Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences
The Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences program at Texas A&M forms knowledge about some of the most pressing issues our society faces. In this program, you will become a social scientist rooted in the theoretical bases of urban, city, and community planning.
The Ph.D. program provides expertise in the research process and its application to planning, design, and/or land development issues. Using rigorous quantitative and qualitative methodologies, you’ll examine the interactions among social-ecological systems and the built environment.
About the Program
Our Ph.D. program is one of the largest in the country, with the most diverse range of research topics available. Because of our size, you’ll work with a cohort of students working on similar projects. At the same time, you’ll get to mentor undergraduate students by teaching courses or supervising research projects.
You’ll be mentored by a faculty member from the start of your program. Paired based on similar research interests, you’ll work closely with your mentor throughout your program. Our faculty undertake research funded by federal agencies as well as activist research, where they engage directly with the communities they are studying.
Areas of Emphasis
- Environmental hazards
- Sustainability
- Housing and community development
- Health and wellbeing
- Transportation
Meet Our Students
The Ph.D. program admits 8–10 students per year, with about 40–45 doctoral students in residence, making our program one of the largest in the country. Our program attracts students from all over the world, and we strive to attract and retain a student body that is diverse in terms of gender identity, race/ethnicity, cultural background, and sexual orientation.
View Jiaxin’s researchMy research intersects with computer science and urban and regional science. I am especially interested in creating Artificial Intelligence models that empower all stakeholders in participatory planning for our shared future.
Jiaxin Du
View Clare’s researchHousing affordability, one of the most pressing issues presently facing planners, disproportionately affects low-income and minority households. My research seeks to improve the metrics used to estimate affordability problems, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of the disparities and inequities in housing needs.
Clare Losey
View You Joung’s researchMy research in pedestrian thermal comfort and microclimatic street design provides a way to improve the quality of urban public spaces in the age of climate change. By designing thermally comfortable street spaces, a safe and favorable walking environment can be created with enhanced urban vitality and walkability.
You Joung Kim
View Amaryllis’s researchMy research in the child-friendly community helps to understand the importance of environmental factors and health benefits of children and their families. Micro-scale environmental characteristics for creating a child-friendly community would be different from those meant for the adult population, taking into account behavior- and context-specific approaches.
Amaryllis Park
Careers
Graduates of our program go on to become tenure-track professors in research-intensive universities; analysts in high-level think tanks or government agencies; or leaders in private sector organizations that serve cities, communities, or the development industry. Some of our graduates include the following:
Marccus Hendricks
Assistant Professor
University of Maryland
Fayola Jacobs
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota
Haotian Zhong
Assistant Professor
Renmin University, China
Bo Yang
Professor
University of Arizona
Sungmin Lee
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Donghwan Gu
Post-doctoral Research
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Nicolas Norboge
Principal Transportation Finance Analyst
NC Office of State Budget & Management
Sinan Zhong
Post-doctoral Researcher
Texas A&M University
Jennifer Evans Crawley
Provost and Professor
University of North Texas
Curriculum
The Ph.D. takes a minimum of 3.5 years to complete and requires 64 credit hours, including:
- 29 credits of core courses in research approaches, analytic methods, and theory
- 3 credits of professional development via teaching practicum
- 9–12 credits of electives in an emphasis area, advised by a committee chair
- 23+ credits in variable research courses while working on your dissertation
We expect students to complete the degree in 4 years. Students taking longer than 4 years are no longer eligible for departmental funding. Credit hours beyond 99 are charged out-of-state rates.
FAQ about the Ph.D. process
Which faculty can I work with?
Doctoral students may work with any member of the department’s graduate faculty, which include all tenure-track and tenured faculty, as well as a few academic professional track (APT) faculty who have petitioned and been added to the graduate faculty. However, each faculty member only takes on a small number of doctoral students at any one time. Availability may also depend on the grant support available.
Who can chair doctoral committees?
Any faculty member who is a member of the graduate faculty can serve on a doctoral committee. All “core” and “affiliate” faculty can serve on doctoral committees (see the faculty section in the URSC program handbook (PDF) for a complete list of “core” and “affiliate” faculty members).
Who can serve on doctoral committees?
Any faculty member who is a member of the graduate faculty can serve on a doctoral committee. All “core” and “affiliate” faculty can serve on doctoral committees (see the faculty section in the URSC program handbook (PDF) for a complete list of “core” and “affiliate” faculty members).
How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. program?
We expect students to complete the Ph.D. program in four years. For detailed information on procedural guidelines, refer to the Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences handbook (PDF).
Featured Courses
Preparing for the Ph.D. Program
Students must have a master’s degree before beginning the Ph.D. program. Master’s students already in our department may be able to count some courses toward the Ph.D. if accepted.
FAQ about preparing for the program
What do we look for in an applicant?
- Research interests that align with those of our faculty.
- Strong personal statement that clearly articulates the applicant’s interest, motivation, and qualification.
- Wring sample that shows the ability and potential to produce high-quality scholarly writings.
- CV/Resume that is well-organized to show relevant trainings, experiences, skills, etc. (publications/presentations and relevant professional experiences help).
- Scores (e.g. GRE, GPA, TOEFL) are competitive (high writing scores help)
- Reference letters from those in the relevant fields with sufficient knowledge about the application to provide specific and informative evaluations of the candidate and to help contextualize the candidate’s qualifications/preparedness.
How does the admissions process work?
Ph.D. applicants go through a two-tiered acceptance process.
In the first tier, prospective students demonstrate that they have the relevant credentials. To do this, you should submit your application and all supporting documents by the application deadline. The admissions committee will make the initial admission recommendations based on the evaluation of the entire application package.
In the second tier, the admissions committee will search for and identify a faculty mentor for each recommended applicant. Only those with a committed faculty mentor or co-mentors will be offered an admission.
Typically, eight to ten applicants are admitted into the program each year, and the admission results are notified by mid-March.
Learn more about the Ph.D. of Urban and Regional Sciences application requirements.
Do I need to contact individual faculty members in advance prior to submitting the application?
You do not need to, but we encourage you to contact individual faculty members who can potentially serve as your mentor(s) in advance via emails or meeting at conferences.
What do I need to include in my application?
Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee.
Your application should include the following:
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
- Required test scores (GRE)
- 3 letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample
Read more about the Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences application requirements
What are the admissions deadlines?
All applications received by December 15, 2022, will be reviewed for Fall 2023 admission, and considered for scholarships offered by the School of Architecture and for departmental funding.
Applications received after December 15, 2022, may be considered for admission, but considerations for financial aid may be limited.
We will begin our review of applications after January 15, 2023. Applicants can expect a response letter from the department regarding a decision on their application sometime between late February and mid-March. A separate offer letter will follow if financial aid is being offered. April 15, 2023 is our deadline for applicants to return offer letters to the department to indicate their intention to study in the URSC program at Texas A&M University.
What kinds of financial aid does the program offer?
Doctoral students are typically funded either through externally funded grants (from National Science Foundation, National Institutes for Health, etc.) or through departmental assistantships. University fellowships are also available for exceptional candidates.
Assistantships provide tuition for 9 credit hours, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Some also cover fees. LAUP typically provides four years of support if the student is in good standing, which is equivalent to about $76,400 in total. Work assignments include both research and teaching opportunities. International and domestic students receiving financial assistance are eligible for in-state tuition.
Learn more about potential grants and other financial resources.
Who can I go to for questions?
For more information about the Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences program, please contact Chanam Lee, Ph.D. Program Coordinator, at chanam@tamu.edu.
Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to laupgradprograms@arch.tamu.edu.
Centered on research
At Texas A&M, you’ll have access to active research communities housed in centers and institutes across the university. These research hubs unite students and faculty, introducing the next generation of researchers to researchers around the world.