W.P. Carey (Arizona State University) Ph.D. Program Guide.
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 Content1. Introduction 2. Areas of Study (Ph.D.)3. Application deadline4. Application materials5. Financial assistance6. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)7. DBA Program Highlights8. DBA Admission requirements9. Application deadlines and start dates10. DBA Fee and Finances11. DBA in Supply Chain Management12. DBA ContactIntroductionThe W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is world-renowned for groundbreaking research and academic excellence. As a PhD or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidate at W. P. Carey, you'll learn from thought leaders in your field, gain the resources of America's largest and most innovative public university, and join a collaborative community of students and alumni.
The mission of the PhD program is to develop and prepare scholars to assume the diverse responsibilities of positions at leading research universities. The program places primary emphasis on the development of research competence and also emphasizes teaching as a vehicle to academic professionalism.
Major Programs Offered1. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
2. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Areas of Study (Ph.D.)The following areas of study are available under W.P Carrey Ph.D. Program:
- Accounting
- Agribusiness
- Computer Information System
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
AccountingThe School of Accountancy offers an accounting concentration within the W. P. Carey PhD in Business Administration degree program. The primary objective of the PhD in Accounting is to train students to do academic research in accounting and to prepare for a career in academia at major research universities.
Admissions deadlines (early submissions are encouraged): - September 15: Applications open for admission for the following academic year
- December 15: Early review deadline
- January 31: Application deadline
AgribusinessThe STEM-designated PhD in business administration with a concentration in agribusiness is designed for highly motivated students seeking careers in research universities. The program focuses on the state-of-the-art theory and quantitative methods used by academic researchers in addressing business challenges of the food system.
The most intractable problems faced by food and agricultural businesses often require multidisciplinary approaches. Therefore, students complete a core sequence of microeconomic theory, mathematical economics, and applied econometrics courses and at least three courses from another field such as supply chain management, marketing, finance, economics, or sustainability relevant to their dissertation.
For eligible graduates, STEM designation provides access to an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This longer work authorization term may help international students gain additional skills and experience in the U.S.
The faculty of the Morrison School of Agribusiness at the W. P. Carey School of Business includes top researchers with expertise in diverse areas of inquiry, including consumer food marketing, international agricultural trade policy, domestic and global food security, sustainability, risk management, the industrial organization of food markets, among others.
Agribusiness faculty members approach mentorship as a team. Doing so enables students to participate in ongoing research projects with several faculty, in addition to pursuing their own dissertation research. PhD students also participate in the departmental seminar series, present their research at national and international conferences, and have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members in other academic units within ASU.
Computer Information SystemThe PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from the W. P. Carey School of Business will prepare you for a career at leading research universities.
This full-time doctoral program develops your capability to review, analyze, conduct and publish research in top journals through a series of seminars and additional supporting coursework. You will also participate in ongoing research projects with faculty members in the Department of Information Systems and other W. P. Carey departments, as well as faculty members in other ASU schools and colleges.
The size of the Department of Information Systems doctoral program is about ten students. The program seeks to
admit two students per year. Students in the program have published in top journals such as
Management Science,
Information Systems Research,
Journal of Operations Management, among others.
EconomicsThe STEM-designated PhD program in economics from W. P. Carey is relatively small - ensuring students are in close contact with faculty and each other, actively participate in department workshops, and discuss their ongoing research with visitors.
Economics PhD students are financially supported through teaching and research assistantships for five years. Stipends are highly competitive with any graduate program in the world. For eligible graduates, STEM designation provides access to an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This longer work authorization term may help international students gain additional skills and experience in the U.S.
Macroeconomics is a traditional strength of the department, with several researchers in the area. Over the last several years, the department has recruited a research group in empirical microeconomics, and now have strong faculty in that area, as well as in environmental economics, economic theory, financial economics, and econometrics.
Recent students hold tenure track positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale (School of Management), NYU Stern, The University of Queensland, The University of Miami, Utah State, the Stockholm School of Economics, the University of New Hampshire, West Virginia University, Virginia Commonwealth University, ITAM, and Fudan University; and research positions at the World Bank, the US Census Bureau, Blackrock, and IMPAQ. The recent graduates have published in the American Economic Review and Econometrica, as well as other leading journals.
Fields of study within EconomicsThe PhD program provides rigorous training in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, applied economics and econometrics. Additionally, you have the opportunity to select a primary area of specialization for study:
- Macroeconomics
- Economic Theory
- Applied Microeconomics
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- Financial Economics
- Econometrics
FinanceThe primary objective of the PhD program in finance at the W. P. Carey School of Business is to train students for careers as finance professors at major research universities. The program provides a challenging course of study in the most recent developments in both the theoretical and empirical aspects of financial economics. This course of study, along with work in economics and statistics, serves as preparation for understanding and critical analysis of current issues in finance.
Admission in Ph.D. in FinanceAdmission to the PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in finance is granted to applicants who present convincing evidence of high-order analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to work independently in pursuing scholarly research. Applicants should possess the intellectual curiosity and discipline required for original inquiry.
ManagementThe Department of Management and Entrepreneurship offers students the opportunity to obtain a PhD in business administration with a concentration in management. Although management is a broad field, The doctoral program is best suited for students interested in specializing in organizational behavior, and/or strategic management.
The program requires its PhD students to commit full-time attention at least until they have passed the comprehensive exam and successfully defended the dissertation proposal. Full-time enrollment in the doctoral program is necessary to develop the skills and values for effective scholarship.
MarketingDuring the program, you will review, analyze, conduct and publish research in Marketing. A series of doctoral seminars and research methods courses, as well as participation in active research projects, will prepare you for your research. Additionally, you will develop and hone your teaching skills through assignments as a teaching assistant or instructor.
Each marketing PhD student will receive a comprehensive, broad-based education in marketing concepts and research techniques. Further, students at ASU have the ability to specialize in one of three research domains.
- Consumer behavior
- Service strategy
- Quantitative marketing models
Applicants should declare a specialization during the application process. By the end of their first year, students will officially commit to one of these three domains.
Supply Chain ManagementSupply chain management (SCM) incorporates the core areas of logistics management, operations management and supply management. The objective of the PhD program in business administration with a concentration in SCM is to develop scholars who are trained in and appreciate a variety of research methods for advancing knowledge in the discipline. Mentor and prepare PhD students to conduct high-quality research and teach in the field of supply chain management, and to position students for placement at a top-tier research university.
Areas of excellenceStudents work with faculty members in one of the areas of excellence within supply chain management. They include:
- Health sector supply chain management
- Logistics management
- Operations management
- Supply chain networks and complexity
- Supply chain sustainability
- Supply management
The PhD program is designed to be completed
within five years. Students hold research assistantships for all five years. This allows students to get research manuscripts into the pipeline at top-rated research journals. Through its areas of excellence, research centers and faculty, the SCM program has special opportunities for industry-based research projects.
Application deadlineThe deadline for submission of the online application and supporting materials is
January 1. Admission decisions are usually made
in March. The ASU Graduate College notifies the applicant of the decision. Offers cannot be deferred to another year
Application materialsTranscriptsSend all official university transcripts to ASU Graduate Admissions, or request that your original institution submit them directly. A Document Reference Number can be included on each transcript for authentication purposes. For international transcripts, review the ASU Graduate Admissions guidelines.
GMAT/GREThe PhD program accepts GMAT or GRE scores. The GMAT institutional code for W. P. Carey School is
0GZ-1R-80.
Letters of recommendationSelect three individuals who can speak to your personal qualities, career focus and potential for success in the W. P. Carey School of Business PhD program. The university will contact your recommenders directly to secure additional information.
Personal StatementPrepare your personal statement offline and then upload the file as a Word, PDF, or text document through the online application. The personal statement allows you the opportunity to highlight qualities and experiences that distinguish you as a prospective W. P. Carey School of Business doctoral student. The personal statement should be
no more than two to four pages long.
The statement should highlight personal background, education, work experiences, achievements, career goals, qualifications, and reasons for wanting to pursue doctoral study in the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Employment summaryPrepare a resume/CV offline and then upload via the online application as a Word, PDF, or text document. Your resume/CV should highlight education and work experiences, any recognitions or awards, volunteer service, or other items that may be helpful in the evaluation of your application.
Application feeDomestic:
$70International:
$115International studentsInternational students applying for doctoral program admission must submit additional information to be considered:
- International transcripts
- TOEFL score
- TSE or SPEAK test score
- F-1 and J-1 information
- Visa documents
- Financial guarantee form
Financial assistancePhD students admitted to the doctoral program are typically awarded a graduate assistantship. All graduate assistantships are competitive. Graduate assistantships are awarded for four years with annual renewal contingent upon satisfactory progress in the PhD program. Graduate assistantships not only provide financial support, but are one of the main ways in which research and teaching skills are learned.
All graduate assistantships are half-time appointments (50 percent-time) and are for nine months following the academic year calendar. The appointment comes with a compensatory stipend, a full waiver of nonresident tuition during the fall and spring academic terms, individual ASU student health insurance, and optional student health insurance.
Note: International applicants should make themselves aware of the specific ASU student health insurance coverage requirements for degree-seeking international students with F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status.
Note: International students with their own funding source (e.g., funding from a government agency, NGO, etc.) should note so in their personal statement and resume/CV.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)In addition to the DBA offerings in China, the W. P. Carey School is proud to deliver robust Doctor of Business Administration programs with dynamic career applications to students in the United States. These programs are ideal for working professionals looking to advance while they continue to work.
In this flexible program, you'll master business tools and concepts that will enable you to enhance your organization's success. This program is for those who want to pursue doctoral-level study without stepping away from their professional role.
The Doctor of Business Administration is an applied professional doctorate designed for you as a senior professional with significant managerial experience who is seeking a terminal doctoral degree. The program combines advanced business knowledge with rigorous coursework in research methods to sustain and amplify you as a leader who aspires to instill transformative changes in global business practices.
The program provides you with opportunities to apply academic theories and tools to contribute to your organizations' success through practice-based research in supply chain management. The program is designed to advance careers in senior leadership roles. You are equipped with the skills to effectively lead teams and shape complex transformations across industries.
DBA Program Highlights- Locations: Tempe
- College: W. P. Carey School of Business
- Credits: 60 credit hours
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
- International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
DBA Admission requirementsGeneral admission requirementsAll students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Additional degree-specific requirementsApplicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Application deadlines and start datesApplication deadlines Fall
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
DBA Fee and FinancesUse college calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of the students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
DBA in Supply Chain ManagementThis flexible, applied doctoral program is ideal for senior working professionals - offering advanced supply chain knowledge combined with rigorous research methods. Join this program to gain the skills to lead supply chain teams and implement transformative changes in global practices.
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
DBA ContactContact at
[email protected] or tel:480-965-3332 with any questions.
Good Luck!
