Ph.D. in Management

Program specifics

Committees

Students are assigned a faculty mentor during their first year to help them navigate the program, select coursework, and begin exploring potential research interests. As those interests become more defined, students form a Special Committee of at least three faculty members who provide ongoing mentorship, guide dissertation research, and support academic and professional development throughout the remainder of the program.

How our program works

Learn about the structure of the Ph.D. program, including academic milestones, committee requirements, coursework, examinations, funding and student resources. The Ph.D. Student Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your journey from enrollment through dissertation completion.

Coursework and Research Seminars

Each area of study has its own coursework requirements, providing students with the theoretical, methodological, and subject-matter expertise needed to pursue advanced research.

• You will also attend seminars in which you discuss recent research papers and participate in collaborative research efforts with faculty members, fellow students, or both.
• Seminars help you evaluate and apply the theories and research methods introduced in your coursework while engaging with current scholarly debates.
• Together, coursework and seminars prepare you to develop an independent research agenda and successfully complete the dissertation stage of the Ph.D. program.

Dissertation

In the final stage of the program, you will develop and complete a dissertation that makes an original contribution to your field. Working closely with your faculty committee, you will identify an important research question and conduct rigorous, independent research.

Length of time for program

The Ph.D. program typically takes five years to complete, although the exact timeline varies depending on a student’s research and progress through the program.

Formal requirements and examinations

Students are required to complete all area-required coursework and program milestones. In addition, students must successfully complete a Qualifying Examination, advance to doctoral candidacy through the Admission to Candidacy Examination (A Exam), and ultimately defend their dissertation in the final Examination (B Exam).

Preparing for an academic career

Our goal is to prepare students for successful careers as academic researchers and educators. Students begin conducting research early in the program, and many develop multiple research projects beyond their dissertations, with the goal of publishing in leading academic journals. Students also have opportunities to gain teaching experience, helping them develop the skills needed for future faculty positions.