Plan of Study
Management PhD Plan of Study
The Management and Organizations (M&O) PhD program is a full-time program designed for completion in approximately five years. Students work closely with faculty while developing expertise in theory, research design, methodology, independent research, and university-level teaching.
View the 2026–2027 Management and Organizations PhD Graduate Handbook
Program at a Glance
Students complete core doctoral seminars, research methods courses, an independent research project, a doctoral minor, comprehensive examinations, a dissertation, and a teaching experience.
| Requirement | Overview |
|---|---|
| Major Coursework | Core doctoral seminars, research methods, professional development, and independent research |
| Doctoral Minor | At least 10 credit hours; students typically complete three 4-credit M&O doctoral electives for 12 credit hours |
| Independent Research Project | A first-authored research project completed with a three-member faculty committee |
| Comprehensive Examinations | Written and oral examinations covering the student’s major field, specialized area, and research methods |
| Dissertation | At least 18 dissertation units, an approved proposal, and a successful final defense |
| Teaching Experience | Primary instructor for one full-semester undergraduate M&O course, normally during Year 4 |
Illustrative Five-Year Course Sequence
The schedule below is an example. Individual plans may vary based on course availability, research interests, and advisor approval.
Year 1
| Term | Illustrative Coursework |
|---|---|
| Fall | MGMT 615/616 Introduction to Organizational Behavior (4)PSYC 560 Advanced Social Psychology (3)MGMT 601/602 Experimental Research Methods (4)MGMT 696A Professional Development Workshop (1) |
| Spring | MGMT 645/646 Organizational Theory (4)HDFS 617C Multilevel Modeling (3)MGMT 621/622 Human Resources (4)MGMT 633/634 Strategy (4)MGMT 696B Professional Development Workshop (1) |
Year 2
| Term | Illustrative Coursework |
|---|---|
| Fall | MGMT 653/654 Field-Based Research Methods (4)MGMT 900 Independent Research Project (1)MGMT 629/630 DEI, Status, and Social Hierarchy (4)MGMT 675/676 Groups and Teams (4) |
| Spring | MGMT 900 Independent Research Project (1)MGMT 663/664 Judgment and Decision Making (4)MGMT 605/606 Topics in Organizational Theory and Strategy (4) |
Courses designated as M&O electives may be used toward the doctoral minor. Individual courses may not be offered every semester. Advisor approval is required for substitutions, outside coursework, and individualized plans of study.
Years 3–5
| Program Year | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| Year 3 | Research and dissertation credits; comprehensive examinations; completion and defense of the independent research project; additional seminar if desired and approved |
| Year 4 | Research and dissertation credits; dissertation proposal; required teaching experience |
| Year 5 | Research and dissertation credits; dissertation completion and defense; academic job market |
Five-Year Milestone Roadmap
| Program Year | Expected Progress |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Complete onboarding and core coursework. Submit the Responsible Conduct of Research Statement and identify an independent research project chair by the end of spring. |
| Year 2 | Complete major and minor coursework. Form the independent research project committee, obtain proposal approval, and prepare for the written comprehensive examination. |
| Year 3 | Complete the written and oral comprehensive examinations. Complete and defend the independent research project and submit required GradPath forms. |
| Year 4 | Form the dissertation committee, obtain dissertation proposal approval, and complete the required teaching experience. |
| Year 5 | Complete and defend the dissertation and satisfy all archiving and graduation requirements. |
Major Program Milestones
Independent Research Project
Students design and conduct a first-authored research project with guidance from a three-member faculty committee.
- Identify the project chair by the end of Year 1.
- Form the project committee and obtain proposal approval during Year 2.
- Complete and defend the project by the end of the fall semester of Year 3.
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive examinations occur after essentially all required coursework has been completed.
- Complete the written examination by the end of the summer following Year 2.
- Complete the oral examination by the end of the fall semester of Year 3.
- Follow all GradPath submission and approval requirements before scheduling the oral examination.
Dissertation
The dissertation demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct original and significant scholarly research.
- Form the dissertation committee by the end of the fall semester of Year 4.
- Obtain dissertation proposal approval by the end of the spring semester of Year 4.
- Complete and defend the dissertation by the end of the spring semester of Year 5.
Teaching Experience
Students normally serve as the primary instructor for one full-semester undergraduate Management and Organizations course during Year 4. Teaching-assistant and co-instructor assignments do not fulfill this requirement.
Academic Planning and Advising
Students should meet regularly with their faculty advisor and the PhD Program Coordinators to discuss course selection, research development, program milestones, and academic progress.
Course plans should be confirmed before registration each semester, especially when selecting courses outside the department. The Graduate Program Coordinator assists with registration, administrative processes, program deadlines, and GradPath requirements.
The Graduate Handbook contains the complete program requirements, policies, milestone instructions, and required internal forms. University and Graduate College policies may change. Current University policy applies when it differs from information in the handbook or on this webpage.