First Year:

222B Advanced Planning History and Theory I
222C Advanced Planning History and Theory II (A- or better)
208A Colloqium in Planning Research (A- or better)
220B Quantitative Analysis in Urban Planning with B+ or better, or equivalent course in another department.
Elective courses
597 Independent Study

Two “Plan of Study” Workshops (Winter and Spring)

Second Year:

Elective courses selected by student in consultation with Advisory Committee, as outlined in Plan of Study.

208B Seminar in Advanced Research Methods or M204 Research Design and Methods for Social Policy
Start advanced courses in research methods and courses outside the field.
597 Independent Study

208C Advanced Research Design (taken after Major Field Exams)

Third Year:

Complete the pre-approved set of three advanced courses in research methods, with B+ or better.

Complete at least three related courses in an area outside the major field (from outside or within Urban Planning), with B+ or better.

208C Advanced Research Design
597 Independent Study
Elective courses

Fourth Year (and Fifth, if necessary):

599 Independent Study

Expected Progress:

Establish Advisory Committee: two faculty at the beginning of the year; a third must be added by the end of the first year

Prepare Plan of Study for approval (by the end of the first year):

• short description of field selected for study
• indication of major focus of research (incl. subfields)
• short bibliography
• list of proposed courses and research papers in preparing for the Major Field exam
• schedule for completion of requirements and exams
• brief statement identifying a possible dissertation research topic.

Convene Advisory Committee meeting (if not done in Spring of first year)

Preparation for Major Field exam

Major Field Written Exam ( 6 hrs.), taken at least six months after Advisory Committee meeting.

Major Field Oral Exam (approx. 2 hours), taken within ten days of the written exam, with a student observer present.

Nominate doctoral committee at least two weeks before taking the Oral Qualifying Exam.

Take the Oral Qualifying Exam, in which the dissertation proposal is defended, by the end of the third year.
(Students must be registered to take this exam.)

Advancement to Candidacy, on successful completion of this exam.

Preparation of dissertation under the guidance of the doctoral committee, including field research and writing.