Overview
The Ph.D. program in Regional Development Planning provides rigorous academic training for research in planning theory, urban and regional theories, advanced research, and planning practice. The purpose of the doctoral program is to educate and train the next generation of practitioners, policymakers, and scholars who will bring new research ideas and knowledge to the teaching and practice of urban and regional planning. The program is served by the School of Planning's faculty members with wide ranges of expertise. This program stresses the interdisciplinary analysis and solutions to the regional development problems from inner cities to mega-cities transcending geographic boundaries and requiring spatially-based systems thinking.
All of our current Ph.D. students have completed a Master's degree in planning or a related discipline. As part of the application process, potential students need to identify a research topic of interest (part of the essay). Full-time students take approximately four courses per semester during their first two years in the program. The School of Planning requires all doctoral students to take nine required courses, including courses in planning and spatial theory, quantitative and qualitative research methods, research design, and dissertation-research-related courses. After passing their comprehensive exam, students typically spend two to four more years completing their individual doctoral research. The School of Planning provides all admitted students with a financial package consisting of tuition scholarships during their two years of coursework. The School of Planning also provides a four-year paid graduate assistantship at the school or assistantships at academic or external research centers. As part of their training, Ph.D. students are also required to teach a course under the supervision of a School of Planning faculty member.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
May 2025
UC Uptown West Campus
2600 Clifton Avenue,
CINCINNATI,
Ohio,
45221, United States
For our graduate programs, we welcome applications from students who hold a baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency, and have at least a B average in undergraduate course work (or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program and the Graduate School).
Standardized Tests of English Proficiency
Most students fulfill the English requirement by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Testing System (IELTS), or the PEARSON Test of English (PTE). For IELTS, an overall band score of 6.5 is sufficient for graduate admission. For PEARSON, a score of 47 is sufficient. TOEFL requirements vary based on the type of TOEFL test taken, and scores are valid for up to two years. The minimum university requirement is: 520 (paper-based test), or 190 (computer-based test), or 80 (internet-based test).
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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