Admissions Criteria

Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy

The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy seeks students with a mix of interests, backgrounds, and areas of knowledge and experience who want to do research in urban affairs and public policy. The school evaluates a prospective student’s interest, motivation, and ability to successfully complete the program of study. We examine the full academic and professional record of each student. No one criterion is the sole basis of an admissions decision. We have found that past performance in a master’s degree program is the best predictor of success in the Ph.D. program. Other criteria used to evaluate applicants include:

• A completed master’s degree in urban affairs, public or environmental policy or a related social science field
• A grade point average of at least 3.5 in previous graduate work
• Letters of recommendation that assess the student’s capacity to succeed in the program
• Results of the GRE test taken within the last 3 years 
• Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency by obtaining a master’s degree at an institution in which English is the sole language, and/or by achieving a score of at least 100 on the internet Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

A commitment to diversity

Today's policy issues are interdisciplinary and multicultural in scope. In our dynamic world, addressing complex problems depends on our ability to understand, respect, and value different cultures, perspectives and experiences. The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy is committed to offering its students an interdisciplinary and multicultural education. That commitment is expressed in our curriculum and our student community.

A profile of students enrolled in our Ph.D. program since 1990 shows that approximately 40% are women, 35% are international students, and 12% are persons of color. They enter the program with degrees in sociology, political science, economics, history, environmental studies, engineering, urban studies, planning, public administration and philosophy. Our students come from around the world --- Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Korea, Nigeria, Norway, Taiwan, and Turkey, as well as different regions of the U.S.
Applying to the Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy program

Please see the prospective students web pages, including the page on admissions materials.