The Ph.D. Program in Regional Planning educates scholars for positions in leading universities and research institutions. It builds a strong foundation of planning and social science theories, advanced research methods and design, and expertise in a chosen specialization. Our expectation is for students to complete their Ph.D. degrees within four years. The first two or two and a half years are devoted to coursework, a qualifying examination to demonstrate readiness for doctoral research, and preparation to defend a dissertation proposal. The third and fourth years are dedicated to the dissertation and journal publication. Some students might need a fifth year (if accepted by their adviser) because of the wish to build skills that require more coursework, the complexity of the dissertation research, an uncertain path to the dissertation topic, or an irresistible opportunity to teach a course or continue a productive research project.Diverse interests draw us into Regional Planning, but we share the quest for knowledge that creates better places - better neighborhoods, communities, cities, and regions. Most of us fit under one or more of the program's historical research umbrellas: environment and land use, community development, and regional development. Our research modes and theoretical frameworks vary. For example, some of us use theories from economics and the latest spatial econometric techniques, while others use recent advances in social network theory and ethnographic research methods. We learn from our diversity, cross disciplinary boundaries together, and help each other do more profound research.