PhD Admission Requirements

PhD program and concentration brochures

The priority deadline for applicants is December 8.

PhD Admissions Overview

The PhD in International Management Studies program and PhD in Management Science program each admit 3-5 new students per year per concentration (fall admission only). Both are designed to be full-time programs with completion being 4 to 5 years.

Students may enter after previous graduate training or directly from undergraduate programs. Admission is based on grade-point average, GMAT or GRE scores, letters of reference, business and professional experience (if applicable), a written statement of personal objectives, and compatibility with faculty research activities. Although both GMAT and GRE scores are accepted, the GMAT is strongly preferred.

Questions about our program?

Attend an info session or visit our Facebook page.
Join our WhatsApp groups and connect with current PhD students.

The priority deadline for applicants is December 8.

While applications will be accepted after that date, applying after December 8, 2023 may significantly lower your chance of acceptance as application review begins immediately after the priority deadline.

Student Funding

We offer financial aid (tuition & fees plus a monthly stipend or scholarship) to admitted PhD students. All applicants are considered for financial aid—no additional application or form is needed.

Required Application Materials

  • Complete graduate application and application fee.

    Fall 2024 applications now open.

    Apply Now
  • All undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be uploaded and submitted electronically. DO NOT mail official/paper copies of your documents. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for releasing an admissions decision. Admitted students must provide official documents prior to enrollment.
  • GMAT* or GRE scores. Students must have an excellent academic record and high scores on the GMAT or GRE. To be considered for admission, students must score 600 on the GMAT or above or receive comparable scores on the GRE. The mean GMAT score for students admitted to the Jindal School of Management PhD programs for Fall 2021 was 719 (94%). The mean GRE score (combined) for students admitted for Fall 2021 was 325. The institution code to report GMAT scores is ZTZ-PQ-18 and for GRE scores is 6897. Scores must be no older than 5 years, are not waived for any applicants, and must be submitted at the time of application. The Online GRE and Online GMAT will be accepted for Fall 2024 admissions.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé. If you do not have professional work experience, still include a CV or résumé which will give us an overview of your academic background and accomplishments.
  • A statement of purpose that 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 PhD?
  • Three letters of recommendation with at least two being from academic referees (see note below).**
  • The ability to read, write, speak and understand English is essential for success in graduate studies at UT Dallas. If your native language is not English and you have been educated outside the United States, you must demonstrate English proficiency.

    Please review the requirements as outlined on the Graduate Admission at UT Dallas page for specifics on scores and potential waivers.

For technical assistance with the graduate application, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Application or admissions questions?

E-mail: JSOMPhD@utdallas.edu to contact the JSOM PhD Program Office.

All materials are to be uploaded in the online application as PDF files only (no Word docs or JPEGs) when prompted.

* UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management prefers the GMAT admission test, however, we gladly accept the GRE test as well.

**All recommendation letters are to be submitted electronically through the online application system.

Alumni Testimonials

Hasan Cavusoglu

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 be trained by incredible professors who showed us how to achieve rigor and relevance in research.
Zhengrui Jiang

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.
Qi Annabelle Feng

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.
Harish Guda

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.
Xuying Zhao

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.
Haibin Yang

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
Devendra Kale

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.
Tai-Yuan Chen

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!
Blair Flicker

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.
Oktay Urcan

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.
Photo of Subodha Kumar

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

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.
Steve Sauerwald

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
Jess Cornaggia

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.
Wei Chen

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.
Mina Ameri

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.
Bharadwaj Kadiyala

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.
See all PhD Alumni Testimonials

PhD Resource Articles

Find advice and resources you need as you consider joining the PhD program at the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management.

Is a PhD for you?

What does it mean to have a PhD?

Do you want to be your own boss? Have flexible hours designed around your needs? These are a few of the perks when working in academia – you are responsible for your own productivity, on your own schedule.

What makes a perfect PhD programs applicant?

Getting into a good PhD program is a bit like dating. Some programs are attractive but may not be a good fit under the surface. Finding a good match is important. Competition is fierce, and there is no one-size-fits all.

Why choose JSOM for my PhD?

The University of Texas at Dallas is a relatively young university, officially launched in 1969, with the first PhD in management awarded in 1977. The prestige of the program was quickly established, with graduates taking jobs at top-ranked institutions all over the world..

What’s it like to be a PhD student?

Will I receive financial support? Will I have free time? How many hours will be spent on work and classes? Are there any social activities available on campus? These are common questions as students begin the process of applying to a PhD program.

See all Resource Articles