We are a close-knit community of scholars

If you are intellectually curious, an effective communicator, and eager to devote the next four to five years to rigorous training in research methods relating to your area of study, this is an ideal place for you—and we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

We are looking for highly qualified students with clear career objectives to join our Doctoral Program. Our faculty selects students based on outstanding intellectual ability and a strong commitment to a career in research.

Admission to the Kelley School of Business Doctoral Program is very competitive. Applicants are ranked according to the strengths of their credentials, as well as the school's ability to match an applicant's research interests with an available faculty mentor. No single factor is predominant in determining a student's ranking among the applicant pool in a given year.

Related work experience is not required, and neither is a previous master’s degree. All applicants who have a bachelor’s or comparable academic degree from an accredited college or university will be considered for admission. The following criteria are evaluated as we strive to get a clear picture of each applicant’s strengths:

• Scores on nationally standardized examinations. Two widely used standardized examinations are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Because these test scores may vary from one group of applicants to another, a discriminating use of all relevant materials will be made in each applicant's case. In addition, the TOEFL is required of international applicants who are not native speakers of English.
• Strength of recommendation letters from persons competent to judge the applicant's probable success in graduate school. We require at a minimum of three recommendation letters for application each from people best qualified to judge an applicant's academic potential. These letters are usually from the applicant's former professors who can give an in-depth evaluation of the applicant’s potential with respect to academic work. Additional recommendations may come from employers or supervisors who are familiar with the applicant's work experience.
• Quality of previous undergraduate and graduate work. The minimum academic standard for full admission to the Graduate School is a B average or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in a program resulting in the award of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree and standing from a comparable foreign institution. Adequate performance in prerequisite courses is also required.
• Applicant's statement of his or her academic career objectives and their relation to the intended program of study. These statements help to identify students whose goals are consistent with the program's objectives as well as the expertise and general research interests of the Kelley School faculty.
• Availability of an advisor in the applicant's specific field, available space in the program, and competitive rating within the applicant pool for the given term of entry.