Management

The mission of the Ph.D. program in business with a specialization in management is to develop scholars for academic careers at leading research universities. Graduates enjoy careers that include initiating and conducting original research, teaching at the undergraduate, masters and Ph.D. levels and serving the needs of the profession through their university and professional associations.

The Ph.D. in business with a specialization in management is a research-oriented program that prepares students for successful academic careers. The UNL program focuses on training scholars who can advance and disseminate new knowledge that has impact for both research and practice. Students learn in a stimulating and supportive environment that challenges them to grow and develop as researchers and teachers.

The Ph.D. program is a full-time, residential program. Students spend the first two years in coursework designed to provide foundational knowledge in the field of management and to allow them to customize their program to meet their personal interests and needs. Upon completion of their coursework students take a comprehensive exam, and pass on to candidacy where they work on their dissertation and other research projects.

The program is selective, admitting 2-3 students per year. This provides students with personalized attention and mentoring. Students work closely with faculty mentors and in employment as graduate assistants. The management department provides individual attention designed to enable students to publish one or more articles before graduation. Because the Ph.D. program is dedicated to training students for research positions in well-known universities, the department cannot accommodate the needs of those not interested in academic careers.

• Apply online at the Office of Graduate Studies and submit the $50 application fee.
• The next day you will receive instructions for the UNL GAMES application system (Graduate Admission Management and Evaluation System).
• You need to submit three letters of reference through GAMES. Letters should address your motivation, commitment, work experience, skills and potential for success in graduate study. One letter from your current employer is preferred (if you are currently working) along with two letters from former professors who can speak to your academic ability and suitability for doctoral studies. If this is not possible, choose letter writers who can best speak to your abilities and the likelihood you will succeed in a Ph.D. program.
• Personal statement: Please create your personal statement off-line and upload it through GAMES. Your personal statement should describe why you are interested in a Ph.D., what you hope to accomplish with the degree, and why you are interested in the Management Ph.D. at Nebraska. The personal statement provides the opportunity for you to highlight unique qualities and experiences that distinguish you as an applicant to our Ph.D. program. It should address your career objectives and specify how a Ph.D. in Management from UNL will assist in achieving your goals. The statement should also include your reasons for interest in our program, your research interests (if you have any at this stage), work experience, honors/awards, etc. Be concise, yet thorough.
• Resume: Please created your resume off-line and upload it through GAMES.
• Transcripts: Ask each college or university that you have attended to send one official transcript to:
  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Graduate Admissions
  1100 Seaton Hall
  Lincoln, NE 68588-0619
  Tel: (402) 472-2875
• GMAT Score: You should register to take the GMAT and have the results forwarded to UNL. Please use institution code S40-HW-48. You should also submit your scores through GAMES. We will accept GRE scores but GMAT scores are preferred. The UNL institutional code for GRE is 6877. For detailed information on how to prepare for or register to take the GMAT, please visit:
  http://www.mba.com/
• TOEFL Score: International Students should also include a TOEFL score (minimum score of 550 written, 213 computer based or 80 iBT). Please use institution code 6877. Guidelines for international students can be found at:
  http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/international.

Finance Resource Certification Form: Any application who is recommended for admission and expects to hold an F1 (student) or J1 (exchange visitor) visa should submit the Financial Resource Certification (FRC) form.

Scholarships

Financial Assistance

All students accepted into the Ph.D. program in business with a specialization in management will receive a graduate assistantship to cover their studies for four years (dependent on continued progress). The graduate assistantship in management includes a 10-month per year stipend, full tuition remission for all courses taken during the year including courses taken in the summer, and a basic health insurance plan covered by the University of Nebraska's student health insurance. Students are encouraged to apply for a limited number of fellowships offered in partnership with the university.

The assistantship is one of the primary ways through which research and teaching skills are developed. Therefore, it is an important part of doctoral studies. Graduate assistants are assigned for a total of 20 hours per week, and all students are required to work as graduate assistants for the full four years in the program. Graduate assistants will be considered for reappointment provided that they continue to make satisfactory progress on program requirements and successfully complete teaching and research assignments.

Research Assistants

Research assistants are assigned on a rotating basis. RA assignments typically involve students assisting faculty in research and writing work. They are designed to help faculty members with the publishing process and to provide students opportunities to obtain experience in the research process. Through research assistance, students learn the art and craft of scholarship. Students work closely with faculty to learn how to design, structure and complete research projects leading to publications in high quality journals. Students take this knowledge and apply it to their own learning and research programs. The outcome should be research collaborations generating presentations at professional conferences and publications it in top-tier management journals.

Teaching Assistants

The goal of a teaching assistantship is to provide students with opportunities to develop the skills and experience necessary to create and deliver high quality classroom experiences. Teaching assistance will start with assignments to faculty to help in grading, designing and supporting course activities, and shadowing faculty in the classroom. By the third year students will also be assigned to teach their own class. This will allow them to gain experience in the classroom and have a portfolio of teaching experiences needed for their job search process. Teaching a course/section is considered to be a 10-hour assignment.

Travel Support

Participation in professional conferences is an important part of a student's research and professional development. Therefore, the College of Business Administration and the Management Department offer opportunities to support conference travel for students who are participating in conference activities.

The college will fund up to $500 per year for doctoral students to travel to present papers at approved academic conferences. In addition, the Management Department will provide up to $1,000 per year to students who are presenting at the National Academy of Management, Midwest Academy of Management, SIOP, or other approved meetings. Students in their last year of the program will be supported to attend the National Academy of Management meeting as part of the job search process regardless of whether they are presenting a paper. Students may also apply for travel support from UNL Graduate Studies.