PhD Marketing

Learning Objectives

• Have command of major theoretical and conceptual issues identified in marketing seminars.
• Have command of topic literature search and synthesis.
• Have command of design and execution of academic marketing research.
• Execute an academic marketing research project and write a cogent paper on this topic.

Curriculum Overview 

Common Body of Knowledge Coursework:

• Amount: 4 classes (12 hours), may be waived with an approved master’s degree
• Purpose: Business foundation

Major Marketing Coursework:

• Amount: 8 classes (24 hours)
• Purpose: Substantive, theoretical, and methodological skills

Elective Coursework:

• Amount: 5 classes (15 hours)
• Purpose: Extension of substantive, theoretical, and/or methodological skills

Total Coursework:

• Amount: 17 classes (51 hours) plus dissertation hours

First Year

Fall

Program Admission

The Department of Marketing believes in the importance of strong, cooperative student cohorts; consequently, a new cohort of approximately 3-5 doctoral students is typically admitted every other fall semester. Applications are to be submitted through the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School by December 31, the year before a fall semester admittance, reviewed by faculty in January, and selected students are admitted in August. The entry to the next cohort is anticipated in the fall of 2023.

Admission is based on several factors, including the applicant's record, standardized admission test scores, a commitment to an intellectually demanding program of study, letters of recommendation, the applicant's overall standing compared with other students, and the vacancies in the program in a given year. The profile of a successful applicant typically includes a grade point average of at least 3.4 in the most recently completed 60 hours of work, a GMAT score in excess of 600, and strong recommendations from at least three individuals who have had the opportunity to observe the applicant's interest, ability, and commitment to a career of scholarship. The reported GMAT should have been taken within the previous five years.​ 

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships and tuition waivers are generally awarded to all students accepted into the program and may be renewed for four consecutive years. Because students are encouraged to collaborate on research projects throughout the PhD program, the department offers financial support for students to present research papers accepted at national conferences.