Ph.D. in Analytics, Information, Operations
**Analytics, Information, Operations is not accepting applications for the fall 2026 term.**
Faculty research often is motivated by challenges faced by firms across diverse industry sectors such as military, airlines, television, technology, digital marketing, social networking, insurance and healthcare.
Analytics, information and operations faculty are highly regarded for their research productivity and placement of doctoral graduates.
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Research
Students begin their own research during the first year of the program and often present to faculty and other doctoral students early in their second year. Many of these papers are eventually published in academic journals.
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Teaching
Part of our mission is to develop effective teachers. To that end, all doctoral students are required to teach at least two sections as independent instructors. The school and university prepare and reward doctoral students for excellence in teaching through various programs and awards.
Program details
Area of Concentration
Most students admitted in analytics, information, and operations typically will select that area as their concentration. However, an aspirant, with the assistance of his or her faculty advisor and the area faculty, may propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that is a combination of the traditional business disciplines of accounting, finance, human resource management, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management. An aspirant may also propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that includes emphases such as international business, law, and economics. The aspirant must take at least five advanced courses in the area of concentration.
Supporting Areas
Coursework in the area of concentration is supplemented and strengthened by study in one or two supporting areas. A supporting area is one that supplements and complements the area of concentration. The aspirant will satisfy the supporting area requirement by taking at least four advanced courses in the supporting areas (at least two courses in each of two supporting areas, or at least four courses in one supporting area). The typical supporting areas for analytics and operation students are marketing, economics, finance, etc. Courses recommended for preparation for the qualifiers may not be included in satisfying the supporting area requirement.
Research Methodology
For successful qualifier assessment, the student’s program of study should include adequate preparation in research methodology. A sound research is always grounded on sound methodology. A doctoral student in analytics and operations has the opportunity to develop methodological skill in probability and statistics, optimization, uncertain reasoning, game theory, and econometrics. A typical doctoral dissertation often utilizes one or more of the following research methodology: empirical, analytical, behavioral, and computational.
Year 1
Coursework and research
Year 2
Coursework and research
Year 3
Comprehensive exams and research
Year 4
Dissertation proposal and job market
Year 5
Dissertation defense
Note: Some students complete the program in four years.
