The doctor of philosophy degree in urban planning and policy
development is designed for students interested in urban planning,
public policy, and public health and seeking a career in university
teaching and research, advanced-policy research in the public sector,
or basic research in the private sector. The faculty admits only
exceptional students who can be expected to complete the program. There
is no full-time residency requirement for doctoral students and no
language requirement unless the faculty decides otherwise. However,
prior to their qualifying examinations, students must register for at
least 6 course work credits (equivalent of two classes) per term.
Applicants should have a master's degree, although some exceptional
students are admitted directly after earning a bachelor's degree. In
general, however, applicants who have not completed work on an advanced
degree are admitted to the program only after they have completed
satisfactorily 24 credits in a master's program. Until they are
admitted to the doctoral program, students are considered to be
enrolled only in a master's program.
Students with a master's
degree must complete a minimum of 48 credits of course work and 24
credits of thesis research. If the faculty approves, students may
transfer as many as 24 credits from their master's program. Students
entering the program without a master's degree must complete a minimum
of 63 credits of course work.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program
must provide evidence of their research abilities and a full résumé in
addition to the normal application requirements. Evaluation of
applicants will be performed by those faculty members on the Committee
on Doctoral Programs (CDP).
Students may transfer as many as
24 credits from graduate courses completed at other institutions. All
transfers are subject to conditions outlined in this catalog and to the
judgment of the CDP Normally, students are not permitted to transfer
credits from studio-type courses, independent or directed studies, or
master`s thesis research.
While studying for the doctoral
degree, the student works closely with a faculty adviser and meets with
doctoral faculty in preparing a course of study. Program participants
must take at least 9 credits of planning theory and
methods courses. Relevant theory and methods courses include:
16:970:624 Planning, Public Policy, and Social Theory, 16:970:626
Advanced Scholarly Research, 34:970: 630 Discrete Choice Methods, and
34:833:628 Advanced Qualitative Methods.
Please consult the
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy catalog for a
detailed description of this degree and all its requirements.
