Doctoral Program

Ph.D. Admissions

The Minds Shaping the Intelligent Future℠

Doctoral graduates and faculty at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University share an impressive legacy of path-breaking innovation and global recognition. As a small, serious-minded program, we are unapologetic about the rigor of our program because we're unapologetic about changing business through groundbreaking research.

Ready to Push the Boundaries of Knowledge?

At the Tepper School, rigorous research drives real-world impact. From our foundational work in management science that transformed decision-making to today's breakthrough discoveries in artificial intelligence (AI) and behavioral economics. Our intensive but supportive STEM-designated Ph.D. program connects you directly with renowned faculty whose research regularly changes business practice.

Here, you'll develop the analytical depth and innovative thinking that positions Tepper School Doctoral graduates as thought leaders at top universities, Fortune 500 companies, and influential policy institutions.

Specialize in Your Passion to Prepare for Impact

Gain exceptional training and mentorship for the impact you wish to make in the world with eight focused fields of study and several joint Ph.D. degree programs in conjunction with other esteemed Carnegie Mellon colleges. The flexibility to specialize and combine disciplines is one reason you can find our graduates shaping thought for the business world and society at large.

Learn in an Environment That Fosters Excellence

The hallmark of our doctoral program is the accessibility of the Tepper School faculty. Within an environment that balances genuine support with an expectation of academic excellence, students build lasting professional relationships — with faculty and each other — that span decades. From our twice-weekly "Afternoon Tea" gatherings to the annual late-summer picnic in nearby Schenley Park, these connections form naturally through community events.

Collaboration is expected in our program, not simply encouraged. An interdisciplinary culture distinguishes all Carnegie Mellon colleges, with students often partnering with researchers across campus. This open-door policy is a critical ingredient of the Tepper School’s doctoral research that has produced 10 Nobel Prize recipients.

Accounting

Gain advanced expertise in accounting through a rigorous blend of economics, finance, mathematics, behavioral science, and essential research methods.

Business Technologies

Explore how technology transforms business decision-making with research focused on designing, implementing, and evaluating systems that support problem-solving.

Economics

Develop the theoretical insight and quantitative prowess needed to tackle today’s most complex economic challenges through research.

Financial Economics

Investigate how markets respond to the effects of information, taxation, trends in risk management, economic shifts, and security market prices.

Marketing

Examine consumer behavior theory, brand-choice models, data models, and the intersections of marketing with operations and technology.

Operations Management

Engage with analytical modeling and empirical research using advanced tools—from AI and statistics to econometrics and economics—to optimize business operations.

Operations Research

Delve into advanced analytics and algorithm design to create innovative models and solutions for complex management and decision-making problems.

Organizational Behavior and Theory

Train across disciplines, such as psychology, public policy, engineering, and human-computer interaction, to understand how organizations and people thrive together.

Joint Ph.D. Programs

Pursue an interdisciplinary path by collaborating with Carnegie Mellon’s other renowned colleges and departments to expand your research horizons.

Job Market and Placements for Ph.D. Scholars

Tepper School doctorates can be found at major institutions and companies impacting the business landscape today. From McKinsey and Amazon to the U.S. Treasury Department and prestigious universities around the world, regular interest from recruiters is standard for our doctoral candidates, and we actively promote our Ph.D. students and their research.

Neda Mirzaeian | Ph.D. Graduate

"I chose to pursue my Ph.D. at the Tepper School of Business because of the diversity of opportunities it offers. At Tepper, I have been fortunate to work with some of the most prominent professors in my field and develop the proper skill set for my future career."

Michael Zlatin | Ph.D. Graduate

"At Tepper, I work with amazing people who help me reach my full potential both as a researcher and as a world citizen."

Sae-Seul Park | Ph.D. Graduate

"I chose the Tepper School because its interdisciplinary focus and great access to faculty enable doctoral students to pursue ideas and empirical methods that push the boundaries of research."

two male phd students looking at a paper on the table

Tuition and Financial Aid

The Tepper School provides comprehensive financial support for doctoral students, including full tuition remission via the William Larimer Mellon fellowship and a stipend for up to five years for living expenses. Additionally, outstanding doctoral candidates may receive one of several student awards during their academic career, which sometimes include a financial award.

Ph.D. Program Tuition and Aid

Meet Our Ph.D. Candidates

Your Research. Your Impact. Your Legacy.

Pursuing your doctoral degree at the Tepper School of Business puts you at the forefront of innovation and business practice. If you’re ready to learn alongside the best and join a supportive, collaborative environment that will push you to your full potential, we want to meet you.

Apply Now