Doctoral Program Subcommittee on Business
Degree Programs:
Full-Time: M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair:
John
B.
Donaldson, Ph.D. 818 Uris Hall
Tel:
212.854.4436
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in business is offered by
the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and administered by the Business School. It prepares candidates for
research careers in higher education, industry, or government. Most students in
the Ph.D. program seek positions in academic research and teaching.
Degree Requirements
The requirements listed below are special to this Ph.D.
program and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School.
For the M.Phil. Degree
The M.Phil. degree is prerequisite to the Ph.D. degree. All
students are required to complete twenty courses and participate in the
program’s instructional activities for a minimum of one year.
Students must pass a written examination in their respective
major fields. Preparation for the major field examination generally includes
course work and directed reading. By or before completion of the second year of
the program, a student must also satisfy a research paper requirement. In
general, the paper should report the results of research conducted by the
student, as distinct from a literature review or preparation of a research
design. The paper must be approved by two faculty members. Lastly, the student
must have successfully completed his oral thesis proposal.
For the Ph.D. Degree
Much of the Ph.D. program is essentially a research
apprenticeship. Ph.D. candidates must establish relationships with faculty
members in their major field. These may lead to research assistantships and,
possibly, to co-authorship of publishable articles.
A dissertation embodying original research constitutes the
major requirement of the program. The topic is chosen by the student, and the
outline of the dissertation is approved by the candidate’s advisory committee
and the coordinator of the doctoral program. After the completion of all
courses, candidates can expect to devote two years of full-time work to a
dissertation.
Detailed information on course work, examination
requirements for the degree, and regulations concerning the governance of the
Ph.D. program can be found in the Business Ph.D. Handbook, available online at http://www.gsb.columbia.edu/doctoral.
Time Limit
Candidates with a relevant master’s degree should expect to
complete the Ph.D. program in four years, those with a bachelor’s degree in
four and one half years. A maximum of seven years is allowed by the University
for completion of the Ph.D. degree.
Advanced Standing
Up to ten courses of graduate work completed at Columbia or at another
university may be credited toward the course requirement for the degree. The
granting of advanced standing depends on an assessment by the Doctoral Program Subcommittee
on Business of the quality and relevance of the student’s prior work. Credit
for advanced standing is not granted until the Ph.D. student has successfully
completed one term in the Ph.D. program.
Residence
Students must pursue their studies full-time. Ph.D.
candidates are required to register for two successive terms per academic year.
When course work is completed, students register for full-time research.
Academic Review
The Doctoral Program Subcommittee on Business reviews every
student’s performance each year for satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Students receive a written evaluation once a year. A student’s degree candidacy
may be terminated if his or her progress is deemed unsatisfactory; readmission
may also be denied for academic reasons.
Placement
Most Columbia Ph.D. graduates assume academic posts at
leading colleges and universities at which research is an integral part of a
successful career. Others hold research-oriented positions in business or
government.
For detailed descriptions of requirements and courses,
consult the Columbia Business School Web site. Further information may be
obtained from the Columbia Business School Doctoral Program, 311 Uris Hall,
3022 Broadway, MC 9133, New York, NY 10027; 212-854-2836; phdinfo@gsb.columbia.edu
Financial Aid and Research Support
Financial aid comes in the form of tuition exemptions,
fellowships, and assistantships. All applicants are considered for merit-based
fellowships. Doctoral fellowships usually cover full tuition for courses
required for the completion of the degree and usually carry an additional
living stipend. A limited number of named fellowships assistantships are
available.
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