Urban Planning, PhD
Built Environment, Environment, Planning, Resilience, Transportation, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Urbanism, sustainability, urban
Learn how to use geography and planning to address complex challenges. This interdisciplinary program is a laboratory for engaging in pressing issues related to planning, including autonomous vehicles, climate change and social equity.
The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning maintains close relationships with many of the communities in the Phoenix metropolitan area that are leading the way on issues such as urban climate change, sustainability and transportation planning. Students in the Doctor of Philosophy program in urban planning have opportunities to interact with planning leaders, mentors and community organizations. Students conduct research alongside faculty; take classes focused on current issues in the field; conduct research and reports for local clients; and start building their professional network across the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Students benefit from a wide variety of coursework and research opportunities in five broad interdisciplinary themes that span the expertise of the faculty within the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning:
- city building and urban structure
- environmental and resiliency planning
- housing, neighborhoods and community development
- spatial analytics and smart cities
- transportation planning and policy
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (6 credit hours)
PUP 710 Current Planning Theory and Practice (3)
PUP 724 Planning Methods for Doctoral Students (3)
Electives and Research (64 credit hours)
Other Requirement (2 credit hours)
PUP 701 Urban Planning Colloquium (1)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
PUP 799 Dissertation (12)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students take two semesters of PUP 701 for a total of two credit hours.
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree.
Up to six credit hours of 400-level courses may be applied to the plan of study.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a master's degree in a related field such as urban studies, geography, environmental studies, sustainability, architecture, public policy or public administration from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement must be 600 words or shorter and explain the applicant's interest in planning at the doctoral level; academic and professional background and, if appropriate, preparation for the selected area of specialty, which may include written samples or a portfolio; and educational and professional objectives.
Letters of recommendation should be from three faculty members who can attest to the applicant's academic achievements.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and existing scholarship in urban planning.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of the research methods used in their area(s) of specialization, as defined by their reading list and major/minor subfields.
- Conduct research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in urban planning, and successfully communicate findings in their dissertation and defense.
The PhD program in urban planning educates scholars for positions in leading universities; research institutions; nongovernmental organizations; international multilateral institutions; and national, state and local governments. The program provides a strong foundation for undertaking research in planning, urbanism, urban design and urban sustainability.
Professionals with expertise in planning research, theory and practice are in high demand across sectors and industries, including institutions of higher education, planning consulting firms and community organizations. Skills in environmental impact assessment, geographical data analysis and community resiliency planning are valuable to organizations and institutions that rely on research-based approaches to solve complex problems.
Career examples include:
- chief sustainability officer
- city and regional planning aide
- environmental restoration planner
- transportation planner
- urban and regional planner
- urban planning teacher, postsecondary level
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
|
COOR 5671
SGSUP.gradprograms@asu.edu
480-965-7533
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
