GET A PHD IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
Use economics, behavioral science, mathematics and statistics to conduct rigorous scientific research.
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Overview of the Management Science PhD Program
The Naveen Jindal School of Management grants a PhD in Management Science degree, which is defined as the use of economics, behavioral science, mathematics and statistics to conduct rigorous scientific research. The program encompasses theory and empirical analysis and is characterized by a high ratio of research faculty to students, fostering close working relationships.
The Management Science PhD degree program requires students to choose from one of the following areas (concentrations) of study:
The program is characterized by a high ratio of research faculty to students, with core and elective courses providing students with a thorough understanding of management principles. Coursework incorporates a broad outlook into the study of business theory and practice. A sequence of PhD seminars exposes students to traditional and emerging research issues, and students are encouraged early in their graduate work to be involved in faculty research projects with experienced professors. Students quickly identify and develop research ideas and create their own research agenda. They also develop their teaching skills under faculty mentorship.
Faculty interests range from quantitative modeling to empirical studies using tools from operations research, mathematical programming, price theory, game theory, statistics, econometrics, optimal control theory, stochastic processes, machine learning and simulation.
Please download our 18 Characteristics of Doctoral Programs in Management Science.
For questions, please contact: JSOMPhD@utdallas.edu
Connect with the Director
Sumit Sarkar, PhD
Charles and Nancy Davidson Chair
Degree Plan – Management Science PhD
Students typically devote the first two years to coursework and research seminars. They take a preliminary exam based on the course work and seminars at the end of their first year and take a comprehensive qualifying exam based on the coursework and seminars at the end of their second year. During their second summer in the program, students write an original research paper on a topic of interest to them. By the end of the second year, each student begins to develop his/her dissertation research area, which is usually completed over the next two to three years.
The program offers concentrations in areas such as Accounting, Information Systems, Finance, Marketing and Operations Management. Core and elective courses provide students with a thorough understanding of research methodologies and management principles. A sequence of PhD seminars exposes students to traditional and emerging research issues in their respective areas.
Prerequisites
Calculus, matrix algebra, computer programming and statistics are prerequisites for the doctoral program – every admitted student is responsible for ensuring he/she has satisfied these prerequisite requirements before joining the program. Doctoral students in Management Science benefit from exposure to multiple functional areas in management. To ensure this benefit, students who enter the program without an MBA (or equivalent degree) are required to complete a combined minimum of four courses (at the master’s or doctoral level) in at least three functional areas. This cross-functional exposure is particularly useful for students engaging in cross-functional research, positioning their research for wider appeal and effectively teaching business school students with diverse specializations.
Incoming students complete a two-week math refresher before the semester begins in August to help prepare for fall classes.
Degree Requirements
Years 1 and 2
- Coursework
- Preliminary examination
- Qualifying examination
- Research papers
- Research activities
- Completion of other requirements for concentration
Year 3
- Directed reading and research
- Admission to candidacy
- Formulation of dissertation topic
Year 4
- Dissertation proposal
- Continued research
- Dissertation defense
Students are evaluated annually on their progress in the program.
Core Requirements
Required Core Courses
Secondary Required Core Courses
Students must take at least three of the following courses:
- OPRE 7310 Probability and Stochastic Processes
- MECO 7313 Applied Econometrics
- MECO 6320 Introduction to Econometrics (or ECON 6309 Econometrics I)
- MECO 7320 Advanced Econometrics (or ECON 7309 Econometrics II)
- OPRE 7320 Optimal Control Theory and Applications
- OPRE 7311 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
- OPRE 7330 Deterministic Models in Operations Research
- MECO 6360 Topics in Industrial Organization
- MECO 7311 Advanced Game Theory
- OPRE 7343 Modern Machine Learning Methods
The remaining requirements beyond the core courses include approved specialty courses, research, independent study and dissertation hours as defined by a program committee appointed to guide and evaluate each student’s doctoral dissertation.
Program Policies
Program Policies
- Students are expected to complete the course requirements for each concentration area as indicated in the business PhD program. However, under special circumstances, when students present themselves with specialized backgrounds and interests, course requirements may be modified with the approval of the PhD committee.
- A plan of study is developed for full-time students no later than the end of the first semester. This plan of study is updated each semester, and a copy is placed on file in the Office of the Director of the PhD Program.
- Comprehensive exams are given at least once each year. The comprehensive examinations committee for each student is recommended by the advisor and confirmed by the director of the PhD Program. The comprehensive examinations include an examination on research methods, core courses and students’ areas of concentration.
- After successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a dissertation committee is appointed to evaluate each student’s dissertation proposal and direct and evaluate the dissertation. The dissertation committee is recommended by the student’s supervisor and confirmed by the director of the PhD Program and the dean of Graduate Studies.
- A research proposal, or prospectus, is carefully prepared and approved by the committee prior to the initiation of thesis research.
Alumni Testimonials
Hasan Cavusoglu
Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia
Beyond their remarkable intellect, the faculty members at the Jindal School of Management impressed me with their passion for excellence in research, dedication to superb doctoral education and endless patience toward PhD students during my time in the program. They are truly a source of inspiration. I consider myself privileged to have been trained by incredible professors who showed us how to achieve rigor and relevance in research.
Tai-Yuan Chen
Alumni Professor of Finance, HKUST Business School, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The PhD program at UTD offered solid and life-altering training to students. Faculty members are well-known experts in their own field and most importantly, they are always available whenever students need advice. I was able to coauthor with them and started to build up my research pipeline in early stage . After graduation, with its rapid expansion, the reputation of Jindal School of Management continues to intangibly benefits my academic career. I sincerely appreciate the education from UTD SOM!
Wei Chen
Assistant Professor in Analytics, Information & Operations, School of Business, University of Kansas
When I joined the PhD program at UT Dallas, I had a single objective in mind–to become a future faculty member at a research institution. Today, when I look back, I can say that the PhD program, especially the professors, helped me achieve this goal 100%: During my time at UTD, I have obtained invaluable skills that are required to conduct research and communicate with others. More importantly, I have gained confidence as a researcher and a teacher. For this, I am forever grateful.
Zhengrui Jiang
Professor of Information Systems, School of Business, Nanjing University
The faculty at the Jindal School of Management is world-renowned for their high research productivity. What is less known is that the training PhD students receive here is also top-notch. Despite their busy schedules, PhD student mentoring is always a priority for the professors. I feel very fortunate that I finished my PhD in Management Science at the Jindal School of Management.
Mina Ameri
Assistant Professor
The University of Pittsburgh
I started in the Jindal School of Management knowing nothing about research. But during my 5 years of PhD, I grew from being a student to being a researcher. And it was all because of the help and guidance I received from the kind and caring people there and especially my amazing advisors. Now, my professors and classmates have become my lifetime friends and I will always have what I’ve learned from them, how to work hard, how to not give up, and how to help others on similar journeys.
Jess Cornaggia
Alumni Professor of Finance, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
The PhD program prepared me for a successful career in academia. I had ample resources to conduct high quality research and, most importantly, I had helpful mentors who really invested in me and taught me the nuances of the profession.
Blair Flicker
Assistant Professor in Management Science
Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
The PhD program at UT Dallas has been nothing short of life-changing. The faculty—diverse in research interests but unified by deep expertise—turned me into a true scholar. My thinking is so much clearer now compared to when I began the program. My professors prepared me for a successful career as an academic by constantly pushing me, but gently. I had two kids during my studies, yet I was never questioned about how I chose to balance my research progress with family time. I do not know if I could have found a more supportive environment at any other institution.
Steve Sauerwald
Associate Professor, Department of Managerial Studies, College of Business, University of Illinois at Chicago
In addition to providing outstanding doctoral training, the faculty helped me to identify high impact research areas and provided incredible mentorship to bring those projects to fruition. I also benefited from a great cohort of supportive and bright PhD students who made the journey even more rewarding
Devendra Kale
PhD in Management Science, Accounting
Assistant Professor,
University of Rhode Island
My time in the PhD program at the Jindal School of Management was about continuous intellectual development and critical thinking skills. Prior to joining the PhD program, I was unaware of the intricacies of academic research. But the well-structured program combined with continued and priceless support from my advisors made this uphill ride a memorable journey. It also helped me discover my passion for academic research and transform into an independent researcher. I strongly recommend Jindal School of Management to future PhD students.
Qi Annabelle Feng
John and Donna Krenicki Chair,
Professor in Operations Management
Krannert School of Management, Purdue University
During my time in the PhD program, I had the opportunity to interact with and learn from many extremely brilliant and well-respected professors. After graduating from the program, I realized that the benefit I obtained from was not just about writing several high-quality papers with them. They made me understand it is important to go deep and be broad, and they showed me a true scholar is a life-long learner who is always modest and curious.
Oktay Urcan
Associate Professor of Accountancy and Fred & Virginia Roedgers Faculty Fellow
Gies College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
PhD education at Jindal School of Management transformed me from an undergraduate student who never heard of accounting research to an accounting researcher and teacher at world renowned academic institutions. All credit goes to the faculty members and especially my advisors who patiently invested their valuable time in my PhD training. I enjoyed all moments we shared together as student-mentor, co-authors, colleagues and friends.
Bharadwaj Kadiyala
Assistant Professor, Eccles School of Business, University of Utah
The PhD program at UTD provides a fantastic environment for learning and sharing ideas with faculty who are widely regarded as experts in their respective fields and with other highly motivated PhD students. The faculty are extremely enthusiastic about identifying and rigorously addressing interesting research problems. I feel lucky to have been a part of that environment during my PhD and it is through my interactions with the faculty that I have been able to develop my own academic research agenda.
Haibin Yang
Professor in Strategic Management, College of Business, City University of Hong Kong
When I look back, it is amazing to see how much I changed during the four-years I spent in the PhD program at UTD. Before admission, I had no idea about academic research. Upon graduation, my view towards the business world had been fundamentally re-shaped by the theories and methods which I learned at various seminars. Thanks to the tremendous help from my professors, my time at UTD was full of fun, challenges and rewards
Harish Guda
Assistant Professor in Supply Chain Management
W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
The six years I spent at JSOM as a PhD student were ones of immense learning. My advisors were extremely patient, and supportive of my learning and growth. The abundant number of courses, seminars, research talks and conferences in the various departments at JSOM provided tremendous exposure to cutting-edge research in Management Science — it often felt like drinking from a firehose. I am grateful to the program for providing me with an excellent learning experience.
Subodha Kumar
Distinguished Fellow of the Information Systems Society, INFORMS
Paul R. Anderson Distinguished Chair Professor,
Marketing and Supply Chain Management,
Fox School of Business, Temple University
The PhD program at the Jindal School of Management prepared me for a successful career in academia. During my doctoral studies, I was fortunate to interact with brilliant professors from different disciplines. They helped me understand how to conduct high-impact research, and mentored me on how to effectively teach. I feel very privileged to have earned my PhD at the Jindal School of Management.
Aidin Namin
Associate Professor of Marketing Analytics, Loyola Marymount University
Doctoral programs at JSOM provide a diverse, inclusive, and research-intensive learning environment. The wonderful faculty and advisors train students on state-of-the-art quantitative techniques so that the students can conduct impactful research and build their academic career.
Xuying Zhao
Associate Professor in Operations Management
Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame
At UTDallas, I met so many excellent professors and classmates, who have become my life-long mentors and friends. The professors are internationally recognized leaders in their areas, full of passion for research, extremely brilliant, and also hard-working. Meanwhile, they devote huge amount of time to helping and guiding PhD students. I feel very lucky to complete my PhD study in Naveen Jindal School of Management at UTDallas.
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