Can I get financial support?

Yes, we do offer financial support to PhD students in the form of teaching or research assistantships. They are usually provided through the department and not through individual professors. The financial support usually covers tuition and a monthly stipend.

Can I enroll part-time?

No, we require our doctoral students to be enrolled full-time in the program, which entails a commitment of at least four years to complete the program. Part of the reason is the demanding nature of the class work necessary to develop expertise in the area, as well as the research component of the program leading to the final dissertation. Our students usually spend two to three years working with our faculty in developing their dissertation, which requires the student to produce innovative scientific research within the field.

Can I enroll starting in the Spring semester?

Possibly. We typically fill up the entering class for the fall semester, but occasionally we admit students for the spring.

Can I get a Master’s of Science in OPIM?

No, we currently do not offer a Master’s degree in OPIM, but students in any of our MBA programs have the opportunity to graduate with a concentration in OPIM. For more information about any of our MBA programs, visit our prospective students page.

What employment opportunities are there after graduation?

Most OPIM doctoral students find faculty positions in academia, but some may become research fellows for laboratories, work as consultants for industry or government, open their own technology firms, etc.
Visit our Alumni page to see where our recent graduates are currently employed.

What are my chances of admittance?

In general, it is hard to precisely assess the probability of admittance. Beyond the requirements of the graduate school, the three main criteria for admittance are:

1. Your academic strength - especially your grades in quantitative (math) courses and in the quantitative section of the GRE/GMAT.

2. Your ability to teach - English skills are very important because if admitted, you will most likely be required to teach a class (teaching assistantship).

3. How well you compare to the other applicants - In a typical year we admit two to four students and have around 50 applicants.

Are English language skills important?

Yes, communication skills are very important because if admitted, it is almost certain that you will be required to teach a class. Also, the dissertation requires a good deal of writing in English. Although we do offer courses to enhance the verbal and written skills of our PhD students, all are expected to be functional English speakers prior to admission.

For any other questions contact:

Coordinator: Robert Garfinkel, robert.garfinkel@business.uconn.edu

To apply for admission, please read the Instructions for Application and apply online.

More general information can be found at the Business Ph.D. Program website and the UConn Graduate School website.