Each PhD student's program is different. The course of study is designed by the student under the supervision of a special faculty committee. The candidate selects the committee, which consists of a chairperson representing the major subject and other members of the Graduate Faculty who represent at least two minor subjects. Students may concentrate on city and regional planning, planning theory and systems analysis, regional science, urban and regional theory, and urban planning history.
Students select minor subjects from throughout the university.
Recent selections include aerial photographic studies, Africana studies, agricultural economics, anthropology, architectural history, comparative government, consumer economics, econometrics and economic statistics, economic development and theory, environmental and civil engineering, housing, Latin American studies, law, natural resources conservation, operations research, political thought, psychology, public administration, public policy, research methodology, sociology, South East Asian studies, Soviet studies, statistics, and transportation engineering. Entry into the program is highly competitive. CRP considers applicants who have an MRP degree or MA degree, or their equivalent, and have had acceptable experience in planning practice. We consider work toward the PhD degree as preparation for making creative contributions to the field of planning. We therefore require substantial competence in basic analytic and research methods.