Typical Ph.D. program of study for full-time students entering prior to fall 2005

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.

Students are required to take two of the following three proseminars that define the theoretical and analytical foundations of the program.
UAPP 821	Proseminar in Technology, Environment and Society	(3 cr)
UAPP 822	Proseminar in Governance, Planning, and Management	(3 cr)
UAPP 823	Proseminar in Social and Urban Policy	(3 cr)
And each of the following:
UAPP 800	Research Design and Methodologies	(3 cr)
UAPP 801	Processes of Social Inquiry	(3 cr)
UAPP 816	Advanced Social Statistics	(3 cr)
And one elective course in the student's area of specialization.		(3 cr)

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:

UAPP 863	Doctoral Research Paper	(3 cr)
	Electives in Research Area	(12 cr)
UAPP 969	Doctoral Dissertation	(9 cr)

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

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.

Click here if you started your PhD program after fall 2005.

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