Foster Ph.D. Program Guide

Question

I am starting the Ph.D. guide series to get you everything about Ph.D. programs at one place. As a matter of accuracy and authenticity, I will use only the school’s official website for any kind of information. This thread will help members at GMAT Club in getting unified information, instead of juggling multiple websites online.

Table of Content

1. Introduction 
2. Areas of Specialization
3. Minor Areas of Specialization
4. General Examination and Admission to Candidacy
5. Program Highlights
6. Admissions Criteria
7. Application Deadlines
8. Selection information
9. Required Application Materials
10. Funding information
11. Application Fee Waivers
12. Teaching Effectiveness Program
13. Online Apply

Introduction

“Preparing Thought Leaders to Shape the Future” 
Join a dynamic, supportive community that prizes innovation and curiosity. As a Foster PhD student, you will partner with world-class faculty to push the boundaries of knowledge, make a lasting impact in your field, and shape the future of business research.

The doctoral program of study is full-time and year-round; it generally requires four to five years to complete. To be successful in the program, a high level of commitment is necessary. Students are therefore expected to reside in Seattle and be full-time participants in the program.

Program of Study

With guidance from faculty mentors, PhD students will create a personalized program of study that includes a major area of specialization and at least two minor areas of specialization. In addition to coursework, each department holds regular seminars where students and faculty review and critique current research in the field. Upon satisfactory completion of coursework and the major area written exam, students are conferred a Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA).

Areas of Specialization

There are  seven major areas of specialization:

Accounting  
  Finance  
  Information Systems  
  Management  
  Marketing  
  Operations Management  
  Technology Entrepreneurship.

Accounting 
Accounting is an interdisciplinary area, combining study of financial information with areas such as economics, finance, decision theory, and cognitive psychology.

The Ph.D. curriculum in accounting encompasses two major streams of research. The first stream examines the role of accounting information in contracting and capital markets. This first stream is economics-and-finance based and relies heavily on empirical research methods using archival data. The second stream is judgment and decision making in accounting (also known as behavioral decision theory research). This second stream is primarily psychology-based and relies heavily on controlled experiments with human subjects.

Finance  
Finance is the study of investment and financing decisions by firms, the portfolio decisions of individual investors, and the implications of those decisions for the pricing of capital assets. Finance includes the study of corporate financial decisions, corporate control, the role and management of financial institutions, new venture financing, mutual funds and other investment vehicles, market microstructure, asset pricing and portfolio choice, international finance, and the behavior of interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

The Finance department at the Foster School has a long and distinguished record of excellence. It is the birthplace of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), the Western Finance Association (WFA), and the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis (JFQA). The finance department is the longtime home of the JFQA, widely regarded as one of the four leading journals in Finance. The program faculty serve as editors and associate editors at all four of the top journals in finance – at the Journal of Finance, the Journal of Financial Economics, the Review of Financial Studies, and the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis – and at other leading finance journals.

Information Systems 
The Department of Information Systems & Operations Management (ISOM) supports two areas for doctoral study: Information Systems (IS) and Operations Management (OM). Both areas are designed for persons seeking academic and research careers.

The area of Information Systems deals with the management of development, use, and impact of information systems and technologies in organizations. It is an interdisciplinary area, combining the study of information technologies and systems with other areas such as economics, operations research, decision theory, and psychology. Information systems have impact on all aspects of a modern organization - from providing solution to current problems to new business models and opportunities. With the rapid growth and globalization of businesses, information systems have taken on a more important role.

Management 
The doctoral program in Management offers students an opportunity to pursue advanced study with a diverse group of world-renowned management faculty. Management is an interdisciplinary area, combining the study of organizations with areas such as sociology, economics, and psychology. The study of management involves examination of macro- and micro-level factors that affect organization effectiveness and efficiency.

The Ph.D. curriculum in management consists of two major tracks: 1) Strategic Management, and 2) Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management (OB/HRM). A minor is also available for PhD students working in other specialization areas.

Marketing 
The subject of marketing is concerned with the exchange process between individuals and organizations. The objective of the doctoral program is to gain an understanding of how this process develops and evolves. Also, research methods for improving the practice of marketing for the benefit of organizations and institutions, consumers, and society are investigated. Most doctoral students accept academic positions upon completion. In addition to recommended course work, students participate in research projects, either individually or jointly with faculty or fellow students, and write an original dissertation. Current faculty interests in marketing include theoretical and institutional aspects of

(1) product policies
(2) managing advertising and other forms of promotion
(3) establishing and managing distribution systems
(4) pricing decisions
(5) strategic planning
(6) competitive analysis
(7) consumer decision making
(8) marketing research and data analysis
(9) marketing organizations
(10) international marketing,
(11) social and political issues.

At the end of each academic year, the Marketing Department faculty will provide every doctoral student with a formal evaluation of his or her progress in the program. At the start of the second year, the evaluation will be done by faculty members who supervised the student’s first year paper. At the start of the third year, the evaluation will be by the student’s supervisory committee and will be based on coursework, 1st & 2nd year papers, and participation in departmental seminars and workshops.

Operations Management 
The Department of Information Systems & Operations Management (ISOM) supports two areas for doctoral study: Information Systems (IS) and Operations Management (OM). Both areas are designed for persons seeking academic and research careers.

The Operations Management area deals with the functional parts of an organization that produce goods and services. The curriculum in Operations Management focuses on the many changes that have occurred in recent years in the way that managers think, plan, and operate supply chains involving manufacturing and service activities. These changes have been driven by dramatic improvements in information technology, the growth and increasing accessibility of global markets, and the necessity to adapt to more sophisticated and quality conscious consumers.

Student Advising 
The Department’s Doctoral Review Committee will guide new students until they establish a supervisory committee. Students are required to establish a supervisory committee by the end of their first year. The supervisory committee assists the student in choosing appropriate courses, approves course of studies, and monitors the student’s progress.

Technology Entrepreneurship 
The establishment of Technology Entrepreneurship (TE) addresses the critical areas of research and education in technology development, commercialization and licensing, and the new-venture creation process. The program brings together faculty involved in entrepreneurship teaching and research to guide students in this program. Through a combination of teaching methods, and curricular structure this program hopes to produce the next generation of entrepreneurship faculty focused on high technology ventures.

Additional considerations:

Applicants choose one major area of specialization when applying. Once admitted, students may transfer areas if faculty in the new area accept the transfer.  
  Students interested in international business typically major in one of the areas listed above, minor in international business, and write an internationally oriented dissertation.  
  Technology Entrepreneurship is a new major area of specialization that builds on UW’s strengths in business and technology. It is open to students in the business school as well as students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the School of Medicine.   
 
  Minor Areas of Specialization  
 
  Research Methods 
All doctoral students are required to complete a minor in research methods. The coursework is tailored to each student’s needs and interests and generally includes instruction in probability, statistics, econometrics, and experimental design or other research method. Courses are offered in various departments across UW.
 
 Self-selected Minors 
In addition to the research methods minor area of specialization, each student will select one or more minor area related to that student’s particular business discipline. Subject areas include computer science, economics, law, mathematics, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Required courses are taken through other departments at UW. Students are required to maintain a 3.2 GPA in these courses.
 
 Research Paper 
Each student is expected to complete a research project at the end of their first or second year (or both), depending the department. A faculty advisor supervises each project, which is generally presented in a departmental workshop.
 
  General Examination and Admission to Candidacy   
 
Students are admitted to candidacy upon completion of the general examination. The supervisory committee administers this oral test after all area requirements are completed. In some cases, the general examination is a defense of the student’s dissertation proposal. 
 
Admission to candidacy is a formal University process signifying that a student has completed certain degree requirements and that the faculty expects that the student will successfully complete the degree program. The student is designated as a Candidate (PhC) for the doctoral degree and awarded the Candidate’s certificate.
 
  Dissertation  
After earning candidacy, students must successfully complete a dissertation that demonstrates their ability to identify a significant research question or problem and apply appropriate research techniques to examine the research question. The dissertation must be an original and independent piece of work. Dissertations are supervised by a reading committee consisting of at least three faculty members. After the dissertation has been written to the satisfaction of the reading committee, the student defends his or her dissertation in an oral final examination.
 
 Other Requirements 
A doctoral student must spend at least two years of in-residence study beyond the baccalaureate degree, at least one of which must be in full-time continuous residence at the University of Washington. It is known that the probability of successful completion of the program diminishes substantially unless the student is committed to full-time, in-resident work until all requirements are fulfilled. 
 
Prospective students should plan on full-time studies, including summer quarter, from the time of enrollment until the completion of their dissertation. Outside employment is grounds for being dismissed from the program unless the student is in good standing and a formal request for outside employment is approved by the student’s doctoral committee Chair and the Director of the Doctoral Program.
 
  Program Highlights   
 
Foster is a top research institution with an outstanding faculty of impactful and supportive thought leaders. As a PhD student, the program will provide you with a unique and invaluable experience that includes:

A full-tuition waiver, competitive salary, and excellent health benefits  
  Research and travel funding support  
  Seven major areas of specialization  
  A rigorous and personalized course plan  
  A world-class campus in a world-class city  
  Excellent career opportunities with a 100% placement rate   
 
  Research and Publications  
According to the current Financial Times research index, Foster’s faculty ranks #10 in the world (averaged over the past five years) for its combined publication rate in the top 50 scholarly journals representing every business discipline. Of the 83 faculty members at Foster, 37 (45%) are involved in the review process at a leading academic journal, providing strong evidence of research impact.
 
   Admissions Criteria   
 
Each year, from an application pool of  approximately 500 , the Michael G. Foster School of Business PhD Program admits a class of  approximately 15  highly qualified PhD students. In selecting applicants, the program gave primary consideration to academic potential and aspiration. Each applicant is evaluated in terms of the following:

Academic accomplishments to date  
  Institutions attended and graduate and undergraduate grades and courses taken  
  Scholarships, awards, and honors earned  
  Graduate Management Admission test (GMAT) scores, or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores  
  TOEFL iBT and/or IELTS scores (if applicable)  
  Academic and other references  
  Relevant nonacademic experience  
   Statement of Purpose:  academic objectives and past or future experiences/contributions to the Foster School’s mission and purpose.   
 
Admission decisions are also influenced by the availability of faculty, the number of students already in the program, and the availability of financial support in each major area of specialization.
 
  Application Deadlines   
 
Students are admitted Autumn Quarter only. Applications for admission must be received by the department specific deadline listed below. Due to possible administrative or mail delays, The school suggests that applicants submit all materials well ahead of the deadlines to ensure full consideration. 
      Program   
 
    Deadlines

-Accounting
-Finance
-Information Systems
-Management (Organizational Behavior)
-Management (Strategic Management)
-Management (Technology Entrepreneurship)
-Marketing
-Operations Management  
   December 15

Selection information   
 
Applications are sorted and distributed to the relevant departments immediately after application deadlines. Each department has a committee that reviews all the applicants to their discipline, identifies the top candidates, and provides that information to the PhD Program office. The program extends offers based on the faculty-generated lists and the number of openings available to each department. All offers are out by  April 15 th . 
 
Please keep in mind the following: 
 A highly qualified incoming student will typically have

a very high GMAT/GRE score (e.g., 90th percentile)  
  a very high GPA (e.g., 3.9) often in both undergraduate and graduate level  
  work at highly regarded institutions  
  they will have some, if not extensive, experience with research.   
 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the past research and current interests of department faculty in their desired area of specialization. Regarding research, faculty can be contacted directly. For department-specific questions about the program, contact the area coordinators using information available under the Areas of Specialization tab.
 
  Required Application Materials

Transcripts  
  Letters of Recommendation  
  Curriculum Vitae  
  Statement of Purpose  
  GMAT or GRE scores  
  TOEFL or IELTS scores   
 
 Transcripts 
Uploading unofficial transcripts via the online application system is a requirement to complete the Foster Ph.D. application. You should not have official transcripts mailed to the University of Washington unless the school directly requests them.
 
 Letters of Recommendation 
Three letters of recommendation are required. The program does not accept additional letters. Letters of recommendation are submitted via the online application system. In the online application, you will submit the names and email addresses of three recommenders. The system will send them an email that provides instructions on how to submit the recommendation letter on your behalf.
 
The admissions committees prefer recommendations from academics familiar with your scholastic and research capabilities; those from faculty members with whom you have worked in a research capacity are particularly valued.
 
 Curriculum Vitae 
Submit a copy of your CV. Be sure it includes relevant experience not addressed elsewhere in your application materials.
 
 Statement of Purpose 
This can also be referred to as statement of academic objectives. Please state as clearly as possible your objective in pursuing a PhD program and your areas of interest for teaching and research.
 
As an optional part of this statement, please comment on how your past experiences and/or future contributions will advance the Foster School’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
 
  GMAT or GRE scores  
Applicants are required to submit either the GRE or the GMAT regardless of previous experience and/or advanced degrees. The GRE At Home and the GMAT Online exam will be accepted. Copies of the score reports should be uploaded into the application. Test scores on either the GRE or GMAT are accepted only if taken within the last five (5) years. Unofficial test score reports may be used during the application review process; however, official test scores are required if admission is recommended.
 
Scores are considered  “official”  when sent directly to the University of Washington from the testing agencies: ETS for the GRE score and GMAC for the GMAT score. If submitting GMAT, then request that GMAC send your official scores to the University of Washington, school  code 459-75-53.  If submitting GRE, then request that ETS send your official scores to the University of Washington, school code  4854 . Allow three to four weeks for our office to receive your scores.
 
  TOEFL or IELTS scores  
Applicants to the Michael G. Foster School of Business, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following ways to be eligible for funding:
  
  1. Education in English-Speaking Country:  
 Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom, where English is the medium of instruction. The student must have been in residence on campus while enrolled at the degree-granting school. (  Note  : A master’s degree does not satisfy this requirement).

2. US-Based Doctoral or Juris Doctor Degree:  
 Hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Juris Doctor (JD) from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States where English is the medium of instruction.

3. Official English Language Test Score:

The following scores are the minimums required for admission to the Foster School of Business PhD Program:
 
  TOEFL iBT:  Total score of 92, with a minimum of  23  in the speaking section
 TOEFL myBest:  Total score of 92, with a minimum of  23  in the speaking section
 IELTS:  Total score of 7.0, with a minimum of  6.0  in the speaking section
 
 If admitted with the speaking score minimums mentioned above, students must satisfy UW policy 5.2 within their first quarter of enrollment to remain eligible for funding. The target language scores to satisfy UW policy 5.2 are as follows:

TOEFL iBT: Total score of 92, with a minimum of  26  in the speaking section  
  TOEFL myBest: Total score of 92, with a minimum of  26  in the speaking section  
  IELTS: Total score of 7.0, with a minimum of  7.0  in the speaking section   
 
  Funding information  
The school’s goal is to provide financial support for at least four years for all doctoral students who make satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree and maintain a high standard of performance in their assignments. Financial aid in the form of tuition waivers, teaching and research assistantships, fellowships and scholarships is available in the Ph.D. Program. The objectives of financial support packages are to help fund the student’s educational program and to provide the student with supervised professional experience in both teaching and research. The financial packages for more senior students are designed to allow them to focus on their own individual work (i.e., the dissertation). At this stage, many students also successfully compete for national fellowships and research grants.
 
 Financial Aid Form 
Since the requirements for several of the school’s fellowships and scholarships list financial need as one of the criteria for selection, applicants who are admitted to the program will be strongly encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). University policy requires that this application be filled before a student can be considered for any fellowship or scholarship that specifies financial need as one of the criteria. Applications can be filled out and submitted at the FAFSA website. Note that applicants with substantial income in the year before entering a doctoral program may still qualify for financial need based on projected income for the first year in the program.
 
 Application Fee  
The  nonrefundable application fee is $90.00 (USD) or $75.00 for Graduate Non-Matriculated applications.  This subject to change without notice. The fee can be paid only online, using a MasterCard or Visa credit/debit card.
Note: each submitted application requires a separate fee.
 
  Application Fee Waivers   
 
Select applicants who can demonstrate need or are enrolled in specific programs may request an application fee waiver.
 
The Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee waivers to qualified applicants. Review the options below to determine whether you are eligible. Each waiver type has specific criteria and may require documentation. After submitting your application, do not pay the application fee if you have requested an application fee waiver. 
 
 Deadline 
Application fee waiver requests must be made at least seven  (7) days before  your program’s application deadline to allow time for review. Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) staff process requests in the order received. 
 
Application submission steps vary by waiver type.  See the Financial Need, McNair Scholar, and PPIA Fellow, and Stacked Graduate Degree sections below for details and exceptions.  Failure to follow instructions outlined in the “How to request” section may delay processing. qualifications
 
 Who is eligible? 
Application fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants who demonstrate financial need or hardship. Eligibility is determined using the Washington College Grant Program, specifically using the 100% Median Family Income (MFI) threshold.

Reported income should reflect the most recent tax year  
  Washington state residency is not required   
  Supporting documentation is not required at the time of application, but may be requested if your application is selected for audit   
 
Applicants who expect to hold or currently hold F-1 or J-1 visa status are not eligible for this fee waiver due to federal eligibility requirements.
 
 How to request

Complete all required sections of the application.  
  Click on the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the “Review” page.  
  You will be directed to your Applicant Status Portal. Click on the link labeled “Request an Application Fee Waiver”.  
  Complete the fee waiver eligibility questionnaire.  
  Select ‘Financial’ as your Application Fee Waiver type.  
  Indicate your annual income and family size.   
 
 IMPORTANT:  Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) cannot waive or refund the application fee once it has been paid.
 
 MCNAIR AND PPIA Fellows 
Currently, two graduate preparation programs qualify for an application fee waiver.

McNair Scholars  
  Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA)   
 
 Questions? 
Contact the Graduate School at  uwgrad@uw.edu  or 206.685.2630. The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities.
 
To request disability accommodation in the admission and application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 (Voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (FAX), or  dso@u.washington.edu .
 
  Teaching Effectiveness Program  
 
 Each year the academic market places increasing weight on teaching skills. Many business schools, in fact, now require teaching presentations of all prospective faculty. The University of Washington offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive training programs for future business educators.
 
All first-year students are required to participate in the Foster School’s Teaching Effectiveness Training Program. The program begins with intensive training during the Autumn Quarter with the Teaching Effectiveness Seminar. Sessions address crucial issues in teaching and course development in preparation for the student’s teaching assignment Winter Quarter. 
 
  Apply Link  
 
 Click here  to apply for Foster Ph.D. Program online.
 
 Good Luck!

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Program	Deadlines
-Accounting -Finance -Information Systems -Management (Organizational Behavior) -Management (Strategic Management) -Management (Technology Entrepreneurship) -Marketing -Operations Management	December 15