ABSTRACT
The Center for Public Interest Design (CPID) at the Portland State University School of Architecture is a research, education, and community design center that aims to investigate, promote, and engage in inclusive design practices that address the growing needs of underserved communities worldwide. In support of this mission, the CPID created the Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design as a means to prepare future leaders in architecture, urban planning, community development, and other fields to aid currently underserved populations through sustainable, human-centered design methods. Based on lessons learned in the field through the founder’s background in design/build education, the certificate offers transdisciplinary course options that support the students’ applied fieldwork. In this chapter, the authors discuss the creation of the certificate program, an overview of associated courses, and the larger framework at the CPID that allows students in the program to flourish.
