Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning

The doctoral (Ph.D.) program in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning educates scholars to teach, conduct research, and carry out service that contributes to a better understanding and shaping of resilient communities and ecosystems in order to promote human capabilities, social justice, sustainable livelihoods, and community health and safety. Our faculty conduct research in the following areas: Planning for an Aging Population, Planning for Health and Resilient Communities, Transportation Land Use and Accessibility in the Modern City, Sustainable Communities, Collaborative Environmental Management, Community Neighborhood Change, and Human Settlements and Institutions in the Context of Global Change. Florida State University is an excellent place for doctoral study. Our energetic, internationally recognized faculty is committed to training and mentoring our doctoral students as they become future teachers, scholars, and leaders in their various fields. Our low student-faculty ratio and small doctoral class sizes (typically 3-5 students enter the doctoral program each year) enable close collaboration in teaching and research between students and faculty. Our doctoral program’s alums include deans, department chairs, program directors, distinguished scholars, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners’ College of Fellows.

Applications for admission to the department’s master’s degree programs are welcome from persons holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States, or the equivalent from an institution abroad.

Applications for admission to the doctoral program are welcome from persons holding a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States, or the equivalent from an institution abroad. No specific major is required. Our students come from a wide diversity of majors in the social sciences, design professions, sciences, business, and humanities.

Internet based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80

Paper based TOEFL (TOEFL): 550

International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): 6.5

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): 77

Pearson Test of English (PTE): 55