NPU UNIVERSITY COURSES

WHO CAN ENROLL?

NPU University courses are free to Atlanta residents and business owners, and there is no limit to the number of courses students can take. Students may register to attend as many or as few courses as they wish.

While most courses are open to the public, courses marked with an asterisk are cohort courses and are carefully curated to ensure diversity of perspective. Cohort courses may not allow registration on a first-come, first-serve basis, and priority is given to students enrolled in the Citizens Planner Certificate program.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Students enrolled in the Citizens Planner Certificate (CPC) Program must complete any three (3) of the following courses or one (1) of the following courses and CL1007.

CL1001 Chairpersons’ Annual Update, Training, and Orientation - 2 Hours

This course is required for all elected Chairs and optional for all elected Vice Chairs. The course is designed to train and refresh new and returning NPU Chairs on effective leadership of a neighborhood planning unit, including responsibilities under the Code of Ordinances, meeting facilitation, verbal and written communication, diversity, and community engagement, and voting procedures. The course will provide Chairs with updated information on new processes and procedural matters such as agenda drafting, ethics, communications, and reporting. The course concludes with collaborative discussion between Chairs on best practices.
Offered: December 15

CL 1002 Elected Officers Orientation - 2 hours
This course is required for all elected secretaries and optional for all other elected officers. The course will provide an overview of the relationship between the City of Atlanta and the individual NPU. Participants will review the documentation required to formalize the NPU’s official recommendation to the City of Atlanta. New and returning officers will receive tips for accurate record keeping and accounting, as well as an introduction to ethics, open records, and open meetings.

Offered: January 12, 2023

CL1003.001 Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures
Parliamentary procedure is the code of rules and ethics for neighborhood organizations, city councils and other deliberative bodies to transact business fairly, efficiently, orderly, and expeditiously. Conducted by a registered parliamentarian, the first half of this course is designed for community leaders new to using parliamentary procedure, or who would benefit from a refresher on the fundamental concepts of effective and fair meeting procedure. The basic tenets of Robert’s Rules of Order are taught to arm presiding officials with the tools necessary to run successful and productive gatherings. The second half of this course is designed to instruct residents on the rights, privileges, and obligations they have as members of an NPU or neighborhood organization.  Community members can participate in decision-making for their organizations learn how to use parliamentary procedure to participate in the civic process.
Offered: March 1

CL1003.002 Parliamentary Procedures II: Managing Discussion Around Hot Topics
This class is designed for NPU chairs or presiding officers who want a better understanding of these best practices for running effective meetings to improve meeting productivity and effectiveness. Packed with tools to equip leaders to get through their agendas timely; or ways to implement strategy from Robert’s Rules of Order to develop more effective committees; or tools for managing spirited debate and discussion during meetings. Participants will be armed with the tools necessary to run efficient, fair, and timely meetings.
Offered: August 31

CL1004.001 Community Leadership Institute* - Spring & Fall Cohort
This six-week certificate course series is a collaboration between the City of Atlanta and an accredited university system, designed for Atlanta residents who want to strengthen their leadership and problem-solving skills as board members, community/neighborhood leaders or civic leaders. The course covers such topics as conflict management, ethics, public speaking, citizen engagement, consensus-building, and problem-solving.
Offered: April 5 – June 7 & September 12 – October 20

CL1005 Bylaws Clinic
The first half of this course, designed specifically for NPU leaders and NPU
Bylaws Committee members will give students an overview of what the Code of Ordinances requires for NPU bylaws, how to prepare bylaws that reflect the character of the NPU, and how to ensure integrity, transparency, and community engagement in the amendment and voting process. The second half of the course will allow participants to review and discuss proposed amendments to their bylaws.
Offered: June 8

CL1006 Election Integrity Clinic
Elections processes vary widely across neighborhood planning units and other neighborhood organizations. An effective election process attracts strong leaders, ensures integrity, and maintains the trust of the community. This course is designed to prepare participants for NPU elections by exploring best practices for conducting a fair, clean, and transparent election process for NPU leaders, election committee members and lay members will learn how to conduct elections openly and objectively and will learn the necessary steps to avoid common mistakes and protect their NPUs against election challenges and voter disenfranchisement.
Offered: July 5

PLANNING
Students enrolled in the Citizens Planner Certificate (CPC) Program must complete P1004.001 and any three (3) of the following courses.

P1004.001 Zoning Fundamentals I
This beginner-level course is designed to make zoning terms and concepts easier for ordinary residents to understand. Upon completion of the course, attendees will understand what zoning is, what specific zoning types are, how to find the zoning for any property, and why zoning is important. The course will explain the City of Atlanta’s zoning review processes and the life cycle of a zoning application. Upon completion of the course, community leaders will be equipped with the information they need to explain zoning-related voting items on their meeting agendas.
Offered: January 31

P1004.002 Zoning Fundamentals II
This course will examine how zoning shapes neighborhoods and is used as a tool to support orderly and strategic growth and development for corridors, neighborhoods, and cities. This course includes activities designed to give students an opportunity to apply zoning concepts to corridors and neighborhoods in
Atlanta. Prerequisite: P1004.001
Offered: April 11

P1004.003 Zoning Fundamentals Lab
This course is a cumulation of ideas and concepts from Zoning Fundamentals I and II. Students will examine actual zoning cases analyze current trends in local land- use and development regulation for City of Atlanta corridors, and neighborhoods. This course includes following cases from beginning to end as well as how to apply zoning concepts to corridors and neighborhoods in Atlanta. Prerequisites:
P1004.001 and P1004.002
Offered: July 11

P1005 Building Permits for Beginners
This course will teach residents the basics of submitting building applications, permits and approvals successfully with the City of Atlanta. Students can expect to learn the building approval process in the City of Atlanta as well as what permits are required for a building project – building permits, demolition permits, and certificate of occupancy. This course will teach you what relevant documentation is required and what pitfalls to avoid.
Offered: March 30

P1006 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
This course covers basic concepts of GIS technology. GIS helps city and regional planners understand what, why, and where something is happening to assess past and existing conditions (change analysis), project future conditions, and model alternative scenarios support informed decisions on initiatives, programs, and plans. In this course GIS professionals demonstrate how Atlanta residents can use GIS to stay informed.
Offered: August 21

P1007 – Introduction to Comprehensive Development Planning
The comprehensive development plan is Atlanta’s guide for growth and development. Participants will be introduced to the comprehensive development planning and learn about its relationships with Atlanta City Design and other citywide, neighborhood, and small area plans. This course includes activities to shape future comprehensive planning as the Department of City Planning prepares for the next update.
Offered: August 8

P1008 Neighborhood Planning Series*
This series provides an opportunity for students to explore neighborhood planning concepts through lectures, panel discussions, and workshops. The course includes discussion on such topics as economic development, sustainability, housing innovation, design/architecture, historic preservation, community engagement, mobility, and transit. It also offers an ongoing lecture series available to the public in which thought leaders from around the City will discuss topics in neighborhood planning and the Atlanta City Design.

Discussions include:

P1008.001 – Atlanta City Design
“The Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Communities” is a guiding document for the City of Atlanta which articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with.
Offered: September 7

P1009 Mobile Workshop
Mobile workshops give participants an opportunity to explore various planning projects, historic sites, landmarks, and neighborhood features.

P1009.001 Historic Parks Tour
A half-day tour highlighting the stories, features, and architecture of City of Atlanta parks.
Offered: October 26

P1009.002 Housing Tour
A half-day bus/walking tour through Atlanta’s neighborhoods to explore diverse housing types and how they can be used to meet Atlanta’s need for affordable housing and connected neighborhoods.
Offered: May 24

CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Students enrolled in the Citizens Planner Certificate (CPC) Program must complete CP1001 or CP1002, CP1008, and anyone (1) of the following courses.

CP1001 The Legislative Process
This course will equip students with an understanding of the legislative process in the City of Atlanta. Attendees will gain an in-depth knowledge of how legislation is written, debated, and voted upon, and how they can engage and participate in citywide decision-making.
Offered: June 29

CP1002 NPU 101: How Does the NPU System Work?
The City of Atlanta is divided into twenty-five Neighborhood Planning Units or NPUs, which are citizen advisory councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on zoning, land use, and other planning issues. This is an introductory course designed to teach residents and stakeholders how the NPU system works and how it benefits the community and the City.
Offered: March 9

CP1003 Civic Participation for Seniors
Senior participation in civic processes is one of the very pillars on which Atlanta’s communities were built. Civic engagement can allow seniors to maintain a healthy, active, and engaged life through building relationships, and reducing loneliness and social isolation. A panel of local and active senior community leaders will share how seniors can remain politically savvy.
Offered: May 24

CP1004 Civic Participation for Millennials – 2 hours
Millennials have come of age in a time of shifting landscapes and tumultuous change. Growing up in the Information Age, millennials are empowered by information and demand transparency and authenticity. Having already confronted several major crises—from domestic terrorism to the Great Recession to COVID 19, their unique historic experiences have shaped their relationship with politics and their communities. A panel of local millennials will discuss how powerful of a political force they can be.
Offered: September 27

CP1005 Civic Responsibility and Engagement for Young Adults - 35 hours
This week-long academy for high school students explores the importance of getting young adults engaged in political, economic, and social conversations and empowers them to become agents of change in their local communities. The course will set in motion the formation of civic engagement habits to equip young people with the necessary skills for participation in community leadership, neighborhood empowerment, the legislative process, public engagement, and their individual responsibility to their community.
Offered: June 5 – 9, 2023

CP1006 Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook
This course is designed specifically for community leaders and aspiring community leaders, with a shared interest in building successful engagement processes and reaching higher levels of community engagement. Higher levels of engagement mean that residents own and take leadership over civic change, rather than just observing or even providing feedback. Students will learn the six guiding principles of community engagement, how to train others, and what resources are available for rising community leaders.
Offered: July 29, 2023

CP1008 Public Meetings
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planner Certificate (CPC) program are required to attend a minimum of two of the following public meetings or hearings.

Atlanta City Council
Atlanta City Council Committees
Atlanta Housing Board
Atlanta Public School Board
Board of Zoning Adjustment
Dekalb County Commission
Fulton County Commission
Invest Atlanta Board of Directors
License Review Board
MARTA Board of Directors
Tree Conservation Commission
Urban Design Commission
Zoning Review Board

CP1009 Permitting Process & Participation
This course is designed to coach residents, the business community, and applicants through the entire process of special events permits and alcohol licenses, from application to approval. Attendees will learn the criteria the City of Atlanta uses to grant permits and licenses, and how to engage applicants who present at NPU meetings.
Offered: July 13

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Students enrolled in the Citizens Planner Certificate (CPC) Program must complete CD1004.001 and any two (2) of the following courses.

CD1001 Jobs and Career Opportunities in your Community
This course offers participants an overview of WorkSource Atlanta and the programs available to employers and career seekers. Designed for individual job seekers and community leaders who are interested in creating and implementing strategies to increase employment in distressed neighborhoods, the course will explore high-demand occupations and industries, and discuss educational and career paths for budding professionals and tradespeople, and specific opportunities available to those seeking new or enhanced careers.
Offered: February 9

CD1002 Code Enforcement Academy
This five-session academy educates participants on how to fight blight in their communities by identifying, reporting, and tracking code violations, such as abandoned, blighted properties, illegal dumping, overgrown lots, and trash in the right-of-way. The course includes instruction from each city department that has a role in code enforcement, including Atlanta Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division and the Municipal Court.
Offered: June 10, 24, July 8, 22, and August 5

CD1003 Housing Security Series
These courses cover the fundamentals of gentrification and displacement and introduce homeowners to the tools and resources available to help them protect their assets. Students will learn from real estate professionals, attorneys, and personal finance experts, and secure a path to legacy residency.

CD1003.001 Avoiding Housing Scams & Reducing Property Taxes
This course will describe common home scams to avoid. The course provides information on property tax exemptions that can help homeowners lower their property tax bills and information on how to appeal property tax assessments before the annual April 1 deadline.
Offered: March 9

CD1003.002 Preventing Foreclosure
This course will provide information and strategies for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. The course features budgeting tips from a HUD-certified housing counselor and information about the foreclosure process in Georgia, strategies to prevent foreclosure, and loan modifications.
Offered: July 31

CD1003.003 Housing Resources for Tenants
This workshop will discuss emergency housing resources to help renters maintain stable, affordable housing.
Offered: September 14

CD1004.001 Introduction to Invest Atlanta
In this introductory course, participants will learn about programs offered by the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency. Instructors will provide an overview of the grants, loans, support and other incentives available to homebuyers, small business owners, and developers, and will gain an understanding of tax allocation districts (TADs), opportunity zones, and urban enterprise zones. Students will learn how Invest Atlanta’s tools can be used to increase economic prosperity for all Atlantans, revitalize neighborhoods and build vibrant, equitable communities.
Offered: February 23

CD1004.002 Understanding Workforce Housing and Affordability
One of Invest Atlanta’s core competencies is real estate finance through administration of several loan programs for the development of workforce housing. In the fundamentals of developing workforce housing from funding to renting, with a special focus on the project approval process, students will learn how affordability is determined, and how affordable housing compliance is monitored.
Offered: October 12

CD1004.003 Density Matters and Neighborhood Revitalization
In this course students will learn how neighborhood are revitalized, including the factors developers and retailers consider during site selection. This course will review the development aspects of building communities and spurring economic growth, and the path followed by developers to complete revitalization projects.
Offered: May 11, 2023

CD1004.004 Understanding Public Financing (TADs, Bonds, NMTCs, LIHTC, etc.)
This course provides an overview of public finance tools used to revitalize neighborhoods and to create and sustain affordable housing. Students will explore the Invest Atlanta toolbox of funding programs and products that help developers build single-family and multi-family communities.
Offered: March 23, 2023

CD1005 Urban Plan Academy for Community Leaders – 6 hours
Urban Plan Academy for Community Leaders is a one-day course designed for community leaders to better understand the trade-offs and risks at play in the entitlement and negotiation process associated with land use, especially in public/private partnerships. Students will participate in an Urban Plan case study - a city-led redevelopment effort where compromise needs to be met between the locality, the development team selected in the RFP, and the community.
Offered: May 13, 2023

*Courses CL1004.001, CD1002, CD 1005, are most effective when participants represent varied perspectives. These classes may not register applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, and may require a separate application and interview to ensure the cohort is diverse.