Ivy_PhD

Full-time, residential doctorate program

The Business and Technology PhD program at the Ivy College of Business is a full-time, residential program that focuses on theory and development and will prepare you to transition to academic positions at leading universities in the United States and abroad.

Our PhD program is designed to equip you with the skills necessary to conduct and publish high-quality scholarly research. Beyond exceptional coursework, your education will be enriched through participation in research seminars, collaborative projects with faculty, and involvement in academic conferences. As a PhD student, you are strongly encouraged to publish your work in leading journals, preparing you for successful future job placement. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments and honoring your outstanding achievements as you work to fulfill your goals.

At Iowa State University, you’ll reside in a welcoming Midwestern community, while studying on a campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and computer resources. Ames is a great place to live, work, attend classes, and spend time with your family and friends. Explore all that Ames has to offer.

Convocation

PhD program features

  • Excellent placement record.
  • Competitive financial support.
  • Research-active faculty.
  • Faculty trained in top PhD programs.
  • Access to databases for research.
  • Funding for research and conference travel.
  • Diverse PhD student body.

PhD job placement

Explore where Ivy PhD graduates are working now and view a list of available PhD job market candidates.

PhD program details

Application process

The Ivy College of Business uses the application process below. Typical program duration is five years and applications are due by January 15*. Apply early as it takes three to four weeks for the Office of Admissions to process applications. Individual faculty cannot directly admit students. Area Committees make recommendations, and the Department Committee makes the final decisions.

Application requirements

  • Online application. Please select Business and Technology as your major in the online application.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae.
  • College transcripts.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • A writing example is strongly encouraged.
  • GMAT (preferred)/GRE is required for all students.
    • GMAT minimum:
      • GMAT Exam (10th edition): 600.
      • GMAT (Focus Edition): 565.
    • GRE minimum: 315.
    • GMAT (school code TNQ-WX-02) or GRE (school code 6306).
  • English exam for international students.
    • TOEFL: 600 paper (PBT).
    • 100 Internet (iBT).
    • IELTS: 7.
    • Duolingo: 130.
    • PTE: 68.

Application deadline
Fall semester: January 15 (*The finance specialization will next admit students for the fall 2026 semester.)

Format and length
Residential; typical program duration is five years.

Location
Ames, Iowa

Unofficial records may be scanned and uploaded to your online application. An unofficial transcript is a copy of the front and back of an official transcript

You will be notified via email of admission decisions typically by the end of March.

Should you be offered admission, official transcripts sent directly from your institution(s) will be required. Transcripts can be mailed directly to:

Graduate Admissions
100 Enrollment Services Center
2433 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2042

Electronic transcripts can be sent to etranscript@iastate.edu.

For questions about the application process, contact us at businessphd@iastate.edu.

Curriculum and requirements

Our program is highly selective, with up to 12 students admitted annually. Applications are evaluated based on academic merit, compatibility of interests, and research ability. A master’s degree is not required.

The program consists of seminars in content areas, statistics and research methodology in the first two years. After passing comprehensive exams, students will focus on their dissertation.

This 74-credit program requires a minimum of four years to complete. All work, including the dissertation, must be done in residence (on campus).

For more information, contact us at businessphd@iastate.edu.

Funding

All students admitted to the PhD program receive a half-time assistantship that includes an annual stipend of $32,500 (or more depending on specialization area) and tuition waiver. The assistantship appointment requires you to work as a research assistant or a teaching assistant for 20 hours per week.

Graduate assistantships also include health insurance coverage and prescription drug benefits at no cost to you. Coverage for spouses and children may be purchased. Dental insurance may be purchased for an additional fee.

The college will also provide doctoral students with development funds for travel associated with research presentations at major academic conferences.

Stay in touch with the Ivy PhD program

  • Welcoming new chohort

    Welcoming our new cohort

    This week, we welcomed our new cohort of PhD students to the Iowa State University, Ivy College of Business community. After our orientation, the new students had the opportunity to connect with our current PhD students at our first social of the semester.

    View the post
  • Hyunjung-Elle-Yoon and others featured on LinkedIn post.

    Shaping Scholarship

    Our Department of Management and Entrepreneurship is home to a team of distinguished faculty specializing in advanced research methodologies. Explore the groundbreaking work of Hyunjung (Elle) Yoon, Andreas Schwab, Michael Howe, and Mike Howard.

    View the post
  • Iowa State University campus and campanile in the winter.

    Welcome back!

    Welcome back to campus, Cyclones! Wishing you all a productive and successful spring semester ahead. 🌱

    View the post

Apply to the Ivy PhD program

Please select Business and Technology as your major in the online application.

Gerdin Business Building

Research at Ivy

Faculty members across every department at the Ivy College of Business consistently contribute to their respective fields by regularly publishing in top journals. Researchers are vital to finding solutions to today’s business challenges.

Connect with us

PhD Student Services

1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011
businessphd@iastate.edu
515-294-2474

PhD Student Services Specialist

Emily Meeks
1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 5001