Urban Studies, Ph.D.

A completed application includes:

1. Submitted Online Application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
2. Application fee: A non-refundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
3. Personal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the certificate or degree program you are seeking. Most applicants write two typed pages, summarizing their work experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
4. A resume or CV.
5. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
6. Two letters of recommendation: Letters should be submitted through the online application.
7. Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
   • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application or upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
   • Review requirements for submitting transcripts here.

   Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.

The doctoral program is composed of the following:

• 12 credit hours of master’s courses
• 12 credit hours of foundational core
• 9 credit hours in electives
• 15 credit hours in research/dissertation

View Curriculum Details

Students admitted to the program are typically offered a graduate assistantship with a minimum $22,000 yearly stipend and full tuition waiver.

1. Examination of urbanization processes, historical and contemporary, in the U.S. and globally.
2. Recognition of advanced urban theory in its various formulations and demonstration of the interdisciplinary nature of the field in relation to geography, sociology, economics and other disciplines.
3. Advanced analytical skills based in a range of social science methods (qualitative and quantitative, data visualization and GIS).
4. Translational research skills (for example, the formulation of policy implications of urban research or analyses of urban policy impacts).