Graduate Studies: Program Outline

The SDS graduate program is a small one, emphasizing empirical and multi-disciplinary approaches to complex problems. A typical cohort has four students. One hallmark of the program is that it is research-centered. The small size of the program makes it possible for students to work closely with its internationally distinguished faculty on diverse projects and to engage in research during their first year of graduate school. A second hallmark of the program is its flexibility. Although there are core requirements for all students, the program is designed to make it easy to combine interests in several academic areas, including psychology, economics, organizational behavior, and public policy.

The following programs represent basic options for graduate training in SDS:
Behavioral Decision Research
Social and Decision Sciences
Strategy, Entrepeneurship, and Technological Change (SETchange)

It is also possible for a student to put together an individually tailored program with other groupings of our faculty that are not suggested here.

Each of the doctoral fields of study have the same general requirements and milestones. The first stage of requirements is known as precandidacy for the Ph.D. The precandidacy requirements and milestones include:
  • Completing at least twelve Ph.D. level courses, including at least four courses in methodology;
  • Attending the SDS Ph.D. seminar (first two semesters; not counted as part of the twelve courses);
  • Completing a Research Paper (by January 10 of second year);
  • Passing the Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (by December 10 of third year);
  • Dissertation Proposal Acceptance (by June 1 of third year).
Upon completion of the above requirements, students will have achieved candidacy for the Ph.D. The remaining requirements for the Ph.D. include writing and defending a Ph.D. dissertation within a recommended four years after entry into the program.

Contacts:
George Loewenstein
Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee

John Miller
SDS Department Head

Connie Angermeier
Coordinator of Student Programs
Connie maintains the graduate students' academic audits and manages SDS course scheduling and registration. Please direct all registration questions to her.

Mary Anne Hunter
Administrative Coordinator

If you have general questions about the SDS graduate programs, our application page includes several "frequently asked questions." Or, you may send us your questions via email. 		GRADUATE APPLICATION
Download Graduate Application (PDF version)

View Graduate Appraisal Form (PDF version)


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