Organizational Behavior
The Ph.D. Program in Organizational Behavior (OB) prepares students for success in research universities as faculty members specializing in organizational behavior. The field of OB seeks to develop knowledge of how individuals and groups think, feel, and behave in organizational settings and to apply that knowledge to foster effective management of individuals in work settings. Its origins include psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Key research areas within the discipline include employee well-being, work design, teams, decision-making, ethics, emotions, leadership, careers, individual differences, motivation, creativity and innovation, organizational change, culture, and cross-cultural differences. Conceptually and empirically, OB includes multiple levels of analysis in order to address individuals within situations. Research in the field is methodologically rigorous and is grounded in the social sciences.
Program Requirements
Required Coursework
Area of Concentration
Most students typically will select the specific area to which they are admitted (organizational behavior) as their concentration. However, an aspirant, with the assistance of his or her faculty advisor and the area faculty, may propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that is a combination of the traditional business disciplines of accounting, information systems, finance, human resource management, marketing, decision sciences, and strategic management. An aspirant may also propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that includes emphases such as international business, law, and economics. The aspirant must take at least five advanced courses in the area of concentration. These courses may include those offered outside the School of Business.
Supporting Areas
Coursework in the area of concentration is supplemented and strengthened by study in one or two supporting areas. A supporting area is one that supplements and complements the area of concentration. The aspirant will satisfy the supporting area requirement by taking at least four advanced courses in the supporting areas (at least two courses in each of two supporting areas, or at least four courses in one supporting area). Courses recommended for preparation for the qualifiers may not be included in satisfying the supporting area requirement.
Research Methodology
For successful qualifier assessment, the student’s program of study should include adequate preparation in research methodology.
Degree Completion Timeline Years 1-2: Coursework*
Year 3: Comprehensive Exams
Year 4: Dissertation Proposal
Year 5: Dissertation Defense
*A minimum of 15 courses, plus 901 and BUS 902 are required for completion of the degree
Some students can complete the program in four years.
PlacementsOver the past several years, our PhD graduates have been placed at schools such as Bryant College, Clermont France, University of Cincinnati, and US Military Academy-West Point. For a complete listing, see the
Organizational Behavior Alumni page.
