Graduate Certificate in Urban & Environmental Design

The Urban & Environmental Design (UED) Graduate Certificate empowers students to think critically about emerging urban and environmental design problems through real-world projects and future-oriented ideas. Professional competency in urban design is a valued skill within the design disciplines and related fields. You will find people with Urban Design skills in architecture and engineering firms, city departments, landscape architecture offices, real estate companies, policy shops, and consultancies. The certificate provides an opportunity for students to supplement their professional or graduate degree with a Certificate in Urban & Environmental Design, preparing them for the most pressing design and planning challenges of the 21^stCentury.

In-person coursework introduces students to the complexity of urban and rural environments and promotes an interdisciplinary approach to designing sustainable communities. Students will learn essential skills, be introduced to both the history and contemporary conversations in the field, and develop design strategies in a studio environment. The 15-credit course of study was crafted to align with, while expanding, the educational pursuit of candidates in Architecture, Historic Preservation, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Interiors, Real Estate, and Engineering, among others.

Contact jeff.fugate@uky.edu for more information.

Admission Requirements

Applications for the certificate programs are accepted on a rolling basis, with opportunities to start in spring or fall.

The following are required to apply for the on-campus graduate certificate in Urban & Environmental Design:

1. Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Applicants must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution.
2. A resume or curriculum vitae.
3. A personal statement describing your interests in urban and environmental design and the reasons you wish to pursue a graduate certificate in the field (1,000 words maximum).
4. A portfolio or work sample demonstrating visual communications skills.
5. Two letters of recommendation. Note: Recommenders submit their letters directly to the Graduate School. The application requests contact information for two recommenders. Once your application is submitted, the university will contact each person identified and ask that they submit their recommendations directly to the Graduate School. You can log into the online system at any time to see who has submitted an application.

GRE scores are NOT required for graduate certificate applications. For more information about applying to the Graduate School, see http://gradschool.uky.edu/application-process

Survey Course

UED 501 Introduction to Urban & Environmental Design/Urban Systems (3)

History/Theory (Select One)

ARC 515 / UED 651 Urban Form Seminar (3)

GEO 702 Concepts in Geography (3)*

HP 610 American Architecture I (3)
HP 611 American Architecture II (3)
HP 615 American Settlement Patterns (3)

Studio

ARC 658-659 Architectural Design Studio* (Studio Degree Candidates)
OR
UED 601 Urban Design Studio + UED 612 Research Methods (Non-Studio Degree Candidates)

* Note: Studio is a 6-credit course that meets for 12 hours/wk

Elective (Select One)

ARC 511-514 History and Theory Seminar (3)*
ARC 515 / UED 651 Urban Form Seminar (3)
ARC 599-799 Special Topics in Architecture (3)* 
ARC 641 Advanced Professional Practice (3)*
ARC 761 Special Problems in Town Design (3)*

GEO 505 Practicum in Cartography (3)
GEO 509 GIS Workshop (3)
GEO 609 Intro to GIS (3)
GEO 702 Concepts in Geography (3)
GEO 717 Urban Geography (3)

HP 510 Cultural Landscapes (3)
HP 602 Historic Preservation Law  (3)
HP 610 American Architecture I (3)
HP 611 American Architecture II (3)
HP 615 American Settlement Patterns (3)

ID 559 Special Topics in Interiors (3)*

UED 551 / UED651 Special Topics in Urban Design (3)

Total: 15 credit hours

* Note: Starred courses have subtitles and require approval by Certificate Director | Unlisted courses allowed with permission of certificate director

Course descriptions and class schedules can be found on UK's Office of the University Registrar website.