Location | Email Address | Program Website |
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W263, Seymour Schulich Building | phdadmissions@schulich.yorku.ca | schulich.yorku.ca/programs/phd/ |
The doctoral program in Administration at the Schulich School of Business, York University, offers outstanding students the opportunity to develop the theoretical and methodological skills that will enable them to conduct leading edge research in business. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in universities, government and industry, in Canada and in other countries.
The doctorate is an individualized program of study that is composed of the four tightly linked phases of study. Students first take a series of core courses and elective to acquire in-depth knowledge of the field in which they choose to major. These courses also help develop the skills and competencies necessary to conduct research. Second, candidates complete a comprehensive examination to test mastery of their major field. The third phase of the PhD program consists of the preparation of the formal research proposal, which must be defended. Then students go on to conduct the research that will be reported in their dissertation, the culmination of the PhD degree.
Admission Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy Program
General requirements
Graduates with a relevant masters degree from a recognized university may be admitted as candidates. While masters degrees in business administration or in a subfield thereof are considered relevant, so too are masters in fields such as economics, mathematics, sociology, psychology, depending upon the individual’s proposed major field of study. Exceptional graduates with a four-year honours undergraduate degree in business administration or a related field, from a recognized university, may be considered. These candidates may be required during the first academic session (12 months) to take courses to fill gaps in their knowledge of the business discipline corresponding to their major field of study.
All applicants to the PhD program must meet the general admission requirements of the Schulich School of Business, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the University Senate. These general requirements include a four-year honours undergraduate degree from a recognized University, or qualifications accepted as equivalent by the Senate Committee, and a basic understanding of calculus, linear algebra and analytic geometry at the university level. Applicants are also required to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
In addition, students who have not graduated from a university where the language of instruction is English are required to demonstrate competence in the English language. Usually such students take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Testing System.
Field-specific requirements
Degree Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy Program
General requirements
Candidates for the PhD degree must complete studies in one of the following major fields: accounting, organizational studies, finance, marketing, operations management and information systems, and strategic management. They must also complete a series of methodological courses relevant to that major field.
Candidates for the PhD degree must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
1. Courses
Students must successfully complete the following course requirements:
(a) A core of courses designed to support necessary methodology training.
(b) A minimum of four courses in the major field.
(c) A minimum of two electives in topics related to the major field, approved by the PhD program coordinator in the candidate’s major field of study.
These courses will normally be chosen from those offered at the 7000-level at the Schulich School of Business. With permission, some may be chosen from those offered at the graduate level by other graduate programs or at other academic institutions.
2. Comprehensive Examinations
Each student must pass a comprehensive examination before proceeding to formal work on her or his dissertation. Comprehensive examinations are designed to demonstrate competence and knowledge in the field. The examination is set and administered by the faculty within the student’s major field.
The Faculty regards the comprehensive examination as a pivotal point for deciding whether students should be allowed to proceed with their studies or be encouraged to withdraw from the program.
3. Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defence
Candidates must prepare a written proposal to conduct original dissertation research carried out under the supervision and a supervisory committee, and must defend this to the satisfaction of the thesis supervisor and members of the supervisory committee.
4. Dissertation and Oral Examination
Candidates must prepare a dissertation based on original research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee and submit the results in appropriate dissertation form. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination is held. It is expected that all or part of the dissertation will be published following professional or scientific review.
Program Entry
The PhD program can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is fall term.
Program Length
Normal degree completion time for full-time PhD students is 15 terms (5 years). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.