Admissions

All applicants are expected to be graduates of an accredited American college or university or a foreign institution determined to be equivalent, and to have achieved acceptable grade point averages in all prior undergraduate and graduate studies. Applicants must submit scores on either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

The following prerequisites should be met upon application, or shortly after entry, to the PhD Program:

• Mathematics and Statistics: Working knowledge of differential and integral calculus, matrix algebra, probability, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, experimental design, and regression.
• Economics: Intermediate level knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
• Business Administration: Introductory level knowledge of the following areas: accounting, finance, marketing, business policy, operations management, public policy toward business, and business law.

Students entering the program may have acquired the knowledge by formal course work, self-study, or work experience. Some students with otherwise strong credentials are admitted without meeting all of these prerequisites. Such students usually make up their deficiencies by taking more courses than students who meet the requirements upon entry. Applicants with a recently awarded MBA degree are normally considered to have met these entrance requirements.

There are 9 different areas of specialization in the Isenberg PhD program: Accounting, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organization Studies, Sport Management and Strategic Management. The programs in the areas of specialization are highly selective, and admit 2-3 students per year.

Students must demonstrate competence in:

• A foundation in research methodology (including statistics) and economics or behavioral sciences
• A major area of concentration within business administration, and an allied area of minor concentration
• Designing, executing, and completing a significant research project
• Teaching in their area of interest

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and meet with the director of the doctoral program, faculty members, and current PhD students in the candidate's major field of interest. The best time to schedule an interview is October through March.

Application Deadline: To receive priority consideration for admission the following September, applications must be completed and submitted online by December 15. Applications completed and submitted after the deadline may also receive consideration until admissions for an area of specialization is complete. Each area of specialization has a committee of faculty members that reviews the applicant's file and makes recommendations for admission to the director. Final recommendations are made by the director and forwarded to the UMass Graduate School.

Admission is for the fall semester only.  Students may take courses before entering the program, and transfer up to 6 hours of such course work as credit toward the degree.

All students in the Isenberg PhD Program receive an assistantship. As graduate employees of the University, doctoral students are represented by the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) and receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes a full tuition credit, a Graduate Service Fee waiver, 95% health insurance premium coverage (including family plans), and access to dental, vision, wellness, and childcare benefits.

Assistantships also include a competitive stipend and are guaranteed through the fifth year, provided students remain enrolled in the program, make satisfactory progress toward the degree, and perform their assistantship duties satisfactorily.

Students typically serve as research assistants during their first two years and transition to teaching responsibilities during their final three years. These roles are designed to develop both research and instructional skills in preparation for academic and professional careers.