Admissions
Students are admitted to the doctoral program only for the Fall Semester and on a full-time basis. We currently have a policy of admitting new students every other year (Fall 2007, Fall 2009, etc.). This policy helps ensure the best possible support and educational experience for all students in our program.
For admission to the program, an applicant must hold at least a bachelor's degree from a recognized educational institution; have a superior academic record and a minimum GMAT score of 600 or an equivalent GRE score, (international students should also have a minimum TOEFL score of 600 - paper, 250 - computer, internet - 100); and have personal qualifications of sound character, perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in scholarly research. Application materials should be submitted before February 1. Specifically, the admissions committee makes its decisions based on evaluation of: (1) GMAT/GRE score; (2) quantitative (statistical and mathematical) and communication (oral and written) background or aptitude; (3) grade point average(s) and university(ies) attended; (4) letters of recommendation; (5) applicant's statement of purpose for applying to the doctoral program; (6) previous work experience; and (7) an invited on-campus interview. Qualified applicants may be invited to visit MSU, typically in February and March, to visit with members of the information systems doctoral committee and other faculty and doctoral students (we will reimburse qualified expenses for travel within the continental U.S.).
For answers to questions that you might have, please contact:
| Professor Brian T. Pentland Professor of Accounting and Information Systems, and Director, Information Systems Doctoral Program Eli Broad Graduate School of Management Accounting and Information Systems Department Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1122 pentlan2@msu.edu 517-432-1101 (fax) |
Applicants to the doctoral program must submit the following:
- Application for Admission (Major Code - 6024)
- Application Fee
- Resume
- GMAT Score (Program Code - QH0-5P-04 PhD in Accounting) or GRE Score (Institution Code - 1465)
- Transcripts
- Three Letters of Recommendation
The purpose of these recommendations is to yield an assessment of your scholarly potential from those who can attest to your readiness and aptitude for doctoral studies. Normally, these are your former instructors and/or employees. There is no particular form for the letters.
- Statement of Purpose
This letter should indicate your reasons for entering a doctoral program and your objectives upon completing the program. The letter should be sufficiently detailed to provide the admissions committee with an understanding of your qualifications and you commitment to an academic career. An effective statement of purpose describes your motivation for a doctoral degree, how your background experiences of education and work have prepared you for this degree, what types of issues are of interest to you as research topics, and what your career goals are once you obtain a doctoral degree. The statement of purpose is a critical indicator of your research capabilities and motivation to take on the rigors of a doctoral education program.
- Applicants without U.S. citizenship must also submit the following items to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships:
- A statement of financial proof
- A TOEFL score (Institution Code - 1465)
Please apply on-line and pay your application fee at http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/apply.htm. Copies of remaining information should be sent to Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Attn: IS Doctoral Admissions Committee, Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1122
For additional information about admission policies and procedures, please download the Academic Catalog for the Eli Broad College of Business. You can find details on other programs at Michigan State University in the Catalog of Academic Programs.