School of Urban and Public Affairs

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  • Interdisciplinary Studies (INTS)
  • Minor in Urban and Public Affairs
  • Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies
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  • Ph.D. in Public and Urban Administration
  • Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy
  • Master of City and Regional Planning
  • Master of Arts in Urban Affairs
  • Master of Public Administration
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Ph.D. in Public and Urban Administration

Program Overview

The PUAD Ph.D. has eight required core courses and three required research courses. The eight core courses address the social sciences and public administration literatures critical to the integrative approach of the program. A student can expect to complete these courses in no more than two academic years. Upon completing them, students sit for their written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is an integrative exam that blends public policy issues with public administration. 

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Required Core Courses:

• URPA 5304 Urban Politics
• URPA 5305 Theories of Urban Societies
• URPA 5306 The Urban Economy
• URPA 5311 Social Policy Formation
• URPA 6320 Advanced Organization Theory
• URPA 6315 Public Administration Theory
• URPA 6326 Public Budgeting and Finance
• URPA 6349 Decision Making and Policy

Required Research Courses:

• URPA 5342 Strategies in Urban Research
• CIRP 5346 Qualitative Research Methods.
• URPA 6301 Theoretical Foundations in Urban Affairs

Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation

Upon successful completion of the written comprehensive exam a student commences taking the three required research courses. In addition, a students will form a dissertation committee and, given the research topic and preparedness of the student, take courses that contribute to the student writing a dissertation. The student will, working with the dissertation committee, develop a dissertation proposal and present the proposal to the committee. During the dissertation proposal presentation the student must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the literature on which the work is to be based as well as a thorough understanding of the research methodology.

A successful completion of the dissertation proposal advances the student to the status of candidacy. Work continues with the dissertation committee to the completion of the dissertation. The student then defends the completed research to the committee. 

For more information, see Dissertation.

Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantship and Doctoral Teaching Fellowship Packages

Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantship and Doctoral Teaching Fellowship packages are available on a competitive basis to students beginning their first semester of study in UT Arlington doctoral or doctoral-bound programs. These five-year packages may consist of some combination of Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantships (EGTAs) with full tuition fellowships and grant-funded research assistantships that may include some tuition coverage. Requirements include 50% graduate teaching assistantship, full-time enrollment, and unconditional admission. Interested students should contact David Coursey for more information.