Ph.D. in Design and the Built Environment
The Ph.D. Program in Design and Built Environment (DBE) in the School of Architecture is a three to four-year postgraduate research degree recognized as the highest level of academic achievement. The doctoral program prepares the next generation of academics and professionals in research and scholarship to advance the design of the built environment, the design disciplines and professional practice. The program builds on an interdisciplinary mindset, offering students enhanced opportunities from shared intersections across complementary design disciplines, leveraging the breadth that comes from collaborations and depth from focused research. The fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, historic preservation and real estate development anchor the doctoral program with seamless connections to the professional degree programs in the school. The flexible curricular platform offers students opportunities to investigate topics of interest, harnessing the assets in the school, college, Clemson campuses and numerous partnerships.
About Apply
Research Clusters
Program Details
-
Bachelor-to-Ph.D. Pathway (On-campus)
The Bachelor to Ph.D. Pathway is for exceptional applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree in a design-related field. This pathway includes a foundational year of studies where students develop core competencies, knowledge and skills to prepare them for research. During this year, students take 26 credits and then flow into the Common Track in year two. The foundational year includes theory courses (6 credits), research methods (6 credits, including 3 required and 3 elective credits), research colloquium (2 credits) and general electives (15 credits).
Bachelor-to-Ph.D. Curriculum
The curriculum is comprised of a foundational year of study (26 credits) followed by a three-year plan of study (61 credits) for a total of 87 credit hours.
Foundational Track - 26 Total Credits
Required Courses DBE 8050: Critical Reading and Writing 3 credits ARCH 8210: Research Methods or LARC 8210: Research Methods 3 credits DBE 8120: Research Colloquium 2 credits 8 Total Required Credits Electives Research Methods elective 3 credits Theory elective 3 credits General electives 15 credits 18 Total Elective Credits Common Track - 61 Total Credits
Required Courses DBE 8010: Advanced Theory 3 credits DBE 8050: Critical Reading and Writing 6 credits DBE 8120: Research Colloquium 4 credits DBE 8150: Research Design & Methods 3 credits DBE 8160: Research Design Practicum 3 credits 19 Total Required Credits Electives - 6000+ Graduate level courses Advanced Methods Courses 6 credits General Electives 15 credits 21 Total Elective Credits Doctoral Dissertation Research Credits DBE 9910: Doctoral Dissertation Research 21 credits 21 Total Dissertation Credits -
Master-to-Ph.D. Pathway (On-campus)
The Master to Ph.D. Pathway is for applicants who have earned a master's degree in a design-related field or other complementary degrees. The curriculum is comprised of 61 credits organized as follows: core courses (19 credits), electives (21 credits) and dissertation credits (21 credits). This pathway also includes comprehensive exams (written and oral sections) that students can take after earning a minimum of 40 credits.
Master-to-Ph.D. Curriculum
Common Track - 61 Total Credits
Required Courses DBE 8010: Advanced Theory 3 credits DBE 8050: Critical Reading and Writing 6 credits DBE 8120: Research Colloquium 4 credits DBE 8150: Research Design & Methods 3 credits DBE 8160: Research Design Practicum 3 credits 19 Total Required Credits Electives - 6000+ Graduate level courses Advanced Methods Courses 6 credits General Electives 15 credits 21 Total Elective Credits Doctoral Dissertation Research Credits DBE 9910: Doctoral Dissertation Research 21 credits 21 Total Doctoral Credits -
Master-to-Ph.D. Pathway (Hybrid, Synchronous Online)
The Hybrid Option of the Master-to-Ph.D. Pathway is a self-funded program designed for outstanding applicants with a master’s degree in design or a related field who wish to pursue a doctoral degree primarily synchronous online. This hybrid format is ideal for professionals who cannot relocate to Clemson. The curriculum includes 61 credits, divided into core courses (19 credits), electives (21 credits), and dissertation credits (21 credits). This hybrid option is available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens.
All required courses are offered through a Hyflex, dual-modality format where students join synchronous online alongside traditional face-to-face instruction. Students must complete the required core courses within three years and finish their degree within eight years. Additionally, they are required to visit campus once a year to meet with their advisors and committee members. In addition, students present their dissertation proposal and final dissertation defense on campus. Students work closely with their advisors and program directors to create a customized study plan, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.
Full-time students typically complete 20 credit hours each year over two years (including fall, spring, and summer). Part-time students typically complete 12 to 14 credit hours each year (fall, spring, and summer) for three years. After completing 40 credit hours, students take their comprehensive written exams and orally present their dissertation proposal. After the student achieves doctoral candidacy, the time required to complete the 21 dissertation credits varies depending on individual progress.
Common Track - 61 Total Credits
Required Courses DBE 8010: Advanced Theory 3 credits DBE 8050: Critical Reading and Writing 6 credits DBE 8120: Research Colloquium 4 credits DBE 8150: Research Design & Methods 3 credits DBE 8160: Research Design Practicum 3 credits 19 Total Required Credits Electives - 6000+ Graduate level courses Advanced Methods Courses 6 credits General Electives 15 credits 21 Total Elective Credits Doctoral Dissertation Research Credits DBE 9910: Doctoral Dissertation Research 21 credits 21 Total Doctoral Credits The cost of tuition and fees for the Hybrid Option are the same as on-campus tuition costs. Please refer to the Tuition and Fees Table below for more details.
https://www.clemson.edu/sfs/tuition-fees/tuition-fee-details.html
To calculate tuition and fees, please refer to the tuition calculator below.
- DBE Student Handbook
-
Application Requirements
A master’s degree is preferred for admissions. However, applicants with a bachelor’s degree and an exceptional record of academic achievement complemented by professional experience are also eligible to apply.
Deadline: January 15th
Below are the required documents to be submitted with your application:
1. Graduate School application form, available at
https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/admissions/apply/index.html2. Unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts will only be required if admitted.
3. Statement of Interest and Research Statement (2-page maximum), including your reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. at Clemson, short and long-term career goals, research experience, research topic or framework you are interested in, and potential Ph.D. faculty members you wish to work with during your studies.
4. Resume
5. Writing samples including published papers, thesis manuscripts, or unpublished research articles.
6. Design Portfolio if you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship for the design studio.
7. Three letters of recommendation (2 must be from academics)
8. English Language Proficiency Test for International Students (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE)
9. GRE scores (Clemson's institution code is 5111).
To apply to the program, please visit the Graduate School Application for Admissions webpage at
https://gradapply.clemson.edu/apply/. For additional information, please visit Clemson University’s Graduate School webpage at https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/.
Questions may be directed to the program co-director Vincent Blouin at vblouin@clemson.edu. Although it is not a requirement, students are encouraged to visit the campus and meet with faculty and students in the department.
After submission of the application documents, applications are reviewed by the DBE Admissions Committee to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum requirements for admission into the program. The program faculty also reviews the accepted applicants and determines a match. Upon assignment to an advisor, the qualified applicant is admitted to the program and informed of the decision through the formal notification of Graduate Admissions. Graduate assistantships supported by the department are limited and awarded based on qualifications and merit of the applicant pool.
The process takes 6 to 8 weeks; thus, applicants are usually notified of their acceptance or decline by mid-March of each year. If you have not received a decision letter by April 1st, you may email the program co-director Vincent Blouin at vblouin@clemson.edu, to inquire about the status of your application and/or check the application status website.
-
Open Ph.D. Positions and Assistantships
The Ph.D. Program in the School of Architecture offers financial support to the most qualified doctoral students willing to study in one of the following research clusters: Built Environment and Health; Resilient Communities and Sustainable Landscapes; Building Technology and Digital Ecologies; History and Theory in Architecture, Society and the City. Interested applicants can apply for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) or a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) as described below.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION
The Design and Built Environment (DBE) Ph.D. Program invites applications for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position. A GTA position requires the doctoral student to work 20 hours a week throughout the academic year. As a GTA, the student will receive a stipend and be entitled to a tuition waiver. Teaching assistantships are available in courses such as design studio, portfolio development, structures, and history and theory. GTAs may be renewable for the following academic year based on a positive review of the student’s performance, the need for teaching, and the availability of funding
Interested applicants should apply to the DBE program and specify an interest in this position.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION
The Design and Built Environment (DBE) Ph.D. invites applications for a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GRA) position for the upcoming academic year to help support faculty research. The Ph.D. The program is supported by faculty with a variety of research interests that can be framed by four research clusters, including Built Environment and Health, Resilient Communities and Sustainable Landscapes, Building Technology and Digital Ecologies, and History and Theory in Architecture, Society and the City. The Ph.D.
A GRA position requires the doctoral student to work 20 hours a week throughout the academic year. As a GRA, the student will receive a stipend and be entitled to a tuition waiver. The GRA position may be renewable for the following academic year based on a positive review of the student’s performance and availability of funding.
Interested applicants should apply to the DBE program and specify an interest in this position.
SPONSORED GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION
The Design and Built Environment (DBE) Ph.D. Program invites applications for a Sponsored Graduate Student Research Assistant (GRA) position to work under the supervision of faculty in a sponsored research project. Below is a list of current positions open.
Two Fully Funded Ph.D. positions within the Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing Center starting Fall 2025. Refer to the website for more information. https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/health-facilities-design-testing/
For more information, please contact Dr. Anjali Joseph anjalij@clemson.edu
The positions require the doctoral student to work 20 hours a week throughout the academic year. As a GRA, the student will receive a stipend and be entitled to a tuition waiver. The GRA position may be renewable for the following academic year based on a positive review of the student’s performance and availability of funding.
Interested applicants should contact the faculty members noted above.
-
Contact
Vincent Blouin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Ph.D. in Design and the Built Environment
Email: vblouin@clemson.edu
Office: Lee 2-138
Student Spotlight
“The interdisciplinary nature of the DBE program and its amazing faculty brought me and my family to Clemson in 2021. My academic journey over the last couple of years at Clemson University has been incredible. My advisors and professor have provided continued guidance, whereas my wonderful family and friends have been a constant source of support. I’m glad to have found this amazing community here at Clemson.”
Devi Soman2021 Entry CohortPh.D. in Design and the Built Environment
