PhD City and Regional Planning at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The doctoral program in planning provides training in research methods, planning theory, and areas of specialization that enable graduates to contribute to the development of substantive theory, knowledge, and scholarship in planning; to formulate and evaluate innovative public policy; and to administer research programs in domestic and international contexts. The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 36 credits. Students must fulfill four semesters of residence. In practice, doctoral candidates who hold master's degrees in planning or a related field generally require four semesters of formal coursework in residence before beginning the dissertation.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: City and Regional Planning | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 36 credits. Core courses include PLAN 805 Theory of Planning II; PLAN 800 Research Design; PLAN 994 Doctoral Research and Dissertation.

Career pathways

Each student develops an individualized course of study to reflect a specific area of interest and career aspirations. They are involved in designing solutions to pressing societal problems such as urban sprawl, unemployment, homelessness, environmental pollution, and urban decay.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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