Ph.D. in Community and Regional Planning Application Instructions

Applicants to the doctoral program in Community and Regional Planning will be evaluated according to the following seven criteria for admission:

[  ]  Hold a Master of Science in urban planning or its equivalent in a related field;
[  ]  Demonstrate adequate subject preparation in content and quality as reflected in transcripts and letters of recommendation;
[  ]  A statement of purpose consisting of a 1000 to 1500-word essay demonstrating a clear interest in Ph.D. study and including a description of research interests and objectives;
[  ]  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results from a test taken less than five years before the admissions application deadline; The GRE is **WAIVED** for Fall 2025 applications.
[  ]  A score on The Foreign Language (TOEFL) test of 550 or higher on the paper-based test or 213 or higher on the computer-based test for applicants whose first language is not English;
[  ]  A grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better on all completed graduate work;
[  ]  A strong match between the research and career interests of the applicant and current research and teaching activities of at least one member of the CRP faculty.

The GSC is empowered to provisionally admit an otherwise unusually strong candidate who has deficiencies in one or more of the above criteria. However, if the candidate does not meet the Master of Science in Planning admission criteria listed above, the student must complete a program of coursework that covers core topics by the end of the second year following provisional admission to the program or the provisional admission may be canceled.

[  ] Follow the application instructions for all UTSOA graduate programs.
[  ] See below for Ph.D. application requirements.

[  ] Follow the Graduate School instructions to submit the application, application fee, transcripts, and test scores. 

The GRE is **WAIVED** for Fall 2025 applications. It may take 72 hours to be removed from your MyStatus after you submit your application. There is no reason to reach out in the interim.

[  ] Upload your statement through MyStatus.

+ A 1,000-1,500 word essay that addresses your interest in the PhD program with respect to your academic and professional objectives, the factors that led you to apply to the UTSOA, a situation or job that helped you define your interest, your most substantial professional contribution and why you view it as such, and/or any other factors related to your academic or professional experience that you wish to convey to the admissions committee.
+ You may submit your online application before finishing your statement of purpose. You can later upload your statement through MyStatus.

[  ] Manage and track your letters through MyStatus.
[  ] Provide recommenders' emails as part of the online application.

+ Recommenders may include former instructors and professional employers.
+ Letters should include comments on the applicant’s intellectual, communicative, and leadership abilities as well as their capacity for creativity and relevant personal characteristics.
+ After you submit your application and pay your application fee, notification emails will be sent to your recommenders. Any delay in submitting your application or application fee will delay the notifications to your recommenders.

[  ] Upload through MyStatus. 

[  ] Upload through MyStatus.

+ This document should demonstrate your analytical writing and reasoning skills.
+ Ph.D. applicants are expected to submit more substantial writing samples, such as theses or dissertations, which demonstrate research abilities and scholarship.