Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy is offering new continuing education certificate programs that can demonstrate your knowledge to clients, colleagues and employers.

Through its Professional Development Institute, Bloustein now offers three Certificates: A Certificate of Completion, Master Practitioner Certificate and Expert Practitioner Certificate. Learners must complete at least 60 hours of approved continuing education (ACE) for a Certificate of Completion. Learners seeking to become Master Practitioners must complete 120 hours of ACE and a reflective paper. Learners seeking to become Expert Practitioners must complete 180 hours of ACE, a reflective paper, and a paper demonstrating their expertise. Because learners must prove their knowledge of the course material through exams or projects, Bloustein continuing education Certificates demonstrate the learner's competency in any of six topic areas:

*Community Development and Social Justice
*Economic Development and Real Estate
*Planning Law and Legal Issues
*Professional Practice
*Smart Growth and Sustainable Development
*Urban Design and Placemaking

Bloustein Online Continuing Education Courses (BOCEP) merit 20 hours (and most of them are eligible for 14 AICP Certification Maintenance credits). Leading from the Middle graduates receive a Certificate of Completion and 33 AICP CM credits.

BOCEP is offering more courses this year. Along with perennially popular courses like New Jersey Planning Law, Urban Design Analysis and Housing Market Analysis, BOCEP is offering more courses in sustainable development, business skills, and planning law. BOCEP classes begin September 9. To see the current schedule and learn more about Certificates, please visit http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/bocep

BOCEP courses are interactive, convenient, and taught at a graduate level for busy professionals who want a high quality learning experience. Courses are taught by seasoned practitioners who guide informative dialogues among practitioners from around the world. In most courses, there are no required meetings. You can participate from virtually any computer with an Internet connection. BOCEP is produced by the Professional Development Institute.

Planetizen readers can get $50 off the base price of the BOCEP base price of $295. To get the discount, please use promotion code: BGBBS. Participants pursuing a Certificate pay an additional $50 for evaluation and administrative fees.

To learn more about BOCEP or other Professional Development Institute programs, please visit http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/pdi or contact Director Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP at 732-932-3822, x711 or [email protected]