Ph.D. in Planning, Governance, and Globalization (PGG)
Global events have fueled a growing demand for social scientists with truly global perspectives on government, corporate and non-profit sectors. Globalization has restructured our society, resulting in a need to redefine and redirect governance strategies in areas like the workplace, the neighborhood, municipal or state government, nation-states or non-governmental organizations. Likewise, problems of urbanization, democratization, and non-sustainable practices in land and resource use have not been resolved and there is impetus to transform domestic and global trends toward more sustainable economic development, environmental protection, and social equity.
The doctoral program in Planning, Governance & Globalization (PGG) takes a multidisciplinary approach to pursuing these areas of inquiry, utilizing two tracks rooted in different disciplines: Urban & Environmental Design & Planning (PGG-UEDP) supported by faculty in Urban Affairs & Planning (UAP) and Governance & Globalization (PGG-GG) supported by faculty in Government & International Affairs (GIA). Applicants to the program should have master’s degrees in closely allied fields, such as Planning, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, Geography and Economics among others.
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PGG TRACKS AND THEIR THEMATIC AREAS
Governance & Globalization track, supported by faculty in Governance and International Affairs (GG):
- Governance, Institutions & Civil Society
- Globalization, Identities, Security, & Economies
Urban & Environmental Design & Planning track, supported by faculty in Urban Affairs and Planning (UEDP):
- Metropolitan Development
- Community & Economic Development Planning
- International Development Planning
- Environmental Planning & Sustainability
- Landscape Planning & Analysis
- Transportation Planning
- Physical Planning & Urban Design
PGG welcomes full- and part-time students to either track at both the Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C. campuses.
Test Drive this Degree
Are you uncertain about enrolling in this program but would be interested in trying a class?
Many of our doctoral students, especially part-time students who are working professionals in the Washington, D.C. area, start the PGG program as a non-degree Commonwealth Campus student.
Commonwealth Campus status is open to an applicant who holds an earned bachelors or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university. Examples of students who seek admission into the Commonwealth Campus program include those who may qualify for regular admission but do not currently wish apply immediately for a graduate degree or need to update their academic credentials after several years of professional experience.
If students perform well in the courses they take, they can build a case for admission into the PGG degree. Students can take up to twelve credit hours (typically four classes) as a non-degree Commonwealth Campus student.
Suggested Milestone Timeline
Here is a suggested timeline of the major milestones that can also be found on page 9 of the handbook. Milestones are touched on briefly on pages 7-8 and in-depth descriptions begin on page 26 of the handbook.
All information can be found in the current student handbook. All forms must be submitted to Colleen Malley for processing.
Forms internal to PGG are below. Other forms may be found on the Graduate School‘s website.
Sample Plan of Study
Submit your plan of study with signature page (see next item immediately following) to Colleen Malley once complete.
Information about the plan can be found in the handbook beginning on page 16 and the sample plan is on pages 19 and 20.
Students create their plans based on the sample.
Courses listed on the plan should match those on your transcript*:
* be sure you list the correct term on the plan as well as the correct department and course number (be careful of cross-listed courses).
Note: if you don’t have items for a particular section you don’t need to include that section on your plan.
Plan of Study Signature Page
Signature page must be submitted with your plan. You can create your signature page when creating your Plan of Study or print this form.
PGG Exam Outcome Report Form
Use this form to record the results of each of your milestone exams (Qualifying Exam, Written Preliminary Exam, Oral Preliminary Exam, Proposal Defense, Final Exam).
Contacts
Kelly Crist
Manager, Faculty and Student Affairs
kcrist@vt.edu
Giselle Datz
GG-track Director
gdatz@vt.edu
Maaz Gardezi
UEDP-track Director
maaz@vt.edu
Locations
Blacksburg
220 Stanger St
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Mail Code 0113
Washington metro area
900 N. Glebe Rd., 6th Floor, VTRC
Arlington, VA 22203