Planning, Design + Construction PhD

Gibbs College of Architecture | Norman

The PhD in Planning, Design and Construction at the University of Oklahoma offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced, individualized research across architecture, construction science, interior design, landscape architecture, and regional and city planning. With a flexible curriculum and mentorship from leading scholars in Gibbs College and across the university, students design study plans that align with their passions and professional goals. This interdisciplinary structure prepares graduates with the expertise and intellectual rigor needed to contribute original scholarship and lead in academia, nonprofit sectors, or professional practice.

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Degree Requirements

What is Planning, Design + Construction?

Shape the future of the built environment through bold research and creative inquiry.

Planning, Design and Construction is an interdisciplinary field that unites design, planning, and construction expertise to address the challenges of the built environment. At OU, the program emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, drawing on resources not only within Gibbs College but also in allied areas such as engineering, geography, and the history of science. This broad perspective allows students to frame research questions that cross traditional boundaries and to explore solutions that integrate technical, cultural, and environmental considerations.

The field’s strength lies in preparing scholars and practitioners to think critically about how the built environment shapes society. Students in Planning, Design and Construction develop advanced skills in research methodology, critical analysis, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, equipping them to generate new knowledge and innovative approaches. Graduates are prepared to lead in academic, nonprofit, and professional contexts where complex challenges demand both intellectual depth and interdisciplinary vision.

Location

Norman, Oklahoma

Degree Offered

Planning, Design and Construction PhD

Division

Planning, Landscape Architecture & Design

Contact

Suchismita Bhattacharjee

Associate Dean of Academic
and College Administration

suchi@ou.edu
Suchi's Bio

Degree Options

PhD with Architecture Concentration
PhD with Construction Science Concentration
PhD with Interior Design Concentration
PhD with Landscape Architecture Concentration
PhD with Regional and City Planning Concentration

PhD Student
Handbook (pdf)

Curriculum

General Education (30-44 Credit Hours): Master's level equivalent coursework in architecture, construction, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning or related disciplines
Core PDC Courses (6 Credit Hours)
- PDC 6003: History and Philosophy of Planning, Design and Construction (3 hours)
- PDC 6023: Advanced Research Methods (3 hours)
Core Courses (40-54 Credit Hours):
- Minimum of 9 hours of guided research methods or research analysis courses (beyond PDC 6023)
- Additional coursework selected to support dissertation research
Concentration Courses (9 Credit Hours minimum): Choose from one or more of the following concentrations based on requirements and student interests, as approved by the doctoral committee chair:
- Architecture
- Construction Science
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Regional and City Planning
Dissertation Research (6+ Credit Hours): PDC 6980: Research for Doctoral Dissertation

Admissions Requirements

Complete the Application Form
Application fee
Official Transcripts
Curriculum vitae or resume
GRE Scores
English proficiency verification (International Students only)
Financial Support Documentation (International Students only)
Portfolio of your work. Online submission preferred. (Preferred for Design student only)
Statement of Purpose - The statement of purpose should be a maximum of 500 words and should respond to the following set of questions:
1. Why do you want to pursue PhD?
2. What are your education and career goals?
3. Why do you want to study at OU? How does our program support your career goals?
4. What relevant experiences in creative endeavors, architecture, the arts, design, construction, planning or other fields have you had?
5. Do you have a particular area of interest or specialization?
6. What are your current strengths and weaknesses as a potential student?
Three letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references qualified to analyze your abilities and promise in pursuing a graduate degree. Electronic format preferred.
A writing sample focused on one topic and between 1500-3000 words in length to demonstrate your ability to develop a focused and critical argument supported by evidence.

Student Publications

Rashidzadeh, Z., & Heidari Matin, N. (2023).
“A Comparative Study on Smart Windows Focusing on Climate-Based Energy Performance and Users’ Comfort Attributes.”
Sustainability, 15 (3), 2294.

Najmi Sarooghi, E. & McCuen, T. (2022). “Smart Cities’ Strategies for Contractors: A Thematic Analysis of Selected Documents (pdf).” EPiC Series in Built Environment, 3: 452-460.

Zhou, L., Wu, Y., Wu, Y., Zhu, R., Woodfin, T., & Chen, T. (2018). “An approach to evaluate comprehensive plan and identify priority lands for future land use development to conserve more ecological values.” Sustainability, 10 (1).

Heidari Matin, N., Mojtaba Mirabedini, S., & Rashidzadeh, Z. (2022). “Smart Colored Window Technology: Improving Users’ Comfort with an Interdisciplinary Approach.” Facade Tectonics 2022 World Congress Conference Proceedings.

Bigelow, B., Perrenoud, A., Rahman, M., & Saseendran, A. (2019). “An Exploration of Age on Attraction and Retention of Managerial Workforce in the Electrical Construction Industry in the United States.” International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 17 (1).

Najmi Sarooghi, E. & McCuen, T. (2021). “BIM-GIS: Analysis and Integration for Contractors.” EPiC Series in Built Environment, 2: 255-263.

Zhou, L., Shen, G., Woodfin, T., Chen, T., & Song, K. (2018). “Ecological and economic impacts of green roofs and permeable pavements at the city level: the case of Corvallis, Oregon.” Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 61 (3): 430-450.

McCuen, T., Rahman, M., & Gunderson, D. (2019). “Current State of Construction Management Faculty Searches in the United States (pdf).” 55th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings.

See More Student Work

Recent Dissertations

Fast, S. (2023). Identifying Preferred Neighborhood Attributes Among Individuals 50 Years and Older, and Analyzing Their Access to the Physical Environment: A Case Study on Age Friendliness of Norman, Oklahoma [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK

Ridley, W. (2023). On the Problem of Resolving Monopoly Holdouts Without Requiring Eminent Domain. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK.

Faisal, A. (2022). A Mixed-Methods Study: Investigating the Role of Environment-Behavior (E-B) Attributes Upon Faculty [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK

Rahman, M. (2022). Constructors’ Decision-Support Framework for NZEB Projects. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK

Sogol, S. (2021). Identifying the Impact of Preconstruction Elements on Project Budget and Time Using BIM-Generated Data: Developing a Decision-Making Guideline for Project Owners. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK.

Yi, Y. (2021). The Environmental Design Factors Associated With Functional Independence of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK.

Zhao, K. (2016). Factors Directly or Indirectly Influencing Job-Housing Balance and Commuting Time – Three Cases in Beijing. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK.

Zhou, L. (2016). Using Invest to Evaluate the Performance of Urban Growth Management Strategies in Conserving Ecosystem Services in the City of Corvallis, Oregon. [Doctoral dissertation, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture]. SHAREOK.