Learn more about pursuing a PhD at Kelley.
Find answers to questions by reviewing our list of Frequently Asked Questions from students interested in applying to PhD programs.
Find answers to questions by reviewing our list of Frequently Asked Questions from students interested in applying to PhD programs.
The doctorate in business opens the opportunity to teach in the United States and foreign schools of business. A business school professor has a busy but remarkably rewarding professional life. He or she has the opportunity to help young people make their mark in the business world while at the same time engaging in academic research.
PhD students entering the Kelley School of Business Doctoral Program come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, with the most important distinguishing feature being an eagerness to discover new things and an aptitude for research methods in business. While the program is small relative to the size of the Kelley School as a whole, the PhD students do form a united, self-helping group. Close proximity to faculty mentors, advisors, and other PhD students creates an environment that is conducive to high levels of quality research.
It is expected that students who enter the Kelley School of Business Doctoral Program will assume a faculty position at an academic/research institution upon completing the program.
The number of completed applications is generally between 200 and 300, and we tend to admit approximately 12 students per year. The number of students admitted to each specific area of specialization varies from year to year depending on funding, faculty-student ratio, and quality of applicant pool.
The deadline for domestic students is December 15. The deadline for international students, regardless of visa type, is also December 15.
The admissions committee meets throughout the months of January, February and March to identify their choices for admission. The departmental programs begin making decisions starting at the end of February and continue doing so until spaces are filled.
No.
No. We only admit to the Doctoral Program in the fall semester each year.
No. By accepting admission as full-time students, applicants commit themselves not to take or continue paid employment, even self-employment, outside the university. Our faculty have the highest standards of performance at the doctoral level, and in order to meet those standards, students must study and engage in research full-time.
Currently, we are not offering courses for a DBA degree.
Each year we admit 10 to 14 new students. As of Fall 2020, we expect to have approximately 60 doctoral students in their first four years of the program.
No. The Kelley School of Business Doctoral Program is strictly a full-time program. There are no PhD level courses offered through distance learning at this time.
No. Each student in the program requires a large investment of faculty time, and we have no shortage of highly qualified applicants. So we do not admit marginal applicants on a trial basis.
The application fee is $70.
No, application fees are nonrefundable.
Application fees will only be waived for the following reasons. An attachment is normally required to show your eligibility in these programs:
If you do not have documentation or proof of this eligibility then you must pay an application fee.
If you applied last year and you are re-applying this year, you can have your application fee waived when modifying your previously submitted and paid application. Refer to tab four of the application instructions.
Unless you qualify for one of these fee waivers, your application will not be processed without application payment.
Yes, you may be contacted via email and reminded to submit missing materials.
You can either scan all of your transcript documentation together into one PDF document and upload the file on the fifth tab of the application under “Additional Upload,” or you can scan your transcripts separately and email them to KSBDOC@indiana.edu.
Our program is completed in four to five years—two years of coursework, followed by two to three years writing a dissertation.
Not necessarily. A master's degree is not a required first step in pursuit of a PhD degree—the PhD is not master's work at a higher level. Master's and PhD course requirements are quite distinct.
No, but because admission is so competitive, many of our students do come to the program with a master's degree. However, each year we admit a few students with no previous graduate study.
No. We welcome applicants who have previously earned an MBA, but does not necessarily make an applicant more competitive. A master’s degree in other programs (e.g. mathematical sciences, engineering, and sociology) is also strongly welcomed.
Because academic ability and skill is so important in the program, at least one or two letters should be from people familiar with your academic or research work.
No, either test is acceptable.
Yes. We require GMAT or GRE scores no more than 5 years old before admitting any applicant. We sometimes accept students with low GMAT scores because of the strength of their grades or their letters of recommendation, but we need to know how applicants compare on recent GMAT or GRE scores. Please do not contact the program office asking for a waiver of this requirement.
No general answer can be given to this question. Admission is competitive. We weigh all aspects of each applicant's record, and the applicant who is admitted may not be the one with the highest GMAT score.
An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is required for non-native speakers of English. Please note that participating in correspondence or online courses does not satisfy this requirement.
The final decision on admission is made after consultation with the faculty for the program of study.
Yes, permission of the instructor and the Program Chair is required and is normally given if the instructor feels that the presence of the potential student will strengthen the class for the other students.
Maturity, wherever gained, is a valuable asset in any doctoral program, and business experience may guide students in the selection of research topics. However, it is important to note that business experience cannot substitute for skills needed in academic research.
No. You only need to complete the steps in the office of international services email notification if you are OFFERED and ACCEPT admission to the Kelley School of Business PhD Program.