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Ph.D. Admissions

Doctor of Philosophy: Urban Studies (Ph.D.) and

Doctor of Philosophy: Urban Studies: Regional Science (Ph.D.)

Complete applications packets are due January 15 (Post-marked).

If you have any questions about the admissions procedures to these programs, contact Tracy Braden, Student Services Coordinator by email at tbraden@pdx.edu or by phone at 1-800-547-8887 extension 5-5477 or 503-725-5477.

Application Forms

 

Important Note:

One of the best financial options available to students in the western states is the Western Regional Graduate Program. Part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the WRGP offers in-state tuition to PSU students currently living in AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, SD, UT, WA, WY. Students must be full-time, in good academic standing, and approved by the Office of Graduate Studies.Application forms are due August 1 and are available here or though the Office of Graduate Studies. For more information, visit the WICHE website. 

 

Application Process

Send two separate packets of information, one to Graduate Admissions and the other to the School of Urban Studies & Planning. Gather the information together and send it as two complete packets. If not, processing will be delayed.

Application packet for Graduate Admissions Office:

  1. Application for Admission to Graduate Degree Programs
  2. $50 application fee (do not send cash). To avoid a delay in processing, please staple the application fee to the front of the application.
  3. One official copy of your complete transcript from every college/university attended, graduate and undergraduate.
  4. International applicants must also submit the following:
  • A TOEFL score of 550 or better (taken within one year) if native language is not English.
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Declaration of Finances

Send completed packet for the Office of Admissions to:

To send via USPS, please use this address:

Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 901
Portland, OR 97207-0901

If sending by UPS or FedEx, please use physical address:

Office of Admissions
105 Neuberger Hall
724 SW Harrison St.
Portland, OR 97207

Application packet for the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (TSUSP):

  1. Application Checklist
  2. TSUSP Application for Admission to Urban Studies PhD Program
  3. A personal essay of 800-1,000 words. The following topics should be addressed in your essay:
    1. What are your career aspirations and how will a Ph.D. help achieve them?
    2. How will this program (Ph.D. in Urban Studies at Portland State University) help you achieve those aspirations?
    3. Describe how your academic and professional experience has prepared you for the Ph.D.
    4. Assess your personal strenghts and explain how they relate to success in the program.
    5. Discuss the field areas you intend to emphasize during your studies and how they relate to your career aspirations.
  4. A resume/C.V.
  5. A copy of your complete transcripts.
  6. If you are applying for a graduate assistantship, include the assistantship application.
  7. Three evaluation forms/letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic and/or professional background. The forms should be in sealed envelopes in your packet.
  8. Official scores of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Please note that you should make arrangements to take the GRE well in advance of the application deadline. You can contact GRE services for information about the test. When submitting GRE scores, these are the codes to use: 4610 PSU, 4402 MURP, 2205 Urban Studies.
  9. International applicants must submit a copy of your TOEFL score (taken within one year).

Send completed packet to:

Tracy Braden
Student Services Coordinator
Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (USP)
Portland State University
College of Urban and Public Affairs
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751

If you are sending the packet via Fed EX, DHL, or UPS, send to:

Tracy Braden
Student Services Coordinator
Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (USP)
Portland State University
College of Urban and Public Affairs
506 SW Mill Street, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97201

International Admissions

International undergraduate, master level or doctoral applicants interested in pursuing degree programs through the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning will need to be accepted by both the Toulan School and by Portland State University.

For applicants to our graduate programs, international applicants must also submit the following:

  • A TOEFL score of 550 or better (taken within one year) if native language is not English.
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Declaration of Finances

Please visit International Student Admissions at PSU for application deadlines, forms and further instructions about applying to the University.

Deferral Policy

In certain cases, MUS and PhD students may be able to defer their admission. Financial awards, however cannot be deferred.

Questions?

Tracy Braden 
Student Services Coordinator
(503) 725-5477
tbraden@pdx.edu