Geography and Planning: Planning PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is primarily a research degree. A program of study is designed for each student to ensure competence in a field of research and to facilitate the preparation of a dissertation.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate master's degree in planning or a related field, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– and demonstrated competence in analytical methods or successful completion of one of two methods courses in the current master's program.

Completion Requirements

All PhD students must:

  • Take 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), if they hold a master's degree in planning comparable to the U of T MSc in Planning, as follows:

    • 1.5 FCEs in core courses:

      • JPG1120H Advanced Qualitative Research: Methodology and Epistemological Foundations for Planning and Geography

      • PLA2000H Advanced Planning Theory

      • PLA2001H Planning Colloquium.

    • 1.5 FCEs in electives (at least 0.5 elective FCE must be outside the Planning program).

Students who enter with a master's degree in a related field may be required to take up to an additional 1.0 FCE depending on their background and experience.

  • Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.

  • Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:

    • a written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam); and

    • an oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.

A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. A failure of the second exam may result in recommendation for termination of the student’s program.

  • Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for their research upon the recommendation of their committee.

  • Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to their research committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.

  • Be in residence for two years, unless otherwise specified, during which the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

  • Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.

  • PhD degree program details are fully described in the Graduate Planning Handbook and the department's website.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

Geography and Planning