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Management Ph.D. (Ithaca)

Field of Study

Management [M.P.S. administered by the Johnson School]

Program Description

A Ph.D. in the SC Johnson College of Business is a research-focused degree in one of our main faculty areas of specialization:

  • Applied Economics and Policy
  • Accounting
  • Finance 
  • Management and Organizations
  • Marketing and Management Communication
  • Operations, Technology, and Information Management
  • Services Management 
  • Strategy and Business Economics*

These are disciplines that are key to any business and are taught at different course levels by expert faculty in each of our three schools.

The choice of which of our three school-oriented fields of study to apply to depends on your interests and long-term plans. A Ph.D. in the Dyson School’s Applied Economics and Management field has a strong economics focus in its coursework, a Ph.D. in the Nolan School’s Hotel Administration field applies core business disciplines to hospitality contexts, and a Ph.D. in the Johnson School’s Management field appeals to students pursuing traditional business topics. Students in all three fields regularly work with faculty from across the entire college. To learn more about the PhD programs in the SC Johnson College of Business and our targeted discipline areas and research faculty, please visit the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Website.

Additional description of each of the Management field’s concentrations is provided below:

Accounting deals with the theory and practice of developing financial data for two purposes: to enable management to control and plan the development of the enterprise and to enable others to appraise its condition.

Finance focuses on the financial structures and requirements of corporations of various types, the problems of maintaining sound financial condition, the organization and behavior of financial markets of different types, and the influence of public policies on those markets and on corporate finance. A knowledge of accounting is essential.

Marketing adapts analytical and behavioral theories commonly used in such disciplines as economics, operations research, psychology, and sociology. Topics addressed include models for new products, pricing theories, theories about advertising effects, advertising and promotion response models, market research techniques, and theories about marketing decisions.

Organizational behavior focuses on social and behavioral science approaches to the study of human activity in organizational settings. It examines how individuals and groups interact within organizations, how organizational structures influence behavior, and how leadership, motivation, communication, and culture impact overall organizational effectiveness.

Production and operations emphasize data-driven, behavioral, and mathematical methods of analysis to address high-impact managerial decision problems. 

* Strategy and business economics examines how firms create and sustain competitive advantage in dynamic markets. Drawing on principles from economics, sociology, and management, this area explores topics such as industry structure, firm behavior, innovation, market competition, and strategic decision-making. Interested applicants should apply to the Economics or Applied Economics and Management PhD program and indicate their interest in working with a Strategy and Business Economics faculty member from the SC Johnson College of Business.

Contact Information

Website: https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Programs/PhD-Program
Email: jcb-phd@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-5340

240 Sage Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY  14853

Concentrations by Subject

  • accounting (Ph.D. only)
  • entrepreneurship (Ph.D. only) (minor)
  • finance (Ph.D. only)
  • marketing (Ph.D. only)
  • organizational behavior (M&O) (Ph.D. only)
  • production and operations (OTIM) (Ph.D. only)

Tuition

Visit the Graduate School's Tuition Rates page.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadlines:

Dec 15 for application and supporting documents

Requirements Summary:

The most desirable preparation is strong undergraduate work in relevant fields such as economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research, psychology, sociology, or another physical or social science. Students may be admitted directly from a bachelor's degree program or after a distinguished record in an M.B.A. or other master's program. A knowledge of mathematics at least through calculus is essential. Applicants are required to submit GRE general test or GMAT scores.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be trained to be cutting-edge scholars in their respective fields:

  • Students will exhibit mastery of the methodological tools and techniques required for scholarly advancement in their respective fields.
  • Students will exhibit a mastery of extant literature in their field.
  • Students will exhibit the ability to critically evaluate the work of other scholars.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to propose and execute novel research.

Students will be trained to be effective communicators and teachers:

  • Students will exhibit the ability to prepare and deliver well-written materials on relevant technical topics.
  • Students will exhibit the ability to support faculty members in their teaching efforts.
  • Students will exhibit the ability to plan and deliver relevant course material.

Students will have an ethical perspective and a service orientation, and will live up to the highest professional standards in their future careers:

  • Students will know the professional code of conduct in their respective fields.
  • Students will exhibit the ability to identify issues likely to pose ethical challenges.