- For strategy/organization theory students, 3 credit hours of graduate level coursework in economics (ECN 502 may not be used to satisfy this requirement). For organizational behavior/human resource management students, 3 credit hours of graduate level coursework in a foundational discipline such as psychology, sociology, or communication.
- Six credit hours of coursework in quantitative methods (QBA 502/510 or CIS 502 may not be used to satisfy this requirement).
- Three credit hours of coursework in the behavioral sciences (for organizational behavior/human resource management students, this is in addition to the foundational work in #1 above). This requirement is normally fulfilled by taking courses outside of the department in foundational disciplines such as psychology and sociology.
Advanced Program The advanced program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours. W. P. Carey School of Business guidelines require a minimum of 15 credit hours in a single program area (management) and a minimum of 9 credit hours in 700 level seminars, excluding independent studies (790) or research (792). These requirements include the six management core modules (1 credit hour each), at least three specialty management modules (1 credit hour each), the first and second year major papers (4 credit hours), and research methods (8 credit hours). The additional 9 credit hours of supporting coursework may be fulfilled with additional specialty modules or other coursework. The specific courses taken represent the student’s area of specialization and are selected by the student with the help of the program committee. Program of study approval is required by the student’s program committee, the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the W. P. Carey School of Business, and the Dean of the Graduate College. - Management Core Modules (6 credit hours)
All students will take the management core modules: - Foundations of Strategic Management
This survey module covers foundational as well as contemporary theories in strategic management. Topics on foundational theories may include theories of economic behavior from industrial organization economics, theories of the firm explaining why firms exist, theories of behavior in organizations and how organizations function, theories of firm evolution and corporate strategy, theories of behavior in social contexts such as strategic networks and theories of leadership in organizations. Topics on contemporary theories may include, transaction cost economics, agency theory, behavioral agency theory, structural contingency theory, theories of cooperative strategy organizational networks, the resource based view of the firm and upper echelon theories or theories regarding top management teams, resource dependence theory, and theories of organizational evolution. - Foundations of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
This survey module examines the classics from the history of HRM and OB scholarship that provide the basis for current theories and research. The module will provide a preview of core HRM topics such as selection, performance appraisal, training, and compensation, and of core OB topics such as motivation, group dynamics, leadership, and organizational culture. - Individual Influences on the Organization
This survey module examines micro or individual level explanations of organizational behavior. Topics may include attitudes, ability, personality, demographics, motivation, perception, and decision-making processes. - Organizational Influences on the Individual
This survey module examines the influence of macro or organizational variables and phenomena on the individual. Topics include: (1) macro↔micro linkages, (2) the macro context (organizational identity, strategy, structure, culture, and climate), (3) leadership, (4) power and politics, and (5) social dynamics (teams, groups, networks, and relationships. - Business Level Strategy
This survey module examines theory and research on the effectiveness of business level strategies and managing competitive dynamics to create competitive advantage. Topics may include firm resources and sustained competitive advantage, first mover advantages and innovation, dynamic capabilities and knowledge-based theories of competence, generic strategies of competition (cost leadership and differentiation), strategic groups, competitor analysis and interfirm rivalry, entry and exit strategies within an industry, strategic flexibility, strategy as real options, and cooperative strategy including strategic alliances and joint ventures. - Corporate Strategy
This survey module examines the strategies of large multi-product firms, how they are governed and how the portfolio of businesses is managed. Topics may include issues of corporate governance including boards of directors, institutional and managerial ownership and executive compensation, corporate strategy such as related and unrelated diversification, managing diversification such as structures and control systems matched to particular corporate strategies, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring or refocusing strategies such as spin-offs, sell-offs and leveraged buyouts, international diversification and modes of entry for foreign direct investment, management of large diversified business groups as well as large strategic networks, and corporate entrepreneurship and the management of innovation. These one credit modules are five week seminars. Typically, these will be completed during the first two years of study. -
Specialty Management Modules (3 credit hours)
Other modules are offered that cover more specialized areas in management. Students may select from them and must take a minimum of four. These modules include topics such as: - Organizational attachment
- Emotion in organizational life
- Organizational culture
- Leadership in organizations
- Organizational withdrawal
- Compensation management
- Organizational learning, change, and innovation
- Role of occupations in organizational life
- Coping with change
- Strategy development and implementation
- Alliance and network strategies
- International strategy
- Corporate governance
- Economic theories of organization
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First and Second Year Major Papers (4 credit hours)
Students are required to write one major paper in each of their first two years, either sole-authored or coauthored with a mentor or colleague. The papers are intended as (1) a developmental vehicle for the student (2) that will result in publications in top quality journals (although credit is not dependent on publication). Students should individually decide (perhaps in collaboration with the Program of Study chair) what topic they will work on. Given that most of the research papers will be collaborative, and given that these papers may involve lags and delays in data collection, the supervising faculty member(s) involved with the project will determine when there has been adequate progress to assign a grade. -
Research Methods (8 credit hours)
The Management Department, in collaboration with other departments in the W. P. Carey School of Business, offers two 4-credit seminars in research methods. Research Methods I is offered every year while Research Methods II is offered every other year. The two courses introduce a variety of research designs and methods commonly used in management and organizational research. The topics covered include the scientific process and philosophy of science, formulating research questions, measurement validity and reliability, laboratory and quasi-experimentation, survey research, case study research, qualitative methods, longitudinal designs, cross-level designs, and measurement issues in cross-cultural and international management research. -
Supporting Coursework (9 credit hours)
A minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework must be taken to support the student’s advanced program of study. All supporting coursework must be in graduate (502 and above) level courses. Only 3 credit hours of supporting coursework in 590, 592, 790, or 792 courses will count towards the 9 hour minimum. Supporting courses depend on the student’s chosen area of specialization and should be used to support that choice. Courses may be taken in any department or college within the university. Many students find supporting coursework in economics, psychology, sociology, communications, and marketing. In addition, some courses at other universities may be taken (e.g., Thunderbird). Electives and transfer of credits
Once minimum program requirements are met, remaining credit hours may be taken with elective courses. Students with previous graduate coursework may use up to 30 credit hours of that coursework to satisfy these requirements, subject to the approval of the program committee. (Note: these are 30 semester or trimester credit hours. For students transferring in credits from quarter programs, the credit hours may not be equivalent.) Dissertation (24 hours)
The dissertation represents a major research project of an original and creative nature that will advance the state of theory in the student’s major field, while meeting the requirements of the Graduate College. Given the emphasis on research in the program, the dissertation should not be viewed as the student’s first research project. However, when the dissertation is completed, it signifies individual competence as a researcher. - The dissertation process is supervised by a dissertation committee composed of at least three people: a chair and two other faculty members. In the case of two co-chairs, at least a third faculty member is required. The student should select a chair from the list of eligible faculty in the department, based on mutual research interests. The selection of additional members of the committee should be based on the contributions they might make to the final product. The student, in selecting members, should consider the mix of knowledge and skills across the committee. In order to make informed judgments in this area, students should make substantial effort to interact with faculty to become aware of their research interests and areas of expertise.
Typical Ph.D. Program Timetable First and Second Years - Complete most or all of coursework
- Work on publishable research with faculty members
- Present first conference paper
- Take comprehensive exams before the end of the second year
Third Year - Complete remaining courses
- Present conference paper and submit first article
Fourth Year - Defend dissertation proposal by the end of the year
- Revise and resubmit first article and submit additional article
Fifth Year - Complete and defend dissertation
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