Organizational Behavior

Doctor of Philosophy

About the Program

The PhD in Organizational Behavior at Weatherhead School of Management was one of the first of its kind—and that innovative spirit runs throughout our program today. Here, you’ll take interdisciplinary courses on topics ranging from psychology to management science to the organizational dimensions of global sustainability and change. And while you pursue your studies, your tuition will be waived through a teaching or research assistantship, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in your future profession without worrying about student loans. Your rigorous (and fulfilling) research regimen, statistical skills, and desire to effect change will prepare you for positions at leading universities, top research institutions, executive coaching firms, instructional development companies and more.

What to Expect

Your coursework will be split into dynamic, five-week modules on organizational behavior and related concepts plus departmental research specialties. This foundation sets you up for your own research pursuits, starting off with an integrative scholarship paper you’ll submit for a conference presentation or send to a journal for consideration. Then you’ll conduct a pilot study in your second year, giving an in-depth analysis of your chosen topic, which ideally leads into your dissertation—your main focus while you’re here. During your dissertation research, you also might choose to do extra independent projects to delve further into your chosen specialty. Former projects have combined organizational behavior with social work, political science, anthropology and even medical disciplines.

If you want to expand your studies a bit, you can earn the Appreciative Inquiry Certificate and the Hay Group’s Emotional and Social Competence Inventory Certification for added professional development and emotional intelligence training.

That's the spirit here in our department: We're always knocking at the door of the next stages of human possibility, knocking at the door of the unknown.

David Cooperrider, Faculty Director, Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit

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Beyond the Classroom

Present your findings near and far—at the ORBH Research Seminar, Research ShowCASE, Organizational Behavior Teaching Conference and other conferences. Faculty will be there to mentor you, guiding you through the submission and presentation processes. You can add to this coaching relationship through the , which exists to help and inspire others by conducting and sharing coaching research. This is an opportunity for you to network with organizational powerhouses and, most importantly, grow as a leader.

You’ll then grow as a changemaker at the . Here, you’ll work on research and projects that have far-reaching impact on the improvement of the business community, participating in experiential learning in addition to understanding theoretical approaches.

By the Numbers

100%

tuition coverage, including a monthly stipend

#51

university in the country, U.S. News & World Report

#25

research university in the U.S., The Center for Measuring University Performance

#47

most innovative universities, Reuters

40+

publications from the Coaching Research Laboratory in the last 10 years

Meet Our Faculty

Admission Requirements

Our program thrives when we have students with diverse perspectives and a range of educational, professional and life experiences. We look forward to learning more about you!

The application process requires:

, including statement of objectives/research interests and a writing sample such as a class report or proposal (approximately 5–10 pages long)
$50 application fee
Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from an accredited institution (either already complete, or will be complete before you enroll)
Unofficial transcripts
Current resume/CV
Test scores for GMAT or GRE
Three letters of recommendation
International applicants: Results of TOEFL, IELTS or PTE