Degree Requirements
The PhD curriculum prepares competent research professionals through concentration on the following related areas of study (more fully described below):
- The Management major, minor, and independent study
- Research methods
- Economics and/or behavioral analysis
- Other business fields
Thus, students must complete the following course requirements:
- The major (MGT 907, 908, 909, 910)
- The minor (course requirements will vary)
- Independent study (MGT 890)
- The research component (including MGT 906 and MGT 914)
- Competency in economics and/or behavioral analysis
- Business concepts coursework
A. Development of Competence in the Major Area
Several elements of the Management program are directed toward developing knowledge in the general field of organizational behavior. First, all students take a series of four core seminars that cover Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Organization Theory, and Strategic Management.
B. Development of Competence in the Minor Area
Each student completes a minor in a field related to the major, e.g., Industrial Psychology, Social Psychology, Finance, Political Science, Labor and Industrial Relations, Industrial Sociology, etc. Typically students complete four courses (12 credit hours) to satisfy the minor requirement. Regardless of whether some or all course work is waived, all students must pass competency requirements as specified by the department certifying the minor. Students must gain approval of the certifying department and the Management guidance committee prior to beginning minor coursework.
C. Development of Competence in Independent Study
Each student completes a program of independent study in an area of personal interest. Independent study is required to develop additional competence in an area that reflects students' specific interest area in the general field of management. Completing at least six credits of MGT 890, not to exceed 12 credit hours total per college requirements, fulfills the independent study requirement. The purpose of MGT 890 is to give each student experience in conducting research.
D. Development of Competence in Research Methods
Each student completes a research component that includes the Management program's seminar on organizational research methods (MGT 906). In this course, social and behavioral research methods are presented at a level appropriate for doctoral students. The roles of theory and data as the building blocks of competence in Management are emphasized. Another required course is MGT 914, Applied Regression Models in Business Research. This course focuses on the use of linear (and to some extent nonlinear) regression models in Management research. In addition to MGT 906 and MGT 914, students must complete two more courses in research-related areas. There is no set sequence to taking any of these courses, but students are encouraged to take the core courses as soon as possible.
E. Development of Competence in Economic/Behavioral Analysis and Business Concepts
In general, students focusing on strategic management will fulfill this requirement with coursework in Economics. Students focusing on organizational behavior or human resource management will fulfill this requirement with six graduate level credits from the departments of: Economics, Sociology, Psychology, or other core discipline. Students who enter the doctoral program with an MBA or undergraduate degree from an institution accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) automatically fulfill the business concepts requirement. Students without such background identify appropriate coursework in discussion with their Guidance Committee to fill this final requirement.