Ph.D. in Organization Studies
Ph.D. in Organization Studies
Designed to prepare students for academic careers, the Ph.D. Program in Organization Studies at Boston College is recognized worldwide for its rigorous curriculum and exceptional faculty who are leaders in their fields.
The program emphasizes a strong foundation in organizational theory, research methods, and statistics. Students begin the program with a set of complementary courses in micro- and macro-organizational theory, qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, and teaching skills. In the third year, students complete a major empirical research project and teach a course of their own.
Throughout the Ph.D. program, students pursue research on their own and in collaboration with faculty. All students are encouraged to deliver papers at national and international professional conferences, as well as to submit articles for publication in top-tier research journals. Our graduates emerge as creative, independent scholars who can craft and pursue their own research agendas.
Coursework
All students complete a variety of required theory, methods, and application courses as well as graduate level electives. Students take a total of 13 full-credit courses in their first two years. Electives may be taken from other departments and universities, subject to approval.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is given at the end of the second year. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate a substantial knowledge of theory and methods involved in the study of organizational behavior and theory.
Dissertation
The culmination of the program is the dissertation: a substantial, significant, and original contribution to the body of knowledge in organizational studies that is prepared under the guidance of a dissertation committee of three faculty members.
Research and Teaching Assistantship Requirement
Doctoral students at the Carroll School are expected to serve as research assistants, teaching assistants, and/or instructors throughout their studies. Students work for a set number of hours per week, throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs. In exchange, the Carroll School provides financial support for doctoral students in the form of a stipend and tuition remission.
Sample Schedule
| YEAR 1: FALL |
| Organizational Behavior Writing and Theorizing in Management Research Elective Research in the Community (1 credit) |
| YEAR 1: SPRING |
| Quantitative Research Methods Statistics I Flexible Core |
| YEAR 1: SUMMER |
| Independent Research (Summer Paper I) |
| YEAR 2: FALL |
| Organizational Theory Qualitative Research Methods Statistics II Flexible Core |
| YEAR 2: SPRING |
| Flexible Core Elective Proseminar in Management Research |
| YEAR 2: SUMMER |
| Independent Research (Summer Paper II) |
| YEAR 3: FALL |
| Independent Research |
| YEAR 3: SPRING |
| Independent Research |
| YEAR 3: SUMMER |
| Dissertation Research |
| YEARS 4 & 5 |
| Dissertation Research |
Electives may be taken from other departments and universities, subject to approval.
Note: The following information reflects data for the entering classes of 2020–2024. Updated September 10, 2024.
Class Size
| Year | Size |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| Overall Selectivity | 9.5% |
Academic & Professional Profile
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Average GMAT (10th Edition) Score | 720 |
| GMAT (10th Edition) 80th Percentile Range | 712–726 |
| Average GRE Score | 316 |
| GRE 80th Percentile Range | 305–323 |
| Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.49 |
| Average Full-Time Work Experience | 5.8 years |
| Students Holding Master's Degree | 60% |
Demographics
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Age | 33 |
| Age Range | 29–46 |
| Women | 70% |
| International Students | 30% |
Where do our graduates work?
Babson College
Boston University
EDHEC Business School (France)
Harvard University
IESE Business School (Spain)
Kookmin University (South Korea)
Loyola University New Orleans
New York University
Northeastern University
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Michigan
University of Western Ontario (Canada)
University of Virginia
Western Michigan University
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Yonsei University (South Korea)
Ph.D. Admission FAQ
Are international students required to apply for a visa before they apply for admission to the Carroll School?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit visa-related materials at the time of application. However, once you confirm your enrollment, Boston College’s <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/global-engagement/sites/office-of-international-students-and-scholars.html" target="_blank">Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)</a> will work with you to ensure that your materials are prepared in a timely fashion to complete your visa application and I-20 appointment.</p>
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Are international students required to submit financial documents with their applications?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit financial documents during the initial application process. Financial documents are only required for enrolled students. You will need to submit your original financial documents when you apply for your I-20 form through BC's Office of International Students & Scholars.</p>
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Can I visit a Ph.D. class?
<p>Unfortunately, we do not offer Ph.D. class visits through the Graduate Admissions Office. If you would like to gain a better understanding of our Ph.D. programs and meet with current students or faculty members, please contact the Accounting, Finance, or Organization Studies Ph.D. director.</p>
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Do I need to have an interview to be admitted into the Ph.D. program?
<p>Interviews for the Ph.D. program are available by invitation of the Admissions Committee only.</p>
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How much funding will I receive from the Carroll School of Management to pursue my Ph.D. program?
<p>Effective for incoming students in Fall 2024, the financial support for doctoral students is $43,000 per year in addition to full tuition remission. A student in good standing may receive this support for a maximum of five years. In return for this support, students serve as research and/or teaching assistants throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs.</p>
<p>This support is based on the fact that students are expected to devote their full energies to the Ph.D. program during the entire calendar year, not just the academic year.</p>
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How selective is the Ph.D. in Accounting program?
<p>We aim to enroll two to four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Accounting program each year. Please review our <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-accounting.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
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How selective is the Ph.D. in Finance program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 150 applications to the Ph.D. in Finance program each year. Please review our <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-finance.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
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How selective is the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program each year. Please review our <a href="/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-organizational-studies.html#tab-class_profile" target="_blank">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
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Application Link & Deadlines
Application Deadline: The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 was on January 7, 2025 and we are no longer accepting applications. Questions? Email us at bcmba@bc.edu.
Application Fee: All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 USD.
Interviews: If selected, applicants will be invited to interview in early spring.
Admission Decisions: Applications are generally reviewed after the final deadline has passed. There is no specific decision notification date for Ph.D. programs. Final decisions are typically available by mid-spring.
CV and Resume
Your current curriculum vitae should include your education, research, and professional information.
We also require a separate Employment History, using the form provided within the online application.
Recommendations
Recommendations from two individuals who can provide an objective appraisal of your capacity for intensive graduate study and potential for professional success.
Transcripts
All applicants must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You must submit transcripts from every institution where you were enrolled in a degree-granting program. At the time of application, only a self-reported transcript is required but if you are admitted, we will require an official transcript sent directly from your degree-granting institution. Transcripts should include:
Course names
All grades received (including transfer credits and study abroad programs)
Cumulative GPA
Degree conferral information
Graduates of non-U.S. institutions must possess a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. If admitted, international students are required to submit an official English translation of all academic credentials, along with a third-party degree verification from an agency such as SpanTran/TEC or World Education Services (WES).
GMAT or GRE Scores
Applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores from within the past five years. We accept both the GMAT Exam and GMAT Focus Edition. Our test codes are:
- GMAT school code: 44x-J5-96
- GRE school code: 3033
While Graduate Admissions does not have a preference between the GMAT or GRE, we encourage you to consult class profile data for average test scores in order to gauge where you stand.
English Proficiency
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are required to submit an English language proficiency exam score with your application. We accept TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.
Scores must be from within the past two years, and applicants must meet the following minimum scores:
TOEFL, iBT, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 100
IELTS: 7.5
PTE: 68
You are eligible to waive the language test requirement if you meet either of the following criteria:
You have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree (or higher) at an institution where the medium language of instruction is English. You must have completed your degree in its entirety at the English-medium institution. The medium language of instruction must be indicated on your transcript or verified in an official letter from the institution.
You have worked in a full-time, post-degree position for at least two years in the United States or a country where English is an official language. NOTE: Working for a company that conducts its business in English in a country where English is not an official language will not qualify you for a language test waiver.
If you are eligible to waive the language test requirement, you do not need to submit a waiver request beforehand and can simply move forward with your application.
Required & Optional Essays
Applicants must submit a required essay discussing their research interests and career objectives. You may also submit an optional essay that addresses aspects of your candidacy that have not already been covered in other parts of the application.
Questions
If you have any further questions, please email us at bcmba@bc.edu, or schedule a phone call or Zoom appointment with a member of the Graduate Admission team.