Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning prepares graduates for research and teaching careers in academia, research agencies, or large planning organizations. The program emphasizes general planning skills while allowing specialization in a chosen area. Students complete coursework in urban and regional development, planning methods, and theory, and conduct original dissertation research. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in academia, research, government, and the nonprofit sector.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning is designed to prepare graduates for teaching or conducting research in a university, independent research agency, or large planning organization. The program emphasizes developing general skills and mental attitudes common to all planning endeavors while allowing students to specialize in a planning area of interest.
Outline:
The Ph.D. program typically involves two years of full-time coursework followed by one or two years of dissertation preparation and defense. Students are required to complete 51 graduate credit hours, including:
- 9 credits on the structure and processes of cities and regions
- Completion of a doctoral minor or Graduate/Professional certificate
- Dissertation research (typically 27-30 credits) Course offerings cover various planning topics, including:
- The nature of urban and regional development processes over time
- The impact of urban and regional development on the social, economic, environmental, institutional, and physical structure of cities and regions
- The response of federal, state, and local governments to urban and regional development issues
- The role of planners in developing public policy and programs to address development-related issues
- Research design, data collection, quantitative and qualitative planning research methods, and planning theories
Assessment:
Students must pass three preliminary field examinations: planning theory, planning methods, and planning specialization. The examinations assess students' knowledge of the field and their ability to conduct research. Students must also maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and achieve an average GPA of 3.5 in the courses satisfying the Structure and Processes of Cities and Regions requirement.
Teaching:
The program is taught by a faculty of leading urban and regional planning scholars who provide students with a diverse range of perspectives on the field. Faculty members are actively involved in research and work closely with students to support their intellectual development and research interests.
Careers:
Graduates of the Ph.D. program are well-prepared for careers in academia, research, government, and the nonprofit sector. They have a deep understanding of planning theory and practice and can conduct independent research and analysis to inform planning and policy decisions. Potential career paths include:
- University professors
- Research scientists in planning agencies
- Planners in government agencies
- Policy analysts in nonprofit organizations
- Consultants in planning firms
