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Urban and Regional Planning

Explore the basic concepts and philosophies of urban and regional planning, land use, zoning, and sustainable urban development with this unique certificate from UW-Eau Claire. 

Available as
Certificate
Description

Explore Urban and Regional Planning

Though planning occurs across scale and sector, the urban and regional planning program emphasizes the spatial implications and relationships of land use activities and how place is linked to quality of life.

Since planning is highly interdisciplinary, the certificate's elective options are flexible. Depending on your goals, you can draw from multiple sub-fields of planning, including geographic, sociological, environmental, political and economic. The certificate provides a foundation for employment from public sector planning agencies to private sector planning firms, and it also supports students interested in planning-related graduate programs.

A major component of this certificate is designed to build your foundational knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS). You'll learn how to identify and process geospatial data representing geographic features of our world. With the use of state-of-the-art GIS technology, you'll analyze geospatial data representing the environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and political spheres of our world. Learn how to think spatially, produce maps, and communicate spatial information effectively.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Certificate
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asCertificate
Campus
Eau Claire
In-person or online
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
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Real-World Learning

Immerse yourself in different cultures via study abroad, participate in the National Student Exchange program, embark on meaningful field trips, or enroll in cultural immersion experiences. All of these opportunities are available to you while you pursue your certificate.

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Unparalleled Research Opportunities

Our Geography and Anthropology Department offers you the chance to contribute to the field of geography in meaningful and lasting ways. Alongside faculty, you’ll have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research, bringing your findings back to labs equipped with top-notch tools and industry-standard software. Many students go on to present their discoveries at both regional and national competitions.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

Named the Top Baccalaureate-Level Program in the Nation
We were proud to be awarded the 2024 AAG Award for Bachelor Program Excellence, recognizing our geography programs as some of the best in the country.
American Association of Geographers
3500 ft2 of Greenhouse Space
UWEC features an abundance of greenhouse space — right on campus — for you to explore.
4 Majors, 1 Minor, 7 Certificates
Interested in people and places? We have a program for you.
Surrounded By Nature
Our campus is surrounded by Putnam Park, a peaceful 230-acre natural area right out your back door.
Explore A New Campus
Participate in the National Student Exchange Program and choose from 180 schools, including universities in Canada, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Courses information
SampleCourses

With curriculum designed by experts in their field, you'll find that every course offers invaluable knowledge. This 15-credit certificate pulls from a variety of disciplines, including economics, political science, sociology, public health and environmental studies, and psychology.

Here are a few courses in Urban and Regional Planning at UW-Eau Claire.

GEOG 270

Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning

Basic concepts and philosophies of urban and regional planning, land use, zoning, and sustainable urban development.

GEOG 335

Geographic Information Systems I

This course introduces the basic principles and concepts surrounding the use and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will learn how to identify, organize, process, and analyze geospatial data representing geographic features of our world. With the use of state-of-the-art GIS technology, this course makes use of geospatial data representing the environment, economy, socio-cultural, political, and other spheres of our world. Moreover, students will learn how to think spatially, produce maps, analyze geospatial data, and communicate spatial information effectively.

GEOG 470

Urban Geography

Considers (1) cities as systems of service, trade, and manufacturing centers; (2) the internal structure of cities with emphasis on residential, commercial, and industrial patterns. North American urban places and solutions are stressed.

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