Dr. Karen Christensen

Professor

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Biography

Karen Christensen taught in the Department of City and Regional Planning since 1982, focusing on housing policy, program planning evaluation, organizational politics in planning, and implementation. She served as chair of the department and developed the undergraduate minor program in city planning. Professor Christensen was a research associate at the Institute of Urban & Regional Development. Her publications include 'Cities Complexity: Making Intergovernmental Decisions' and numerous articles in the Journal of Planning Education and Research and the Berkeley Planning Journal. She also served as principal investigator on housing and community development plans and projects for the State of California, and as Special Assistant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator for Region IX at the Federal Regional Council.

Research Interests

Intergovernmental Relations Evaluation Housing Policy Organizational Theory Planning Theory

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.