Overview

Key Features

The Public Interest Design Postgraduate Certificate from Portland State University is the first program of its kind in public interest design in the United States.

The Public Interest Design program from Portland State University provides an educational foundation for graduate students and professionals preparing to enter the emerging field of Public Interest Design, through study in multiple disciplines and environmental studies, and hands-on field experience, working directly with communities in need.

Career opportunities:

The field of architecture has begun to embrace sustainability and equity in practice, as the profession evolves in the face of a changing world. Architecture students who earn a Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design often go on to work in architecture firms and projects focusing on affordable housing, healthy communities, and equitable access to resources, serving communities in need of high-quality architectural and urban design.

For students who are not pursuing an architecture degree, the Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design offers a multidisciplinary view into the ways that design can benefit communities in need, empowering them to creatively and collaboratively address social, environmental, and economic issues.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Contemporary Issues Seminar: Public Interest Design in Practice

Practicum: Public Interest Design Fieldwork

Urban Poverty in Critical Perspective

Environmental Sustainability

Social Entrepreneurship

USP Political Economy of Nonprofit Organizations

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-16 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

18 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Design Urban Planning View 455 other Masters in Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed application
Non-refundable application fee
Scanned official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (See Graduate Admission Transcript Requirements for more information about acceptable transcript formats. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts in hard-copy form.)
Proof of English-language proficiency
Statement of interest in public interest design and intent to study at the graduate level (approximately 500 words; not part of portfolio)
Résumé listing work experience, educational background and travel experiences
Three references, including name, title, firm or institution, email, and phone number
Portfolio of creative work (see below; digital PDF is required)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

8964 USD / year

≈ 8964 USD / year
Out-of-State

8964 USD / year

≈ 8964 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

6012 USD / year

≈ 6012 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Interest Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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