The Ph.D. program consists of four primary components: course work, comprehensive exams, advancing to candidacy and dissertation research, writing, and defense. A typical pattern for completion of requirements is the following:
- First and Second Years: Take required departmental courses supplemented by electives.
- September after Second Year: Take comprehensive exams.
- Third Year: Write and defend dissertation prospectus, advance to candidacy. Begin dissertation.
- Fourth through Sixth Years: Dissertation research and writing (students are expected to complete and defend their dissertations within nine quarters of advancing to candidacy).
The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy is six years.
The following courses are required of all students and must be completed before advancement to candidacy:
Research Design and Methods
- UPPP 297 (Research Design)
- UPPP 209 (Qualitative Research Methods) or equivalent
- Social Ecology 264A (Data Analysis) or equivalent
- Complete one advanced research methods course (quantitative or qualitative)
Theory Courses
- UPPP 281 Theoretical Approaches in Planning and Policy
- Three courses providing theoretical orientation, one of which is a PhD course in the department of Urban Planning and Public Policy, such as UPPP 284 Environmental Theory and Topics or UPPP 285 Urban Theory and Topics
Other UEPP Core Courses
- UPPP 275 (temporary number) PhD Proseminar
- Two quarters of UPPP 298 or 299 (Independent or Directed Study)
Six electives
- These are typically taken outside the Urban Planning and Public Policy department. They are selected with guidance of the students' advisor.
Students must serve as a Teaching Assistant for at least one quarter.
Questions regarding admissions applications? Contact Irice Castro.
Questions regarding program requirements, policies, or resources? Contact Social Ecology Graduate Affairs team at sega@uci.edu.
School and Campus Resources
All students in the Ph.D. program should become familiar with the Social Ecology Graduate Student Handbook for the year you were admitted, containing policies, procedures, and requirements for degree completion.
Review formal degree requirements and course descriptions in the UCI General Catalogue.
The School of Social Ecology's Graduate Services website includes a list of campus resources, and information about academic services. The Social Ecology Graduate Student Association (SEGSA) (formerly the Climate Committee) is involved with advocating for and planning community-building events for our school's students. The Director of Graduate Student Services also posts graduate student events, updates, and funding opportunities on the GSS Student Services Updates page.
UCI's Graduate Division website contains a variety of helpful checklists and information for graduate students. Two pages to start: Admitted Student Checklists and Student Resources.
Ph.D. Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
Program Learning Outcomes can be found here.
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