Recent Searches

Close

History

Close

Recent Pages

Recent Searches

EIU Master of Arts in Political Science

ONLINE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC PLANNING

 

The online certificate in Public Planning offers students and professionals in public/nonprofit sectors, campaign management, and lobbying careers with advanced analysis and decision-making tools. The certificate combines coursework in Public Administration and Public Policy with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), providing essential mapping analysis experience.

Students interested in careers in urban and regional planning are strongly recommended to enroll in this certificate program.

Our Faculty & Commitment to Online Students

Our online courses are taught by Political Science and Geography faculty at EIU. We are accessible on campus, via email/video-chat, and via phone. We offer the same mentoring and opportunities to online students as our face-to-face students.

Curriculum Requirements

The certificate requires a total of 18 credit hours, split evenly between GIS and Public Administration/Policy.

1. Geographic Information Systems (9 Credits)

Required Core Course (3 credits):

    • GEO 5810 / Introduction to Geographic Information Science

Elective Courses (Choose 6 credits from the following):

    • GEO 4910 / GIS Programming
    • GEO 5820 / Remote Sensing I
    • GEO 5830 / GIS: Building Geodatabases
    • GEO 5870 / Remote Sensing II
    • GEO 5880 / Geospatial Data Models
    • GIS 5970 / Special Topics in Geographic Information Systems

2. Public Administration & Public Policy (Choose 9 Credits)

  • PLS 4763 / Environmental Politics & Policy
  • PLS 4793 / Civic & Nonprofit Leadership
  • PLS 4893 / Budgeting in Government & Nonprofit Organizations
  • PLS 5153 / Cities & Urban Policy in the US Federal System
  • PLS 5163 / State Governments & Policy in the U.S. Federal System
  • PLS 5543 / Proseminar in Public Administration
  • PLS 5843 / Proseminar in Public Policy Research & Analysis

Admissions Requirements (Standalone Certificate)

You can apply for enrollment in the certificate program without concurrent MA enrollment. 

Application Criteria:

  • Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA

  • Submission of a professional goals statement

  • Two letters of recommendation

Easy Plug-in & Pathway to the Master's Degree
  • Students enrolled in the certificate can count their coursework towards a future MA, though they are not guaranteed admission into the MA program in Political Science.
  • Double-Count Your Credits: Students currently enrolled in the MA in Political Science (both the face-to-face and online options) can enroll in this certificate program and double-count Public Administration/Public Policy courses. This means only 9 additional hours of GIS coursework are required to complete the certificate. 

  • How to Add the Certificate: If you are already enrolled in the MA, you can easily add this certificate using the Graduate School's Change of Status form.

You can begin the process of applying here.

Related Pages

Undergraduate StudiesFunding

Contact Information

Department of Political Science

Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-2523
Fax: 217-581-2926


Take the next step

apply now
schedule a visit

Contact Us.

Contact Us | Accessibility | About EIU | Emergency Information | Employment at EIU | Campus Map | Freedom of Information Act | Supporting our Veterans | Concerns & Complaints | Privacy Statement

Eastern Illinois University is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

EIU's programs, resources, and facilities are available to all students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. Discrimination precluded by federal and state statutes is strictly prohibited.