Why Marshall
Leadership
Dean Geoffrey Garrett
Dean's Cabinet
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Open Expression Statement
Programs
Undergraduate Programs
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Degrees
BS Business Administration (BUAD)
Business Emphases
BS Accounting (ACCT)
World Bachelor in Business (WBB)
BS Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA)
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI)
Undergraduate Minors
Graduate Programs
MBA Programs
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA)
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MS Business Administration (MSBUSAD)
MS Business Analytics (MSBA)
MS Entrepreneurship + Innovation (MSEI)
MS Finance (MSF)
MS Global Supply Chain Management (MSGSCM)
MS Marketing (MSMKT)
MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
Master of Business for Veterans (MBV)
Master of Management Studies (MMS)
Accounting Masters
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals (MBT.WP)
PhD Program
Accounting
Data Sciences + Operations
Finance
Management + Organization
Marketing
Graduate Certificates
GC in Business Analytics
GC in Financial Analysis + Valuation
GC in Management Studies
GC in Marketing
GC in Optimization + Supply Chain Management
GC in Strategy + Management Consulting
GC in Sustainability + Business
GC in Technology Commercialization
GC in Library and Information Management – Online
Executive Education
Departments
Business Communication (BUCO)
Faculty
Data Sciences and Operations (DSO)
Finance + Business Economics (FBE)
Leventhal School of Accounting (ACCT)
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (BAEP)
Management and Organization (MOR)
Marketing (MKT)
Institutes + Centers
Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute
Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative
Institute for Outlier Research in Business
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Incubate USC
USC Marshall Venture Fund
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab
Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
Center for Effective Organizations
Center for Global Innovation
Center for Investment Studies
Initiative on Digital Competition
Trojan Network
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Student Organizations
Management + Organization PhD Program
MOR research includes the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the design of organizational structures and the relationship of organizations to their environments. MOR research draws on the basic disciplines of psychology, sociology and economics to investigate research questions in three general areas: organizational behavior, organizational theory and strategic management.
Organizational Behvior
- How environmental demands affect organization structure and the boundaries of the firm
- How individuals make judgments, negotiate with others and lead organizations
Organizational Theory
How groups (including corporate boards and top management teams) affect and are affected by the organization
Strategic Management
- How strategy influences organization performance
- How organizations evolve and change
Requirements
Year 1
Sample Course Schedule
Fall:
Spring:
Research DevelopmentBeginning in the first semester, students will apprentice with a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first year.
Screening ExaminationIn the summer of the first year, students complete a screening examination which may take the form of a written or oral exam, written assignments, and/or summer research project. The results of the examination help the faculty determine students’ developmental needs and fitness to continue in the program.
Year 2
Research DevelopmentStudents continue their apprenticeship with a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals and participate in research projects. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first and second years.
Year 3
Research DevelopmentPh.D. candidates continue to apprentice with faculty, and are given increasing responsibility. They also will begin to work on their dissertations.
Teaching DevelopmentPh.D. candidates begin developing teaching skills by serving as a teaching assistant for one or two classes and engaging in teaching skills workshops.
Qualifying ExaminationWith the recommendation of their faculty mentor, students take a comprehensive examination on the core knowledge of their discipline. The examination includes both written and oral components. Upon passing the examination, an individual becomes a Ph.D. candidate and begins work on the Ph.D. dissertation.
Year 4
Research DevelopmentResearch is the primary activity in the fourth year and beyond. In addition to continuing independent and joint research projects, Ph.D. candidates participate actively in and present their research at departmental seminars.
Teaching DevelopmentPh.D. candidates co-teach one course with a faculty member.
Dissertation Defense & SubmissionThe dissertation is the culminating work of a student’s independent research. In the fourth or fifth year of the program, students complete, defend and submit the dissertation. This is the last step to earn the Ph.D.
Research
Research topics include the study of groups and individuals and how they affect and are affected by the organization; the effects of organizational structure and environmental demands on behavior; the study of strategic and organizational change; and corporate boards and top management teams.
Community Learning
The MOR Ph.D. program is based on the belief that preparing for a career in academia involves considerable participation, interaction and responsibility. You will:
MOR Faculty
Our faculty members and doctoral students publish in the most selective and prestigious top-tier journals, including:
In addition, the Center for Effective Organizations, headed by Professor Ed Lawler, is one of the world’s leading institutes for applied management research.
STUDENTS
Program Culture
The culture of the program is research focused, collegial, supportive, and highly interactive. PhD students are “junior colleagues” encouraged to participate in academic research with faculty from the very beginning. The low PhD student/faculty ratio coupled with the faculty’s “open door” policy promotes frequent and meaningful interactions between faculty and students about research, careers and teaching. Students also serve as colleagues and mentors to each other and often develop papers together.
Students are matched with a primary advisor based on their interests and those of their advisors. Students may change primary advisors at any point during the program. We encourage students to work with at least two faculty members aside from their primary advisor.
Research EnvironmentFaculty and students attend weekly scholarly presentations from invited faculty from around the world. In addition internal brown bag seminars and reading groups allow students and faculty to exchange ideas and receive feedback on research topics.
Student BackgroundOur students come from all of over the world. They have strong academic backgrounds and bring with them a variety of experiences prior to joining the program.
AwardsPh.D. students in the Management and Organization department have contributed to the field by publishing in leading journals. They have also won numerous awards.
RECRUIT
Recent Placements (2017-2022)