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:
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:
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.
Students will take PPD 790 (2 units each, 4 units total)
Students will take PPD 710ab (2 units each, 4 total units), the USC Price research seminar course.
Students will take two semesters of the teaching seminar, PPD 700ab (1 unit each, 2 total units).
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.