Typical Ph.D. program of study for full-time students entering fall 2005 and after

View the old and new plans of study side by side

Year one: core curriculum and qualifying exam

Students will complete 18 credit hours of study in the first year, usually in combination with a 20 hour per week research assistantship.

credits

Year 1, fall

A Proseminar (3 cr)
A qualitative or quantitative methods course (3 cr)
Course in area of specialization (3 cr)

Year 1, spring

A Proseminar (3 credits)
UAPP 801 Processes of Social Inquiry (3 cr)
A qualitative or quantitative methods course (3 cr)

Year 1, summer

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
Formation of Dissertation Proposal Committee

At the end of the first year, students normally take the qualifying exam. The exam is a take-home format that consists of questions linked to the proseminar courses taken by the student in the first year.

Year two: development of a research area of specialization and dissertation proposal

In the second year, students pursue their research specialization. A plan of study typically includes:

credits

Year 2, fall

UAPP 863 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (3 cr)
Course in area of specialization (3 cr)
Course in area of specialization (3 cr)

Year 2, spring

If needed, work continues on dissertation proposal with student registering for UAPP 964 Pre-Candidacy Study.
Possible defense of dissertation proposal
2 or 3 courses in area of specialization (6-9 cr)

6-9

Year 2, summer

Evolution of dissertation proposal committee into official dissertation committee.
Possible defense of dissertation proposal Dissertation research

The Doctoral Research Paper helps lay the foundation for the Dissertation Proposal. By the end of the second year, students are expected to submit a dissertation proposal and defend it before a dissertation committee.

Year three and after: preparation and defense of dissertation

credits

Year 3, fall

If needed, work continues on dissertation proposal with student registering for UAPP 964 Pre-Candidacy Study. (Converts to UAPP 969 if defense occurs this semester).

UAPP 969 Dissertation Research (9 cr)

Year 3, spring and subsequent semesters

UAPP 969 Dissertation Research - continued

Students are expected to engage in independent research with the guidance of their dissertation committee chair and members. Dissertation work is continued until the student's Dissertation Committee is satisfied with the quality of the research. Upon successful defense of the dissertation and completion of any needed revisions, the Committee submits the dissertation to University authorities for final approval.

School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy
184 Graham Hall | University of Delaware | Newark, DE 19716
phone 302 831 1687 | e-mail suapp@udel.edu | fax 302 831 3296