Connect With Us!
Spring 2020
Connect With Us! is a quarterly newsletter that features UTEP Connect's online programs and the faculty, staff and students associated with them.
Featured Programs: Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
UTEP's online Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning equips students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to serve all areas of the career of urban planner. It has a focus on public administration and economic development associated with successful urban planning practices in developed countries. The certificate is
- A 15-semester credit hour interdisciplinary program based in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
- Available in an easily accessible, 100% online format
- Perfect for working students, military soldiers, full-time employees seeking a career change or enhancement, and others who are place-bound
- Uniquely centered on aspects of public administration and economic development, with attention to current public policy issues such as border security, housing, health, emergency management and public safety
UTEP Edge
Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers.
UTEP Edge and Urban Planning
Edge experiences Urban Planning students will have
- Capstone Experiences
- Community Engagement
- Creative Activities
- Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Experiences
- Research and Scholarly Activities
Edge skills they will graduate with
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Social Responsibility
- Confidence
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Global Awareness
Urban and Regional Planning Faculty Spotlights
John Bretting | Associate Professor, Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
John Bretting has taught at UTEP since 2004 and is the Program Chair for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. He has been a lifelong urban planning and parks enthusiast. Dr. Bretting's interest in the subject began when he was an undergraduate in Political Science and Urban Planning at the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of New Mexico. He also spent time in his early career working with Parks and Recreation in Houston, where he did his graduate work.
As chair of the MPA program, Dr. Bretting is constantly juggling teaching/research/publishing and service commitments; his most recent effort and the accomplishment he is most proud of is working with MPA faculty to put the program's coursework online.
"In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the literature, our students also graduate with critical thinking skills and the capacity to be reflexive practitioners."
Ljubinka Andonoska | Assistant Professor, Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
Dr. Ljubinka Andonoska came to UTEP in 2013 and teaches several Public Administration classes in both online and face-to-face formats. Prior to academia she worked in a national-level Budget Office; her experience there taught her that public service and public servants play major roles in the lives of the people.
Dr. Andonoska is a popular instructor: she employs various techniques in her online classes to engage students in team work and has been rewarded with positive feedback from them.
"A successful online student is (one) who is involved in the learning process. He or she is a student who is aware that an online class is just as demanding as a traditional face-to-face class."
From the Blog
While architects design buildings, urban planners influence entire communities with decisions about how areas are developed and even where buildings can be placed. So, how do you decide whether architecture or urban planning is the best fit for you? Read on to learn about these two disciplines – what’s different, what’s similar, and how to choose. .
Graduate degree programs (master’s degrees, doctorate programs, etc.) can be rewarding, valuable experiences that advance or change your career trajectory by gaining or building upon your knowledge, skills, and expertise in a given field. But graduate degrees aren’t for everyone, and not for every situation. In some cases, a graduate certificate may be a better option. .
Infographic: Graduate Certificate or Master's Degree?
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
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