Management Science PhD Admission Requirements



Application requirements for the School of Management’s PhD Program:

  • PhD applications are available online at the UT Dallas Graduate Application Web site.

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended universities/colleges and sealed by the respective registrar offices.

  • Official final degree certificates (diplomas) that have been awarded thus far.

  • An official GMAT score within the past 5 years is required (GRE may be submitted in lieu of GMAT). The institution code to report GMAT scores is ZTZPQ60 and for GRE scores is R6897. To be considered for admission, students must score a minimum of 600 on the GMAT or receive comparable scores on the GRE. For fall 2011, the average PhD admission scored 710 or better on the GMAT.

  • An application essay, or statement of purpose, is required. Attach current curriculum vitae (resume) to your essay. Application essays should answer two fundamental questions:
    • Why do you want to pursue a PhD in your chosen concentration?
    • What are your career goals after you obtain your doctorate four or five years down the road?

  • Three letters of recommendation are required, with at least two from academic referees. You may send them directly to the Jindal School of Management PhD program office (see contacts for address).

  • For international students, TOEFL, PTE or IELTS scores are required. The minimum TOEFL scores are 213 (computer-based), 550 (paper-based) and 80 (Internet-based). The institution code for The University of Texas at Dallas is 6897. The department code should be left blank.

All official transcripts, degree certificates and official test scores must be submitted to the Office of Admission and Enrollment Services:

  • Students are expected to complete the course requirements for each concentration area as indicated in the 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 the dissertation proposal of each student 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.

The PhD Program provides a Graduate Student Scholarship to qualified doctoral students and generally guarantees four years of support based on satisfactory academic performance. Students making satisfactory progress normally receive a full tuition & fee waiver and a stipend in the form of a scholarship or a teaching assistantship. The PhD Program announces the scholarship and assistantship awards at the same time as admissions decisions. PhD students are also provided a research budget for presenting their work at premier conferences.