Program Overview

Ph.D. in Urban Planning

The Ph.D. in Urban Planning is focused on training individuals for future careers as teachers, researchers, policy-makers, and business entrepreneurs in and near the field of urban planning—in academia, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. The program equips students with the theoretical and methodological expertise to address important contemporary issues, such as climate change and adaptation, built environment transformation, immigration and migration, housing and community development, and poverty and inequality.

Overview

The Ph.D. in Urban Planning is a highly competitive doctoral program, accepting only three candidates each year. We welcome prospective students from a wide range of backgrounds, and value strong abilities for critical thinking and independent research. In reviewing applications, the Ph.D. faculty make decisions collectively, based on students’ academic preparation, topical areas of interest, and experience with analytical. We encourage students to explore various directions of intellectual growth after enrollment.

Admission Information

• The application deadline for 2026 admissions is December 11, 2025.
• For information on the application process and requirements in future years, please see the GSAS website.

Organization of the Program

All students entering the PhD program in Urban Planning receive two Residence Units of Advanced Standing, having entered with a master’s degree in urban planning or a related field. As such, students must complete the M.Phil. degree within three years from initial registration and the Ph.D. within eight years from initial registration.

Teaching Apprenticeship

Students’ multi-year fellowships include participation in the Ph.D. in Urban Planning program’s professional apprenticeship, which includes teaching responsibilities in the second and third years of the program. The faculty regard these experiences as a vital part of students’ education.

Language Proficiency

GSAPP will pay for up to two language courses taken during the summer at Columbia if needed due to the country/region of the student’s specialization.

Ph.D. Dissertation

After successfully completing the qualifying examination, each student defends his or her dissertation proposal before a faculty committee, composed of the student’s dissertation adviser, who must be on the list of approved Urban Planning Doctoral Dissertation Advisors, and two other readers, at least one of whom should be from the list of Urban Planning dissertation advisors or associated faculty. Defense of the dissertation prospectus must take place before the end of the sixth semester.

Advising

Upon entering the program, each student consults with the program director for the duration of their coursework. The program director’s role is to provide independent guidance and mentorship on all aspects of student life. Students meet at least once each semester with the program director to discuss their academic progress and future plans.

Funding and Support

• For information on Ph.D. student employee compensation and benefits, click here.
• For information on available resources for parents, click here.
• For more information on the GSAPP PhD Travel, Conference, and Exhibition Participation Support program, click here.
• For more information on the GSAPP PhD Language Study Support program, click here.

Courses

The following courses are offered in the Fall 2025 semester:

• PLAN8900-1: Doctoral Colloquium I
• PLAN8902-1: Doctoral Colloquium III
• PLAN6925-1: Advanced Research I

Events

The following events are scheduled:

• The Lecture in Planning Series (LiPS): Jake Berman
• Fall 2025 Online Info Session: PhD in Urban Planning
• The Lecture in Planning Series (LiPS): Javier Arbona-Homar

Other Programs at GSAPP

• M.S. Architecture and Urban Design: A three-semester program that advances new paradigms of research, practice and pedagogy to meet the urgent challenges of rapid urbanization, the increasing threats of climate change and social inequality.
• M.S. Urban Planning: An accredited two-year program connecting the study of the urban built environment with grounded analysis of socioeconomic and political conditions.