Management, Ph.D.
Ph.D.
Email: phd@merage.uci.edu
Phone: 949-824-8318
The Ph.D. in Management at the Paul Merage School of Business is designed to prepare students for careers in scholarly research and teaching at the university level. This full-time program provides a strong foundation in both methodological and theoretical training, enabling students to pursue their own areas of interest. Candidates work closely with Merage School faculty and, when appropriate, collaborate with faculty from other academic units on campus. Program requirements include acquiring a broad knowledge of core management disciplines, demonstrating strong research skills, and completing a dissertation that makes a contribution to knowledge in the chosen area of study. Additionally, the program includes a teaching requirement, supported by an ongoing seminar in pedagogy, to provide training about course development and delivery. Graduates are well-equipped for academic careers in fields such as organization and management, strategy and entrepreneurship, operations and decision technologies, management information systems, finance, accounting, and marketing.
The Paul Merage School of Business admits students to the Ph.D. program exclusively for the fall quarter, with an application deadline of January 4. This program requires a full-time commitment and welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. While having a master’s degree is preferred, students may be admitted directly after completing their baccalaureate degree. Suitable undergraduate majors include psychology, political science, business or public administration, mathematics, computer sciences, economics, sociology, as well as STEM disciplines. Additionally, students with strong academic backgrounds in fields not typically associated with management, such as the natural sciences, humanities, and the arts, are encouraged to apply.
Potential candidates are those eager to gain a broad knowledge of core management disciplines and demonstrate strong research skills by completing a dissertation. As part of the application process, Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit a previously developed paper, such as a research report, research essay, or case study that may reflect their interests and capabilities. This additional submission can provide valuable insight into the applicant's potential for success in the program.
In addition to the usual University of California requirements for admission to graduate study, students must provide one of the following:
- the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) verbal and quantitative parts
- a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- statement of purpose
- minimum of three references, of which two should be from academic sources.
Students holding an appropriate Baccalaureate degree may be admitted directly to graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Management.
Coursework and Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. Program in The Paul Merage School of Business is divided into phases, Qualifying and Dissertation. The objective and requirements of each phase are outlined below.
Phase I (Qualifying)
Phase I provides students with a comprehensive introduction to their fields of emphasis, management disciplines, and methodological tools, to be completed within nine quarters. Each student is assigned an academic faculty advisor from their specialization to help acclimate them to the Merage School Ph.D. program, assist with planning coursework, and oversee their academic progress during the first two years. During this period, students must pass a written comprehensive field examination, typically at the end of the first or second year, depending on their field. Additionally, students are encouraged to explore and identify their research interests and find a faculty member who aligns with their research needs to serve as their Phase I Qualifying Advisor.
Course Requirements
The Merage School doctoral courses are organized into two categories: Theoretical Breadth and Research Methods. Courses may be added as faculty determine necessary.
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Specialization requirement: Two courses in the student's primary area of specialization, one of which must be a Ph.D.-level seminar. Requirements in the student's area of specialization are determined by the faculty in that area within the guidelines of doctoral study.
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Breadth requirement: Four breadth courses, including at least two from the School-wide menu and two additional Ph.D.-level courses relevant to their academic area. The second category includes courses in the areas outside the student's specialization within the Merage School of Business, or courses from other departments within the UC system. Students must take (at least) two courses from the School-wide menus, and (at least) two additional Ph.D.-level courses pertinent to the academic area of study.
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Research skills requirements: Two courses that emphasize research skills that contribute to the development of research capabilities, as determined by the faculty in the area of specialization.
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Two Courses: MGMTPHD 297A- Doctoral Proseminar and MGMTPHD 297B - University Teaching. These two course requirements are common to all students, regardless of area of specialization.
Phase I prepares students for research and scholarship in their areas of emphasis. After passing the written comprehensive field examination, students select a Qualifying advisor (Chair) and at least two additional committee members, one of which should be from another area, which constitute the Candidacy committee. The committee and student develop a program for the remainder of the Qualifying Phase, guiding the student toward developing a dissertation proposal, outlining the area of emphasis, written paper requirements, and methods to demonstrate preparedness to complete dissertation research on the chosen topic. Students engage in independent study and relevant courses to deepen their understanding of their fields, current literature, and research trends. The phase concludes with a formal oral qualifying examination by the Candidacy Committee of at least three faculty members, primarily from the Merage School. This qualifying examination constitutes Advancement to Candidacy.
Advancement to Candidacy
Students are expected to advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. by the end of the third year in the program upon successfully demonstrating a high level of scholarship and preparedness to proceed to the dissertation phase, as established by successfully passing the oral qualifying examination at the end of Phase I.
Phase II (Dissertation)
This phase requires the completion of a significant original research project and a dissertation which demonstrates the candidate's creativity and ability to launch and sustain a career in research. Phase II is expected to be completed in six quarters. During this phase, students enroll in 12 units of Individual Study under their Faculty Advisor’s supervision for research/dissertation work until they defend their dissertation and graduate. Upon approval of the dissertation and final dissertation defense, the student's Dissertation Committee recommends conferral of the Ph.D. degree.
Teaching Requirements
All degree candidates are required to complete the Teaching Development course MGMTPHD 297B. The objective of the course is to ensure that our Ph.D. students are adequately prepared to assume academic teaching responsibilities upon completion of their programs and to ensure that business doctoral students who teach classes at UCI are adequately prepared to do so effectively.
Normative Time to Degree
The normative time for advancement to candidacy is three years. The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years, and the maximum time permitted is six years.