Ph.D. Marketing
The Ph.D. in Business Administration – Marketing offers students a rigorous course of work and the chance to conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of Mays’ faculty, including some of the world’s leading scholars in their respective fields. The program prepares students for successful careers as academics, industry researchers and/or business consultants.
Academic Overview
Our Ph.D. in Business Administration – Marketing program provides rigorous coursework and research activities for an in-depth understanding of two broad areas of research in marketing: Marketing Strategy/ Quantitative Modeling, and Consumer Behavior. It is designed to prepare students for academic careers at top-tier research universities. A written dissertation must be submitted and defended before an advisory committee, invited faculty and other Ph.D. students.
Degree Details
Duration: 5 years
Required Hours: 64 semester hours beyond a master’s degree or 96 semester credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree
Class Type: In-Person
Location: College Station
Financial Aid: Competitive Stipends offered to all admitted students with tuition waivers
Unique Features and Benefits
Rigorous Training for Academic Excellence
Our program is purposefully structured to prepare students for successful academic careers at leading research universities. Through a combination of solid theoretical and empirical training, students gain the skills needed to conduct high-quality research and publish in top journals.
Tailored Research Assistantships
From the start of the program, students engage closely with faculty whose research aligns with their interests. It leads to lasting mentorship and co-authored publications.
Assessment Based on Research Manuscripts
Instead of comprehensive exams, students demonstrate competency by writing research manuscripts, with first- and second-year papers designed to become publishable in top peer-reviewed journals.
Focus on Long-Term Career Preparation
Our program extends beyond job placement to nurture lifelong academic success. Students learn to build a strong research portfolio, establish a distinctive scholarly identity, and develop the skills and mindset needed to produce impactful research that advances the field over time.
Admissions
We look for students with strong training, a good understanding of the research process, a passion for research and a long-term desire to learn and contribute to the frontier of marketing science. Admission to our program is extremely competitive, with approximately seventy applications received for two to three openings each fall, and applications are reviewed by the Marketing Ph.D. Council at Mays Business School. View Placements and Awards
A formal application is required for all individuals seeking admission to the Ph.D. in Business Administration – Marketing program. At the final stage of the online process, applications will require an application submission fee. If you are currently enrolled in another graduate degree program at Texas A&M, please contact our office at maysphdprogram@mays.tamu.edu. Below is a list of application requirements:
- Completed online application in BusinessCAS
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume (maximum two pages)
- Transcript
- Unofficial GMAT/GRE scores
- TOEFL or IELTS (international candidates only)
Research
Over the course of the program, candidates will aim to develop an extensive repertoire of research, coursework, and publications. We offer a number of resources to aid students in their work such as the workshop program.
Research Resources
Doctoral students at Mays Business School receive office space, computer equipment, and full access to Texas A&M’s extensive databases and library resources. The department also provides funding support for conferences, data collection, and other scholarly activities. Students benefit from specialized research centers, including the Center for Retailing Innovation, which partners with major retailers and connects doctoral students with industry partners for collaborative research opportunities. Additionally, the department supports teaching development through seminars offered by the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence.
We provide a competitive five-year financial package for doctoral students, which typically includes stipend support, health insurance benefits, summer financial support, and fellowship opportunities.
PhD students also have access to the Jeffery Conant Behavioral Research Lab, which provides one of the largest subject pools among U.S. Universities, state-of-the-art facilities to design and conduct experiments, as well as support for data collection and lab management.
Apply To Mays
Applications Are Open
Early Applicant Deadline: December 10
Final Deadline: April 15*
*Applications may close early if program reaches capacity.
Areas of Expertise
Marketing Strategy/
Quantitative Modeling
Marketing Strategy research focuses on how firms can achieve competitive advantage through their marketing activities. It delves into the long-term planning and decision-making processes that guide a firm’s marketing efforts, ensuring alignment with its overarching objectives and market realities. Quantitative modeling research applies mathematical and statistical techniques to understand and predict consumer behavior and optimize marketing strategies. This area blends economic theories with empirical methods to derive actionable insights.
Consumer Behavior
Consumer Behavior research examines the processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use, or dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy needs and desires. It seeks to understand the decision-making processes of buyers, both individually and in groups, as well as the external and internal factors that influence these processes.
Top-Rated Marketing Ph.D. Programs
Department
Arch H. Aplin III ’80 Department of Marketing
The Aplin Department of Marketing at Mays Business School is a distinguished leader in the field of marketing education and research. Our programs and curricula receive global recognition for their strength and continued contributions to the field of marketing. For more information, visit the Aplin Department of Marketing website.
Marketing involves developing goods and services to satisfy customers’ needs and then making them available at the right places, at the right times and at competitive prices. Marketing also provides information to help customers decide whether specific goods and services will meet their needs.
Learn More
Listen to Alina Sorescu, Professor and former Director of the Ph.D. in Business Administration in the Aplin Department of Marketing, as she explains the recruiting process and the qualifications desired from applicants!
