Master of Professional Studies in Geodesign (35 Credits)
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Online graduate education in Geodesign at Penn State
Prepare to take leadership roles in addressing complex environmental design problems in settings ranging from urban design to conservation planning, with the 35-credit Master of Professional Studies in Geodesign from Penn State World Campus. As a student in our geodesign program, you can learn to capitalize on the power of spatial knowledge and evolving technologies, identify opportunities that emerge to better inform the design, understand your relevance to particular situations, and assist communities in designing alternative futures based on a unique process that brings all this information into focus.
Geodesign at Penn State
The World Campus graduate geodesign program is offered in partnership with Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and in cooperation with Penn State’s Department of Geography. The program is taught by expert faculty practicing at Penn State and in the field and features in-depth study in geodesign and geography courses to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the field that can prove highly attractive to potential employers.
Geodesign Program Flexibility
Geodesign (GEODZ) courses operate on 8-week terms. Our geography (GEOG) courses operate on 10-week terms. With two course terms offered in the fall and spring and one in the summer, some courses may overlap. However, this term structure provides you with the greatest flexibility possible in completing your master’s degree at your preferred pace. You can choose to schedule your courses without any overlap, or take as many courses as possible to finish sooner.
Geodesign Graduate Certificate (14 Credits)
Why a Certificate in Geodesign at Penn State?
As an emerging and evolving field, geodesign is becoming increasingly important in a variety of professions and industries. The goal of the Graduate Certificate in Geodesign is to provide you with a foundation in geospatially oriented design through the investigation of interdisciplinary methods and the collaborative nature of the geodesign process. The 14-credit Graduate Certificate in Geodesign, offered through Penn State World Campus, allows professional practitioners who wish to advance their careers, or those who seek to make career changes, to complete the required course work in one year through the convenience of online courses.
Who Should Apply?
Penn State’s Graduate Certificate in Geodesign is designed for current or aspiring professionals from a variety of backgrounds, employed in government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, who see limitations in how regional and urban planning and design challenges are now addressed.
To apply to the program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Visit the World Campus Program page
Career Opportunities for Graduates
The geodesign graduate certificate can prepare you to work in a variety of design and planning roles. Demand for the services of professionals in these roles will continue to rise, driven by increasing public demand for more sustainably designed places, smart risk management, and informed environmental justice. In this program, you can learn to couple science and evidence-based approaches with the design process, enabling you to become more adept at assessing the impact of designs on people and nature. This will become critical for a variety of roles, including:
- architect
- environmental scientist and specialist
- environmental engineer
- geoscientist
- landscape architect
- geographer
- urban and regional planner
- hydrologist
- natural resource manager
- public health professional
- disaster and security specialist
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.