Washington University’s Olin Business School is one of the nation’s leading research institutions, with a faculty whose research productivity consistently ranks among the highest in the business school community. High-quality research is the lifeblood of a great research university. Olin faculty members are recognized the world over for their important contributions to the creation of new knowledge. We take great pride in our commitment to excellence in teaching as well as research.
Our doctoral program combines the rigorous curriculum of a top-ranked university with the individual attention made possible by our limited enrollment. We offer seven areas of study, guided by highly productive researchers who are widely respected in their fields and are among the nation’s top scholars:
The Olin experience is underscored with the development of strong problem-solving skills that lead our students to strategically address complex, unstructured business issues. From a doctoral perspective, that means innovative thinking and new ideas for research that have value to the academic community and application in the business world.
Olin’s doctoral program provides:
- Intellectually challenging core curriculum and a strong background in basic disciplines, giving you the tools you will need to pursue engaging research.
- Emphasis on collaborative relationships between faculty and students, which greatly enhances both the education process and the search for your first faculty appointment.
- Personalized advising – for successful completion of doctoral program requirements and a course of study that fits your particular area of interest.
- Collegial network built on mutual respect and a shared school of thought. Olin faculty members promote one-on-one mentoring relationships, often partnering with students for research that leads to co-authoring papers.
- A competitive edge in the business education market. The rigor of our program and our commitment to our students have led to active student recruiting by schools such as MIT, Kellogg, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley and USC.
Completion of the degree requires 72 graduate credit hours of course work, along with the preparation and oral defense of a dissertation. Although each of the seven areas has specific degree requirements, all doctoral students are required to be proficient in the following areas:
Core Foundation
- A strong foundation in Microeconomics, Probability & Statistics and Quantitative Methods.
- Exposure to your area of specialization and the required research tools.
- Successful completion of the core exam.
Specialization
- Course work in one or more areas of study.
- In-depth knowledge in chosen field.
- Active association with the research process through faculty mentoring.
- Completion of the field exam.
Research
- Participation with faculty in research activities.
- Research paper presentation.
- Individual research pursuing a specialized topic of interest.
- Preparation and defense of your dissertation.
Olin’s innovative research centers foster dynamic collaboration between academia and industry to produce new knowledge and advance understanding of firms and markets around the world.
Research conducted by Olin faculty:
- Supports research employing state-of-the-art analytical and/or empirical methods to address substantive questions.
- Exposes doctoral students to leading researchers from around the world at conferences, seminars and workshops.
- Provides doctoral students, upon adviser recommendation, with funding for travel costs for conferences and academic meetings.
Olin emphasizes strong teaching skills – for our faculty and for our doctoral students. As a part of Olin, you’ll be able to gain valuable insight into successful teaching methods and practices:
- Participate in presentation skills workshops, with emphasis on communication techniques and effective teaching methods.
- Gain classroom teaching experience through teaching assistantships (beginning in the second year of the program).
- Engage in opportunities to teach independently (as students with advanced standing are deemed ready).
Teaching Center
Olin doctoral students are encouraged to take advantage of Washington University’s Teaching Center. This valuable tool offers a variety of resources to help students develop effective teaching skills, including:
- University TA Orientation.
- New TA Training Workshops.
- Online tutorials, including Teaching with Technology.
- TA Handbook – Development of a Teaching Portfolio.
- Guides for instructional strategies, classroom techniques and teaching methods.