phd urban planning university of toronto

• Requirements
• In the City

Welcome to Urban Studies!

What is the long-term solution to homelessness? How do we design cities for people, not cars? Can we come together to tackle complex urban issues like poverty, inequality, and public health?

Your urban exploration starts here

For students passionate about gaining the tools to tackle the above challenges — and numerous others — the Urban Studies Program (USP) at the University of Toronto offers a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the complex and shifting political, social, economic, and environmental influences that make — or degrade — our cities.

In 2015, 54 per cent of the world’s population lived in cities. By 2050, that figure is projected to climb to 66 per cent. Healthy, vibrant cities are the backbone of a healthy, vibrant planet. Students who graduate from our pioneering Urban Studies Program are leaders in city building, community development, social justice work, sustainability and environmental public policy research and creation, city planning, municipal politics, architecture, and other related fields.

Enter the program with a specialist, major, or minor option, and you’ll find yourself in an intimate, small-group learning environment, led by faculty with cutting-edge academic, public-service, and private-industry expertise.

The city of Toronto becomes an extension of your classroom lab, where you’ll explore community-engaged (experiential) learning , including opportunities for research fieldwork, internships, and community placements with urban-focused municipal and not-for-profit partners.

Meet our students

Fourth-year student

I chose this program because I want to become an urban planner, but I was pleased to discover that there are so many different aspects within the Urban Studies Program.

It’s an interdisciplinary field, so I was able to meet and become friends with students from a diverse variety of programs at U of T , like architecture, economics, sociology, geography, Indigenous studies, and more. As the co-president of the Urban Studies Student Council, I’ve had a great experience working with my team and faculty members to engage in the cozy and caring urban studies community.

Angel is a specialist in human geography (with a focus on planning), a major in urban studies, and a minor in environmental geography.

Nathan Diena

Third-year student

Urban studies courses enable me to understand the spaces, networks, and people around me, and how to shape cities that are equitable and inclusive.

As a lifelong Torontonian, I love that many classes are Toronto-focused! The program is small and tight-knit, so it is easy to make connections; professors are approachable and open to research collaboration; sessional instructors have ties to amazing local organizations; program staff are thoughtful and flexible, and friends are always around!

Nathan is a specialist in architectural studies with a minor in urban studies, and a minor in Indigenous studies.

Meet our grads

Meryem Belkadi

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is optional.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

• 5 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 5 students was $11,352.
• 5 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 5 students was $17,406.
• 4 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 4 students was $13,288.
• 9 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 9 students was $21,834.
• 4 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 4 students was $25,833.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

22 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 22 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, enrolment, duration & other stats.

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times.

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Angeles, Leonora (Gender analysis, gender mainstreaming and other gender planning related tools, including feminist critiques and perspectives on the intergration of gender and other social axes of difference and diversity in community planning and international development work)
• Barudin, Jessica (Feminism, Indigenous Planning, EDI perspectives and practice, Health)
• Binet, Andrew (Community development / social planning; Community health and care; Equity; Participatory action research; Participatory planning; Public engagement)
• Caggiano, Holly
• Campbell, Heather (Urban and regional planning; how academics can work more effectively with non-academics to enhance impact of research; how academics can work more effectively with non-academics to enhance the relevance of research; how ethical values can be incorporated into public policy relating to city and regional planning)
• Chang, Stephanie (All other social sciences, n.e.c.)
• Clifton, Kelly (transport and land use interactions, travel behaviour, pedestrian modeling, equity in transportation policy)
• Connolly, James John Timothy
• Harten, Julia
• Hooper, Michael
• Kamizaki, Kuni (Architecture; Community development / social planning; Displacement; EDI perspectives and practice; housing; Planning theory)
• Low, Margaret (Urban and regional planning; Indigenous community planning; Indigenous sovereignty; Reconciliation)
• Senbel, Maged (Urban design, environmental planning, climate change planning, public engagement, urban agriculture, multi-media, social media and youth engagement)
• Stevens, Mark (evaluating the effectiveness of local and regional government land use planning efforts, with a goal of producing new knowledge that can help communities anticipate and adapt to changes according to the principles of sustainable development; plan-making and implementation, growth management, natural hazard mitigation, and legal issues in planning; (1) a study of municipal climate change planning in BC, (2) a meta-analysis of environmental policy adoption, (3) a plan evaluation study of award-winning plans, and (4) a study on the content and delivery of quantitative methods courses in urban planning programs)
• Tran, Martino (systems science, predictive modelling and simulation for understanding and tackling societal challenges in energy and sustainability)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Pakistan’s ‘climate carnage’ and the tragedy of institutions : an institutional analysis of ‘resilience’ in Pakistan’s disaster risk governance system
• Ageing in the Neuropolis : urban bio-spatiality and seniors' everyday experience in a global city
• Land privatization and formalization as traditional leasehold properties in Ghana : structure, transparency, and efficiency of the tenure model for housing investment and delivery
• Sheltering the housing crisis : the contradictions of shelters in the neoliberal city
• Brokered borders : relational infrastructures of water access in segregated Ahmedabad, India

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Planning (MAP)
• Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP)
• Master of Science in Planning (MSCP)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Engineering Leadership in Urban Systems (MEL)

Further Information

Specialization.

Planning emphasizes an integrated approach that encompasses urban policy and community development, international development, environmental and natural resources, urban design, and planning processes and methods.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

My decision to study at UBC was influenced by two compelling factors. Firstly, UBC's outstanding reputation for research excellence and world-class education, particularly in the field of Planning, drew me in as I sought a graduate program that could provide the best resources for my academic...

Meghna Mohandas

Once I decided to pursue my PhD in urban planning, UBC was an obvious choice. The School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) is a world-renowned department in the discipline. My supervisors Dr. Leonora Angeles and Dr. Julia Harten have immense research experience in the fields of urban...

Keisha Maloney

It has been an incredible first two years at UBC, learning with the guidance of my supervisor and incredible mentors in my department. Beyond the beauty and connection to nature found in Vancouver, I also was keen to see the “City of Reconciliation” in action, participate in ongoing planning...

Louisa-May Khoo

I visited UBC as part of an official trip with a Singapore delegation and fell in love with the UBC campus and academic culture instantly! I told myself that if I ever were to pursue doctoral work, this would be the place. Lo and behold, this has come true thanks to UBC’s generous International...

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Find out how Vancouver enhances your graduate student experience—from the beautiful mountains and city landscapes, to the arts and culture scene, we have it all. Study-life balance at its best!

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PhD students work closely with a faculty supervisor(s), who is selected by the student at the time of admission, and with a Supervisory Committee. The Supervisory Committee consists of the supervisor(s) and at least two graduate faculty members (at least one of which must be appointed to geography). 

Program Requirements 

The department expectation is that PhD degrees will be completed on a full-time basis within four years of initial registration. The School of Graduate Studies requires that the thesis be submitted within six years of initial registration in the program.

Students enrolled in a PhD program are required to complete the requirements: coursework, annual progress reports, comprehensive exam, proposal exam, candidacy, internal thesis defense exam, and external final oral exam.

Coursework — Physical

Completion of 3 half-credit courses including:

• the core course GGR1200H
• one (1) half-credit course in geography
• one (1) half-credit course in any subject

Students enrolled in a collaborative specialization should view the  Collaborative Specializations page  for any additional requirements.

Coursework — Human

Completion of 6 half-credit courses including:

• the core course GGR1110H
• two (2) half-credit courses in geography
• one (1) half-credit course which must be taken outside the department
• two (2) half-credit courses in any subject

Annual Progress Reports

The supervisory committee must meet at least once per academic year to review the student’s progress and plans for the following year.

Comprehensive Exam

Students will take a written and oral comprehensive exam between June of year one and no later than December of year two. See the  Examinations  page for further details. 

Proposal Exam

Students will defend a research proposal before their supervisory committee between June of year two and no later than September of year three. See the  Examinations  page for further details. 

The department requires students to achieve candidacy by the end of year two. A student can achieve PhD Candidacy and receive a notation on their transcript once they have completed three requirements: coursework, comprehensive exam, and proposal exam. School of Graduate Studies policy requires that candidacy is achieved by the end of year three.

Thesis Defense Exam

The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be based on original research conducted while registered for the PhD program. The topic for the thesis will have been approved at the proposal defense. The completed PhD thesis will be examined in a Departmental Thesis Examination. The examination committee consists of the supervisory committee. One or more additional members can be from outside the Department of Geography & Planning if required.  

See the  Examinations  page for further details. 

Final Oral Exam

The Final Oral Examination is the capstone experience of the PhD program. Students will defend their dissertation before an Examination Committee. In addition to the supervisor and other members of the supervisory committee, the Examination Committee will include an appraiser (external to the University), at least one graduate faculty member who has not been closely involved in the supervision of the thesis, and a chair designated by the School of Graduate Studies. 

For further details on the PhD program requirements above, please see the  Geography Graduate Handbook . 

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• Urban Planning

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Urban Planning, Policy and Design

The Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning, Policy and Design aims to prepare students for interdisciplinary research and teaching on the management of urban development as well as for leadership in the design and evaluation of urban policies and plans for cities in North America and the world. The program will focus on five identified areas of urban planning (land use planning and urban design; environmental planning; transportation planning; international development planning; real estate and economic development). Students are expected to spend the first two years of study taking courses, preparing for their comprehensive examination and writing their dissertation proposal. The remaining two (or more) years are spent conducting research and writing a thesis.

Required Courses (9 credits)

Every student must take courses worth at least 18 credits. Only one reading course can be included in this minimum requirement. The Advisory Committee may raise the requirement up to 24 credits (up to 36 credits for students entering as Ph.D. 1) in order to meet the specific needs of the student. With approval of their committee, students may elect to take a larger number of courses than is required, but in no case will the number of credits exceed thirty unless the student enters the program in Ph.D.1.

Offered by: Urban Planning ( Faculty of Engineering )

Administered by: Graduate Studies

Urban Planning : A review of planning history and theories of planning. These are examined under three categories: explanation of urban phenomena, substantive theory, and theories of process.

Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Urban Planning : Presentation of comprehensive review papers covering material central to the student's dissertation research, with an oral defense before an Advisory Committee.

Urban Planning : Exploration of concepts and methods pertinent to the development of the dissertation project proposal and comprehensive exam reading list.

Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken URBP 702 .

Urban Planning : Discussion of selected topics in theory and methodology with continued development of dissertation project proposal and comprehensive exam reading list.

Prerequisite: URBP 703

Urban Planning : Preparation of a detailed dissertation research proposal, with an oral defense before an Advisory Committee.

Prerequisite: URBP 701

Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken URBP 705 .

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

3 credits in advanced research methods at the 600 level or higher. It may be taken in any academic unit at McGill or another university, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program or School Director.

3 credits in advanced theory at the 600 level or higher. It may be taken at McGill or at another university and must be approved by the Graduate Program or School Director.

Elective Courses (3 credits)

Minimum 3 credits at the 500 level or higher,, or more if the Advisory Committee so decides.

These credits may be taken in any academic unit at McGill or at another university, subject to the approval of the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee may require that the number of electives be increased to improve the student's preparation in certain areas. Other courses, at the 500 level or higher, may be added with the approval of the Advisory Committee. In general, students will be asked to limit their elective coursework to 9 credits. In no case will they be allowed to take more than 15 credits in elective courses.

Up to two reading courses may be taken and only one may be included in the minimum 18 credits of course work. A reading course is taken when no appropriate course is available and is (at least) equivalent to a 3-credit course in terms of work load. Procedures for reading courses are outlined in the Reading Course guidelines.

Department and University Information

Faculty Links

• Engineering website

PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design

The PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design is a 39-credit program that prepares students to teach at the university level in departments of urban planning, architecture, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or real estate development. The program will qualify graduates to conduct research and participate in high-level decision making in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

The PhD program is highly selective and individualized. Adequately prepared students will generally need four semesters of formal coursework leading to comprehensive exams and all students are expected to spend a minimum of two years in residence. Students admitted to the PhD Program are expected to have completed a master’s degree in a related field including (but not limited to) urban planning, architecture, historic preservation, or landscape architecture. Students are expected to enter the PhD program with two semesters of graduate level quantitative research methods. 

The PhD program is integral to the University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education and our nationally recognized Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning, Historic Preservation, and Real Estate Development Programs. These affiliations enable our students to take advantage of a rich interdisciplinary environment.

Fields of Specialization

Students are expected to develop two fields of specialization, a major and a minor field. The following major fields are based on the University of Maryland faculty's particular strengths. However, other fields can be developed with the guidance and approval of the faculty mentor.  Emeritx Professors will not serve as the main academic advisors.

Land Use Planning:

This field includes the theoretical underpinnings of land use and the segregation of uses, as well as the study of the theory, history, and practice of policies intended to regulate the amount, pace, location, pattern, and quality of growth in U.S. metropolitan areas. This includes the study of legal and constitutional issues, public costs and benefits, the role of externalities, political conflicts, equity concerns, and socioeconomic impacts of zoning and other forms of land regulation and growth management.

Urban Spatial Structure:

Students in this specialization will study the factors that determine and influence urban and regional spatial structure. Of special interest is the role that changing technology plays in shaping urban form.

Economic Development:

Students in this specialization will focus on the theory and practice of local urban and regional economic development, including the study of theories of regional growth, intra-national population migration, business location decisions, and community development. This field also includes the study of economic development politics.

Environmental Planning:

This specialization analyzes opportunities and challenges related to making cities more sustainable and resilient in terms of environmental conservation, economic prosperity, and social equity. The specialization aims to equip students to enhance the natural and built environment minimizing the negative impacts of growth and development. Environmental planning centers environmental justice and includes questions related to natural resources and physical infrastructure, and policies and programs to protect and recover ecosystems and natural resources, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation and mitigation.

International Planning:

This specialization explores urbanization abroad, particularly the developing world. Students in this specialization explore planning, urban spatial structure, urban development, historic preservation, and urban design challenges in the newly industrializing countries and the newly independent states of Eastern Europe, and how the political, social, cultural, and economic conditions within and among regions and countries affect the development, design, and implementation of plans. Within the proposed Ph.D. program there will be special emphasis on the relationship between social, cultural, and economic conditions and improving the quality of urban life.

Urban Design:

This specialization includes the study of both historical and contemporary issues of design in an urban environment, including the means by which urban form and design is regulated through codes, guidelines, and review processes. Students in this specialization will explore the relationship between buildings, culture, context, the urban condition, and their influence on the making of the urban form. This field includes an emphasis on the relationship between human behavior and built form and also encompasses a special focus on design strategies and initiatives that revitalize cities and mitigate urban sprawl. It also includes the exploration of how sprawl and growth management can and do inform urban design.

Urban Community Social Development:

This specialization focuses on revitalizing the central city to make it a more attractive place to live and work, and to slow the outward migration that necessitates suburban growth management. This specialization gives special attention to the social and cultural character of communities, in addition to their physical and economic requirements, and concentrates on developing strategies to draw more people to central city communities. Because concern about declining schools, fears about safety, and anxiety about racial differences are three strong forces motivating outward movement, education, public safety, and race relations will be central to this study.

Transportation Planning and Policy :

This specialization focuses on the theory of travel and transportation systems and their interactions with the built environment, including land use, urban design, and the natural environment. This specialization provides students with a broad, multi-faceted understanding of the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity outcome of transportation policy and planning. It also covers travel behavior analysis, public transportation policy, planning, and management, travel demand forecasting, transportation finance, sustainable transportation, and energy and environmental issues in the transportation sector.

Housing Policy:

The housing policy specialization draws upon the program’s strengths in the areas of Smart Growth to prepare students to analyze housing markets and evaluate policies designed to ensure that housing is delivered in a manner that is efficient, equitable, and sustainable.

Architectural History:

Based on the broad spectrum of expertise of the design, history and preservation faculty, this specialization focuses on the history and preservation of the built environment in the United States and Canada - envisioned as a significant element of social, cultural, religious, economic, and political history - both from a vernacular and a “high style” perspective and from a cross-cultural angle.

Comprehensive Exams Policy

Doctoral students are required to take a set of written comprehensive exams shortly after completion of their coursework.   To pass the exams, students must demonstrate a mastery of advanced planning and design theory, and the important work in their major and minor fields. At least four faculty members serve on the exam committee of which two must be from the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. The examining committee will include the student’s advisor, at least two additional members familiar with the student's major or minor fields, and the student’s planning theory professor. The selection of the committee is made by the student, with the approval of the student’s advisor. The comprehensive exam is a three-day take-home exam.

To prepare for the examination, students are required to prepare a reading list for their chosen major and minor fields, plus urban planning theory, in consultation with their advisor and committee members. This reading list will reflect the agreed-upon scope of work that students are expected to know for the exam. All of the committee members must review this reading list and agree that it includes the relevant, important work in the students’ chosen fields.

Each committee member should write one question in the area of each student’s major or minor field. The committee member may write several questions among which the student should select one. The advisor should collect all questions from the committee members, review the questions for clarity, comprehensiveness, and fairness, and pass the exam to the student. Generally, the total exam includes two questions from the major field, one question from the minor field, and a planning theory question. At the end of three days (72 hours), the student should return the exam to his/her advisor. The advisor will pass the exam to the committee.

The questions will be graded by the committee, with each committee member responsible for grading the question they asked. The advisor is responsible for reading and grading all questions. The examining committee should take no longer than two weeks to assess the exam. The options are (1) pass, (2) rewrite, or (3) fail. A student may receive a pass, rewrite, or fail on each question separately. Students are allowed to rewrite a question one time only. Only one committee member is required for a decision to rewrite. At least two faculty members must concur if a failing grade is given. The case where the student fails one or more questions constitutes an exam failure. Once successfully passing the comprehensive exam, students must complete the required paperwork to be formally admitted to candidacy.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students must complete and pass their comprehensive exam before they advance to candidacy and begin to take URSP899 dissertation research courses. Click here to fill out the application for advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation

The dissertation must demonstrate the ability to do independent research on an original topic approved by the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the graduate program.

The student will assemble a dissertation committee made up of at least five faculty members with expertise in the student's proposed research area. According to the university requirement: "The Committee must consist of a minimum of five members; additional committee members may be required or invited to serve at the discretion of the program. All members of the Dissertation Examining Committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Maryland under one of the following membership categories: Regular Member; Adjunct Member; Special Member. At least three of the committee members must be Regular Members of the University of Maryland Graduate Faculty." Once a prospectus is finished, it must be approved and signed off by the student's PhD committee. Students will orally defend their dissertation proposal. The oral defense is informal. Students are expected to propose planning-related research and theory construction, which will lead to significant, original, and relevant contributions to the field. The core course Advanced Planning and Design Theory is designed to assist students in the preparation of a thesis proposal.

Visit the Courses page to view all courses offered by the PhD Program. 

For a list of courses offered this semester, visit  Testudo . 

Admissions for Urban Development (MPl)

Ready to reimagine our communities? Diverse learning and research opportunities — together with a strong Toronto Metropolitan University community — equip you with the knowledge and experiences needed to pursue a rewarding career in practice, research and policy. Prepare to address urban culture and nature when designing for development.

Admission Requirements

The Urban Development (MPl) program is challenging and intensive. We enroll approximately 30 students every year, selected from a highly competitive applicant pool.

International applicants are asked to contact the Urban Development office directly, to discuss eligibility, prior to starting their application.

To be considered for admission, you must meet the minimum program requirements:

Two-year Regular Stream

The minimum grade requirement for admission consideration to a master's program is a 3.0/4.33 (B or equivalent) in the last two years of study within a four year undergraduate (or equivalent) bachelor's degree. (See: Admission Requirements ).

A significant majority of our students do not have a previous degree in urban planning.

Applicants with a professionally accredited undergraduate bachelor degree in planning will not be accepted into the two year regular stream program as it is a first professional degree.

All applicants are expected to have passed a university-level course in statistics.

One-year Accelerated Stream

This program is primarily designed for applicants with a professionally-accredited bachelor's degree in Planning, with a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.33 (B) in the last two years of study and significant work experience, who are seeking advanced planning study. Applicants must also have professional experience working directly in the field of planning, with progressive responsibility of no less than five cumulative calendar years of full-time employment. Note that internship and co-op experience is not counted. Applicants who are provisional or full members of a recognized provincial, state, or national planning institute or regulatory body are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants with a four-year undergraduate degree (other than a degree in planning from an accredited program) and an exceptional record of practice directly in planning over an established career of five or more cumulative years may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. We encourage these applicants to contact our program office to explore their eligibility.

Internationally Trained Planning Professionals

Internationally trained planning professionals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents with  demonstrated planning knowledge and experience are highly encouraged to apply. Our accredited planning program provides the needed skills and hands-on training to transition and advance applicants’ planning careers in the Canadian context. The program of study can be adapted, as needed, for internationally trained planners to gain experience with Canadian urban planning ethics and governance. Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency at the minimum level required by the Yeates School of Graduate Studies if previous education was not instructed in English. You can learn more  from the Graduate Studies Admission Requirements page . 

All applicants to our 1-year program must have passed a university-level course in statistics prior to starting the program. Strong applicants who have not yet completed this statistics learning should contact the program to discuss options for completion before applying.

Application Deadlines

Admissions typically open in mid-October.

Submit your application by the first consideration deadline to be guaranteed consideration for admission and scholarships.

We’ll notify first consideration applicants of admissions decisions in early March, and will notify all other applicants of an admissions decision on a rolling basis.

We will continue to accept applications until all available spots are filled.

*Please be aware that once you have completed the OUAC portion of the application, it can take up to five business days to receive the email containing instructions on how to create your Toronto Metropolitan University identity and upload your supplementary documents into the system.

Required Documents

Statement of interest (two-year regular stream applicants).

Your statement of interest must not exceed four single-spaced pages. Please follow the requirements below.

1) Page one:

• Heading: Compelling urban planning issues Reflect upon a compelling urban planning issue that has influenced your decision to apply to our graduate program.
• Heading: Why I want to be a professional urban planner Reflect upon the professional practice of planning and tell us why you want to complete graduate studies in this particular profession.

2) Page two:

• Heading: Why I want to study in the Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Urban Development program Review our required core courses . Next, review the biographies of our faculty members . Please tell us what it is about our courses and faculty members that led you to apply to our professional planning program. 
• Heading: My capacity to tackle a new discipline Our master's program is a first professional degree program which means that we accept students from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines. It also means that all of you will be new to the study of planning in our challenging yet rewarding program. Please reflect upon your previous academic, professional and volunteer experiences and tell us what challenges you anticipate as a student in our professional planning program.

3) Page three:

• Heading: Visualizing Planning  Upload a carefully selected photograph that you have taken and represents a specific compelling planning issue that has influenced your decision to apply to our graduate program.
• The photograph can be taken on your smartphone or a camera, and it must be your own creation. It should demonstrate how you see the planning and city (e.g. urban places, people, culture and nature etc.) and relate to your "compelling planning issue”. Your image should complement your writing to show how you express yourself in a visual medium. The image should be no larger than 2000 x 1500 pixels, at 150 dpi (or medium size).
• Accompany your image with a short statement of no more than 250 words describing how the image relates to your "compelling planning issue". 

4) Page four:

• Heading: Statistics requirement   Have you taken a university-level statistics course or a course in which a substantial portion of it was statistics? 
• If yes , what was the course code and name? At which university did you take it? Include the calendar description and a website link to the course outline if possible. 
• If no , will you take a university-level statistics course and complete it before joining our program? Which course do you intend on taking and when?
• Heading: Experience with software Describe any experience you have working with the following software: Adobe Creative Suite (PDF maker, Photoshop, Illustrator), ArcMap, Illustrator and/or AutoCAD.
• Heading: Teaching assistant experience Have you ever been a teaching assistant? If yes: When? For which courses? At what university?   

Statement of Interest (One-year Accelerated Stream applicants)

• Heading: My decision to return to school The decision to leave the workplace to return to full-time graduate study is a significant one. The program to which you are applying is an accredited professional planning program. Review the professional accreditation requirements  (external link)  for the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Please reflect upon and comment on the eligibility of your previous experience for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Heading: Why I want to study in the Toronto Metropolitan University Master's of Urban Development program Review our required core courses . Next, review the biographies of our faculty members . Please tell us what it is about our courses and faculty members that led you to apply to our professional planning program.
• Heading: Statistics requirement Have you taken a university-level statistics course or a course in which a substantial portion of it was statistics?
• If yes , what is the course code and name? At which university did you take it? Include the calendar description and a website link to the course outline if possible.
• Heading: Teaching assistant experience Have you ever been a teaching assistant? If yes: When? For which courses? At what university?

Two letters of recommendation (applicants from both streams)

We require two academic recommendations from faculty members familiar with your academic performance. If needed, one of these recommendations may be submitted by a professional, non-academic referee.

Recommendation letters are a key component of your application. You should pay close attention to the selection of your referees. It is your responsibility to contact your referee to confirm their availability before providing their details on the application form.

Please advise your referees that you are applying to a very competitive graduate program that places heavy significance on the quality of the letters of recommendation.

Stronger letters of recommendation will address:

• Your capacity to tackle a new discipline
• Your ability to work independently and in teams
• How your background has prepared you for a professional graduate program

Please note that we reserve the right to contact your referees at any stage during the application process.

Refer to the Document Checklist for more required documents. Find out how to submit your:

• Reference letters
• Transcripts
• English language proficiency (if applicable)

Application Process

At Toronto Met, all graduate applications are submitted online. Visit Apply online to learn more about:

• Submitting your application through OUAC
• Uploading your documents
• Monitoring your application

Finding a Supervisor

The selection and assignment of your supervisor will take place when the topic of your Major Research Paper/Project (MRP) is determined (typically in your second year).

When you apply online, the OUAC site will ask you to identify a supervisor. This is not a mandatory field and you should leave it blank. We ask you to please not contact our SURP faculty members by email to ask about potential supervision or research assistant opportunities. Both of these will become available if you are offered a position in the program.

School of Planning and Public Affairs

Certificate in Transportation Planning

The field of transportation planning has become much broader in the past several decades, expanding from its focus on relieving traffic congestion to questions related to social equity, accessibility, climate impacts, and the benefits of physically active travel. This change has underscored the need to attract people from diverse disciplinary and social/ethnic backgrounds to the field. The next generation of transportation professional cannot simply be one in a team of specialists. They need to have a range of knowledge that allows them to see and solve problems without disciplinary boundaries.  

The Certificate in Transportation Planning at the UI School of Planning & Public Affairs prepares professionals who can address this challenge.

• Students study and work with different disciplines and learn to develop sustainable, equitable and safe transportation systems.
• Certificate is advantageous for employment, professional development or advancement.
• The Transportation Planning Certificate is credentialed and will appear on the student's UI transcript.
• Certificate courses may be applied to a master's degree in Urban Planning at the University of Iowa if the student pursues a graduate degree after the certificate is completed.

Completion of the certificate provides students a robust background in transportation, methods and techniques for transportation analysis, and real-world project experience to improve their expertise and employability in a variety of professional transportation roles.

Fields of employment for students with the Transportation Certificate include: •    transportation planning •    transit or freight management •    bike/pedestrian policy advocacy •    public health through active mobility •    sustainability •    climate mitigation

Who should apply?

•    Those with a bachelor’s degree in urban studies, planning, engineering and other fields who want to increase      their employment options in transportation planning.

•    Planners interested in further professional development.

•    Graduate students at the University of Iowa.

Required Curriculum

Courses are taught primarily online with both real-time interaction and recorded lectures. Some elective courses are offered in-person to accommodate student preferences. However, the certificate can be completed entirely online by selecting courses available in that format. Courses are taught by faculty in the School of Planning and Public Affairs and College of Public Health. See the   most recent catalog of planning courses for course descriptions .

The first semester of the certificate program introduces students to the fundamentals of transportation planning history and practice, and to the relationships between transportation systems, urban form, equity, and sustainability.

The second semester deepens knowledge through specialization in public policy, travel behavior analysis, infrastructure finance, and traffic safety. Finally, in the summer studio course, students undertake a real-world transportation project for a community partner through the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC).

The certificate can be completed in one calendar year including a summer studio capstone. It may also be completed over two or more years for part-time students who complete fewer courses per semester. The two-year option accommodates students currently enrolled in two-year masters degrees at the University of Iowa.

Apply to Certificate Program

Current university of iowa students.

•    All UI students in good standing enrolled in any graduate program are eligible to complete the certificate. •    Admission for the certificate is considered on a rolling basis. •    Application deadline: Must be admitted to certificate program before completing all certificate courses. Requires that the student either have one course left to complete the certificate or is currently enrolled in final course necessary for the certificate.

To Apply Current UI graduate students should contact Abbi Castle in the School of Planning and Public Affairs.

Completion deadline During the semester of the student's final certificate course, the certificate completion form must be submitted before the established deadline for the Degree Application set by the Graduate College (approximately 10 weeks before graduation).

Non-University of Iowa Students

We are currently not admitting students who aren't University of Iowa graduate students into an online program.

For more information about the certificate program, please contact the Transportation Planning Certificate Coordinator: Steve Spears Associate Professor of Instruction School of Planning and Public Affairs [email protected]

For questions about the application process, please contact: Abbi Castle School of Planning and Public Affairs [email protected]

*Tuition rate for non-degree seeking students

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Seven Questions with... Varvara Karipidou

19 April 2024

This week we're joined by PhD student Varvara Karipidou. Varvara chats to us about her research into the intersection of politics and urban planning in Eastern Europe, taking a collaborative approach to a PhD, and the best green spaces near campus.

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject, and what do you plan to do in the future?

I'm currently halfway through my PhD, focusing on the politics surrounding urban development processes in Eastern European post-democratisation. My interest in critical urban studies was sparked after graduating from architecture school. I delved deeper into this field during my second MSc degree in urbanisation and development processes at the LSE. Following some years of work as an architect and urban planner in Eastern Europe, I made the decision to return to the UK and pursue my PhD at UCL. Here, I aim to explore the intersection of politics and urban planning policies in the region.

Looking ahead, I have numerous thoughts and ideas for the future, but one thing is certain: continuing my research and remaining actively involved in academia are central to my plans.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen, or gotten involved with while at UCL?

During my time at UCL, two experiences stand out as particularly enjoyable and rewarding. Firstly, I had the opportunity to organise, along with friends and colleagues, the summer school for the Department of Geography for two consecutive years. This involved planning seminars, activities, and a small field trip, selecting teaching materials, and engaging with students.

Secondly, being awarded the Next Economy Trust Fellowship was a significant highlight of my time at UCL. This fellowship will support and enhance my research efforts, allowing me to explore the spatial and social consequences of urban policies involving state and non-state actors in post-democratic Eastern Europe. Additionally, the fellowship provides me with the opportunity to engage with a broader academic community dedicated to producing ground-breaking work.

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

The first thing that comes to mind is the reading rooms in the British Library. For quiet study spaces, consider obtaining a British Library membership as a student, granting access to their reading spaces and vast collection of books. Additionally, the UCL hub at the Senate House provides another nice environment for reading, away from the crowds.

When in need of a break, take advantage of the many parks surrounding the campus. These green spaces offer opportunities for leisurely walks, enjoying lunch, reading, or meeting friends and colleagues for a quick coffee before returning to work.

In general, London offers many hidden gems, and UCL's location is a good starting point for walking around and exploring the city.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

In London, I particularly enjoy exploring art shows and exhibitions, attending plays at the theatre, and experiencing music events. The city offers a wide range of options, from renowned galleries like the Tate and the British Museum to smaller, independent venues where some of the best events occur. London's diverse cultural scene ensures there's always something new and exciting to discover in the realms of art, and there are many ways to get involved in these if someone is interested.

If you could study a different subject, what would it be and why?

Although there are many different subjects that I wish I could explore more, I wouldn’t choose to study anything else. I was also lucky because architecture, and social sciences more generally, offer a lot of alternatives and different paths for someone to follow based on what interests them more.

Who inspires you and why?

I'm inspired by a long list of people, like my family, my sister, friends, and even individuals I've briefly encountered or heard/read about. However, what truly inspires me are the small acts of kindness witnessed in everyday life. These gestures fill me with optimism, especially during challenging times like the present.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I haven’t thought about this before. I don’t really have a good answer for this, but I would say that many people think of the PhD as a lonely process driven by individual effort. However, for me, I find value in being part of a team and collaborating with others. I enjoy discussing my research and being open to new ideas, and I believe that this collaborative approach is feasible even for a PhD student. Not a very surprising or fun fact, I know! But maybe it is a useful thought for anyone considering pursuing a PhD in the future.