Terry (Georgia) Ph.D. Program Guide

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In continuation to our Project of Ph.D. Program Guides, we get you everything about Ph.D. programs at one place. As a matter of accuracy and authenticity, we will use only the school’s official website for any kind of information. This thread will help GMAT Club members in getting unified information, instead of juggling multiple websites online.

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Research Concentrations
3. PhD in Economics
4. Admissions Requirements
5. Expectations Of Students
6. Financial Assistance
7. Professional and Community Engagement
8. Office of Professional and Community Engagement Offerings
9. Terry Ph.D. Program Contact
10. Ph.D. Program FAQs

Introduction

In research, the program’s goal is to promote a culture of excellence and impact in scholarship as national and international thought leaders. Terry looks to generate creative insights into the nature of business and to develop innovative solutions for spurring economic growth and increasing firms’ efficiency and profitability. The Terry’s research program is committed to provide competitive research funding for highly productive research faculty, grow an external grants research culture, enhance the exposure of Terry research across academic and business communities, and foster PhD placements at major public and private research institutions.

PhD programs at the Terry College of Business provide students with a rigorous education in research and with the skills necessary to become successful instructors. Most of the Ph.D. graduates aim for tenure-track faculty positions at research-oriented universities, with some also pursuing research-oriented jobs in private industry, consulting, and government.

Research Concentrations

The Terry College of Business offers  eight different areas of study  in its PhD programs, covering virtually every aspect of business research and education.

Accounting 
 Economics 
 Finance 
 Management 
 Management Information Systems 
 Marketing 
 Real Estate 
 Risk Management and Insurance

Each of these areas of study features an in-person, full-time curriculum.  Seven of these eight  areas of study are encompassed by the PhD in Business Administration: Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance. The  eighth program of study ,  Economics,  is also housed in Terry. The Terry College of Business is the only unit on campus to award the PhD degree in Economics.

PhD in Accounting 
If you’re considering a PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting, you will appreciate these core elements that helped Terry PhD program to be ranked No. 11 in the world in terms of the research productivity of its graduates over the  last six years.

Research-active faculty 
This program includes a large set of active researchers, from energetic junior scholars to accomplished senior professors. The research productivity of the Accounting faculty over the last six years  ranks No. 11 in the world . This ranking is the result of the faculty publishing in leading journals such as  Accounting, Organizations and Society ,  The Accounting Review ,  Contemporary Accounting Research , the  Journal of Accounting and Economics , the  Journal of Accounting Research  and the  Review of Accounting Studies .

Diverse and invigorating mix of talent 
Accounting students come from a variety of backgrounds and are highly motivated. Recently, the doctoral candidates have received both the Deloitte Foundation Fellowship and the American Accounting Association/Grant Thornton Doctoral Dissertation Award for Innovation in Accounting Education.

Collaborative and supportive atmosphere 
Students collaborate with faculty members on all phases of the research process—from idea generation and study design to data analysis and writing—while seasoned students offer guidance and mutual support.

Preferred deadline:  December 15 
 Applications after December 15 will also be considered until spots are filled.

Accounting program highlights

-Total Faculty Research Productivity, last twelve years:  10 
BYU Accounting Research Rankings, 2022

-Financial Archival Research Productivity, last twelve years:  7th 
BYU Accounting Research Rankings, 2022

-PhD Graduate Research Productivity, last six years:  14th 
BYU Accounting Research Rankings, 2022

-Placement of PhD Students, last six years:  100%

PhD in Economics

The PhD program in Economics provides in-depth, rigorous training in the theory and application of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Entering students aim for research and teaching careers in academia or research-oriented positions in government, consulting, or private industry. Faculty members work closely with PhD students, generating a collaborative, stimulating intellectual environment.

Preferred Deadline: January 15

Students complete basic coursework during the first two years. In the first year, students take core courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics. The second year is devoted to field courses, and students begin to develop their own research ideas through this coursework. Students’ independent research begins by the summer after the second year when they work on their  “second-year ” paper, which is typically the first step in building a dissertation. After the second year, students have the opportunity to teach their own class, building additional core knowledge and developing important teaching and pedagogical skills.

After the first year, students participate in the departmental and student seminar series. Many students also choose to participate in brown bag workshops and reading groups. There is ample opportunity to present on-going research both to obtain critical feedback and develop important presentation skills. Students are expected to be proactive and take advantage of these opportunities. Students are required to complete two fields of specialization. The department offers fields in advanced macroeconomics, health economics, industrial organization, and labor economics.

Economics Ph.D. Program Structure 
To earn a PhD a student must:

Complete a minimum of 54 semester hours of coursework, including required courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, econometrics, and research skills. 
 Pass two out of three written comprehensive (core) exams in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics in their first summer (at the end of their first year). 
 Complete two fields of specialization. 
 Complete a second-year paper assignment. 
 Form an advisory committee and complete an Advisory Committee Form, which is typically done by the fall of the third year and must be done before the oral examination. 
 Complete a Final Program of Study Form, which is typically done by the fall of the third year and must be done before the oral examination. 
 Pass the oral examination by the end of the third year. Once a student passes the oral examination and completes the Admission to Candidacy Form, they will be formally admitted into candidacy. 
 Regularly present their research in the graduate student workshop. 
 Write and defend an acceptable dissertation.

Admissions and Financial Aid 
Individuals holding a four-year baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. Applicants are required to have college credit in differential calculus. Because of the necessary rigor of the curriculum, The program also very strongly recommends taking courses in integral and multivariable calculus and linear algebra prior to applying.

The General Test of the GRE is required for admission into the program. The GMAT will not be accepted as a substitute for the GRE. Applicants who have received degrees from non-U.S. accredited institutions in countries where English is not the primary/official language are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score along with their application. Applicants who have received degrees from accredited institutions in the U.S. or from institutions in countries where English is the primary language (e.g., the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand) usually are not required to submit the TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. If such an applicant received the degree more than two years prior to application to the Graduate School and has been residing/working in a country where the primary language is not English, he or she must submit current scores. Students who are currently enrolled and have been enrolled at least one year at a regionally accredited U.S. institution, may have the English language proficiency requirement waived, if their work shows a strong quality of performance (e.g., cumulative GPA of at least 3.0).

All applicants to the PhD program are automatically considered for financial assistance. The Terry College of Business offers a variety of teaching and research assistantships, scholarships and fellowships. Qualified incoming graduate students are typically offered 9-month (academic-year) teaching or research assistantships from the college, as recommended by the department. The department provides these assistantships to continuing PhD students for five years of study. All assistantships carry a tuition waiver and a stipend.

Application Process 
To ensure that your application receives full consideration for funding, apply no later than  January 15.  Please note that the application must be complete, with all components of the application received by the Graduate School by the deadline. Department and Terry College financial-aid decisions are typically made in late February or early March. The UGA Graduate School only accepts electronic letters of recommendation, which can be submitted through its homepage.

PhD students are admitted for the fall semester only; there are no spring or summer admissions. In addition, the department does not transfer degree credit from other graduate programs. Students already holding a Master’s degree from another program are usually asked to take all core and field courses in residence at Terry. Under certain circumstances, the mathematics and statistics preparatory classes may be waived on a case-by-case basis.

PhD in Finance 
The PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Finance prepares students for careers in research and teaching in academic or government research institutions. The program provides a strong foundation in financial and economic theory and the methodological skills needed to execute research projects. Students gain a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts of finance, the workings of financial markets and financial intermediaries, and corporate financial decision-making.

Faculty work closely with doctoral students, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. Graduates of the program secure positions at leading research universities in the U.S. and abroad, as well as in finance roles across public and private sectors.

Faculty Reputation 
Terry’s Finance Department’s research publication record in the leading finance journals ranks in the top 20 of finance departments at public universities. Faculty members have received best paper awards from leading academic journals and conferences and have been invited to be keynote speakers at major conferences.

Collaborative Research Environment 
Faculty members frequently co-author with current and former PhD students. Those articles were published in the top finance journals such as the  Journal of Finance ,  Journal of Financial Economics ,  Review of Financial Studies , and  Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis .

Research Topics 
Corporate governance, fintech, household finance, mergers and acquisitions, financial institutions, impact of asymmetric information on corporate finance, market microstructure, causes of major market movements, and the impact of analysts’ guidance.

Prerequisites 
The program is highly quantitative, and entering PhD students should have strong quantitative aptitude. Academic preparation in economics, engineering, mathematics, or statistics is helpful. Students not having sufficient background in integral and differential calculus or linear algebra are encouraged to enroll in review courses before arriving on campus.

PhD in Management 
This program is an ideal destination for anyone interested in a PhD in Business Administration with a Management focus, for four reasons:

1. Research Productivity
2. Institutional Prestige
3. Student Focus
4. Editorial Experience

Preferred deadline: December 31

PhD In Management Information Systems 
The PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Management Information Systems is a five-year full-time program that prepares students for academic careers through rigorous research training and faculty mentorship. Consistently ranked among the top programs globally, it is recognized for innovative research and support from actively publishing faculty.

Students build expertise across a wide range of research methods—including psychometric, econometric, computational, design, and qualitative approaches—while developing theoretical frameworks to address complex business and societal challenges.

Given the pervasive role of information systems in modern life — individuals’ personal and work life, their transactions and interactions, organizational processes, outcomes, and interorganizational relationships, online platforms, markets, governments and society — the field offers broad, interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The program encourages a problem-driven, theory-based, and method-inclusive approach, welcoming diverse methodologies. Students benefit from a flexible curriculum designed to support individual interests while ensuring they gain the conceptual and analytical skills needed to become leaders in the field.

Priority deadline:  January 4 
 Applications after January 4 will also be considered until spots are filled

Ph.D. in Management Information Systems 
There are five compelling reasons to join this program:

1. Research Productivity
2. Internationally Renowned Faculty
3. Editorial Appointments
4. Weekly Research Seminars
5. Student Focus

PhD in Marketing 
The PhD in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing provides students with both strong empirical skills in econometrics, psychometrics and statistics and strong theory development in consumer behavior, psychology and strategy. The department and its faculty consistently rank high in terms of research productivity.  The department is ranked 15th worldwide based on publications in the premier American Marketing Association (AMA)  journals in 2010-2019. The department is also ranked 11th among all U.S. public schools in the UT-Dallas Business School Research Rankings 2019-2022. Faculty have won multiple research awards and serve on the editorial boards of prestigious academic journals.

Doctoral students work with faculty at all phases of the research process—from research question formulation, research design and data analysis to writing up the study. The culture is collegial and informal, with students viewed as colleagues and coauthors. Moreover, students are encouraged to work with multiple faculty, not just their chosen advisor or dissertation chair.

Deadline:  January 2 
  Applications open on October 1.  
  Early admission may be extended before January. Interested candidates should apply early.

Student Profile

What kind of students Terry is looking for? 
Consequently, the department looks for the following traits in PhD students:

Motivated, excited and intellectually curious about problems and issues 
 Disciplined and committed to think deeply about research problems and solutions 
 A willingness to learn econometric, psychometric and statistical skills 
 A willingness to learn about theoretical and conceptual issues in the field 
 Creative problem solvers 
 Business experience useful, but not a requirement.

Concentrations in Marketing

Consumer Behavior 
Consumer behavior research focuses on how consumers decide what and how much to consume and how consumers integrate different pieces of information (both consciously and unconsciously) to make predictions and judgments about their environment and target stimuli to inform their consumption decisions. Consumer behavior students take additional courses in psychology and sociology.

Marketing Strategy 
Marketing strategy research focuses on the components of marketing capabilities and resources such as brands, consumer relationships, innovation, sales force management and their impact on brand, business unit, customer, firm and sales force and salesperson performance. Marketing strategy students typically take additional courses in economics, econometrics and statistical methods as well courses in corporate finance, management strategy, sociology and social psychology.

PhD in Real Estate 
The PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate prepares students for academic careers in teaching and research, as well as leadership roles in government and industry. The program offers rigorous training in real estate, economics, finance, and quantitative methods, fostering strong research capabilities and comprehensive teaching experience. Students are encouraged to tailor their coursework by integrating classes from other business disciplines.

Terry College provides a dynamic and supportive environment for doctoral students in Real Estate. Faculty actively engage in student development through specialized seminars and mentorship, promoting academic and professional success. Key advantages of the program include:

The  Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics , a leading academic journal in the field, has been housed at Terry since its inception. 
 Faculty members serve as editors and board members of top-tier journals and professional associations, including the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association. 
 Terry faculty consistently rank among the most published and cited researchers in premier real estate journals. One professor was recently recognized as the sixth most cited real estate scholar in the U.S.

PhD in Risk Management and Insurance 
The PhD in Business Administration with a focus on Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) is designed to help students develop an understanding of both theoretical and applied aspects of insurance, risk management and employee benefits. The Terry College provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a PhD in risk management and insurance. Some of the benefits of the Terry College include:

Consistently highly ranked, the UGA RMI program is currently the top-ranked program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. 
 A recent global study ranked the UGA RMI program among the top 10 universities in the world – and second among public universities — for the impact of its risk management and insurance research. 
 Faculty members are among the top publishers in the premier risk management and insurance journal, the  Journal of Risk and Insurance .  
 RMI faculty have received numerous research awards from the  Journal of Risk and Insurance ,  Risk Management and Insurance Review ,  Journal of Insurance Issues , the  Journal of Insurance Regulation  and others.

Preferred deadline:  January 4 
 Applications after January 4 will also be considered until spots are filled

PhD programs at Terry provide students with a rigorous education in research and with the skills necessary to become successful teachers. Most of the graduates aim for tenure-track faculty positions at research-oriented universities, with some also pursuing research-oriented jobs in private industry, consulting and government.

Admissions Requirements 
 
You must first submit your application to the UGA Graduate School. After the Graduate School reviews your application, it is forwarded to the Terry’s Doctoral Programs Office and given to the specific department to which you applied.

Required Documents for all applicants 
 
 Unofficial transcripts from institutions you’ve attended:  Submit an English version if you have attended schools outside the US. Official transcripts will be required upon admission. UGA students and alumni are exempt as their records are on file.

GMAT or GRE scores:  While the Economics department specifically requires the GRE, all other departments will accept either a GRE or GMAT score. Additional test score information may be found at the UGA Graduate School website.

Three letters of recommendation:  Letters should be from individuals with knowledge of your academic and/or professional capability. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

Statement of Purpose:  As part of the online application, you are required to upload a Statement of Purpose (essay) that describes your motivation for pursuing doctoral study.

Additional Documents for International Applicants
  Two copies of unofficial academic transcript (submitted to the Graduate School); official copies required following admission.

TOEFL or IELTS (English Language Proficiency Test Requirement):  Applicants who have received degrees from accredited US institutions or from institutions in countries where English is the primary language are not required to submit TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. Students who are currently enrolled for at least one year at an accredited U.S. institution may also have the English language proficiency requirement waived.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students 
The University of Georgia will accept satisfactory scores on either the TOEFL or IELTS language proficiency examinations for admission to graduate programs. Applicants can also demonstrate language proficiency by completing Level 6 in the University of Georgia Intensive English Program. TOEFL and IELTS scores should be reported electronically by the testing agency. The program accepts TOEFL iBT (including Computer Based, Home Edition, My Best and Paper Edition, and IELTS (including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake)).

Minimum TOEFL score requirement: For exams taken prior to January 21, 2026, overall score of 80 with at least 20 on speaking and writing. For exams taken on or after January 22, 2026: overall score of 4.5 with at least a 4 on speaking and writing. 
 Minimum IELTS score requirement: overall band-width of 6.5, with no single band (score) below 6.0 
 Minimum Intensive English Program requirement: successfully complete Level 6 and provide confirmation from Intensive English Program Director

Note: As of the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, Duolingo English Test scores are no longer accepted as a language proficiency exam (effective July 1, 2023).

Note that students who may seek a teaching assistantship while enrolled should consult with the UGA TA Policy, which has specific requirements regarding English proficiency in order to be eligible to teach or assist with instruction

After recommended for acceptance, international applicants will receive an email with more information on how to submit visa documents and proof of finances to the Office of Global Engagement.

Application Fee
  You must submit a one-time application fee via credit card online in order to complete your application $75 for domestic applicants, $100 for international applicants. For information regarding a potential fee waiver, please visit the UGA Graduate School website. Applications are not reviewed until you have submitted and paid the application fee.

Expectations Of Students 
  
Students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior while enrolled in the graduate program and to act in a manner that demonstrates integrity and respect for others and the campus environment. Adherence to university policies governing research and academic conduct, non-discrimination and anti-harassment, and workplace violence.

Financial Assistance 
  
Requests for financial aid in the form of assistantships and waivers of non-resident tuition should be made to the academic department to which you are applying. Sources of funding may include graduate assistantships, funding from the Graduate School, travel grants, and scholarships

Notification of Acceptance 
The UGA Graduate School must concur with the departmental admissions committee before the decision becomes official. An  “official acceptance letter”  will be mailed by the UGA Graduate School. Before the receipt of the Graduate School’s official notification, any notification of acceptance communicated by the Terry College, either verbally or written, is considered “pending Graduate School approval” and is unofficial.

Professional and Community Engagement

The Terry College of Business believes in fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that strengthens Terry community. Below is a summary of the commitment to advance professional and community engagement as well as a selection of current related programs and actions. Terry invites your feedback to enhance the program’s efforts.

Promote Engagement 
Terry commits to foster a welcoming environment while promoting student engagement.

Programming

Terry Involvement & Engagement Ambassadors 
 Terry Welcome Back Block Party 
 NAAIA National Talent Development Competition (Risk Management) 
 Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) 
 Faculty and Staff Advisory Council

Student Organizations

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting 
 Black Business Student Association 
 Gamma Iota Sigma D&I Chair 
 Georgia Blacks in Business Student Association 
 Graduate Women in Business Association 
 Minorities in Technology 
 Multicultural Business Students Association 
 National African American Insurance Association 
 National Association of Black Accountants 
 Pride at Terry 
 Terry Edge Network 
 Women in Business 
 Women in Economics 
 Women in Finance 
 Women in Technology

Office of Professional and Community Engagement Offerings

Terry Involvement & Engagement Ambassadors 
The Terry Involvement & Engagement Ambassadors aims to foster a welcoming environment and to promote student engagement at Terry. Through hands-on initiatives and events, TIEA helps create a strong sense of community among Terry students.

Faculty and Staff Advisory Council 
This group provides direct input to the Dean and Office of Professional and Community Engagement on the college’s strategy for professional and community engagement and supports and hosts events to foster professional and community engagement and faculty, staff and student engagement.

INTERACT at Terry 
INTERACT is a leadership workshop explaining the six dimensions of professional and community engagement, providing a strong foundation to lead teams in both the workplace and the community. Participants engage in interactive exercises throughout the workshop.

Workforce Management Certificate 
This certificate equips students with a better cross-cultural understanding of their work environment and gives them a competitive advantage in their job search.

Accelerated Business Program 
The Accelerated Business Program is a competitive, pre-collegiate program designed to introduce juniors and seniors to various fields of business.

Terry Ph.D. Program Contact

Graduate Degree Professional, Office of the Dean, PhD Program 
  Donna F. Sisk  
 Email:  dsisk@uga.edu

Ph.D. Program FAQs

Click here  for Terry Ph.D. Program FAQs

Good Luck!

Terry (Georgia) Ph.D. Program Guide

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