The Doctoral Program in Business commits to train students to become successful scholars and educators. Each year we admit 10-15 business doctoral students. We provide all admitted students with financial and professional development support.
Application Check List
- Completed application
- Official GMAT/GRE Score
- 2 Letter of Recommendations
- Curriculum Vita
- Personal Statement
- Writing Sample
- Application fee – $75
- Transcripts of all college work
- Request for Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) and Declaration & Certification of Finances for International Students
- GMAT code: XWT-S7-47
- GRE code: 2113
Deadline: January 15th (11:59pm)
We do not admit students in the spring semester.
You will be notified of departmental decisions via the e-mail address you provide, so be sure to check your email regularly and to notify the Doctoral Office of any changes in your contact information.
Educational Background
The applicant must have earned an acceptable bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Immunization Requirement
New York State law requires all students born on or after January 1, 1957, be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella. Registration will not be permitted if a student does not comply with this regulation. Questions should be directed to the Office of Admissions, 212 817-7470, or the Wellness Center, 212 817-7020
For information regarding the application process for international students, please visit the Office of International Students.
The Office of International Students
The Graduate Center, The City University of New York
Room 7200
365 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016
1-212-817-7490
intstu@gc.cuny.edu
Applying for Admissions
The online application form must be completed in its entirety and submitted electronically prior to the program deadline. Recommendation letters, writing samples, and other supporting materials will be uploaded into the online application.
You can complete an application form online by visiting the Graduate Center Admissions Page
Attention Applicants to clarify: when applying to the PhD program in Business please make sure you submit all of your application materials prior to the January 15th deadline. The online application system closes after that date and does not allow you to upload additional materials after that date.
If your application is incomplete and you need to upload additional materials please email those to admissions@gc.cuny.edu and CC: phdprogram@baruch.cuny.edu so that those documents can be added to your application.
Can I request an interview when applying?
Candidates under consideration are generally invited to an online interview with our admissions team prior to the final admissions decision.
Can I defer admission?
An offer of admission is generally made for the upcoming academic year only. An accepted applicant who must postpone acceptance of an offer of admission may request that the application be deferred or reactivated for the following semester or year.
The program accepts approximately ten to fifteen students a year.
| Year | Total Applicants | Offers Accepted | Average GMAT | Average GRE |
| 2024 | 138 | 16 | 656 | 318 |
| 2022 | 123 | 10 | 715 | 308 |
| 2021 | 143 | 10 | 720 | 320 |
| 2020 | 205 | 9 | 726 | 318 |
What type of people study for the PhD?
PhD students come from a variety of backgrounds. More than half of the students are international. We welcome students who will dedicate themselves to full-time study in order to prepare for careers in the academic profession. The vast majority of our graduates are placed in academic positions upon completion of the program.
Do I need prior work experience or business courses?
No, not necessarily. Application decisions depend primarily on an evaluation of the candidate’s ability to handle complex course material and do original research. While experience is helpful, evidence of strong intellectual ability — as indicated by test scores, transcripts, GPA, or letters of recommendation — is the most important factor.
Can I meet with someone to discuss my prospects?
We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our website before scheduling an appointment. Applicants interested in meeting with the Executive Officer or one of our area coordinators must make an appointment via email phdprogram@baruch.cuny.edu and include a current resume, transcripts and provide a copy of their GMAT or GRE score for evaluation (unofficial copies are fine).
Can I take non-matriculate courses through the Ph.D. in Business program?
A maximum of two non-matriculate courses may be taken. Courses are at the discretion of the executive officer and the course instructor.
Can I attend the Ph.D. in Business Program part-time?
No. We do not offer part-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program. All students must maintain a full-time course load during their enrollment in the program.
Does the program offer night or weekend classes?
No. The Doctoral Program in Business is a full-time, day-time program. As such, we do not offer any night or weekend courses.
Is there a distance learning or online program?
No. The PhD Program in Business is a full-time daytime, on campus program. There are no PhD-level courses offered through distance or online learning.
Can I work full-time while I am completing the program?
No. Most students do not work while completing the program. We do offer research assistantships, and there are many opportunities for teaching positions.
Can I apply as a transfer student from a PhD Program at another school?
No. All applicants must complete an application with all required materials by the January 15th deadline regardless of their status at another school.
Do you offer any Ph.D. programs other than Business?
Yes. The Graduate Center does offer other Ph.D. programs, but they are not handled by this office. For information on any of the other doctoral programs, go to GC Doctoral Programs, email the Office of Admissions at admissions@gc.cuny.edu, or call (212) 817-7470.
Do you offer an MBA?
Yes. The Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, offers several MBA programs, including part-time programs. For further information, go to the Zicklin School of Business website, e-mail Graduate Admissions at ZicklinGradAdmissions@baruch.cuny.edu.
Do you offer a combined MBA/Ph.D.?
We do not offer a combined MBA/Ph.D. program, but we do offer a provision for our non-MBA students to be eligible to apply for an en-route MBA from Baruch College after the completion of 45 credits in the program and the completion of the first examination. Some restrictions apply. For more information about the Zicklin MBA please see Academic Programs.
Do you offer a Summer semester?
No. Most of our students spend the summer working on their research or working as Graduate Assistants for research or teaching.
Can I apply for the program in the Spring semester?
NO. The program only accepts students for the Fall semester. The application deadline is January 15th.
How long do I have to complete the program?
Students are required to complete the program in seven years, if they enter with a relevant master’s degree, or in eight years, if they enter without a master’s. A realistic expectation for completing the program is five years. Funding is only provided for the first five years of study.
Do most graduates enter the academic field?
The majority of students who enter our PhD Program in Business assume a faculty position at an academic/research institution upon completing the PhD degree program.
I already completed my Master’s. How many credits would the program be for me?
Credits may be transferable for students who have received their master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related discipline. Which courses and how many credits are to be transferred depends on a transcript evaluation and is up to the discretion of the executive officer but cannot exceed 30 credits.
How many credits is the program?
The program consists of a total of 60 credits of course work, plus the dissertation.
Does it matter what my BA is in?
No. There is no preference given to students who took their BA in business related fields. The program is open to students who have taken their undergraduate degrees in all areas of natural sciences, social sciences, and liberal arts. The only significant difference is that students who took their undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields may have to complete other prerequisites that are not credited toward the degree.
Do I need a graduate degree to apply to the program?
No. You do not need a graduate degree to apply. However, a master’s degree in a related field could be beneficial.
Is there a work experience requirement?
There is no work experience requirement for the Ph.D. Program in Business.
Is the GRE acceptable for application to the program?
Yes the GRE will be considered in place of the GMAT.
What is the minimum GRE score required for application?
Though the program does not have a “cut off” GRE score. However, the average GRE score for full time funded students is generally 315, the more likely your chances of acceptance. The GRE code for the Graduate Center is 2113.
What is the minimum GMAT score required for application?
The Ph.D. in Business program does not enforce a strict “minimum” score for application. However, the average GMAT score of accepted applicants is 700.
What is the minimum TOEFL score required for application?
The Ph.D. in Business program does not enforce a strict “minimum” score for application. Please be advised that English language proficiency, for international students, is a very important part of the application process and a low TOEFL score may hinder your likelihood of acceptance. However, applicants who have a post-secondary degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is English-only and located in a country that recognizes English as an official language may request a TOEFL waiver.
Please request ETS to report examination results directly to Admissions, The Graduate Center–College Code 2113
I took the GMAT/GRE before I earned my MBA. Can I use the same test scores?
GMAT and GRE scores up to five years old are accepted by the program.
Can my GMAT/GRE score be waived?
No. The GMAT and or GRE score is a critical part of the application process. Your application may be reviewed without it, but we will not be able to make any decision until we get an official score.
I have taken the GMAT/GRE twice. Which score do you look at?
We only consider the highest score, whether it is the most recent or not. However, this rule applies only to the GMAT or GRE taken within the past five years. If you got a higher score six or more years ago, it will not be taken into account.
Where should I send my test scores?
All test scores should be sent to The Graduate Center, college code XWT-S7-47, and not to Baruch College. If you accidentally submit your GMAT or GRE score to Baruch College, it must be resubmitted by Educational Testing Services. Baruch does not save official GMAT or GRE scores.
What if I accidentally sent my test scores to Baruch College?
If you accidentally send your GMAT or GRE score to Baruch College, it must be resubmitted by Educational Testing Services. Baruch does not save official GMAT or GRE scores.
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