Marketing Concentration
Overview
The purpose of the Ph.D. Program in Management Science with a marketing major is to train researchers capable of dealing with the most advanced issues, both theoretical and applied, in the field of marketing. Universities, as well as major companies with marketing orientation, aggressively recruit Ph.D.'s with strong theoretical and research training in marketing. Graduates receive rigorous training in disciplinary areas and research methodology. They are taught the various research streams in marketing and trained to develop a research specialization and have a clear perspective on management issues.
Admission
Students who apply to the program should have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited university; students with advanced degrees are especially encouraged to apply. Admission is based on grades, graduate examination test scores, letters of reference (at least three with two from academic references), business and professional experience and a written statement of objectives. Since the School of Management starts making first-round admission decisions on February 1, it is best to complete the entire application process no later than January 31. While applications will be accepted after that date, applying after January 31 may significantly lower your chance of acceptance. Applications for admission can be made using the ApplyTexas website.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least 90 semester hours of approved graduate work before a degree may be conferred. Credit may be granted for graduate courses taken elsewhere.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites include: calculus, matrix algebra, computer programming and statistics. Deficiencies may be remedied by taking appropriate courses.
Master's-Level Courses
Students entering the program without an MBA or equivalent must complete a minimum of twelve hours of courses in areas typically required of MBA students. In certain instances, a higher-level course may be substituted for an MBA-level course.
Research Methods Core
Marketing students must take the following set of core courses (which includes the basic seven core courses):
- OPRE 7310 Probability and Stochastic Processes or STAT 5351 Probability and Statistics
- MECO 6345 Advanced Managerial Economics
- MECO 6315 Approaches to Statistical Inference
- MAS 6V00 Data Analysis and Software
- MECO 6320 Introduction to Econometrics
- OPRE 7320 Optimal Control Theory and Applications
- MAS 8V00 Teaching Practicum, basic research method core
- OPRE 6311 Game Theory
- MECO 7320 Advanced Econometrics
In certain cases an equivalent course may be substituted for one or more of the above courses.
Doctoral Seminars
Students are required to take at least four doctoral-level seminars in marketing.
Other Courses
Students will be asked to take other advanced graduate level courses in statistics, economics and operations research as appropriate to their program. They may also be asked to undertake independent study on one or more appropriate topics. Finally they are required to take a course in written and oral communication provided by the school during their second summer.
Qualifying Examinations
There are two qualifying exams in marketing. The first exam is given after the first year of coursework, typically in June. It is meant to assess the student's degree of mastery of the research methods covered in the first year of course work, both in core courses and in marketing courses. Exact material to be covered will depend on courses taken by the student, and will be communicated approximately one month prior to the exam. This exam is intended to provide an early read on the student's ability to perform adequately in the remainder of the program. The exam is a four hour closed-book exam, which consists of several essay and problem questions.
The second qualifying exam in marketing is ordinarily taken after the second year of coursework, and is typically administered in June. The purpose of the exam is to assess a doctoral student's understanding of the marketing area, especially material covered in marketing doctoral seminars taken over the first two years. Overall the exam is meant to assess a student's potential to conduct original research in marketing. The exam is a closed-book given in two 4 hour blocks, and consists of several essay and problem questions.
Papers
Students are required to write original research papers in both their first and second summers. The second year paper is presented in a seminar attended by faculty and other students, and must be judged to be passing by the faculty before the student can advance to candidacy.
Dissertation
Once the student has passed qualifying exam and paper requirements, work on the dissertation can commence. The dissertation is written under the direction of the dissertation committee. Twelve to 24 semester hours may be granted for the dissertation toward the minimum 90-hour requirement for the degree. At a time mutually agreeable to the candidate and the dissertation committee, the candidate must orally defend the dissertation to the committee.
