In
order to be granted admission to the doctoral program, students must
be able to prove that they have the capacity to be successful and
achieve eminence in the field of urban planning and environmental
policy. Each year, only a small group of students are admitted. All
applicants must demonstrate a proficiency in the English language
prior to being admitted into the doctoral program; students whose
native language is not English will be required to demonstrate such
competence in English before enrolling.
The
formal application to the doctoral program must include the following:
1. A completed application form and a non-refundable application fee
2. At least three recommendations from individuals qualified to evaluate
the applicant’s past scholastic performance, research and scientific
abilities, and personal motivation
3. An official transcript of credits earned at all colleges and/or
universities attended by the applicant
4. Scores form the Graduate Record Examination. In addition, international
applicants must provide TOEFL scores.
5. Statement of interest (500 words)
All
applicants admitted to the program must have a minimum of 12 graduate
level credit hours in urban planning and environmental policy or related
areas. Otherwise, applicants must satisfy the following requirements
before achieving candidacy status for the Ph.D.:
1.
A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field or an equivalent
field acceptable to the admissions committee
2. All of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School
3. A minimum, cumulative 3.3 grade point average in all graduate work
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and a minimum undergraduate
grade point average of either 2.75 cumulative or 3.0 in the last 60
hours
5. A demonstrated level of proficiency in the English language based
upon the performance on a standardized English proficiency test. The
admissions committee may accept a satisfactory score on the writing
portion of the GRE.
6. A personal interview with department faculty members
International
applicants, in addition to the above requirements, must present a
TOEFL score of at least 550 or appropriate evidence of English language
proficiency.
In
addition to the above requirements, applicants’ socioeconomic
background will be considered in the admission process. The following
are some factors that may be weighed:
a. What was the economic status of the applicant’s family while
he or she was attending elementary, secondary, and undergraduate school?
b. Was the applicant the first generation to attend undergraduate
school?
c. Was the applicant the first generation to attend graduate or professional
school?
d. Is the applicant multi-lingual?
e. Was the applicant employed while attending undergraduate school?
f. Did the applicant help to raise other children in his or her family?
g. At the time of application, where in Texas is the applicant a resident?
h. In what geographic region did the applicant attend high school?
i. Has the applicant participated in any forms of community activities?
j. Has the applicant demonstrated a commitment to a particular field
of study?
k. Are role models with comparable graduate school training present
in the applicant’s region of residence?
Students
interested in applying to the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning
and Environmental Policy program can obtain a gradate application
from the Graduate
School.
For further information or assistance, please feel free to contact
a faculty member from the Urban
Planning and Environmental Policy program.
