Community News submitted by: Jose Melendez, University of Oregon
PhD in Planning and Public Affairs Program
Learn More at Our Open House on December 8, 2025
The PhD in Planning and Public Affairs Program at the University of Oregon’s School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management (PPPM) will hold a virtual open house on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 1:00-2:00 pm Pacific (GMT-8:00). Interested students can join to learn more about our (fairly) new program and ask questions before the admissions deadline of January 5, 2026. To register for the open house, click on the Qualtrics link (https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Pzq9i3TV55U4V8) and complete the form. Please read on for more information on the PhD program.
Degree Overview
PPPM’s PhD program in Planning and Public Affairs prepares students to conduct rigorous, original research to inform scholarship, policy, and practice. The program is designed for students to conduct research on one of three cutting-edge research concentrations that are strengths among the PPPM faculty. An overarching key theme of the program is engaged and applied scholarship, which builds on our international reputation for integrating research, teaching, and service. To apply for the program, candidates must choose a disciplinary track, and two potential advisors. See below for more information.
- Students Choose a Disciplinary Track
As a doctoral candidate, you must choose a primary disciplinary track that aligns with your future projected teaching and research field. The purpose of a disciplinary track is to demonstrate general competency in a professional discipline that will make graduates more competitive in the job market. Tracks provide the core classes and training necessary for you to teach and conduct research for academic and research careers. Options for disciplinary tracks are:
- Community and Regional Planning
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Administration/Public Policy
2. Students Choose Potential Advisors
Students must identify two potential advisors from the participating faculty as part of their application process. Potential advisors must be tenured or tenured track faculty, that is professors who in their titles have assistant, associate, or professor as part of their titles. View advisor options, and more information about how to apply to the PhD program, at this link: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Pzq9i3TV55U4V8.
Finally,
The zoom link to join the virtual open house is:
https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/95327691398?pwd=qfLkerLTl6Z9aBV4Iq7XC8aNVvv4tI.1
Meeting ID: 953 2769 1398
Passcode: 435128
