PhD Program Overview

Our PhD program is based on the premise that there are substantial benefits to a major/minor structure in developing analytic and research skills.

This structure will provide you with the conceptual and analytic tools from which you can generate leading-edge research. Individually tailored, our PhD program includes a series of challenging courses, research opportunities, and the preparation and defense of a thesis on an original topic.

In the PhD program, you select one major (comprising five courses and a comprehensive examination chosen from one of the areas in the PhD program: accounting, finance, management information systems, marketing, organizational behaviour, management science/operations research, and managerial economics), and one minor (comprising three courses from within or outside of Queen’s School of Business). In addition, students will take one breadth course either in organizational theory or managerial economics; one quantitative methods course; one research methods course; one additional quantitative/research methods course; and a non-credit teaching course.

This structure reflects the School’s philosophy that a major goal of the doctoral program is to produce the next generation of scholars and researchers. In a world that increasingly values knowledge, you will have the skills and expertise to make a significant contribution.

Timeline To Completion

Please see the Timeline in the Graduate Programs Brochure.

Program Summary

The PhD program begins each year in September and normally requires four years of full-time study.* In addition to regular course work, the first term is spent in a research workshop, where you will work closely with faculty to develop your research skills.

In the second year, you will complete your course requirements and take a comprehensive examination during the summer. In your third and fourth years, you will develop and defend a thesis proposal, and then complete and defend the dissertation.

Prior to the start of your studies, you will meet with the Associate Dean, Julian Barling and Associate Director, Annette Lilly to discuss your program.

* There is no provision for part-time study.