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Sustainability and Climate Resilience Certificate (Graduate)

Graduate certificate in Sustainability and Climate Resilience

Plan for the sustainable development of our cities and region with the Graduate certificate in Sustainability and Climate Resilience in 51³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s . This certificate in sustainable community planning is available to nonmatriculated students and students in other 51³Ô¹ÏÍø graduate programs, with the approval of their graduate advisor. This certificate meets the needs of public and private sector employees who work to improve the sustainability of cities, neighborhoods and regions and to address the adverse impacts of climate change without academic degrees in planning. 

Elective courses provide the opportunity to deepen knowledge and training in specific areas of sustainability and environmental planning. Undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Planning allows students to 

  • develop indicators to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of site, community and regional actions, plans and designs; 

  • interpret the discourse of theory and practice of sustainable development at the local, regional and global levels; 

  • understand how to incorporate sustainability principles into planning practice to address the interrelationships between social, economic and environmental factors; and 

  • recognize models of sustainability and know how to use such models to inform their professional practice. 

An image of a sustainable clothing drive on campus

Program Format & Curriculum

This 12-hour postgraduate certificate program can be completed on a part-time basis. This program includes a required sustainable community design and development course that presents an introduction to the evolution, theory and practice of planning for sustainable communities. Students will also evaluate recent conceptions of sustainable development, building an understanding of characters that define sustainable communities, implementation strategies and local-regional-global relationships. Other coursework you might take includesÌý

  • Collaborative Planning;
  • Ecological Planning and Development;
  • Sustainability in Suburban Communities; and
  • Regional Development.

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Internships & Opportunities

Every year, Tyler students benefit from exposure to scores of artists, scholars, architects, designers and professionals who are at the top of their fields. Students meet with these inspiring individuals through lectures, class visits, demonstrations and more, including three diverse lecture series and two major speaker programs—the and the . Ìý

°Õ²â±ô±ð°ù’s renowned Critical Dialogue Series, Architecture and Environmental Design Presents series, and Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist in Glass series bring influential to enrich the Tyler experience and interact with students.  Ìý

Students also connect with a plethora of arts projects, programs, studios, workshops, design firms, art centers and collections through internships, residencies and other opportunities listed in °Õ²â±ô±ð°ù’s biweekly newsletter, . Ìý

Careers

Pursuing a certificate in the builtÌýenvironment disciplines will teach you how to be a dynamic thinker and problem-solver—two of the most valued skills that today’s employers seek in new hires. Planning and design programs teach creative ways of seeing, thinking and making. 

Tyler career coaches specialize in the , mentoring students on everything from cover lettersÌýto interviewsÌýto career advice.  Ìý

is another resource that empowers students to find pathways to future success. The Career Center offers comprehensive career development services, from résumés and interviewsÌýto finding internships and jobs.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s commitment to access and affordability, this Graduate Certificate offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,148.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,577.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Our Advisors

°Õ²â±ô±ð°ù’s offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. The academic advisors help you chart your course through your degree program and major, and ensure you are on a clear educational path.Ìý

Advisors are available to discuss registration, study abroad and staying on track to graduate, as well as policy and procedures and navigating other available resources across the university.Ìý

Appointments with the advising team can be made by visiting the Student Tools tab in TUportal. General questions can be submitted to the team’s during regular business hours, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Academic Advising OfficeÌý
Tyler 212 Ìý
2001 N. 13th St.Ìý
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Program Contact

Jeffrey Doshna is an assistant professor and program head of the planning and community development program.Ìý
Email:  Ìý
Phone: 215-204-1213 Ìý

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Accreditation

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.Ìý

  • Ìý
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Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s architecture and environmental design programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.Ìý

  • Ìý(Master of Architecture)
  • Ìý(Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture)
  • Ìý(Master of Science in City and Regional Planning)
  • Ìý(Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management)

Additional Program Information