Doctor of Philosophy in Management Science

The program requires students to choose from one of the following areas (concentrations) of study:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Operations Management

The program features core and elective courses that provide students with a thorough understanding of management principles. Coursework incorporates a broad outlook into the study of business theory and practise while providing the flexibility that enables students to pursue their interests. A sequence of Ph.D. seminars exposes students to traditional and emerging research issues, and students are encouraged early in their graduate work to be involved in research projects with experienced faculty. Students quickly identify and develop research ideas and create their own research agenda.

Program Information

Areas of concentration include:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Research

Program Policies

• Students are expected to complete the course requirements for each concentration area as indicated in the business Ph.D. program. However, under special circumstances when students present themselves with specialized backgrounds and interests, course requirements may be modified with the approval of the Ph.D. committee.
• A plan of study is developed for full-time students no later than the end of the first semester. This plan of study is updated each semester, and a copy is placed on file in the Office of the Director of the Ph.D. Program.
• Comprehensive exams are given at least once each year. The comprehensive examinations committee for each student is recommended by the advisor and confirmed by the director of the Ph.D. Program. The comprehensive examinations include an examination of research methods, core courses, and students’ areas of concentration.
• After the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a dissertation committee is appointed to evaluate the dissertation proposal of each student and direct and evaluate the dissertation. The dissertation committee is recommended by the student’s supervisor and confirmed by the director of the Ph.D. Program and the dean of Graduate Studies.
• A research proposal, or prospectus, is carefully prepared and approved by the committee prior to the initiation of thesis research.

Course Requirements

Required core courses: 18 semester credit hours

• BPS 7303 Doctoral Teaching and Writing Seminar
• MAS 8V00 Special Topics in Management Science [Teaching Practicum]
• MECO 6345 Advanced Managerial Economics
• MECO 6350 Game Theory
• MECO 7312 Advanced Statistics and Probability (or a similar course such as STAT 5352)
• OPRE 7353 Optimization

Secondary Required Core Courses: minimum of 9 semester credit hours

• MECO 6320 Econometrics (or ECON 6309 Econometrics I)
• MECO 6360 Topics in Industrial Organization
• MECO 7311 Advanced Game Theory
• MECO 7313 Applied Econometrics
• MECO 7320 Advanced Econometrics (or ECON 7309 Econometrics II)
• OPRE 7310 Probability and Stochastic Processes
• OPRE 7311 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
• OPRE 7320 Optimal Control Theory and Applications
• OPRE 7330 Deterministic Models in Operations Research

The remaining requirements beyond the core consist of research courses, electives, independent study, and seminars as approved by the program committee appointed to guide and evaluate each student. After completion of the coursework to achieve doctoral proficiency and passing the preliminary exam, the student will take a written qualifying (comprehensive in nature) exam which must be passed before formal admission to candidacy for the doctorate. The student must also orally defend the dissertation proposal before starting the dissertation. Written examination in the area of specialization may also be required.

The focal point of the Ph.D. program is the dissertation. The dissertation is written under the direction of the candidate's committee. Twelve to 24 semester credit hours may be granted for the dissertation toward the minimum 75 semester credit hour requirement for the degree. At a time mutually agreeable with the candidate and the members of the committee, the student will orally defend his or her dissertation to the satisfaction of the committee. A student must pass in order to have the Ph.D. degree conferred.

Accounting Concentration

This program is for individuals seeking training in the most advanced issues, both theoretical and applied, in the field of accounting. It is designed to prepare them primarily for teaching positions in research-oriented universities. Some students may be placed in senior positions in industry, government, or consulting organizations. The program requires hands-on training in accounting research, supported by work in the disciplines of economics, mathematics, psychology, and statistics, culminating in a doctoral dissertation.

Finance Concentration

This program is for individuals seeking the most advanced academic degree with an emphasis in finance. It is designed to prepare them for (1) teaching positions in research-oriented universities, (2) senior staff positions in industry or government, or (3) senior positions in consulting organizations. However, the emphasis is on (1). The program consists of coursework in financial management, investments, and money and capital markets, together with work in the supporting areas of economics, mathematics, and statistics; it culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

Information Systems Concentration

This program is designed for individuals who seek training in advanced theoretical and applied issues in the field of information systems. The training prepares students for conducting leading-edge research in topics ranging from the design of optimized systems to the effective use of such systems in organizations. Students undergo rigorous training in research methodologies as well as in the design of information systems. The research conducted is often interdisciplinary in nature, and is characterized by strong analytical modelling of new and emerging issues in information technology creation and management. The program prepares students mainly for academic positions in research universities. Some students may be placed in research positions in industry, government, or consulting organizations.

Marketing Concentration

The purpose of the Ph.D. Program in Management Science with a marketing concentration is to train researchers capable of dealing with the most advanced issues, both theoretical and applied, in the field of marketing. Universities, as well as major companies with the marketing orientation, aggressively recruit PhDs with strong theoretical and research training in marketing. Graduates will have rigorous training in disciplinary areas and research methodology. They will have knowledge of the various research streams in marketing, will have developed a research specialization and a clear perspective on management issues.

Operations Management Concentration

Operations Management emphasizes the development of models, methods, applications and algorithms as they apply to problems in manufacturing and services. All students will be exposed to deterministic and stochastic modelling and will have the option of applying and/or developing these and new methods to solve problems in their selected topics. The goal of the doctoral program in Operations Management is to educate future practitioners and researchers in the concepts and analytical techniques needed to understand and advance scientific solutions to the problems currently faced by operations managers.

Research

The faculty of the school makes intellectual contributions in two areas: fundamental scholarship that advances theory and practice, and applied scholarship that focuses on practical issues. The fundamental work includes traditional basic research as well as applied research that defines new areas of practice and provides general frameworks that address a wide range of application problems. The applied scholarship provides "how-to" frameworks for skilled practitioners, uses demonstration cases to show how theories can be applied, and defines new areas of application for existing tools and techniques.

Graduates of the program seek positions such as professor, researcher, public or private-sector consultant.