Overview of the PhD Program in Management

Mission:

The mission of the Ph.D. program in Management is to produce individuals who shape both the academic profession and the practice of management through their excellence in research, teaching, and service. The program focuses on establishing a solid conceptual and methodological foundation that graduates can build on throughout their careers. The vast majority of the program experiences are designed to develop the students' research abilities, and to prepare them to communicate that research to a variety of audiences.

Research:

Graduates of the program are trained to design and execute original, high quality research that will be published in the major scholarly journals and books of the profession. We believe that research published in such outlets will have the greatest impact because of the standards of excellence that they represent. Such research should attempt to advance theory as well as have implications for the practice of management. Expertise in research is developed through students' participation in formal coursework and, more importantly, through their work with and under the direction of faculty on research projects.

Teaching:

Graduates of the program are expected to exhibit the skills needed to successfully teach management courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. By giving students the opportunity to teach courses in their area of specialization under the direction of a faculty member, the program provides a foundation that allows them to become excellent teachers. Both course development and in-class teaching skills are considered essential.

Service:

Graduates of the program are encouraged to make substantive service contributions to the academic profession. However, they are not expected or encouraged to do so until after they graduate. Such contributions may include membership on editorial review boards, holding offices in prominent professional associations, dissertation supervision, serving on departmental and schools committees, among others. These activities are no substitute for excellence in research and teaching, but are critical to maintaining an efficient and collegial community.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, with or without formal study in Management, are evaluated with regard to their potential to excel in the program. An MBA is not a prerequisite, and applicants with or without other Master's degrees and/or applicable work experience are considered. Students are, however, expected to have had a rigorous academic background to prepare for the demanding course sequence and research requirements of the doctoral program. In addition to the student's prior academic work, scores on the GMAT/GRE tests and other evidence of outstanding intellectual achievements play a critical role in the decisions of the Admissions Committee. Students entering the program without an adequate foundation may be expected to take some background courses. We expect students to finish all program requirements, dissertation included, in five years of full-time study. We do not admit students on a part-time basis.

Recent Placements:

Management Department graduates are serving or have recently served on the faculties of such venerable universities as: Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Columbia University, Georgia Tech, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Penn State University, Stanford University, Texas A&M University, Tulane University, University of Arizona, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington and University of Wisconsin.

Faculty:

The Management Department faculty is composed of individuals with diverse interests who are actively engaged in research, and who have established reputations in both teaching and research. The faculty produces many papers, monographs, and books each year, and regularly present research papers at national meetings. In addition, they hold offices in national professional associations; serve on editorial boards of leading journals; are consultants to corporations and government agencies; teach both domestically and internationally; have won many teaching and research awards; and have received numerous research grants from major corporations, foundations, and government agencies.

Ideal Ph.D. Program Timetable:

Pre-Enrollment & 1st Semester

Discuss Program with Graduate Adviser, area faculty and other students. Begin coursework.  Meet as many faculty as possible.

2nd - 4th Semesters

Fulfill program of study

End of 4th Semester

Comprehensive Exam

5th Semester

Advance to Candidacy

6th Semester

Defend Dissertation Proposal

7th - 10th Semesters

Complete and Defend Dissertation

NOTE: Students will progress at varying speeds through the doctoral program depending on course needs and scope of dissertation research. Completing background requirements could extend the program by up to two semesters.