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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.