Strategic Management
The Ph.D. Program in Strategic Management prepares students for success in research universities as faculty members specializing in Strategic Management. Research in Strategic Management concerns how firms and organizations gain competitive advantage over rival firms or organizations. The field emphasizes a blend of knowledge about economics, sociology and psychology to understand firm strategy and strategic decision making. Important sub-fields within the discipline include research on developing firm resources, competitive interactions, relational governance, strategic decision making, innovation, entrepreneurship and organizational learning. The field is increasingly focusing on research issues within the context of globalization and international business. Research in the field is methodologically diverse yet rigorous by social science standards.
Program Requirements
Required Coursework
Area of Concentration
Most students typically will select the specific area to which they are admitted (strategic management) 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 organizational behavior. 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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Delaware, University of Minnesota-Duluth, and San Diego State University. For a complete listing, see
Strategic Management Alumni page.
