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Position yourself at the forefront of management research.

The Ph.D. in Management program at Michigan State prepares students for careers in management scholarship at top research universities. The program allows students to pursue their unique interests through intensive research and close partnership with Broad’s world-renowned management faculty.

Management Doctoral Student Manual

Ph.D. in Management Program Overview

Our doctoral program in management places primary emphasis on the development of scholars with competence in the general field of management as well as in a chosen field of concentrated specialization. The three specialization options in the program include organizational behavior, strategic management and human resource management.

Coursework in the Ph.D. in Management program covers a wide spectrum of topics. Doctoral students are expected to be in residence on a full-time basis during the program, which typically takes five years to complete. Upon completion of coursework, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination in management and then complete a dissertation that demonstrates their ability to conduct an original research project. A doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is a confirmation that the recipient has demonstrated a high level of scholarship and is able to conduct research independently and teach at a university level.

Brent Scott headshot

Brent Scott

  • Management Doctoral Program Director

From the Director

The doctorate in management program in the Eli Broad College of Business trains students to become leading scholars at the world’s top research universities. Our department has a long history of being highly productive at research and producing students who have had very successful academic careers in tenure-track positions at top research universities. Indeed, a 2008 study of scholarly influence in the field of management found that Michigan State University was one of only eight other universities in the world that “have truly excelled in terms of both producing students who become highly cited authors and having current faculty members who also have achieved this status” (Podsakoff, MacKenzie, Podsakoff, & Bachrach, 2008, p. 710).

A major reason for the success of our students is that they become actively involved in research with our faculty. In terms of the number of publications in the best journals in management, our department has consistently ranked in the top five in the world. As a result of high faculty–student collaboration, it is not uncommon for our students to graduate with multiple publications. Our former students have earned national recognition for their contributions to the field. They have won career awards for their scientific contributions, served in editorial positions for the top journals in management, held positions as distinguished chairs and become dean of their business school. In short, the doctoral program in management has had a long history of success, and the faculty care greatly about it.

Although we look back with great satisfaction on our past, we are even more optimistic about the future, and we are always on the lookout for the next wave of promising academics. If you have any further questions not addressed on our website, please feel free to email them to me at scott@broad.msu.edu.

Students are admitted to the Ph.D. in Management program only for a fall semester start and on a full-time basis. Find out more about admission criteria and the application process.

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Faculty-student collaboration is a significant part of the Broad experience. Doctoral students have the opportunity to work with some of the top researchers across multiple disciplines. Find out more about the research opportunities for management doctoral students at MSU.

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The management faculty at the Michigan State University Broad College of Business are among the best in the world. Find out more about our faculty currently working with doctoral students.

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See a roster of current doctoral students in the Ph.D. in Management program as well as a listing of our graduates’ placements over the last decade at highly regarded research institutions.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

We provide every student admitted to the program with a graduate assistantship and/or a fellowship. The assistantship is usually at a half-time level. A half-time appointment requires that the student be a teaching assistant and/or a research assistant for 20 hours a week. Renewal of financial assistance is contingent on the student making satisfactory progress in the program. Assistantships include a nine-credit-hour tuition waiver (i.e., tuition is covered for up to nine credit hours per semester) for each of the fall and spring semesters, a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition for non-Michigan residents, and health insurance.

For more information about funding sources, visit the MSU Graduate School.

Contact Information

  • Department of Management
  • Business College Complex
  • 632 Bogue St Rm N475
  • East Lansing, MI 48824
  • Phone: (517) 353-5415
  • Fax: (517) 432-1111
  • Management Doctoral Program Director
  • Brent Scott
  • Business College Complex
  • 632 Bogue St Rm N405
  • East Lansing, MI 48824
  • Phone: (517) 432-7725
Front entrance of the Minskoff Pavilion at dusk

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

  • How many applicants do you accept each year?

    The number of students admitted to the Ph.D. in Management program each year has ranged from one to five, but is typically two or three.

  • How long does it generally take to complete the Ph.D. in Management program?

    Generally, students take five years to complete the program. That gives students the best chance at completing research projects prior to the job market in order to make them highly competitive.

  • Can I study part time and work full time?

    The Ph.D. in Management program is strictly a full-time, on-campus program. We require students to be on campus on a full-time basis, as doctoral students have a broad range of responsibilities including coursework, assistantships and independent study. Thus, there is no online option.

  • Where do MSU graduates get hired?

    Our graduates have accepted faculty appointments at many universities, including:

    • Arizona State University
    • Cornell University
    • Pennsylvania State University
    • Purdue University
    • Rutgers University
    • Texas A&M University
    • University of Florida
    • University of Georgia
    • University of Maryland
    • University of Michigan
    • University of South Carolina
    • University of Washington

    See the Students and Placements page for more details.

Admissions

  • I’m an international student. Do I need to take the TOEFL?

    Yes, all international students must submit valid TOEFL scores (less than two years old) in order to be considered for admission.

    The Michigan State University code is 1465.

  • Do I need to take the GMAT or the GRE?

    To be considered for admission, you must submit valid scores (less than five years old) from either the GMAT or the GRE. We accept either test.

    The Michigan State University code for the GMAT is QH0-5P-41 (Q-H-ZERO-FIVE-P-FOUR-ONE).

    The Michigan State University code for the GRE is 1465 (university) or 0591 (department).

  • Are there minimum GMAT or GRE test scores for successful applicants?

    No, we do not have minimum cut-off scores on the GMAT or GRE. However, admission to the Ph.D. in Management program is highly competitive, and successful applicants typically score above the 80th percentile on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the test. Regardless of test scores, each applicant is fully reviewed by the admissions committee.

  • What is the deadline for applications?

    January 1 to guarantee you receive consideration for an assistantship or fellowship.

    We normally review applications in January and again in late March or early April. All applications reviewed are for an August admission. It is generally recommended that applications be completed for review in this time frame.

Financial Aid

  • What kind of financial aid is available?

    We provide every student admitted to the program with a graduate assistantship and/or a fellowship. The assistantship is usually at a half-time level. A half-time appointment requires that the student be a teaching assistant and/or a research assistant for 20 hours a week. Renewal of financial assistance is contingent on the student making satisfactory progress in the program. Assistantships include a nine-credit-hour tuition waiver (i.e., tuition is covered for up to nine credit hours per semester) for each of the fall and spring semesters, a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition for non-Michigan residents, and health insurance.

    For more information about funding sources, visit the MSU Graduate School.