Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:37
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
The program prepares doctoral students for academic careers and for leadership in research positions in the public, private or nonprofit sectors.
Request Information
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) integrates the academic disciplines of urban planning and public policy by training Ph.D. students to conduct independent research that makes a substantive contribution to their chosen planning and policy subfields. The program prepares doctoral students for academic careers and for leadership in research positions in the public, private or nonprofit sectors. UPPP graduates have secured academic and research positions at research universities and institutes, think tanks, and public planning agencies nationally and internationally.
The UPPP Ph.D. stresses interdisciplinary in four field areas:
Urban Policy and Planning
Physical Planning, Development and Urban Design
Land Use/Transportation Analysis, Planning and Policy
Environmental Planning Policy/Sustainability
Comprehensive Examination Report
DEGREE FOCUS AND HIGHLIGHTS
The program builds the theoretical and methodological foundations that prepare students to make an independent contribution to their planning and policy subfield and consists of:
Two years of coursework
Qualifying field exam in the student’s chosen field area and related proposed dissertation topic
Defense of the dissertation proposal followed by the dissertation research, and the writing and defense of the dissertation. Planning faculty contribute expertise to the program’s field areas and chair the student’s Dissertation Supervisory Committee that guides the development of the student’s dissertation. The dissertation can take the traditional monograph or a three-article form.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Through faculty mentoring and the Ph.D. Student Consortium, the program fosters an intellectual community that encourages advanced doctoral research presentations at state, national and international conferences such as:
Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning
World Planning Schools Congress
Transportation Research Board
Urban Affairs Association
Association of American Geographers
State and national conferences of the American Planning Association
Contact Info
Contact:
CAPPA Admissions at
CAPPAadmissions@uta.edu
Degree and Course Requirements
Summary
The UPPP Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree, including 39 credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 9 dissertation credit hours
Leveling Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6303
Planning History, Theory, and Ethics
3
PLAN 6310
Planning, Urban Development, and Structure
3
Total Hours: 6
Theory Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6300
Advanced Urban Theory
3
PLAN 6311
Spatial Theory and Policy: Urban Form and Structure
3
PAPP 6306
The Urban Economy
3
Total Hours: 9
Research Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6317
Intermediate Data Analysis
3
PLAN 5346
Qualitative Methods
3
PLAN 6301
Research Foundations and Ph.D Workshops
3
PLAN 6346
Advanced Data Analysis
3
Total Hours: 12
Field Area Courses
Total hours: 12
Dissertation
Minimum hours: 9
Handbook
Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) Ph.D.
2025-2026 Edition
A guide to doctoral studies at the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), The University of Texas - Arlington. The UPPP Ph.D. handbook attempts to provide guidance and useful information to new and current UPPP students. We trust that your experience will be academically, professionally, and personally rewarding.
UPPP Handbook
ORIENTATION
CAPPA Ph.D. Orientation
Learn more about two doctoral degree opportunities that provide very distinct programs guided by different objectives.
CLICK TO VIEW
ASSISTANTSHIPS
The application of theory and research is facilitated by research activities and centers, including the
Institute of Urban Studies (IUS)
, where several UPPP Ph.D. students hold GRA positions. UPPP Ph.D. students holding Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantships contribute to undergraduate instruction in CAPPA’s Urban Affairs and Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minors.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Explore Funding
A number of scholarship opportunities are available for CAPPA students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. T
he Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers a wide variety of aid options to assist with funding the college education of students and families of all income levels. More than 75% of UTA students receive some type of financial assistance.
Explore Scholarships
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dean's Distinguished Assistantship Program
The Department of Public Affairs and Planning at UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) is pleased to announce the new Dean’s Distinguished Assistantship (DDA) program. The program is nationally competitive and aims to support the most promising students applying for admission to department's doctoral programs in Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP)and Public Administration and Public Policy (PAPP).
Learn more about the
DDA Program
.
UPPP P.h.D. Forms
Diagnostic Evaluation Report
Dissertation Defense Report
UPPP Dissertation Defense Rubric
UPPP Milestone Form
UPPP Field Exam Assessment Rubric
UPPP Pre-Proposal Defense Report
Milestones Conditions Update Instructions
CAPPA Diagnostic & Advisory Committee Form
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Defense Report
Selection of Supervising Committee for Dissertation
UTA Incomplete Grade Form (PDF)
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Twitter
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
The program prepares doctoral students for academic careers and for leadership in research positions in the public, private or nonprofit sectors.
Request Information
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) integrates the academic disciplines of urban planning and public policy by training Ph.D. students to conduct independent research that makes a substantive contribution to their chosen planning and policy subfields. The program prepares doctoral students for academic careers and for leadership in research positions in the public, private or nonprofit sectors. UPPP graduates have secured academic and research positions at research universities and institutes, think tanks, and public planning agencies nationally and internationally.
The UPPP Ph.D. stresses interdisciplinary in four field areas:
Urban Policy and Planning
Physical Planning, Development and Urban Design
Land Use/Transportation Analysis, Planning and Policy
Environmental Planning Policy/Sustainability
Comprehensive Examination Report
DEGREE FOCUS AND HIGHLIGHTS
The program builds the theoretical and methodological foundations that prepare students to make an independent contribution to their planning and policy subfield and consists of:
Two years of coursework
Qualifying field exam in the student’s chosen field area and related proposed dissertation topic
Defense of the dissertation proposal followed by the dissertation research, and the writing and defense of the dissertation. Planning faculty contribute expertise to the program’s field areas and chair the student’s Dissertation Supervisory Committee that guides the development of the student’s dissertation. The dissertation can take the traditional monograph or a three-article form.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Through faculty mentoring and the Ph.D. Student Consortium, the program fosters an intellectual community that encourages advanced doctoral research presentations at state, national and international conferences such as:
Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning
World Planning Schools Congress
Transportation Research Board
Urban Affairs Association
Association of American Geographers
State and national conferences of the American Planning Association
Contact Info
Contact:
CAPPA Admissions at
CAPPAadmissions@uta.edu
Degree and Course Requirements
Summary
The UPPP Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree, including 39 credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 9 dissertation credit hours
Leveling Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6303
Planning History, Theory, and Ethics
3
PLAN 6310
Planning, Urban Development, and Structure
3
Total Hours: 6
Theory Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6300
Advanced Urban Theory
3
PLAN 6311
Spatial Theory and Policy: Urban Form and Structure
3
PAPP 6306
The Urban Economy
3
Total Hours: 9
Research Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PLAN 6317
Intermediate Data Analysis
3
PLAN 5346
Qualitative Methods
3
PLAN 6301
Research Foundations and Ph.D Workshops
3
PLAN 6346
Advanced Data Analysis
3
Total Hours: 12
Field Area Courses
Total hours: 12
Dissertation
Minimum hours: 9
Handbook
Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) Ph.D.
2025-2026 Edition
A guide to doctoral studies at the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), The University of Texas - Arlington. The UPPP Ph.D. handbook attempts to provide guidance and useful information to new and current UPPP students. We trust that your experience will be academically, professionally, and personally rewarding.
UPPP Handbook
ORIENTATION
CAPPA Ph.D. Orientation
Learn more about two doctoral degree opportunities that provide very distinct programs guided by different objectives.
CLICK TO VIEW
ASSISTANTSHIPS
The application of theory and research is facilitated by research activities and centers, including the
Institute of Urban Studies (IUS)
, where several UPPP Ph.D. students hold GRA positions. UPPP Ph.D. students holding Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantships contribute to undergraduate instruction in CAPPA’s Urban Affairs and Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minors.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Explore Funding
A number of scholarship opportunities are available for CAPPA students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. T
he Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers a wide variety of aid options to assist with funding the college education of students and families of all income levels. More than 75% of UTA students receive some type of financial assistance.
Explore Scholarships
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dean's Distinguished Assistantship Program
The Department of Public Affairs and Planning at UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) is pleased to announce the new Dean’s Distinguished Assistantship (DDA) program. The program is nationally competitive and aims to support the most promising students applying for admission to department's doctoral programs in Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP)and Public Administration and Public Policy (PAPP).
Learn more about the
DDA Program
.
UPPP P.h.D. Forms
Diagnostic Evaluation Report
Dissertation Defense Report
UPPP Dissertation Defense Rubric
UPPP Milestone Form
UPPP Field Exam Assessment Rubric
UPPP Pre-Proposal Defense Report
Milestones Conditions Update Instructions
CAPPA Diagnostic & Advisory Committee Form
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Defense Report
Selection of Supervising Committee for Dissertation
UTA Incomplete Grade Form (PDF)
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact