA | Blue MPA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Public Administration, Blue MPA | Blue MPA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | |||
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS in DS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS in DS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| M.S. in Dietetics | MS Dietetics | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Supply Chain Management & Applied Analytics, M.S. | SCMAA MS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Environmental Management | MEM | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | Spring 2027 | 5-Jan-27 | |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | Summer 2027 | 4-May-27 | |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Health Professions Education Graduate Certificate | HPE Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Health Professions Education, M.A. | HPE MA | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Summer 2026 | 15-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Fall 2026 | 15-Jun-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Spring 2027 | 15-Oct-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Summer 2027 | 15-Mar-27 | |
| Data Science Graduate Certificate | DS Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Data Science Graduate Certificate | DS Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Fisheries Science Graduate Certificate | FS Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| GIS & Geospatial Technologies Graduate Certificate | GIS GT Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Quantum Computing Graduate Certificate | QC Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Medication Outcomes Graduate Certificate | MO Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer II 2026 | 2-Jun-26 | 7-Jul-26 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Fall II 2026 | 29-Sep-26 | 3-Nov-26 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Spring II 2027 | 26-Jan-27 | 2-Mar-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer II 2027 | 1-Jun-27 | 6-Jul-27 |
| Natural Resources & the Environment Graduate Certificate | NRE Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education Graduate Certificate | ECCE Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | OS Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | OS Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Community Planning Graduate Certificate | CommPlan Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education, B.S. Degree Completion | ECCE BS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Summer 2026 | 31-Mar-26 | 5-May-26 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Education Doctorate, Ed.D. | EDD | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Community Planning and Development Graduate Certificate | CPD Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Cyber Security Graduate Certificate | CyberSec Grad Cert | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
Tuition and Fees
| Tuition (per credit) | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Technology Fee | Transcript Fee | Document Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Data Science Graduate Certificate | DS Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Fisheries Science Graduate Certificate | FS Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| GIS & Geospatial Technologies Graduate Certificate | GIS GT Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Quantum Computing Graduate Certificate | QC Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Medication Outcomes Graduate Certificate | MO Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Natural Resources & the Environment Graduate Certificate | NRE Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education Graduate Certificate | ECCE Grad Cert | $631 | $0 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | OS Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Community Planning Graduate Certificate | CommPlan Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Health Professions Education Graduate Certificate | HPE Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | n/a |
| Health Professions Education, M.A. | HPE MA | $875 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | n/a |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | DNP | $825 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Oceanography | MO | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS DS | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Dietetics | MS Dietetics | URI-Sodexo MS Dietetics Graduate Program | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Supply Chain Management & Applied Analytics, M.S. | SCMAA MS | $1,000 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Environmental Management | MEM | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | $918 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | $631 | $0 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education, B.S. Degree Completion | ECCE BS | $631 | $0 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | $631 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | $631 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Education Doctorate, Ed.D. | EDD | $875 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Community Planning and Development Graduate Certificate | CPD Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | $375 | $65 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $115 |
| Cyber Security Graduate Certificate | CyberSec Grad Cert |
Curriculum
The 12 graduate credit program emphasizes how planning decisions shape, and are shaped by, social needs, community well-being, equity considerations, and place-based revitalization efforts.
- CPL522: Planning Law
- CPL523: Planning History and Theory
- CPL510: Community Revitalization
- CPL525: Introduction to Planning Methods
This certificate program is stackable and can be paired with another certificate in order to earn a degree like the Master of Public Administration or Master of Environmental Management.
Program Goals
- Gain a foundation in the principles and practices of community planning and development, specifically in areas of legal, historical, and community-focused dimensions of planning
- Become equipped with the practical knowledge and understanding of how to plan for and enable equitable and sustainable communities
Faculty
