Washington University's Olin Business School is one of the nation's leading research institutions, with a faculty whose research productivity consistently ranks among the highest in the business school community. Olin faculty members are recognized the world over for their important contributions to the creation of new knowledge, and they take great pride in their commitment to excellence in teaching.
Olin PhD students are guided by highly productive researchers who are among the nation's top scholars. Faculty work closely with students to help them hone their research skills, often building one-on-one mentoring relationships that include the co-authoring of research papers.
The development of strong problem-solving skills equips students to strategically address complex, unstructured business issues that result in innovative thinking and new ideas for research that have value to the academic community and application in the business world.
Olin's PhD program in business provides the following:
- A challenging core curriculum and a strong background in basic disciplines
- An emphasis on collaborative relationships between faculty and students, which enhances the educational process and the search for the student's first faculty appointment
- Personalized advising for the successful completion of PhD program requirements and for a customized course of study that fits the student's particular area of interest
- A collegial network built on mutual respect and a shared school of thought
- A competitive edge in the business education market
PhD in Business Administration
PhD students must complete 36 credit units; maintain satisfactory academic progress; pass certain examinations; fulfill residence and teaching requirements; and write, defend and submit a dissertation.
Upon the successful completion of business PhD study, the student is awarded a PhD from the College of Arts & Sciences at Washington University.
Core Foundation
- A strong foundation in microeconomics or psychology, probability and statistics, and quantitative methods
- Exposure to the student's area of specialization and the required research tools
- Successful completion of the core exam
Specialization
- Courses in one or more areas of study
- In-depth knowledge in the chosen field
- Active association with the research process through faculty mentoring
- Completion of the field exam
Research
- Participation with faculty in research activities
- Research paper presentation
- Individual research pursuing a specialized topic of interest
- Preparation and defense of the dissertation
As part of their degree requirements, PhD students must complete a program-defined Mentored Experience Requirement (MER) as per these guidelines. The Mentored Experience Implementation Plan (MEIP) is the written articulation of a program-defined degree requirement for PhD students to engage in mentored teaching activities and/or mentored professional activities, collectively referred to as MERs.
Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs)
Philosophy of Teaching
The Olin PhD program provides an intellectually challenging core curriculum and a strong background in fundamental disciplines, one-on-one mentoring relationships with highly respected faculty, and a collegial network built on mutual respect and shared thinking. Students acquire strong problem-solving skills that equip them to strategically address complex, unstructured business issues and that result in innovative thinking and new ideas for research.
Graduate students participating in mentored teaching experiences are highly valued members of the Olin WashU instructional team. The mentored teaching experience varies widely across subdisciplines.
Preparatory Engagement
Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication. Pedagogical preparation engagement activities are normally completed before students are permitted to engage in assisting or teaching in a classroom.
Students must attend the two Preparatory Engagement activities listed here before engaging in their AI/MTE experiences. It is anticipated that students will complete the Preparatory Engagement activities during the first year of their doctoral program.
- Attend the Graduate Student Mentored Teaching Orientation held by the Center for Teaching and Learning prior to the beginning of the second year of the doctoral program. Orientation is typically held once a year in August.
- Formal Instructional/Teaching Experience: Participate in a teaching preparation seminar, instructional workshop, internship, or course that addresses course design and classroom facilitation. Students can find workshops through the Center for Teaching and Learning or the Graduate Center.
Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)
Assistant in Instruction (AI)
An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member. An AI receives mentorship from a faculty member related to best practices in classroom engagement, instruction in the field, interpersonal engagement, and other relevant skills. Students and mentors complete a mentorship plan prior to the start of each AI experience. To complete each AI assignment and to ensure that it applies toward their degree requirements, students must register for the appropriate course number for each semester of engagement. Refer to the "Required Pathways for Completion" section below for course numbers and details.
The AI/MTE experiences may include assisting faculty in the preparation, instruction, and grading of an undergraduate or graduate course; tutorial responsibilities; and monitoring the laboratory segment of an undergraduate course. Students are expected to spend an average of 10 hours per week in this role. AI/MTE students register for the Mentored Teaching/Research Assistance course (MGT 8010) for 3 credits and take the course six or seven times during the course of their study.
To focus on coursework and acclimate to the program, first-year students do not participate in MTEs and are prohibited from accepting any other teaching or research assignments, including voluntary or paid positions.
Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT)
MIT is a semester-long experience for PhD students who engage as the primary instructor or co-instructor of a course under the mentorship of a faculty member as part of the MER. Students and mentors complete a mentorship plan prior to the start of each MIT experience. To complete each MIT assignment and to ensure that it applies toward their degree requirements, students must register for the appropriate course number (ASGS 8020) for each semester of engagement. Refer to the "Required Pathways for Completion" section below for more details.
Students may independently teach, based on the discretion of their faculty mentor and graduate director, for one semester. Each MIT experience will count for 20 MER units.
Required Pathways for Completion
Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs. Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.
Pathway #1
UG Spanish Seminar
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| MGT 8010 |
Take seven times |
Pathway #2
UG Spanish Seminar
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| MGT 8010 |
Take six times |
| MGT 8020 |
Take one time |