• Join leading scholars at the emerging frontiers of business.

    Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted between August 15th, 2024 and December 9th, 2024.

    We strongly encourage all those considering applying to the Schulich PhD in Administration or those seeking more information to first watch the helpful ‘Schulich PhD in Administration Program Overview and Application Tips Information Session’ for the Fall 2025 intake.

    The Schulich doctorate comprises four tightly linked phases of study: coursework to acquire in-depth knowledge of your field of study; a comprehensive examination to demonstrate your mastery of the subject matter; defense of a formal research proposal; and a dissertation.

    From the outset of the PhD program, you are invited to start thinking about the direction of your research. Scholarly development through the presentation and publication of papers with professors and other students is a cornerstone of the program.

  • PhD Program Director - Eileen Fischer

Want to learn more?

“My time at Schulich has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. I have so many fond memories of how vibrant the research culture was and how incredibly generous the professors, fellow students, and staff were - and frankly, still are - with me.”

Marie-Agnès Parmentier, PhD 2009Associate Professor, Marketing, HEC Montreal
Specializations

  • Explore our PhD Specializations.

  • At Schulich, our expertise in various specialized areas of study will help you meet your unique career objectives and give you a competitive career advantage.

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Career Opportunities

Prepare for a stimulating career in academic teaching and research. Graduates from this rigorous program of study contribute to the knowledge and global practice of business through tenure stream positions at leading universities in Canada, the U.S. or abroad.

PhD Videos

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PhD Stories: Kam Phung

PhD in the News

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Makini with her medal

Schulich PhD Candidate Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

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Professors Henriques and Diamant Honored at Research Day 2024

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Freeman head shot

Father of Stakeholder Theory to speak at Schulich COERB Event

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PhD Program Details by Category

Admission Requirements

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Requirement Checklist

  1. A master’s degree with a minimum B+ average in a related discipline.
    • Exceptional candidates with a bachelor’s degree may be considered.
    • Masters degrees in Business (MBA’s) from South Asia may require further academic qualifications for consideration.
    • A degree certificate will be required if the transcript does not indicate graduation or completion from a program.
  2. Proof of English language proficiency.
    • If you have studied full-time at a university where the language of instruction and examination were English for at least 1 year you will not be required to submit an English proficiency test score. Please note that your official university transcripts or supporting documentation from the university must state the degree was taught in English.
      Accepted Tests Minimum Score
      IELTS (Academic Test)  7.5 overall
      TOEFL 100 iBT
      Schulich’s TOEFL code is B710 with Department Code 02
  3. GMAT or GRE
    • Acceptable scores on all measures of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination taken in the last five years.
    • While we do not have a minimum GMAT or GRE cut-off, it is recommended that candidates present a competitive score of 650+ in the GMAT 10th Edition, or 595+ in GMAT Focus Edition, or 320+ in the GRE.
    • To send your scores for these tests to us please use the following codes: GMAT code Z75-X8-80 or GRE code 5697
  4. Research Experience
    • Prior research experience is strongly recommended.
  5. Completion of the online application
    • The online application requires: essays (written), an updated résumé and 3 recommendations. Copies of transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, and language proficiency test scores (if applicable) may be uploaded to facilitate the initial review process. Note that unofficial documents are sufficient at the application stage.

Deadlines

The PhD program is offered on a full-time basis only. Full-time studies start in September of each year.

The Fall 2025 PhD Application portal will open on August 15th, 2024.

Fall 2025 Application Deadline: December 9, 2024.

Please complete all sections (personal information, education, program of study, payment) of the online application and upload all supporting documentation (e.g. Curriculum Vitae, Scanned Transcripts, Unofficial GMAT or GRE results, and proof of English Proficiency – TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable) by the deadline date. Hard copies of supporting documents are not required at the time of application. Official transcripts and official copies of test scores are only required once an offer of admission is made.

Admissions Decision: March 2025

For additional admissions information and/or questions about the application process, contact the Schulich PhD Admissions team through our Graduate Enquiry Form. 

View PhD Program Details   Apply Now!

Tuition & Fees

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PhD

For information on PhD fees, please see York University’s Graduate Student Fees table.

To learn more about the funding offered to PhD students please review PhD Financial Assistance.

 

Funding

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Students entering Schulich’s PhD program may expect to receive $30,000 (domestic) and $43,000 (international) each year, up to five years. This funding is guaranteed, provided that students remain in good standing, show satisfactory progress in their work, maintain full-time status and fulfill the expected requirements. If a student defends his/her dissertation proposal before September 15 in his/her fourth year (i.e. start of term 10), he/she is eligible to receive an additional $2000 in year four. Funding in years one through three is tied to a research assistantship. Details are available from the PhD program.

In addition, students will have opportunities to pursue special awards through Schulich and York University and options for working on and off campus. For full details click below.

Financial Aid for PhD Students

Study Options

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The PhD must be taken on a full-time basis for the first two years of study. To remain eligible for funding, students must maintain their full-time status.

Available delivery options

  • Full-time 48 to 72 months

Location(s)

  • Keele Campus Toronto
Graduation Requirements

Curriculum Overview

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Candidates for the PhD degree must complete studies in one of the following major fields: Accounting, Organizational Studies, Finance, Marketing, Strategic Management, or Operations Management and Information Systems. They must also complete a series of methodological courses relevant to that major field.

 Learn more about PhD Course Types 

Coursework only accounts for one of four phases in the PhD program. For a more detailed overview of the PhD program’s four broad phases of study, view program requirements (below)

The courses you take are dependent on your particular program of study and research interests. To see which courses are required for your area of interest, view specializations (below).

To browse all of our course offerings, view current PhD course offerings or visit our Course Catalog.

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Coursework

Coursework is intended to prepare students to carry out leading-edge research in their major field. A student’s coursework plan is developed in consultation with the faculty member from the student’s field who has been assigned as an advisor.

Students entering the PhD program without an MBA degree are required to do a number of Schulich MBA 1 Required Foundations of Management Core Courses.

Students must complete the following course requirements:

  1. A core of courses designed to support necessary methodology training
  2. A minimum of four courses in the major field
  3. A minimum of two electives in topics related to the major field, approved by the PhD program coordinator in the candidate’s major field of study.

These courses will normally be chosen from those offered at the 7000-level at the Schulich School of Business. With permission, some may be chosen from those offered at the graduate level by other graduate programs or at other academic institutions.

Comprehensive Examination

Each student must pass a comprehensive examination before proceeding to formal work on her or his dissertation. Comprehensive examinations are designed to demonstrate competence and knowledge in the field. The examination is set and administered by the faculty within the student’s major field.

The Faculty regards the comprehensive examination as a pivotal point for deciding whether students should be allowed to proceed with their studies or be encouraged to withdraw from the program.

Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defence

Candidates must prepare a written proposal to conduct original dissertation research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee and must defend this to the satisfaction of the thesis supervisor and members of the committee.

Dissertation and Oral Examination

Candidates must prepare a dissertation based on original research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee and submit the results in appropriate dissertation form. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination is held. It is expected that all or part of the dissertation will be published following professional or scientific review.

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Faculty

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The Schulich School of Business continues to accelerate in its commitment to research excellence across all functional and program areas and through thriving interdisciplinary initiatives within Schulich and beyond. Fundamental to our success in advancing knowledge and understanding in business has been the continued recruitment of researchers of the highest distinction and calibre.

Browse our PhD specializations for faculty profiles by academic area.

Teaching & Learning Online

Program faculty members

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Student Research

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Select a PhD specialization to learn more about recent student research, publication and placement.

Application FAQs and Tips

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  • 1. How do I apply?

    Start by creating a profile in our online system. Once you submit your profile page, check your email to create a password for your application. It may take up to 15 minutes for the email to arrive. Save that email for reference, as it also contains the permanent link to the application portal. You will then be able to begin your application and upload your documents.

    2. How much does it cost to apply?

    The application fee is $150CAD payable online with any major credit card.

    The PhD program does not offer application fee waiver.

    3. Do you offer application fee waivers?

    No.

    4. When will a decision be issued?

    Applications will be reviewed following the application deadline. Decisions will be made in March/April.

    5. Do I need to send in official documents?

    Official documents are not required at the application stage.

    You can apply with unofficial documents that are scanned and uploaded to your application. Please ensure all information on scanned documents is clear and legible. The grading scale or legend must be included with the uploaded transcript for each institution; this information is often found on the back or at the end of the transcript. Unofficial test results must be submitted with your application. Required test results need to be submitted prior to the application deadline to be considered.

    Official documents are only required following an admissions decision. If admitted to the program, final official transcripts must be submitted before the term start date (early September). Official transcripts and test results must be mailed or emailed directly from the issuing institution.  If my mail:

    Graduate Recruitment & Admissions, Room W263B
    Seymour Schulich Building
    Schulich School of Business – York University
    4700 Keele Street Toronto, Ontario
    Canada, M3J 1P3

    **If the institutions that you have attended provide Official Transcripts in digital format, you may arrange with your institutions to send the official transcripts directly to us via email to admissions@schulich.yorku.ca. (Note: Only transcripts received directly from the institutions are considered official.)

    For questions on admission on conditions, please visit http://futurestudents.yorku.ca/admission-conditions

    6. Which part of the application is most important?

    We take a holistic approach during the application review process and all components of the application are thoroughly reviewed. There is no particular weight assigned to any of the components in the application.

    7. Is there a word limit to the essay questions?

    No, there is no word limit for the essays.

    Applicants are required to provide a written statement in the “Essays” section of the application. This is the statement where you will describe your motives for pursuing PhD studies. Your statement of intent should include:

    1) your specific research interests
    2) why you have selected your chosen field
    3) your career plans

    We suggest to provide responses to the questions that equals 1-2 pages in length.

    8. Is the GMAT or GRE a mandatory requirement and can this be waived?

    Yes, the GMAT or GRE is mandatory.

    GMAT or GRE is a requirement of the program and cannot be waived.

    All applicants are required to complete the GMAT or the GRE if they wish to be eligible for admission, regardless of their academic or professional profile.

    9. What is minimum competitive GMAT or GRE score?

    While we do not have a minimum GMAT or GRE cut-off, it is recommended that candidates present a competitive score of 650+ in the GMAT 10th Edition, or 595+ in GMAT Focus Edition, or 320+ in the GRE.

    10. What are the minimum scores required on the acceptable English language tests?

    The following minimum scores are acceptable for admission consideration:

    IELTS 7.5 overall
    TOEFL 100 iBT

    11. Can the English language test requirements be waived?

    If you have studied full-time at a university where the language of instruction and examination were English for at least 1 year you will not be required to submit an English proficiency test score.

    Please note that your official university transcripts or supporting documentation from the university must state the degree was taught in English.

    12. Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? Is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor?

    Applicants are not required to secure a supervisor before applying to the PhD program.

    Your supervisor is typically identified after admission and admission is not conditional upon securing a supervisor. However, we encourage our applicants to connect with our area representatives (see PhD program specializations) to discuss research interests and learn more about each area.

    13. Can I use professional references instead of academic references?

    You will enter your information into Step 7 of the application form. Full details can be found within the application.
    Please choose referees, or recommenders, who are most familiar with your potential as a scholar and researcher.

    General guidelines for choosing your referees:

    • Referees are typically research professors, or others who are able to comment on your scholarly and educational goals.
    • Referees should know you well and be able to attest to your past performance, potential, and qualifications for completing a Ph.D. in business and a scholarly career.
    • Referees who have served as a research supervisor or a similar role are most preferred.
    • Referees cannot be relatives or friends. Schulich cannot offer advice on the suitability of your referee – only you can decide who will best represent you.
    • Referee information should be complete, and references should be submitted on time to meet the program deadline.
    • Referees must complete the online reference form, recommendation letters will not be accepted.

    14. How much is tuition and what financial aid opportunities are available?

    For information on PhD fees, please see York University’s Graduate Student Fees table.

    View Graduate Program Fees Structure FAQs

    Please visit our PhD Financial Assistance page for more information on financial support and scholarships available to full-time doctoral students.

    15. I don’t have my GMAT/GRE score yet. Can I complete and submit my application now and then take the GMAT or GRE and submit the score later?

    Yes, but you will need to indicate your scheduled GMAT or GRE test date in the initial stages of your application. Also keep in mind that the PhD application must be submitted by the application deadline (December 8th, 2023 for the Fall 2024 intake) and the GMAT or GRE score must be received no later than December 15th, 2023. If the GMAT/GRE is not received by that date, the application will be eliminated from consideration.

    16. I have read the information above but have a question I can’t find the answer to. Who can I contact?

    Please connect with the PhD admissions team here: https://schulich.yorku.ca/admissions/connect-with-us/grad-inquiry/