Program Structure

Our program is not offered via distance learning.  Students cannot do the program on a part-time basis.

Phase I: Preparation

Before entering the program, you will have selected your area of specialization from the following areas or a combination of them:

The required courses in Phase I include:

  • Graduate level courses (as required): Determined at the time of registration, course requirements will depend on the student's academic background and/or the desired area of specialization.
  • Management Research Statistics (MGSC 706): Topics include simple, multiple, polynomial and stepwise regression; matrix approach to regression; one-way analysis of variance, two-way analysis of variance with and without replication; analysis of covariance; multiple comparison procedures; non-parametric statistical methods; one- and multi-sample problems; tests of randomness; and exercises using statistical computer programs.

Phase II - Specialization

When you enter Phase II of the program, you will form a Phase II Advisory Committee of three or more members. At least one professor must represent one of the other universities participating in the joint program. This committee will supervise all of your Phase II work. Its role is threefold:

  • To approve specialization and support field course selection
  • To supervise the Research Paper
  • To administer your Comprehensive Exam and provide you with an agreed list of texts and articles to prepare for the exam.

Phase II is initiated by your filing of the Phase II form, which lists committee members and requirements with tentative completion dates. This phase consists of:

  • Seminar on Research Methodology (or approved equivalent course): An introduction to the fundamentals of research methodology (scientific method, research methods used in management, multiple-method approach), research validity, research measurement and qualitative research techniques.
  • Seminar in Pedagogy (or approved equivalent course): Presenting the main methods, tools and support activities used in the teaching of management (i.e. lecture method, cases, teaching through practice, etc.), this seminar gives participants the opportunity to practice and improve their teaching skills, and to reflect on university teaching and the place of teaching in an academic career.
  • A minimum of four courses in the student's area of specialization
  • A minimum of two courses in the student's support field
  • A research paper
  • Preparation and completion of a comprehensive exam

Phase III - Dissertation

All Phase III work is supervised by your Phase III Dissertation Committee. This committee may be the same as your Phase II Advisory Committee, or may be reconstituted, again with representation from at least one other participating university.

This third phase begins with filing a Phase III form, which contains a list of committee members and a one page description of your research topic. You then publicly present your thesis proposal, which must be formally approved by your thesis committee. Once the research and written dissertation are completed, you publicly defend your thesis as the final step of the PhD.

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