Doctoral Degree Programs
Professors, scholars, and academic researchers in the fields of policy, planning, and development produce work that is of the greatest academic rigor even as it has a palpable impact on the world around us. Through critical discourse and inquiry, field work and theoretical training, university faculty and academicians trained at SPPD examine issues of governance and contribute to place-based solutions to problems that face communities everywhere in the world.
USC offers both a Ph.D. and a professional doctorate degree program covering the fields of planning, public management, public policy, and urban development.
Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Philosophy in Policy, Planning, and Development (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. in Policy, Planning, and Development is awarded by the Graduate School through the School of Policy, Planning, and Development. This degree prepares individuals for university-level teaching and research positions. Most competitive applicants already hold a master's degree.
Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development (DPPD)
The Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development (DPPD) prepares professionals for leadership in planning and development positions in government agencies, consulting firms, institutional investment firms, development firms, and nonprofit organizations. Most competitive applicants already hold a master's degree, and DPPD students also have several years of work-experience in a relevant profession.
SPPD Faculty
SPPD's doctoral program faculty include world-renowned scholars in a variety of fields including public administration and management, public policy, planning theory, regional development, transportation and urban structure, urban design, urban history, demographic change, political organization, design theory, local economic development, international urban development, and real estate finance and development.
Doctoral students benefit from this diversity of faculty expertise and from their peers, many of whom have significant achievements to their credit. The result is a highly customized education that is on the cutting-edge of these evolving fields.