Dr. Nancy Kwak

Associate Professor

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Biography

Nancy Kwak is an urban historian specializing in the intersections of history, urban studies, and planning. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Kwak completed her PhD in History at Columbia University in 2006. She has held positions as an assistant professor at Polytechnic University, now known as NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and has taught at various institutions including LaGuardia Community College, Brooklyn College, Fordham University, and Barnard College. Additionally, she has an extensive background in teaching history at the high school level in San Francisco and has taught English in Busan. Dr. Kwak served as the past president of the Society for American City and Regional Planning History. Her research interests focus on urban history and planning, exploring how historical contexts shape urban development and policy.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2006-01-01 — 2010-01-01

Polytechnic University (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering) • New York, NY

Tenure-track assistant professor focusing on urban history.

Instructor

2001-01-01 — 2006-01-01

Various Colleges • NY

Taught courses in history and English at institutions including LaGuardia Community College and Columbia University.

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).