General Degree Requirements
Each doctoral candidate is required to complete a minimum of 90 semester credit hours of applicable graduate work in specific program areas beyond the baccalaureate and prerequisites. Throughout their programs of study at the university, Ph.D. students are encouraged to participate in ongoing research activities and to develop their own lines of research. Research activities include research seminars, directed reading courses and research assistantships. Research supervision is available in the areas of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Operations Research, and OSIM (Organizations, Strategy and International Management).
Requirements of Ph.D. in Management Science
The course of study for the Ph.D. in Management Science consists of three phases. First is attaining a background in business concepts. Second are the requirements for doctoral proficiency. Third is the dissertation. Each area of study – Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations Management — determines the specific requirements for the three phases.
Students admitted into the program typically devote two years to the doctoral proficiency course work and research projects. They then take a comprehensive qualifying exam, based on the course work. Following passing the qualifying exam, each student develops his or her dissertation research area, which is usually completed over the next two years.
Doctoral proficiency encompasses courses in research methods, electives or a specialization, doctoral seminars, and a written and oral qualifying examination.
The program consists of a common set of core courses that cover general techniques of management science, and specific courses that cover the chosen area of concentration. The common core consists of seven required courses and a menu of secondary courses, of which at least two must be taken. Specific courses in the primary and secondary cores are as follows:
Required core courses:
- OPRE 6330 Probability and Stochastic Processes
- MECO 6315 Approaches to Statistical Inference
- MAS6v00 Data Analysis and Software
- MECO 6320 Introduction to Econometrics
- MECO 6345 Advanced Managerial Economics
- OPRE 7320 Optimal Control Theory and Applications
- MAS 8V00 Teaching Practicum
Secondary Core Courses (6-12 hours):
Students must take at least two of the following courses:
- OPRE 6311 Game Theory
- MECO 7320 Advanced Econometrics
- OPRE 6331 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
- OPRE 7330 Deterministic Models in Operations Research
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, the student will sit for a qualifying 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 twenty-four semester hours may be granted for the dissertation toward the minimum ninety-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.
