Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Climate Change, Hazards and Green Infrastructure Planning provides students with a credential showing that they have unique skills in one of the most pressing topic areas in policy today. This is a nationally-innovative program focused on municipal-and site-level solutions to the resilience and climate change emergency.

Why this topic?

There is an emerging need for professionals trained in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate change effects. This is a particular issue at the site, local, and regional level, where choices in infrastructure and spatial form can support lower fossil fuel use and better hazard resilience for all, or they can build in inefficiency, inequity and risk to communities. When it comes to the built form, the best approaches utilize green infrastructure such as low-impact stormwater management systems, urban greening to reduce heat island effects, low-fossil-fuel transport systems, and regenerative designs that also attend to equity. These practices need to be embedded in community goals, values and visions. Addressed holistically, this enables fundamental change in community futures. Your Certificate will provide employers with assurance that you are ready to address these challenges.

Why here?

We bring together the knowledge and skills of landscape architects and planners, providing the best approach to this topic available in the nation. Landscape architecture works at the site level and designs appropriate systems to support new building; planning provides the public process and strategic outlook as well as regulatory framework within which new development occurs. Coursework in other departments at UMass supports the Certificate’s core classes. Together these create a coherent and advanced practical set of skills and knowledge.

How does the certificate work?

You must take two core classes, one in Planning for Climate Change, and one in Green Infrastructure. Then take three other classes in related areas. There is no limit on dual-counting of certificate courses if these courses also fulfill requirements in your degree program. In other words, use these certificate courses for your degree electives, and you may not have to take any extra courses at all. Please be aware that all classes must be graduate level to count; at UMass, this is a course listed as 500 or above.

Who can get the certificate?

We welcome students from a broad range of disciplines, as well as returning professionals. Instructors in this program appreciate the enrichment of knowledge that interdisciplinary and a range of life experiences brings. Students must hold a Bachelor's degree. Graduating college seniors may apply, particularly for the semester(s) after they graduate with their Bachelor's degree. Non-degree students are welcome in the program. Non-degree students must enroll through UMass University Without Walls; for application, tuition, and enrollment policies, see https://www.umass.edu/uww/.

Can I complete the Certificate online?

Yes. Core certificate courses as well as recommended electives offer on-line sections appropriate for non-degree students such as returning professionals. A wide range of electives have on-line modality.

How long will the Certificate program take?

One year, assuming you take one to two classes per semester. Core courses are offered in the spring and fall, electives are available spring, fall, and summer -see list below.

How do I Apply?

Students will apply to the certificate by emailing the coordinator their cv/resume and a one-page statement of interest. If you don't attend UMass already, you will register through University Without Walls. If you attend UMass, simply register for the appropriate classes once you have been approved to join the certificate program. To begin the certificate program, fill in the Checksheet and get approval from the certificate advisor. The Checksheet is available at: https://www.umass.edu/larp/sites/default/files/CCGI%20checksheet2.pdf

What are the Certificate's core knowledge and skills?

RegionPl 585 Planning for Climate Change, Fall
LandArch 591I Green Infrastructure, Spring

Basic comprehension of climate change processes (refresher information included in Planning for Climate Change, more extensive coverage for those who need it is through Geography courses.
Familiarity with the theories of resilience and sustainability in the urban environment
Knowledge of best practices in municipal climate planning
How to protect, accomodatee, and/or retreat to address intensified storms, floods, and heat events
Achieving multiple objectives (co-benefits) including public health improvement, water quality and quantity management, biodiversity, transportation, and recreational resources with climate-focused designs
Ability to plan and design green infrastructure networks across multiple spatial scales (i.e., site, local, and regional).
How to improve equity while reducing hazard vulnerability

What can I learn through electives?

Scenario planning and GIS as the methods for doing climate change planning and design
Municipal greenhouse gas accounting, climate action plan preparation, and best practices to encourage reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at the local level.
Understand the potential of urban greening to create more livable and sustainable cities
Social programs and decision practices that will improve equity, vulnerability, and communication
In-depth knowledge of designs that will create a better future, such as low impact development, green infrastructure, resilient spatial form, and watershed management
Resilient materials and buildings, such as LEED certification and material experiments
Interactions of social and cultural practices with community resilience to hazards.

GPA requirement

All students must have earned a 3.0 average in major courses for matriculating students or special permission of advisor, often used for returning professionals. No prerequisites.

Please contact the Certificate Program Advisor, Professor Elisabeth Hamin Infield, at emhamin@umass.edu, for more details.

Suggested Sequence for CCHGI Certificate

Take two core classes, three electives.

Term	Required Core Classes	Recommended Electives - LARP	Recommeded Electives - Other Departments
SUMMER			Geography 593G: Intro to GIS*
FALL	RegionPl 585: Planning for Climate Change*	Sustcomm 533: Urban Greening*	From List Below
SPRING	LandArch 591I: Green Infrastructure*	RegionPl 597S: Scenario Planning* LandArch 592M: Material Experiments* LandArch TBD: Cultural Heritage and Climage Change*	From List Below

* the course is available on-line

ELECTIVES, preferred (Check on-line availability on Spire):

ECO 691E:Ecological Responses to Climate Change (Morelli, fall)
ECO 697DL: Sust Building & LEED Certification (Wolff, fall on-line except 3 meetings at Mt. Ida)
GEOSCI 591NE: Climate Change Impacts (Bradley, spring)
NRC 590C: Clean Energy and Climate Policy (Breger, spring)
NRC 590TP: Adapting to Climate Change (Milman, spring)
NRC 597EC: Analytic Methods for Energy and Climate Policy (Breger, fall)

ELECTIVES, by approval to meet student’s interests:

Other LARP courses as approved
ECO 697PS: Perspectives on Sustainability (Bates, fall)
ECO 690P: Public Engagement & Communication (Markowitz, Spring)
ENG 891LC: Literature & Climate Change (Sen, fall)
NRC 541: Urban Forest Management, (Bloniarz, fall)
NRC 578: Watershed Science and Management (Randhir, Spring)
GeoSci 557: Coastal Processes (Woodruff, spring)*
GeoSci 558: Paleoclimatology (Bradley, fall)
GeoSci 668: GIS and Spatial Analysis (Yu, spring)
HPP 614: International health, population, and development (Aboul-Enein, summer)*

Please contact the Certificate Program Advisor, Professor Elisabeth Hamin Infield, at emhamin@umass.edu, for more details.