Florida State University

What you'll study

The PhD programme emphasises rigorous research training in the core domains of commerce. Early-stage study typically includes advanced microeconomic and macroeconomic theory as applicable, econometrics and statistics, research methods, and specialised seminars in your chosen field. Common subject areas and modules include:

• Research methods and econometrics — advanced quantitative techniques, causal inference, panel and time-series methods, and computational approaches used in empirical research.
• Disciplinary seminars — intensive reading and research seminars in areas such as finance, marketing, management, accounting, information systems, operations management and strategy.
• Theory courses — microeconomic theory for business research, game theory, organisational theory or other theory foundations depending on the specialisation.
• Teaching practicum — supervised teaching or instructional experience to develop communication and pedagogy skills.
• Comprehensive examinations — written and/or oral exams that assess mastery of the field before proceeding to the dissertation.
• Doctoral dissertation — original research under faculty supervision, culminating in a public defence and scholarly publications.

Students normally tailor coursework and seminars to their research agenda, working closely with a faculty advisor and a dissertation committee. Interdisciplinary opportunities are available through collaborations with other departments and research centres.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants typically hold a relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) in business, economics, finance, management, statistics, or a related quantitative field. The selection process emphasises academic preparation for research, including strong performance in quantitative coursework. Typical required or recommended materials include:

• Official transcripts demonstrating strong undergraduate and graduate academic record.
• A CV detailing academic, research and professional experience.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to research potential.
• A statement of purpose or research statement outlining research interests and fit with faculty expertise.
• GRE or GMAT scores may be considered or recommended, particularly where quantitative background needs demonstration.
• For international applicants, evidence of English language proficiency through recognised test scores unless exempt.

Admissions are competitive and assess both prior preparation and the fit between the applicant’s research interests and faculty supervision capacity.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Business go on to careers in several sectors. Common career paths include:

• Academia — tenure-track faculty positions at universities where graduates teach and lead research programmes.
• Research roles — positions in government agencies, think tanks, and independent research organisations conducting policy and applied research.
• Industry research and analytics — senior roles in corporate research, data science, quantitative finance, marketing science and operations research.
• Consulting and advisory — strategic and analytics consulting roles that require advanced analytical and research skills.

Graduates are prepared to publish in peer-reviewed journals, secure research funding, teach at the university level and take leadership roles that require rigorous analytical and empirical expertise.

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s College of Business offers an environment that supports doctoral research with dedicated faculty, research centres and seminar series. The college holds recognised business accreditation and fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration with departments across the university. Benefits of studying at FSU include:

• Experienced faculty supervision — faculty members active in publishing and advising across core commerce disciplines provide mentorship for dissertation work.
• Research resources — access to data resources, computing facilities and university-wide research centres that support empirical and theoretical work.
• Funding and training — funded assistantships, teaching opportunities and structured doctoral training that build research, teaching and professional skills.
• Collaborative community — a steady programme of workshops, colloquia and conferences that expose students to current research and networking opportunities.
• Location advantage — Tallahassee’s academic community and university connections can facilitate interdisciplinary projects and applied research partnerships.

These features combine to prepare doctoral candidates for demanding careers in academia, policy and industry.