Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Planning

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Length of program 
  • Full-time: 4 years - 12 terms
  • Part-time: 6 years - 18 terms
• Program type 
  • Doctoral
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • A master's degree with excellent standing (minimum 80%) from a recognized university. Evidence of ability to pursue independent research is essential.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
    • Two official academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution.
  • Writing sample
    • At least one substantial example of work completed during the last two years of academic study. Students with professional experience may submit a professional report of which they were sole or senior author.
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    at least 2 academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following graduate level courses (in the following sequence):
  • Fall (year 1):
    • PLAN 700 Planning Paradigms and Theory (0.5 unit)
    • PLAN 801 Foundations of Planning Scholarship (0.5 unit)
    • PLAN 800A PhD Colloquium 1 (0.0 unit, credit/no credit, held with PLAN 800C)
  • Winter (year 1):
    • PLAN 802 Advanced Planning Theory (0.5 unit)
    • PLAN 800B PhD Colloquium 2 (0.0 unit, credit/no credit, held with PLAN 800D)
  • Spring (year 1):
    • PLAN 803 Advanced Research Design in Planning (0.5 unit)
  • Fall (year 2):
    • PLAN 800C PhD Colloquium 3 (0.0 unit, credit/no credit, held with PLAN 800A)
  • Winter (year 2):
    • PLAN 800D PhD Colloquium 4 (0.0 unit, credit/no credit, held with PLAN 800B)
  • Students must take 1 additional PLAN elective in Year 1 and may be directed take up to 2 additional one‐term graduate level courses by the supervisory committee.

Link(s) to courses

• Planning (PLAN) courses

PhD Comprehensive Examination

• Students are required to meet the University-level PhD Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements outlined in the “Minimum requirements for the PhD degree” section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC).
• Further details are available from the School of Planning website. 

PhD Research Plan

• Students must complete a research plan approved by the supervisory committee by the completion of 2nd year.

PhD Thesis

• A PhD thesis in planning constitutes original scholarship and an innovative contribution to knowledge in planning and related fields. The thesis must demonstrate familiarity with existing work in the field and show ability to design an approach, conduct rigorous and advanced research, present findings and results, and defend conclusions in a scholarly manner. As well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how it advances knowledge in a chosen area of study within planning. A PhD thesis in planning must be written in compliance with the requirements outlined in the “Thesis” section of the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs site (which includes detailed information regarding thesis exam regulations, formatting, editing, copyright, submission, etc.).