PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants to all fields must also satisfy the Rotman School's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Some depth in the cognate disciplines relevant to the field is required.

• These requirements may be satisfied prior to entry to the PhD program through an MBA degree program coupled with a relevant undergraduate degree, or through an undergraduate degree in business, management, or commerce coupled with a discipline-based master's degree.

• If the depth requirements are completed prior to entry to the PhD program, then the student is expected to complete the program in four years. If additional coursework is required, then the student may need an additional year to complete the program.

• Applicants should provide:

  • transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended

  • a letter of intent for applying to the PhD program

  • an updated curriculum vitae (CV)

  • two reference letters

  • a valid GMAT or GRE score (optional)

  • proof of English-language proficiency, if applicable.

Completion Requirements

• Students are expected to be qualified in the three basic disciplines essential to the study of management: economics, behavioural science, and quantitative analysis/statistics.

• Students in all fields normally complete coursework in one field and two areas of study during Years 1 and 2. In subsequent years of study, students concentrate on deepening knowledge through additional coursework and on generating unprecedented insights through research that culminates in a written doctoral thesis.

• Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) to satisfy requirements for one field and two areas of study.

  • A minimum of 2.0 FCEs comprise the field. These will normally be taken from 3000-level Management courses, but additional courses from other departments may be required.

  • 2.0 FCEs: courses in the two areas of study are usually taken in cognate departments. Each area of study comprises at least 1.0 FCE.

  • Upon completion of the courses, students are expected to pass comprehensive examinations in the field.

  • Successful completion of the required course RSM3080H Research Methods in Business.

• A thesis embodying the results of original investigation must be submitted and defended at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination in accordance with the regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

• During all years of study, students must maintain residency, whereby students are on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants to all fields must also satisfy the Rotman School's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Some depth in the cognate disciplines relevant to the field of study is required.

• These requirements may be satisfied prior to entry to the PhD program through an MBA degree program coupled with a relevant undergraduate degree, or through an undergraduate degree in business, management, or commerce coupled with a discipline-based master's degree.

• If the depth requirements are completed prior to entry to the PhD program, then the student is expected to complete the program in five years. If additional coursework is required, then the student may need an additional year to complete the program.

• In exceptional cases, and at the discretion of the Rotman School, admission to the program by direct entry may be approved for applicants with an appropriate bachelor’s degree with high standing (a least an A- average in courses relevant to the discipline) from a recognized university.

• Applicants should provide:

  • transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended

  • a letter of intent for applying to the PhD program

  • an updated curriculum vitae (CV)

  • two reference letters

  • a valid GMAT or GRE score (optional)

  • proof of English-language proficiency, if applicable.

Completion Requirements

• Students are expected to be qualified in the three basic disciplines essential to the study of management: economics, behavioural science, and quantitative analysis/statistics.

• Students in all fields normally complete coursework in one field and two areas of study during Years 1 and 2. In subsequent years of study, students concentrate on deepening knowledge through additional coursework and on generating unprecedented insights through research that culminates in a written doctoral thesis.

• Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 6.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) to satisfy requirements for one field and two areas of study. Direct-entry students must complete 2.0 of the 6.5 FCEs within Year 1.

  • A minimum of 2.0 FCEs in the field. These will normally be taken from 3000-level Management courses, but additional courses from other departments may be required.

  • 2.0 FCE: courses in the two areas of study are usually taken in cognate departments. Each area of study comprises at least 1.0 FCE.

  • An additional 2.0 FCEs in any field related to the student's program of study.

  • Upon completion of the courses, students are expected to pass comprehensive examinations in the field.

  • Successful completion of the required course RSM3080H Research Methods in Business.

• A thesis embodying the results of original investigation must be submitted and defended at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination in accordance with the regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

• During all years of study, students must maintain residency, whereby students are on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.