Degree Overview

The PhD program in Planning and Public Affairs in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM) trains students to conduct rigorous, original research to inform scholarship, policy, and practice. The doctoral degree program focuses on three, cutting-edge research groups that are strengths among the PPPM faculty. An overarching key theme is engaged and applied scholarship, which builds on our international reputation for integrating research, teaching, and service.

Key Aspects

Innovative: Focused around research groups working to address key societal issues that have a high potential for academic employment  
Interdisciplinary: Flexible structure allows students to access a range of disciplines across our school and the university  
Engaged: Draws upon the international reputation of our institutes to train future faculty in collaborative research with agencies, cities, organizations, and communities  
Inclusive: Builds on our school’s dedication to equity and inclusion, our diverse faculty, and Oregon’s increasing reputation for inclusive communities

Educational Objectives

Our primary goal is to train you to make a significant difference in your chosen endeavor and to develop:

• Competency in a professional field
• Skills in research methods appropriate to a field and research area
• Teaching skills in a range of contexts
• Professional skills for an academic and/or research career:
  • Engaging with communities and clients
  • Writing journal articles and grant proposals
  • Developing career strategies

Disciplinary Tracks (choose one)

The purpose of a disciplinary track is to demonstrate general competency in a professional discipline that will make graduates more competitive in the job market.

As a doctoral candidate, you must choose a primary disciplinary track that aligns with the teaching and research field you intend to engage. Tracks provide the core classes and training necessary for you to teach and conduct research for academic and research careers.

1. Community and Regional Planning
2. Nonprofit Management
3. Public Administration/Public Policy

Research Concentrations

To be admitted to the program, you'll need to choose one research concentration or a dual concentration. They are based on faculty expertise and important emerging areas of need in the field.

The PhD research concentrations are structured around PPPM's faculty research groups, which are intended to create a community of students, PPPM faculty members, UO faculty members, and partner organizations interested in these topic areas.

1. Access and Equity
2. Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Social Enterprise
3. Sustainable Transportation and Cities
4. Dual concentration

Curriculum

The curriculum for the PhD in Planning and Public Affairs is flexible and adaptable to students' backgrounds, areas of interest, and career goals. The primary goals of coursework in the program are to:

• Provide you with the grounding in a disciplinary track
• Help you develop expertise in a research concentration
• Help you develop skills in methods to conduct research
• Prepare you for a professional research and teaching career

The curriculum requirements fall into four broad categories:

Disciplinary Track and Concentration: 36 Credits  
Research Methods: 16 Credits  
Career Development: 3 Credits  
Dissertation: 18 Credits

TOTAL: 73 UO CREDITS