Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

Requirements can also be found in the Program Guidelines for Management & Organizations PhD students issued by the Kellogg School of Management.

Master’s

While the goal of our doctoral program is the awarding of a PhD degree, a Master of Science (MS) degree may be awarded to currently enrolled, qualified doctoral students. Students who are continuing for a PhD degree, or students who withdraw from the PhD program, may be considered for a MS degree if they are in good academic standing with a cumulative 3.0 GPA, across the nine course sequence in year one.

PhD

Total Units Required: 18

Students are required to take 18 courses or a minimum of 3 courses in fall, winter, and spring quarters during years one and two. Required courses for the degree are listed below:

To fulfill the 18-course requirement for the PhD degree, students must supplement the required coursework with approved electives. Independent Study (MORS 499-0) may also qualify. Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to be in good academic standing.

Other PhD Degree Requirements

• Examinations: PhD preliminary (“field”) exam scheduled in July of the first year is based on the MORS courses in year one.
• Research/Projects: Successful completion of a research ("candidacy") paper by March 15 of the third year, at which time the performance on the prelim exam, coursework and candidacy paper are reviewed and students are passed into candidacy.
• PhD Dissertation: Original and significant research. Topic and advisor or advisors should be selected by the beginning of the fourth year; presentation of preliminary results (prospectus) to their committee by the end of spring quarter of year four.  
• Final Evaluations: Oral final examination on dissertation and submission of an approved dissertation.