Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences

Any faculty member who is a member of the graduate faculty can serve on a doctoral committee. See “core” faculty in the URSC program handbook (PDF) for a complete list.

All “core” and “affiliate” graduate faculty can serve on doctoral committees (see the faculty section in the URSC program handbook (PDF) for a complete list of “core” and “affiliate” faculty members).

We hope that students will complete the Ph.D. program in four years. The average timeline is 5 years. For detailed information on procedural guidelines, refer to the URSC program handbook (PDF).

• Detailed research interests that align with those of our faculty.
• Strong Statement of Purpose that clearly articulates the applicant’s interest, motivation, and qualification for completing a PhD in our program.
• Wring sample that shows the ability and potential to produce high-quality scholarly writings independently.
• CV/Resume that is well-organized to show relevant trainings, experience, skills, etc. (including publications/presentations and relevant professional experiences).
• Competitive undergraduate and masters GPA from high quality universities.
• TOEFL scores that are competitive.
• Reference letters from those in the relevant fields with sufficient knowledge about the applicant to provide specific and informative evaluations of the applicant and to help contextualize the applicant’s qualifications/preparedness.
• GRE scores are not required but are accepted as additional evidence of scholarly excellence.

Ph.D. applicants go through a two-tiered acceptance process.

In the first tier, prospective students demonstrate that they have the relevant credentials. To do this, you should submit your application and all supporting documents by the application deadline. The admissions committee made up of faculty within the department will make the initial admission recommendations based on the evaluation of the entire application package.

In the second tier, the admissions committee will identify a faculty mentor for each recommended applicant. Preference is given to applicants whose interests align with current faculty research. Only those applicants with a committed faculty mentor or co-mentors will be offered an admission.

Typically, eight to twelve applicants are admitted into the program each year depending on funding available, and the applicants are notified by the end of March.

Learn more about the Ph.D. of Urban and Regional Sciences application requirements

Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee.

Your application should include the following:

1. Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
2. Required English language test scores (TOEFL) The GRE is not required.
3. Three letters of recommendation that include specific information on applicant skills and performance (academic references are preferred)
4. Statement of purpose that describes applicant’s educational goals specifically related to our program, their research interests and potential faculty mentors, and their career goals after finishing the Ph.D.
5. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
6. Writing sample that is sole authored and is produced without the use of Generative AI tools. Additional writing samples that are co-authored can be provided, and please include a description of the applicant’s contribution to the co-authored document.

Read more about the Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences application requirements.

All applications must be submitted by December 15 to be reviewed for Fall admission; and considered for scholarships offered by the College of Architecture and for department funding. Applicants have until December 15 for all letters of recommendation to be submitted. 

Late applications will not be reviewed. 

Applicants can expect a response letter from the department regarding a decision on their application sometime between late February and the end of March. A separate offer letter will follow if financial aid is being offered. April 15, 2026 is the official deadline for applicants to return offer letters to the department to indicate their intention to join the URSC program at Texas A&M University.

Doctoral students are typically funded as research assistants through externally funded grants by their faculty mentors (from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes for Health, etc.) or through departmental assistantships as teaching or research assistants. University fellowships are also available for exceptional candidates.

Assistantships provide tuition for 9 credit hours, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Monthly stipends range from about $1,675 a month to $2,000 a month depending on funding source and student skills. Some assistantships also cover fees. LAUP typically provides four years of support if the student remains in good standing, which is equivalent to more than $90,000 over four years. Work assignments include both research and teaching opportunities. International and domestic students receiving financial assistance are eligible for in-state tuition.

For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance, please visit the Texas A&M University cost and tuition rates webpage. This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated cost of attendance information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.

Learn more about potential grants and other financial resources.

For more information about the Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences program, please contact Tom Sanchez, Ph.D. Program Coordinator, at [email protected].

Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to Thena Morris at [email protected].