The Certificate in Community Environmental Studies (CES), offered by the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, provides professional training for careers in today's rapidly evolving environmental field. The certificate is open to students with a bachelor's degree and is especially appropriate for:

People in community and environmental organizations who want to increase their environmental expertise
Mid-career professionals seeking to apply their skills to environmental work
Business people working with communities on environmental issues

Program Outcomes

The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to clarify career goals for those who may be considering environmental work, as well as enhance the skills of professionals already in the field. The program's curriculum offers a rich and varied selection of environmental courses in planning, policy, economics, sustainable development, engineering, and science complemented by courses in negotiation, law, and nonprofit management. Participants also have access to activities of the Tufts Institute of the Environment (TIE), which supports an interdisciplinary network of initiatives including research, conferences, and speakers.

Students who complete this certificate program may decide to continue on and apply to one of the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning's master's programs. If accepted into a master's program, the credits earned toward the completion of the certificate can often be counted toward the master's program.

Application Requirements

Application Fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores, if applicable
Transcripts
One Letter of Recommendation

Tuition & Fees

GSAS bills tuition using a per-credit billing model, meaning you are billed for the number of credits you take each semester. This billing model is used to provide students better flexibility so they may "pay-as-they-go".

Tuition*	$1,049 per credit
Total Credits Required	12
Enrollment Status	Part-Time: 3-6 credits per semester (typically 1-2 courses)

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

The example pathway below outlines estimated tuition costs per semester using a typical course load. This is one possible pathway to completion; actual credits, costs, enrollment status, and degree completion time may vary based on a student’s course load:

Part-Time Pathway	Fall	Spring	Total
Year 1	6 credits	6 credits	12 credits
Year 1	$6,294	$6,294	$12,588
Estimated Total Tuition*			$12,588*

*Estimated based on 2026-2027 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including health insurance, fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), visit Student Financial Services.

Funding Opportunities

While Tufts University does not offer institutional scholarships for certificate programs, we are committed to supporting students as they explore financing options. This program is eligible for federal loans. Additionally, the following opportunities are available:

City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.
There are various work opportunities available for students across Tufts.
Students interested in exploring possible research pathways or other opportunities may discuss options directly with the Program Director.

Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.