PhD Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not pre-evaluate applications to the PhD programs. We will not comment on anyone's likelihood of being admitted prior to receiving a complete application from that person. We only review and make decisions on complete applications.

The Fisher College of Business provides admitted students with four years of funding, as long as satisfactory progress is made from year to year. Top applicants may be nominated for University Fellowship. Otherwise, students would receive funding in the form of a Graduate Research or Teaching Associateship (GRA or GTA). Funding includes full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend.

No. The program is designed for students who will pursue the degree on a full-time basis. All courses are offered during the day, and students are expected to maintain approximately 10-15 credit hours per quarter, in addition to their research and/or teaching responsibilities.

The PhD Programs admit once per year, in Autumn. Each Department has its own unique process and timeline for reviewing applicant files. Generally, departments will begin reviewing applications immediately following the application deadline, and will complete admission decisions by April 15. 

OSU Graduate Admissions requires an official TOEFL or IELTS score from all international applicants unless that applicant is a citizen of, or earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from, an English Speaking country (see link for a list of exempt countries). 

Those that have held US Permanent Resident, Asylee or Refugee status for a year by the time of matriculation may have the English Proficiency requirement waived.

Yes. All admitted PhD students are funded if they requested funding on their application. Part of the funding package is a requirement to teach. The laws of the State of Ohio require that every non-native-English-speaking graduate teaching assistant (TA) pass a competency test in spoken English before that individual is placed in the classroom to teach. An admitted student can take the exam after arriving on campus. However, if you wait to take the exam after being admitted and do not pass, your financial aid package will be at risk. Therefore, we strongly suggest you supply this exam score in your application. The Fisher College of Business and The Ohio State University have NO AUTHORITY TO WAIVE THIS EXAM.

If you are applying to the PhD Business Administration program (including Human Resource Management), either the GMAT or GRE is required. The GMAT institution code for Business Administration is ZLJ-9D-76; the GMAT institution code for Human Resource Management is ZLJ-9D-64. The GRE institution code for both programs is 1592.

If you are applying to the Accounting and MIS PhD Program, either the GMAT or GRE is required.  However, the GMAT is strongly preferred. The GMAT institution code for Accounting is ZLJ-9D-02.  The GRE institution code is 1592.