Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person components of this program have either been paused, rescheduled, or moved into a virtual format until further notice.
Please contact specific contact information to learn how these changes affect your program. SDSU will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of our local and federal health agencies.
Whether you are new to meeting planning or a seasoned pro, SDSU's Meeting and Event Planning Certificate offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills within the growing industry that includes meeting and wedding planning, as well as hosting and organizing various events. If you want to explore a new career opportunity or become more astute in your meeting and event planning abilities; if you're seeking help with planning a single meeting or event; or if you want to find out how to grow your career in the meeting industry; the meeting and event planning certificate program is for you! The knowledge and education gained from the Meeting and Event Planning certificate program can help prepare you for industry certifications, like the MPI and ILEA certification exams.
Estimated Cost
Min. Completion Time
Course FormatAward of Certificate
To earn a certificate in meeting and event planning, students must complete all seven required core 100 level courses and 18 hours of 200 level elective courses within two years. Students must attend all class sessions of each course in order to pass the course.
All SDSU alumni as well as Meeting and Event Planning Certificate alumni will receive a 10% discount for any new MEP courses they enroll in. Only one discount may apply.
SDSU Bachelor's Degree
Students who earn the Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning may request to have HTM 431 waived in the upper division Hospitality and Tourism Management major at SDSU. See an HTM advisor at SDSU for more information.
Program Advisor
Annette Gregg, CMP, CMM, MBA.
| Core Courses (All seven required.) | Hours | Cost | 20SU | 20FA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP 0101 Meeting Planning Basics | 9 | $224 | 9/15, 9/22, 9/24 | |
| MP 0102 Food and Beverage Planning | 6 | $189 | ✔ | |
| MP 0103 Event Marketing and Promotion | 6 | $189 | 10/20 and 10/22 | |
| MP 0104 Site Selection and Contract Negotiation | 13 | $245 | 10/8, 10/13, 10/15, 10/21 | |
| MP 0105 Financial Management of Meetings & Events | 6 | $189 | 10/5 and 10/7 | |
| MP 0106 Audio/Visual Basics | 6 | $189 | ✔ | |
| MP 0107 Professional Development | 6 | $189 | 7/28 and 7/30 | ✔ |
| Elective Courses (complete 18 hours) | Hours | Cost | 20SU | 20FA |
| MP 0203 Starting your Own Business | 6 | $189 | 8/25 and 8/27 | |
| MP 0207 Event Design & Production | $189 | 8/18 and 8/20 | ||
| MP 0209 Weddings and Social Events | 9 | $224 | 6/9, 6/11, 6/16 | |
| MP 0211 Event Technology Tools | 6 | $189 | 6/1 and 6/3 | |
| MP 0213 Effective Networking and Resumes | $189 | 8/1 and 8/8 | ||
| MP 0216 The Art of Selling | 3 | $139 | ||
| MP 0217 Nonprofits and Fundraisers | 6 | $189 | 8/11 and 8/13 | |
| MP 0219 Festivals and Public Events | 6 | $189 | ||
| MP 0220 Event Safety, Security and Risk Management 6—9 pmVia Zoom |
6 | $189 | 5/5 and 5/7 | |
| MP 221 Conference Architecture: Creating Engaging Experiences for Today's Audience | 6 | $189 | 8/4 and 8/6 |
*Dates subject to change.
Labor Analysis
Event Planner — Nationwide
Job Postings
Last 12 months
43,099
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
+10.90%
Salary Range
Average
$32,000-$47,000
The Meeting and Event Planning certificate program helps to prepare for the MPI and ISES certification exams. In order to receive a comprehensive foundation in meeting and event planning skills, we encourage students to complete the entire professional certificate.
Enrolling in the Program
Enroll in the program at any time, even before registering for a course. It’s free, and offers many benefits:
- Secure your curriculum (should the requirements change in the future).
- See upcoming courses when you log into your student account.
- Track your progress.
Enrolling in a program doesn’t mean you’re registered for courses. You still must register and pay for each course you wish to take.
Attendance & Withdraw Policy
In order to receive credit for attendance in a course, students are responsible for signing in at each class session. Students who fail to sign in each class session will not be recorded as attending that session. Students must officially withdraw from a course by contacting SDSU World Campus Registration and Enrollment Services. For refund information, refer to the SDSU World Campus refund policy at neverstoplearning.net/registration. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor, program manager, program director, or program advisor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students must officially withdraw from a one-day course to qualify for a refund.
Student Benefits
- Receive discounted membership to the San Diego Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
- Expand your network with the Meeting and Event Planning LinkedIn program page.
- Get first notice of exclusive opportunities for experience and jobs via email and the Meeting and Event Planning Facebook page.
School Discounts
SDSU Alumni are eligible to receive 10% off the regular registration fee. Please call registration at (619) 594-5152 to apply the SDSU alumni discount.
Students who have completed the MEP certificate are eligible to enroll in additional electives at a discount. Please call registration at (619) 594-5152 to apply a program alumni discount for 10% off the registration fee. Discounts are not retroactive and cannot be combined. Only one discount can be applied.
Must be at least 21 years of age to register for the craft beer certificate program. No more than one absence will be allowed in each course.
For additional information please email mep.ces@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-3946.
SDSU World Campus is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Investment Act for this program.