- How will this program benefit me?
- This program offers relevant skills and training for land use planners and professionals in planning-related fields, such as resource managers, consultants and lawyers. This comprehensive program offers in-depth training in land use planning, covering topics, including regulatory updates, environmental analysis, finance, urban design and community involvement. Furthermore, because of our robust offering of elective courses, this program allows you to tailor your academic experience so you can focus on the subjects most relevant to your career.
- Who teaches these courses?
- Our courses are taught by recognized experts and practicing professionals in the fields of land use planning, environmental review and resource management.
- Is this certificate available online?
- Two elective courses are available online.
- CEQA: A Step by Step Approach (offered online during our Spring Quarter)
- An Introduction to NEPA (offered online during our Winter moved to Summer Quarter)
All other course are in-person and held at our One Capitol Mall campus, located at 1 Capitol Mall, CA 95814 or at our International Building located on the UC Davis Campus (463 California Ave., Davis, CA 95616) - How do your in-person courses work?
Our courses range from one to 4-day classes. Each are formatted differently due to subject matters, instructors and if they are academic (A-F grading) or for professional development.
One-day courses are non-graded and typically held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Two-day courses are non-graded, traditionally held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Three-day course are traditionally academic courses and can be scheduled in four different formats:
- Consecutive days. All three days are together and run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Weekly. A class day will be held one day a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for three weeks.
- Biweekly. A class day every other week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for 6 weeks.
- Two days together and the final day 3-4 weeks later. All class times will be 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please see the course dates and times for the specific section you are enrolling in to see which time your course will begin.
(Note: For some academic courses, you will have access to an extended, online classroom which will allow you to communicate with the instructor, program staff and classmates during breaks.)
- Are there any prerequisites for the Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate Program?
- This program is recommended for those who are currently in the planning or environment field and would like to further their professional development. However, there are no academic prerequisites to join the program. (Note: It is required that Planning in California: An Overview be completed with a grade of āCā or higher before you are eligible to take Planning and Environmental Law. It is strongly recommended that Planning and Environmental Law be the last course completed in the certificate program.)
- How long will it take to complete the certificate program?
This will depend on the availability of courses that comprise your certificate program. On average, it will take approximately three and a half years if you take one course per quarter. However, if you take more than one course a quarter, the program can be completed more quickly.
You will have up to five years to complete your program, including those classes taken prior to submitting your certificate registration.
- Can I work full time and still complete this certificate?
- Yes. The majority of our students are full-time working professionals. Many have partnered with their employers to take time off as part of professional development. Courses are also structured so that no more than 3 days would need to be taken off during a week. So, with advanced notice to employers, many of our students have been able to complete the certificate program while working full time.
- Is the certificate program accredited?
- The program is accredited through the University of California, Davis. All required courses are academic and can be transferred to an academic institution, pending the institutions acceptance.
- Are textbooks required for courses?
- Each course is different. Some textbooks are needed for our required, academic courses. You can see if a textbook is required by looking at the course description when you are ready to enroll. For the majority of the textbooks needed, you can order them from a distributor of your choice, but for those books that are provided by Solano Press, please contact your program representative for additional ordering options.
- Can we take courses before we apply for the certificate?
- Yes, you can! We encourage students to take at least one or two of our courses before they declare their candidacy to make sure the Certificate in Land Use and Environmental Planning is right for them. If, after taking a class or two, you decide you wish to register for the certificate program, you'll be required to pay a non-refundable $125 registration fee. By doing so, you declare your intent to complete the certificate program, and you'll receive dedicated academic planning support from our program manager.
