UPD Curriculum
The Ph.D. program in Urban Planning and Development requires the completion of 58 units of coursework. Students who do not have advanced standing will need to complete additional master core classes in a substantive field. The coursework is comprised of the following:
- master core in a substantive field
- theoretical core (8 units)
- methodology (20 units)
- field/specialization courses (16 units)
- direct research (4 units)
- teaching seminar (2 units)
- research seminar (4 units)
- dissertation (4 units minimum)
Prerequisites
While a master’s degree is not required, students entering the doctoral program without a relevant masters degree will be required to complete prerequisites relevant to their program.
For the Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Development, possible courses include:
- PPD 503 – Economics for Public Policy – 4 units
- PPD 522 – Planning Theory and History for a Just Society – 4 units
- PPD 504 – Essential Statistics for Public Management – 2 units
- PPD 528 – Physical Planning: Urban and Community Design – 2 units
- Introductory Field Courses
Theoretical Core Courses (8 units)
- PPD 713 – Advanced Planning Theory – 4 units
- PPD 714 – Advanced Urban Development – 4 units
Methodology Courses (20 units)
- PPD 706 – Paradigms of Research and the Design of Inquiry – 4 units
Students take an additional 16 units of methodology courses in consultation with their faculty advisor and the Ph.D. Degree Director.
Specialized Field Courses (16 units)
Students take a minimum of 4 courses to develop their specialized area of study. Courses may be taken in USC Price or other USC units. Students, working with their Guidance Committees, have considerable flexibility in forming specializations.
Directed Research (4 units)
Students will take PPD 790 (2 units each, 4 units total)
Research Seminar (4 units)
Students will take PPD 710ab (2 units each, 4 total units), the USC Price research seminar course.
Teaching Seminar (2 units)
Students will take two semesters of the teaching seminar, PPD 700ab (1 unit each, 2 total units).
Doctoral Dissertation
All students will produce a doctoral dissertation based on original research on an issue relevant to public policy, public management, or from an interdisciplinary perspective. The dissertation must adhere to the format prescribed by the Graduate School.