Economic Development (ED)
Build the knowledge to shape stronger, more resilient communities.
Virginia Tech's Graduate Certificate in Economic Development provides a strong foundation in local economic development, preparing professionals to understand how policy, planning, and strategic investment support long-term prosperity.
Gain practical knowledge to help communities:
- Promote sustainable economic growth
- Support thriving local and regional economies
- Address environmental, demographic, and social change
- Develop equitable and effective development strategies
Designed for planners, policymakers, economic development professionals, and others committed to building sustainable, prosperous communities.
Learn from Experts in the Field
Dr. Margaret Cowell
- Acclaimed author of urban policy books, including Urban Resilience and Decline and Suburban Sprawl and Urban and Regional Economic Development
- Led national, funded research initiatives on economic restructuring and resilience
Dr. Sarah Lyon-Hill
- Director for Research Development, VT Center for Economic & Community Engagement
- Specializes in socio-economic impact analyses, strategic planning, & community development
Elizabeth Povar
- Founder of The RiverLink Group, a Virginia economic development consulting firm
- 35+ years experience in various leadership roles including VP for Business Expansion with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Dr. John Provo
- Executive Director of the Center for Economic and Community Engagement,
- 30+ years of cross-sector impact bridging academia, government, and industry
Dr. Scott Tate
- Associate Director for Community Innovations
- 20+ years leading place-based initiatives in Tunisia, Northern Ireland, Appalachia, and the Eastern Shore
Anthony Romanello
- Former Executive Director of Henrico County’s Economic Development Authority
- CEO of SIR, Richmond-based strategic consulting firm
Explore the Curriculum
This certificate requires the completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate course work. To receive the certificate, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the courses taken. Students seeking the certificate must complete at least six credit hours from among the following courses plus six credit hours in electives.
Urban and regional political economy and finance. Interactions and effects of economic forces and political institutions on urban policy and governance, as well as physical and social infrastructure and inequities. Urban growth and change, institutions of local and federal government and governance, real estate markets, equity, and institutional access. Urban finance, taxation policy, and local revenue sources.
An introduction to local economic development programs. Covers intergovernmental relations, financing techniques, federal and local subsidies, advertising, marketing, public relations, labor market issues, tax considerations, fiscal impact analysis, and land use planning issues. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credits.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Note: Because this is a topics course, specific semester sections frequently focus on specialized subfields (such as Local Economic Development Planning, Applied Methods in Economic Development, Financial/Fiscal Resilience, or Community Resilience).
Hands-on client project applying economic development planning theories and methods. Focuses on analyzing local and regional economic conditions, assessing industry clusters and labor markets, engaging community and regional stakeholders, and formulating actionable economic development strategies, policies, or implementation plans for real-world clients and communities.
Level: Graduate
Format: Studio / Applied Field Project
Prerequisites: Graduate standing (and typically foundational coursework in urban planning methods or economic development planning, such as UAP 5224 or UAP 5784, or instructor permission).
Please reach out to Faika Lore, faikalore@vt.edu, for any questions or comments. To take next steps or to receive updates on program developments, please fill out the form below: