Doctoral Degree Requirements

The degree requires satisfactory completion of 60 credits, including 15 dissertation credits (Regional Planning 899) and the required core courses. Students with a master’s degree from a Planning Accreditation Board-accredited planning program may petition to receive a maximum of 17 credits of advance standing, while students with other related degrees may receive a maximum of 12 credits of advance standing, as determined by the Program Director.

A Comprehensive Examination is required after completing most or all of the course requirements. It consists of written and oral examinations on planning history and theory, the student’s substantive area, and research methods. The oral examination may include a defense of the student’s dissertation proposal.

The dissertation must be a major contribution to new knowledge and relevant to the field of planning research.