Graduate Degree

The many aspects of our built and natural environment – buildings, facilities, interior spaces, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities – are an integral part of our society. Every new space and structure serves to define and shape a community’s personality. Poor planning design and/or construction can compromise a community’s appearance and drain its resources. Conversely, well-planned, designed and constructed environments sustain and enrich a community.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, Design and Construction with a concentration in construction management, environmental design, or urban and regional planning will enable students to meet future challenges. Graduates of this program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the effects of plans, regulations, design, materials, project management techniques, and construction systems on the economic, environmental, and social concerns of stakeholders and society.

Admission

To be considered for regular admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Planning, Design and Construction, an applicant must have all of the following:

1. A master’s degree in a related field.
2. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. GRE scores no lower than 301 in combined verbal and quantitative and at least 4.0 analytical.
4. TOEFL scores (for international applicants):
   1. Paper-based – no lower than 575 (with no sub scores below 52)
   2. Computer-based – no lower than 235 (with no sub scores below 19)
   3. Internet-based – no lower than 90 (with no sub scores below 19 for reading, listening, and   speaking, and no writing sub score below 22)

Additionally, students are encouraged to submit a sample of scholarly work or a portfolio of design work. Depending on the proposed area of concentration, the school may ask for  additional background information.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who does not meet the above requirements but demonstrates outstanding potential. Collateral course work will not count  towards degree requirements.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture  and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science, the student must meet the requirements specified below.

Guidance Committee

The guidance committee should be comprised of at least four faculty members. The chairperson and one other committee member should be from the student’s area of concentration within the School, a third member can be from the student’s area of concentration or another area of concentration within the School, and a fourth member must be from outside the school.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Planning, Design and Construction

The student must: