The doctoral (Ph.D.) program in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning educates scholars to teach, conduct research, and carry out service that contributes to a better understanding and shaping of resilient communities and ecosystems in order to promote human capabilities, social justice, sustainable livelihoods, and community health and safety. Our faculty conduct research in the following areas:
- Neighborhood and Community Development (McSorley, Kinahan, Holmes)
- Environmental Planning (Butler, Holmes, Coutts)
- Transportation Planning (Duncan, Siddiq, Felkner)
- Economic Development (Echavarria, Kinahan)
- International and Comparative Planning (Siddiq, Echavarria, Felkner)
- Healthy and Active Communities (Coutts, Holmes, McSorley, Duncan)
- Urban Science and Spatial Analytics (Sachdeva, Siddiq)
- Historic Preservation (Kinahan)
- Participatory Planning and Collaborative Governance (Butler, Holmes, McSorley)
- Professional Planning Practice and Institutions (McSorley, Holmes, Butler, Echavarria)
- Housing Policy (Kinahan, Echavarria)
Florida State University is an excellent place for doctoral study. Our energetic, internationally recognized faculty is committed to training and mentoring our doctoral students as they become future teachers, scholars, and leaders in their various fields. Our low student-faculty ratio and small doctoral class sizes (typically 3-5 students enter the doctoral program each year) enable close collaboration in teaching and research between students and faculty. Our doctoral program’s alums include:
- Deans
- Department chairs
- Program directors
- Distinguished scholars
- A Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners’ College of Fellows.
Program of Study
Doctoral study typically extends at least three years past master’s degree study and allows the doctoral student to focus in much more depth, and at an advanced level, on issues of relevance to the particular study. Doctoral programs like FSU’s are individually tailored to the student’s research interest in planning. The student’s program is defined by a Program Statement that the student develops in consultation with their Major Professor and a committee of other faculty members.
Doctoral coursework consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours of study beyond any prerequisite courses required for the student to begin advanced methods or topical coursework. The program is divided into core classes, methods classes, major field classes, and minor field classes.
Core Classes (6 credit hours)
All students take the following two courses:
- URP 6102 Advanced Seminar in Planning Theory
- URP 6202 Design of Policy-oriented Research
These courses provide a foundation in research design and delve more deeply into the theoretical underpinnings of urban and regional planning. These courses are offered every other year and have prerequisites of a master’s level course in planning theory and basic statistical methods.
Methods Classes (9 credit hours minimum)
All students take at least 9 credit hours of advanced methodology courses. These courses are taken outside of DURP to develop interdisciplinary training in qualitative and/or quantitative methods that advance each student’s skills and research trajectory. Students have taken courses in Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, Education and Policy Research, among other departments.
Major Field Classes (12 credit hours minimum)
Students take at least 12 credit hours (4 courses) in an area they define with their advisor as a primary focus of their research and area of expertise. These courses may include both DURP courses and those outside the department, as appropriate. As students refine their research areas, many students complete a Directed Individual Study course focused specifically on understanding the literature in their area of expertise. Students determine the name and course content for their major field in consultation with their advisor and committee.
Minor Field Classes (9 credit hours minimum)
Students take at least 9 credit hours (3 courses) in an area they define with their advisor as a secondary focus of their research and area of expertise. The minor field often complements their major field. Courses may come from within DURP and outside the department as appropriate. Students determine the name and course content for their minor field in consultation with their advisor and committee.
Preliminary Exams
After completing all coursework in the program (usually the start of their third year if a full-time student), doctoral students are tested on their major and minor fields. The student develops a reading list for their major and minor fields, comprising academic articles and books that provide a robust foundation for those fields. The doctoral committee (4 faculty members, including one university representative) develops questions pertaining to the student’s areas of expertise. The student responds to those questions over a one-week period and defends their responses in an oral examination. If the student successfully passes the exams, they become a doctoral candidate.
Research Development and Prospectus
Throughout the program, doctoral students develop their research trajectory in concert with their advisor and committee members. We advise students to explore research topics across all of their coursework to refine their topic and methodology as they progress toward the preliminary exams. Following the preliminary exams, doctoral candidates develop a research prospectus, which they will defend to their committee. The prospectus details the research purpose and methodology the candidate will undertake for their dissertation. After obtaining committee approval of the dissertation plan, the candidate will begin their dissertation research.
Dissertation
Over the final 1-1.5 years of the program, students undertake the data collection, analysis, interpretation, and writing required to complete their dissertation. The dissertation makes a novel contribution to the field of urban planning. Students can either complete three journal-article-length chapters for submission to academic journals or a single manuscript-style dissertation, depending on what is appropriate for the research topic and the student’s goals.
Admissions and Financial Aid for Doctoral Students
Prospective doctoral students will apply to the FSU Graduate School through the application portal. You can find information about the department’s admissions requirements and deadlines at the admissions webpage. Those seeking financial aid should apply before the January 15th financial aid deadline.
Approximately 3-5 students are admitted each year. Students will be assigned to a faculty mentor based on the availability of faculty in the program. Students should contact the PhD program director and/or potential faculty mentors during the application process to ensure they align with the program faculty who are available to serve as primary advisors.
Doctoral graduate assistantships will be awarded to the most promising candidates in the applicant pool. These awards provide doctoral students with a generous stipend and a full tuition waiver each year for up to 4 years. Students will be assigned both teaching and research roles during their four years of assistantship support. Students may teach one course each semester in the Department’s undergraduate program under the general supervision of a faculty member. Once they have developed their research skills, students may be assigned to assist faculty members with research projects. Criteria used in making these awards include academic achievement and potential or proven teaching and/or research skills. Awardees work 15 hours per week.