Regional Planning, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Regional Planning

Students, together with their faculty adviser and program committee, select theory, methods, and specialization courses to meet the Ph.D. requirements and prepare for a successful career of advanced research and teaching.

A successful dissertation in planning reports original research on a subject appropriate to the field, the results of which produce significant advances in knowledge. Each student takes a Preliminary Examination, which is an oral examination based on the dissertation proposal and is administered by the student's dissertation committee. Upon approval of the dissertation proposal, the candidate can proceed with the research, written analysis, and findings. When the candidate and the supervisor agree that the research and writing are complete, the candidate is ready for the final examination, which is a defense of the dissertation before the committee.

Please consult the department's website for additional information about doctoral requirements.

Entering with approved Master's Degree

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Planning theory (UP 501 and UP 580; UP 501 may be waived for students with a PAB-accredited master’s in planning)		4-8
Research design (min)		4
Research methods (min)		12
Electives including areas of specialization		28
UP 599	Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree)	1-16
Total Hours		64

Other Requirements¹

Grad Other Degree Requirements

Requirement	Description
Other requirements may overlap
Master's Degree Required for Admission to PhD?	No
Plan of Study Required	Yes
Two Synthesis Papers Required	Yes
Qualifying Exam or Qualifying Research Paper Required	Yes
Preliminary Exam Required	Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required	Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required	Yes
Minimum GPA:	3.0

1	For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Web site and the Graduate College Handbook.

Entering with approved Bachelor's Degree

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Planning theory (UP 501 and UP 580; UP 501 may be waived for students with a PAB-accredited master’s in planning)		8
Research design (min)		4
Research methods (min)		12
Electives including areas of specialization		56
UP 599	Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree)	1-16
Total Hours		96

Other Requirements¹

Grad Other Degree Requirements

Requirement	Description
Other requirements may overlap
Master's Degree Required for Admission to PhD?	No
Plan of Study Required	Yes
Two Synthesis Papers Required	Yes
Qualifying Exam or Qualifying Research Paper Required	Yes
Preliminary Exam Required	Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required	Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required	Yes
Minimum GPA:	3.0

1	For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Web site and the Graduate College Handbook.