Urban design is a practice intended to help shape cities and towns while establishing and implementing plans to allow for future growth. Common areas of study for students of urban design include architectural design, urban planning, highway engineering and landscape design.

Certificate programs, which can be earned in about a year, consist of academic classes that are offered at different skill and ability levels. Undergraduate as well as graduate students, depending on their field of study, may obtain certificates.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.