Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior
Program information
The doctoral program in organizational behavior (OB) prepares students for success in research universities as faculty members specializing in organizational behavior. The field of OB seeks to develop knowledge of how individuals and groups think, feel and behave in organizational settings and to apply that knowledge to foster effective management of individuals in work settings. Its origins include psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Key research areas within the discipline include employee well-being, work design, teams, decision-making, ethics, emotions, leadership, careers, individual differences, motivation, creativity and innovation, organizational change, culture, and cross-cultural differences.
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Research
Key research areas within the discipline include employee well-being, work design, teams, decision-making, ethics, emotions, leadership, careers, individual differences, motivation, creativity and innovation, organizational change, culture, and cross-cultural differences.
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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
Organizational Behavior Core Courses
A graduate course in economics: BE 701: Business Economics OR BE 917: Advanced Managerial Economics OR ECON 700: Survey of Microeconomics
Note: BE 917: Business Economics, is preferred. Students coming into the program directly from an undergraduate degree may consider substituting BE 701: Business Economics, or ECON 700: Survey of Microeconomics. In the event a student has taken a graduate economics course prior to enrolling as a KU doctoral student, she/he may waive the requirement and substitute either an elective doctoral content course or a statistics/research methods course for this requirement.
MGMT 905: Management Research Methods
MGMT 916: Major Management Theories
MGMT 953: Seminar in Organizational Behavior I
MGMT 954: Seminar in Organizational Behavior II
MGMT 956: Seminar in Strategic Management I OR MGMT 957: Seminar in Strategic Management II
MGMT 950: Seminar in Human Resource Management I OR MGMT 951: Seminar in Human Resource Management II
MGMT 998: Independent Study
MGMT 955: Special Topics in Organizational Behavior (offered when 3 or more students in years 1 & 2 of the program)
Statistics/Research Methods Courses
At least four courses with advisor approval
Electives
At least two or more courses with advisor approval
More information:
Year 1
- Coursework
- Research
Year 2
- Coursework
- Research
Year 3
- Comprehensive exams
Year 4
- Dissertation proposal
Year 5
- Dissertation defense
Some students can complete the program in four years.
