tourism phd programs in usa

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Ph.D. Program in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management

For students who already have a master's degree in RPTM, Penn State’s Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management offers a Ph.D. program that will elevate your academic and career opportunities to the highest possible levels.

Building on the breadth and depth of scholarship and research in the M.S. program, the Ph.D. supports your area of specialization, research design and methods, leisure behavior, and conceptual bases of leisure and interdisciplinary coursework.

While pursuing your Ph.D., you’ll have access to a variety of unique collaborative research, theory, and practice opportunities related to leisure and recreation experienced at the individual, societal, and cross-cultural levels, with concentrated studies in:

Park and Protected Area Management

Experiential Education

Sport Participation

Travel and Tourism

Community Recreation, Health and Well-Being

Environmental Education

These include disciplinary areas, such as the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of leisure and recreation; and applied areas, including recreation management, tourism, and outdoor resource-based recreation. Upon completion of the degree requirements — including a research-based thesis — you will be thoroughly prepared to take on research, academic, and upper-level administrative positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

PhD in Hospitality & Tourism Management

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Students in Isenberg’s PhD program in hospitality and tourism management engage in research that furthers society’s understanding of the unique industry.

From uncovering the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism to investigating theories and models of services marketing and management, students use their time at Isenberg to make powerful connections between ideas, introduce thoughtful and provoking analysis, and contribute scholarly research.

Message from the Coordinator

The hospitality and tourism industry lends itself to fascinating and revealing research about society, the economy and the marketplace. Our PhD program in Hotel and Tourism Management (HTM) gives students the time and resources to delve into the industry, to engage in rigorous research, and to publish their findings.

Our PhD graduates become top scholars, professors and researchers at the leading hospitality and tourism programs in the US and abroad. Our graduates are successful because our program offers:

• One-on-one mentoring and advising by renowned faculty.  Students will work closely with faculty on multiple research projects. 
• The opportunity to specialize in one focus area.  Our concentrations include marketing/consumer behavior, leadership, information technology and social media, operational research and finance.
• Real-world preparation   for careers in academia.  All candidates teach graduate-level classes at Isenberg and have 100% responsibility in their classrooms.

Additionally, students in our program also graduate with a PhD in Management, making them more marketable in the job field and more knowledgeable in the classroom.

While our program is rigorous and highly selective, our learning environment is collaborative and supportive. We welcome applicants who are self-motivated, committed, and independent initiators and team players.

Irem Onder Neuhofer Associate Professor and PhD Coordinator

Isenberg’s PhD in hospitality and tourism management is a full-time, residential program that prepares candidates for academic careers in hospitality and tourism. The program develops strong research skills that enable graduates to conduct and publish scholarly research with competence and confidence.

Students can study any area of interest that applies to hospitality and tourism and gain real-world teaching experience that allows them to excel in university teaching in their areas of interest.

Isenberg has a strong focus on research.  Faculty are working in a wide variety of research domains, investigating such areas as:

• Hotel and Destination Branding
• Service Experience Management
• Impact and Performance Studies in Tourism and Hospitality Operations
• Quality-of-Life and Tourism and Hospitality Research
• Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality
• Strategic Management and Finance
• Revenue Management

HTM PhD Program Overview

Watch our video to hear about the program from the students and professors in this active teaching and research community.

Students generally complete a PhD in HTM within 4-5 years. Students must take core courses in theory and research methods, as well as electives and minor classes. In addition, our doctoral students must pass a qualifying and comprehensive examination. Students also teach at Isenberg. During the final years, students are responsible for creating and defending a dissertation.

Here's a sample of required HTM courses:

• Foundations of Organizational Behavior and Theory
• Research Design
• Multivariate Analysis
• Structural Equation Model
• Seminar in Tourism Theory and Research
• Seminar in Hospitality Research
• Services Marketing/Management Research

YEAR 1: Coursework, including statistics, research methods, and theory courses, and research electives; Qualifying exam

YEAR 2: Coursework, including marketing and management courses, research electives and minor area courses; Comprehensive exam

YEAR 3: Additional coursework as needed; Development of dissertation proposal; Teaching

YEAR 4-5: Dissertation research

HTM Doctoral Students

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Hospitality and Tourism Management Graduate Program

White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

The hospitality and tourism management graduate program offers world-class postgraduate programs for industry professionals seeking to move ahead in their careers and aspiring academics seeking to gain the knowledge and skills to be researchers and teachers.

PhD Program

The PhD program is designed to be one of the strongest research-based programs in the world. The program — which includes a strong element of statistics and research design — prepares you for careers in major research universities or research-based agencies. Upon graduation, you are expected to have a curriculum vitae, which includes teaching experience, publishing experience in research journals, and a record of presentations to industry and research societies. The program has limited enrollment to allow you to develop exceptionally close working relationships with faculty.

Potential Careers

• Research Analysts
• Policy Analysts
• Consultants

Program Highlights

• The school’s research centers allow cooperative research across individual projects, leading to strong contributions in the industry.
• You will have numerous opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty developing, conducting and analyzing research that deals with real problems in the hospitality industry.

Master of Science Program

The Master of Science program offers one of the most up-to-date and integrated blends of theory, technology and applications in the hospitality industry. You will have a choice of thesis or non-thesis plans of study in our residential program. Core courses will advance your understanding of this dynamic industry while exploring how to conduct research and analyze information. If you choose to complete the online program , you will complete courses designed specifically for mid-career professions in the hospitality and tourism industry.

• Communication coordinator
• Vice president of operations
• Special events coordinator
• Production specialist
• Operations manager
• Corporate recruiter
• Planning specialist
• Research fellow
• Area manager
• The thesis or capstone project is designed to integrate your key learnings and demonstrate your understanding.
• Small classes are designed to maximize learning and engagement with world-class faculty.
• Immersive coursework in issues requiring integration, insight and critical thinking encourage the illumination and creation of new knowledge.

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type : Master’s, Doctoral

Program Length : Master’s: 2 years Doctoral: 3-4 years

Location : West Lafayette, IN

Department/School : White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Plan of Study

Graduate Student Handbook

Graduate Research

In the hospitality and tourism management master’s and doctoral programs, you’ll gain significant exposure to research , working directly with the school’s faculty to explore important issues facing the hospitality industry — from sustainability and responsible travel to food safety and employee well-being.

Research Opportunities

• Food service operations
• Healthy eating and menu nutrition labeling in the hospitality industry
• Food safety
• Sustainable tourism
• Responsible travel
• Employee well-being
• Visitor economic behavior
• Tourism experience design and marketing
• Traveler experience, wellness and technology
• Visitor harassment

Research Areas

• Hospitality and service management
• Tourism management and community development
• Sustainability and innovation

Research Facilities

• Arthur Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory
• Center for Hospitality and Retail Industries Business Analytics
• Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center
• Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab
• Visitor Harassment Research Unit

Faculty by Research Area

Consumer behavior and individual well-being, hospitality and service management, tourism management and community development, sustainability and innovation, branding and experience design, application procedure for residential programs.

Thank you for your interest in our top-ranked graduate programs. Before you continue with the electronic application for admission, please familiarize yourself with the minimum requirements for admission to the graduate residential programs in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It is important to recognize that although satisfaction with these basic requirements does not guarantee graduate admission, failure to satisfy these requirements may lead to automatic denial of admission.

Starting the Application

Required Application Materials

These are documents that are required to support a successful application. Supporting documents should be uploaded to the electronic application or mailed directly to the graduate program. See the sections below for more details. Supporting documents include the following unless otherwise noted:

• Transcripts

The admission committee is looking for transcripts with a GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Prospective PhD students need a transcript that shows completion of a master’s degree. You can upload offical copies directly to the application portal. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. If transcripts are not in English, an English translation will need to accompany the transcript.

You must provide physcial copies of the official transcripts and/or academic records if you are admitted and choose to enroll. Official documents should be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Admissions Purdue University Graduate School 155 South Grant Street, YONG 170 West Lafayette, IN 47907

• GRE Test  OR GMAT Test  (optional) 

Due to COVID-19 constraints, the GRE/GMAT is optional. The admissions committee values these tests and highly recommends applicants take and send their scores as part of their application package for a holistic review.

We encourage inclusion of Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination)  OR  GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) report of scores taken within the last five years. Applicants may submit results from either the GRE or GMAT, but most students use the GRE. 

GRE (minimum)  | verbal and quantitative score of 290 or higher (each: minimum of 145) | code  1631 . For information and test dates visit  www.gre.org .

GMAT (minimum) | total score of 550 (verbal and quantitative sections) | code  1RZ-NJ-46 . For more information visit  www.mba.com .

• English Proficiency  (a requirement for International Students)

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission to all degree graduate programs.

TOEFL iBT (minimum) | Writing 18, Speaking 18, Listening 14, Reading 19 | Total 80 | code  1631 . For further information, visit  www.toefl.org .

TOEFL Essentials (minimum) | Writing 8, Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 | Total 8 | code  1631 . For further information, visit  www.toefl.org .

IELTS (minimum) | Writing 6, Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6.5 | Overall brand score of 6.5.   For more information, visit  www.ielts.org .

• Recommendation letters  

HTM requires three letters of recommendation: two from academia and one from an employer.

When you create an online application to the Purdue Graduate School, you will be asked to input the names and emails of your recommender. Once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online. The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide an email address affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization or employer. If there is not an affiliated email, please be sure to inform the individual writing your letter that they must be on business letterhead to assure they are valid. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

• Current Resume

HTM’s application review committee is looking for a minimum of one year of work experience in a related area or two completed internships (internships must total six months or more).

Assistantships  that HTM offers are typically determined based on past work experiences and career goals outlined in the resume. Preference will be given to admitted applicants with related work experience that meet the needs of HTM.

• Diversity Essay 

The application portal will ask for a diversity letter. In this document you should describe your leadership; work experience; service experience; or other significant involvement with racial, ethnic, socio-economic or educational communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education. You should then describe how these experiences would promote a diversity of views, experiences and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship and creative excellence. You should feel free to discuss your own personal experiences in the essay.

• Statement of Purpose

A statement of approximately 500 words is encouraged that explains your interest in undertaking or continuing graduate study; your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue; and your professional plans, career goals and research interests. You also may explain any special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications and/or professional history.

•   Pay Application Fee

A $60 application fee applies for domestic students, and a $75 application fee applies for international students.

Jonathon Day | Doctoral Program Director

For questions regarding the hospitality and tourism management doctoral graduate program, please contact [email protected] .

Alei Fan | Masters Program Director

For questions regarding the hospitality and tourism management masters graduate program, please contact [email protected] .

Ph.D.: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration

This program will prepare you for a career in research and teaching at institutions throughout the United States and abroad.

The coursework includes several hospitality and tourism management courses as well as a group of research design and statistics courses. You will also complete courses in supporting fields of inquiry such as psychology, sociology, management, marketing, etc. The program typically requires four years to finish, including courses, a second-year paper, a comprehensive exam, and a doctoral dissertation. Applicants with strong hospitality and tourism management backgrounds are preferred. Incoming students are expected to have both good written and oral communication skills, as well as the analytical skills required to master research methods and statistics.

Admission requirements

We prefer the GMAT, but we do accept the GRE test as a substitute. In either case, the exam must have been taken within 5 years of the time of application to WSU.

Desired prerequisites

In general, you must meet the following prerequisites to be accepted into the program:

• A master’s degree (M.S., M.A. in a related discipline, or MBA), although outstanding applicants with bachelor’s degree will be considered
• A GPA higher than 3.25 on a 4.00 scale
• Hospitality and/or tourism related background (educational or professional)
• Interests and goals that complement faculty interests and the program’s goals
• Letters of recommendation supporting your candidacy for admission
• A substantial industry experience (strongly preferred)

While applicants may have diverse profiles, an educational or business background that reflects an understanding of and interest in hospitality and tourism management is advantageous. Students with an MBA or business experience, in particular, are preferred. Because the program is focused on graduating students qualified to teach at high-quality, research-oriented institutions, you should have good command of the English language, both spoken and written, and have a reasonable level of skill in mathematics to facilitate the mastery of research methods and statistics. You should also have competencies in hospitality and tourism management in addition to accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and computer skills.  If you are deficient in any of these areas, additional coursework and preparation beyond the major course of study may be required. Your advisory committee will determine these requirements.

General Competency

The requirements for this program follow the Ph.D. Program in Business Administration Policies and Procedures and Program Requirements in the Carson College of Business. The concentration in Hospitality and Tourism takes advantage of existing course and seminar offerings in the other five business disciplines to offer a diverse and flexible high-quality program. The program requirements for the concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management are designed to develop proficiency in the student’s major field of study with applications in hospitality business management.

Research tool requirements

A minimum of 4 research tool courses to be selected by the student with the approval from his/her Ph.D. committee.

• ANOVA (e.g., Psych 511, Stat 507, Stat 512, or Soc 522)
• Regression/Econometrics (e.g., Psych 512, Soc 521, Stat 530, Stat 533, Stat 535, EconS 511, or EconS 512)
• Psychometric Theory (e.g., Psych 514 or Stat 520)
• Multivariate Statistics (e.g., BA596, Mktg 594, Stat 519, MgtOp519, or MgtOp591) or Applied Structural Equation Modeling (Psych 516)

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses that treat each of the above topics in a comprehensive fashion, as approved by the student’s program committee. Although four research tool courses are required, additional research courses may be taken as part of the student’s supporting field requirements.

Major field requirements

These courses will enable you to develop proficiency in your primary area of study.

• HBM 591: Seminar in Services Management
• HBM 592: Seminar in Current Issues in Travel and Tourism
• Mktg 593: Behavioral Research Methods Seminar
• BA 598: Research and Professional Development Seminar (1 credit course)
• HBM 600: Independent Study (Second-year Research Project)

Business electives

You are required to complete at least 2 of the following graduate-level business courses:

• EconS/Fin 596 Advanced Topics in Financial Economics
• MGTOP 516 Time Series
• HBM 581 Services Management
• IBUS 580 International Business Management
• MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Behavior
• MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Theory
• MGMT597 Seminar in Strategic Management
• MIS 572 Database Management Systems
• MIS 574 Telecommunications and Networking in Business
• MIS 582 Systems Analysis and Design
• MKTG 590 Seminar in Consumer Behavior
• MKTG 591 Seminar in Marketing Management
• MKTG 592 Seminar in Marketing Foundations

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses as approved by the student’s program committee.

Supporting field requirements

Coursework in the area of specialization is intended to provide necessary skills and knowledge to conduct research in a chosen field. Courses must be related to an area of study selected by the student and approved by the doctoral student’s committee. Supporting doctoral level coursework may be selected from areas such as (but not limited to) research seminars in anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, management, international business, information systems, marketing, communication, etc. Additional coursework in HBM may also be taken, with approval from the doctoral student’s committee.

PhD Research Credit Requirements

In addition to major field requirements, business electives, and supporting field requirements, the Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management requires additional research credits associated with the development of the final dissertation. A minimum of 32 (800 level) research credit hours is required.

Sample PhD Program in Business Administration With Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Based on 9 credits per semester in the first year of study**.

• BA 598 (1 credit course)
• Business Elective

Start preparation for 2nd Year Research Project

• Supporting Field Course
• HBM 600 (2nd Year Research Project)

Preparation for Comprehensive Exams

• Comprehensive Exams

Full-time Research (Dissertation and Other)

• Courses cannot be counted twice under any of the above-mentioned requirements.
• No more than 9 hours can be taken as independent study courses.

Annual Review and Written and Preliminary Exams

The goal of the annual reviews and the exams is to assess the candidate’s overall mastery of the core body of knowledge in the field and the degree of preparation to undertake research independently or with minimal supervision. The Ph.D. Program area coordinator and committee along with appropriate advisors will annually review the progress of the students in terms of publications and research effort. The Preliminary Exam (scheduled sometime during the third year in the program) will test the candidate’s knowledge in five areas:

• Hospitality and tourism management major field requirements: Hospitality and Tourism Management core knowledge includes a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism, and behavioral research methods.
• Business electives: The student should be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of theories and research methods aligned with those business disciplines chosen for further study, including finance, information systems, international business, management, operations, and/or marketing.
• Hospitality and tourism research: The student should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism research, including explanatory theories and past research findings. In addition, the candidate is expected to demonstrate command over the relevant literature from his/her supporting field.
• Hospitality and tourism research methods and statistics: The student should also have an extensive knowledge of statistics and the research methodologies that can be employed to study hospitality and tourism phenomena from a behavioral standpoint.
• Oral and written communication skills: Given the program’s focus on producing hospitality and tourism scholars who can be successful at other accredited, peer or better research universities, the student is also expected to show a high level of written and oral communication skills exhibited in the written and oral comprehensive exams, research presentations at national/international conferences, and publications in hospitality & tourism journals.

Jenny Kim, Ph.D. Professor School of Hospitality Business Management Todd Hall 331C [email protected] 509-335-4706

Program at a glance

Degree offered: Doctor of Philosophy Number of faculty working with students: 9 Number of students enrolled in program: 8 Students with assistantships/scholarships: 100% Industry experience preferred Priority application deadline: January 10

Hospitality and Retail Management

• Human Sciences

Hospitality & Retail Management Ph.D.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management

48 Credit Hours

Campus Lubbock, TX

GRE Required

Earn your ph.d. in hospitality, tourism, and retail management that puts you on the tenure track..

Texas Tech University offers one of the only hospitality, tourism, and retail management (in-person) doctoral degrees in the country that allows you the flexibility to earn your doctorate in one of three disciplines. Your diploma will provide specific detail regarding which concentration you pursued for your degree. No other program provides you with better preparation for an academic career than Texas Tech University.

Widely recognized as one of the nation's top hospitality, retail, and tourism programs, Texas Tech continues to produce high-quality university faculty who lead, teach, and conduct research around the world.

Our Ph.D. in tourism, hospitality, and retail management provides a strong foundation for your career by providing you with opportunities to:

• Showcase your academic talent and success. You will receive recognition for your work through independent research that culminates in journal publications and conference presentations.
• Work with accomplished faculty. Texas Tech's hospitality, retail management, and tourism faculty includes content experts with widespread academic and industry connections.
• Develop a global perspective. Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program draws students and faculty from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
• Develop exceptional research skills. The doctoral program in hospitality, tourism, and retail management at Texas Tech provides  coursework to enhance your skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Advanced coursework in theory, literature, and statistics will provide the foundation you need to be a top scholar.
• Develop outstanding teaching skills . Texas Tech's Ph.D. program stands out for its curriculum development and educator training. You will receive advanced teaching experience as part of your doctoral education, with strong mentorship from seasoned faculty who have many years of teaching experience.
• Work with premier research centers and institutes. Only students at Texas Tech have the opportunity to work with GUEST and the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute (TWMRI). GUEST focuses globally and locally on experiential and sustainable tourism and has worked in the U.S., Costa Rica, and Jordan. TWMRI works to advance the wine industry in the state of Texas and has connections with other wine centers and institutes across the U.S. and the globe. GUEST and TWMRI provide doctoral students with access to outstanding research opportunities.

Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program enables you to build comprehensive skills and an impressive resume. You will be qualified for faculty positions at leading universities, with excellent opportunities for promotion to leadership positions and administrative roles such as dean.

Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management Ph.D. Objectives and Outcomes

The Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail doctoral degree prepares you for faculty positions in higher education, as well as leadership positions in the industry.

Hospitality Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with hospitality including; hotels, restaurants, institutional management, dynamic pricing, guest experience, and technology.

Tourism Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with tourism including; group and event management, experiential and wine tourism, and place branding.

Retail Management: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with retailing including; branding, shopper and consumer behavior, pricing, service and brandscape.

Cost By Program

• Acquire an in-depth understanding of the theory, concepts, and practices in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and retail management.
• Explore key issues facing these industries, current research, and practices in hospitality, tourism and retail management.
• Apply concepts and theories to solve theoretical and practical problems related to hospitality, tourism and retail management.
• Communicate research findings for both academic and professional audiences.
• Develop an aptitude for and expertise in a variety of research and statistical techniques important for research in the academy and the hospitality, tourism and retail industries industry.
• Value the integration of your research with teaching to provide your students with advanced understanding.
• Analyze the global, social, multicultural, and environmental issues facing the hospitality, tourism and retail professionals in academic and industry settings.
• Value involvement in professional organizations supporting hospitality, tourism and retail disciplines.

Request Information Online

Contact the phd program director:.

• Name: Dr. Jessica Yuan
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (806) 834-8446
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Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

The Ph.D. program in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is designed for students planning to undertake research-related positions in their chosen field, or an administration position in a park, recreation and/or tourism agency. Upon graduation, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent theory-based research, effectively communicate scientific and technical information, teach at the university or college level, and pursue a wide array of scholarship and career opportunities.

Our faculty expertise and extensive outreach activities make NC State an ideal place to pursue your doctoral degree. While pursuing a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, students will develop their own research to meet their unique interests . A significant part of the doctoral experience is performing original research and defending a thesis. Students in this program examine a wide range of topics, including the role of intergenerational learning in promoting environmental literacy.

Course Information

• Click here to see the list of the required courses (New PhD Curriculum (pending university approval)).
• Click here to see the list of required courses (Previous Curriculum).
• Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Minor

Degree Requirements:

• Minimum of 72 hours of coursework
• A grade of “B-“ or better for all coursework listed in your work plan
• Independent instruction of one undergraduate course
• A declared minor or substantive area.
• Successful completion of a preliminary written and oral examination, a dissertation, and a successful dissertation defense

Note: Students can transfer up to 12 credit hours of Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) into the Ph.D. program with permission of the student’s committee.

Doctoral Student Expectations

The purpose of this resource is to give you important information on PRTM doctoral degree program policies, guidelines, and procedures. At the same time, it is intended to assure that doctoral students and faculty share expectations as completely as possible. This information supplements and does not replace the information, policies, and schedules provided by the NC State University Graduate School. Beyond understanding the policies, rules and regulations for graduate education at NC State, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the willingness of PRTM faculty to discuss scholarly and professional matters. The heart of graduate education—particularly doctoral education—is the mentoring relationship between students and faculty. Taking the time to get acquainted with numerous members of the PRTM faculty will open scholarly and professional doors for you.

The Department has also developed the Ph.D. Student Progress – Minimum Expectations document to provide guidance to doctoral students and their advisors to gauge a student’s progress. Although exceptions may occur due to specific circumstances (e.g., part-time student, specific research project requirements), these standards are intended to provide reasonable benchmarks for measuring students’ progress toward completing the degree and building a strong credential for academic or research employment.

• PhD Expectations Document

Students and faculty advisors, who want to pursue an Article Dissertation Model (ADM) in lieu of the traditional dissertation format, please refer to the following document for guidance.

• Guidelines for Article-Style Dissertation (ASD)

Admission Criteria

• Master’s degree, with a recommended GPA of 3.5 or above
• Three letters of recommendation from academic sources
• Personal statement describing your research interests, career goals, work experience, and academic honors and achievements. You can also include experiences and traits that will contribute to the enrichment or diversity of the university or community, beyond your academic credentials.
• To be competitive, you should review the research interests of the faculty on the departmental web site and determine which faculty have interests similar to their own. Once similar interests have been identified, you should contact the faculty members to discuss the possibility of working with them and obtaining a research assistantship. Please indicate the potential faculty advisor(s) in the personal statement.
• Whenever possible, it is advisable to arrange a personal visit with the potential faculty sponsor and the Director of the Graduate Program.

Application Deadline: The application deadline is February 15th.

Ready to start your application?

Click here to begin the process.

Need financial support?

Apply for an assistantship and research opportunity.

Got questions?

Contact our Graduate Program Associate Anju Singh at [email protected] or 919-513-0350.