Ph.D. in Organization Studies
Ph.D. in Organization Studies
Designed to prepare students for academic careers, the Ph.D. Program in Organization Studies at Boston College is recognized worldwide for its听rigorous curriculum听and听exceptional faculty听who are leaders in their fields.
The program emphasizes a strong foundation in organizational theory, research methods, and statistics. Students begin the program with a set of complementary courses in micro- and macro-organizational theory, qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, and teaching skills. In the third year, students complete a major empirical research project and teach a course of their own.
Throughout the Ph.D. program, students pursue research on their own and in collaboration with faculty. All students are encouraged to deliver papers at national and international professional conferences, as well as to submit articles for publication in top-tier research journals. Our graduates emerge as creative, independent scholars who can craft and pursue their own research agendas.
Coursework
All students complete a variety of required theory, methods, and application courses as well as graduate level electives. Students take a total of 13 full-credit courses in their first two years. Electives may be taken from other departments and universities, subject to approval.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is given at the end of the second year. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate a substantial knowledge of theory and methods involved in the study of organizational behavior and theory.
Dissertation
The culmination of the program is the dissertation: a substantial, significant, and original contribution to the body of knowledge in organizational studies that is prepared under the guidance of a dissertation committee of three faculty members.
Research and Teaching Assistantship Requirement
Doctoral students at the Carroll School are expected to serve as research assistants, teaching assistants, and/or instructors throughout their studies. Students work for a set number of hours per week, throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs. In exchange, the Carroll School provides financial support for doctoral students in the form of a stipend and tuition remission.
Sample Schedule
| 听YEAR 1: FALL |
| 听Organizational Behavior 听Writing and Theorizing in Management Research 听贰濒别肠迟颈惫别 听Research in the Community (1 credit) |
| 听YEAR 1: SPRING |
| 听Quantitative Research Methods 听Statistics I 听Flexible Core |
| 听YEAR 1: SUMMER |
| 听Independent Research (Summer Paper I) |
| 听YEAR 2: FALL |
| 听Organizational Theory 听Qualitative Research Methods 听Statistics II 听Flexible Core |
| 听YEAR 2: SPRING |
| 听Flexible Core 听贰濒别肠迟颈惫别 听Proseminar in Management Research |
| 听YEAR 2: SUMMER |
| 听Independent Research (Summer Paper II) |
| 听YEAR 3: FALL |
| 听Independent Research听 |
| 听YEAR 3: SPRING |
| 听Independent Research |
| 听YEAR 3: SUMMER |
| 听Dissertation Research |
| 听YEARS 4 & 5 |
| 听Dissertation Research |
Electives may be taken from other departments and universities, subject to approval.
Note: The following information reflects data for the entering classes of 2020鈥�2024. Updated September 10, 2024.
Class Size
| Year | Size |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| Overall Selectivity | 9.5% |
听
Academic & Professional Profile
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| 听Average GMAT (10th Edition) Score | 720 |
| 听GMAT (10th Edition) 80th Percentile Range | 712鈥�726 |
| 听Average GRE Score | 316 |
| 听GRE 80th Percentile Range | 305鈥�323 |
| 听Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.49 |
| 听Average Full-Time Work Experience | 5.8 years |
| 听Students Holding Master's Degree | 60% |
Demographics
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Age | 33 |
| Age Range | 29鈥�46 |
| Women | 70% |
| International Students | 30% |
Where do our graduates work?
Babson College
Boston University
EDHEC Business School (France)
Harvard University
IESE Business School (Spain)
Kookmin University (South Korea)
Loyola University New Orleans
New York University
Northeastern University
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Michigan
University of Western Ontario (Canada)
University of Virginia
Western Michigan University
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania听
Yonsei University (South Korea) 听
Ph.D. Admission FAQ
Are international students required to apply for a visa before they apply for admission to the Carroll School?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit visa-related materials at the time of application. However, once you confirm your enrollment, Boston College鈥檚 <a href="/content/bc-web/sites/global-engagement/sites/office-of-international-students-and-scholars.html" target="_blank">Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)</a> will work with you to ensure that your materials are prepared in a timely fashion to complete your visa application and I-20 appointment.</p>
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Are international students required to submit financial documents with their applications?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit financial documents during the initial application process. Financial documents are only required for enrolled students. You will need to submit your original financial documents when you apply for your I-20 form through 亚色影库's Office of International Students & Scholars.</p>
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Can I visit a Ph.D. class?
<p>Unfortunately, we do not offer Ph.D. class visits through the Graduate Admissions Office. If you would like to gain a better understanding of our Ph.D. programs and meet with current students or faculty members, please contact the Accounting, Finance, or Organization Studies Ph.D. director.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-visit-class
Do I need to have an interview to be admitted into the Ph.D. program?
<p>Interviews for the Ph.D. program are available by invitation of the Admissions Committee only.</p>
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How much funding will I receive from the Carroll School of Management to pursue my Ph.D. program?
<p>Effective for incoming students in Fall 2024, the financial support for doctoral students is $43,000 per year in addition to full tuition remission. A student in good standing may receive this support for a maximum of five years. In return for this support, students serve as research and/or teaching assistants throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs.</p>
<p>This support is based on the fact that students are expected to devote their full energies to the Ph.D. program during the entire calendar year, not just the academic year.</p>
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How selective is the Ph.D. in Accounting program?
<p>We aim to enroll two to four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Accounting program each year. Please review our <a href="/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-accounting.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective-accounting
How selective is the Ph.D. in Finance program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 150 applications to the Ph.D. in Finance program each year. Please review our <a href="/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-finance.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective
How selective is the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program each year. Please review our <a href="/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-organizational-studies.html#tab-class_profile" target="_blank">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective-org-studies
Application Link & Deadlines
Application Deadline:听The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 was on January 7, 2025 and we are no longer accepting applications. Questions? Email us at听bcmba@bc.edu.
Application Fee: All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 USD.
Interviews: If selected, applicants will be invited to interview in early spring.
Admission Decisions: Applications are generally reviewed after the final deadline has passed. There is no specific decision notification date for Ph.D. programs. Final decisions are typically available by mid-spring.
CV and Resume
Your current curriculum vitae should听include your education, research, and professional information.
We also require听a separate Employment History, using the form provided w