Marketing

Ph.D. Specialization in Marketing

At the University of Oklahoma, the substantive emphasis of the doctoral program in Marketing focuses on market-driven strategy and the role of channels in creating access to domestic and international markets. A market orientation is vital for organizational success in today’s turbulent economy. Companies that are market driven are characterized by a superior ability to sense emerging opportunities, to attract and retain customers, and to develop and coordinate organizational processes. These capabilities lead to high levels of financial performance in the long run.

The University of Oklahoma doctoral program will help you develop an in-depth knowledge of marketing and management topics. Since research in marketing takes place at the intersection of three underlying “foundation” disciplines, you will also study psychology, statistics, and economics. Our doctoral program provides you with the necessary skills for a successful career of teaching and research in the academia.

The program’s objectives are:

to provide a strong foundation in marketing concepts for research and teaching
to prepare students for academic and related careers

The doctoral program in marketing focuses on competence in marketing management, marketing theory, and behavioral concepts in marketing. Students receive rigorous training in marketing research methodologies. Most doctoral candidates are appointed to a research assistantship early in their program to encourage interaction with faculty members. In addition, many summer research and research related-travel opportunities are provided for students. As evidenced by their research and teaching related awards, Oklahoma marketing specialization doctoral students are intimately involved in activities that prepare them for their careers as academics.

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Curriculum

Coursework

The core or required classes for the Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing program typically consist of four doctoral seminars in marketing, two summer directed study courses, and three elective seminar courses to complete a minor, five research methods/statistics courses, and one economics course.

The doctoral seminars constitute a total of 21 hours/credits, and the total coursework requirement constitutes a total of 45 hours/credits. Substitutions can be made with approval of the Ph.D. program coordinator.

Doctoral Seminars in Marketing

Distribution Channels
Marketing Models
Marketing Theory and Methods
Marketing Strategy

Elective Seminars

Business
Development of Management Thought
Global Business and the Environment
Organization Theory
Organization Impacts of Information Technology Management of Technological Innovation
Computer-Mediated Communication and Decision Making

OR

Marketing related disciplines
Psychology
Sociology
Economics
Geography
Industrial Engineering

Research Readiness Requirements

To complete this component, the student is required to take a doctoral seminar in research methods, plus two directed study courses focusing on research. These directed study courses are the same ones mentioned above in the Required Courses section. In addition, the doctoral seminar in research methods will count towards the five-course research methods/statistics course requirement.

Prerequesites

The University of Oklahoma doctoral program requires 90 hours/credits beyond the bachelor's degree. A maximum of 30 hours/credits can be devoted to the student's dissertation. This stipulation implies that a student devotes about 60 hours to completing (non-dissertation) course requirements. Required doctoral seminars and research readiness component courses add up to 30 hours/credits (as discussed above), so an additional 30 hours/credits of courses are required beyond the bachelor's degree level. Of course, students who enter the program with a master's degree will have already completed coursework that partially satisfies this requirement. Remaining hours/credits are met by enrolling in courses in the fundamental disciplines of economics, psychology and statistics.

These requirements translate to roughly 2 years of courses for students entering with an MBA and 3 years of courses for students entering without an MBA. At that point, the student takes his/her general examination and begins his/her dissertation research.

Applying for Admission

Apply to Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma

Submit application materials (official transcripts, GMAT/GRE scores, etc.) to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Robertson Hall
731 Elm Avenue, Room 318
Norman, OK 73019

Application Requirements for Graduate Admissions

Applications will be processed and evaluated upon the submission of a completed online application. Offers of admission will not be made until all of the following materials are received by the Admissions Office:

Transcripts
Upload a copy of transcripts from every college attended. Official copies should also be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
GMAT Score
Scores must be no more than five years old at the time of submission. Unofficial scores may be uploaded to the online application but admission decisions will not be made until official scores are received. The GMAT score is preferred; the GRE score will be accepted for all graduate programs except Accounting. GMAT score required but can be waived in certain situations.
Resume
Statement of Goals
Contact Information of three recommendations:
Automatic email requests will be launched when you submit your application. This is not required.
TOEFL Score
International applicants must submit a score from either the TOEFL (minimum of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the internet-based test) or IELTS (minimum of 7.0) as well as a Confidential Financial Statement. School Code: 6879
Application Fee
A $50 ($100 for international applicants) non-refundable application processing fee is required to submit your online application.