PhD in Business

For Fall 2027, the PhD in Business is accepting applications only for the Operations Management and Information Systems concentrations.

Develop expertise and conduct original business research that can shape the future of business at an R1 university. This full-time, research-intensive doctoral program prepares scholars for faculty careers and research roles through advanced coursework, methods training, teaching development, and dissertation research.

The PhD in Business at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business prepares students to create new knowledge through rigorous business research. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, doctoral students develop the research, writing, teaching, and methodological skills needed to contribute to academic scholarship and prepare for careers as business school faculty members and research professionals. 

Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the program connects students to an R1 university environment and a region shaped by business, government, technology, policy, and public-sector decision-making. For Fall 2027, the PhD in Business is accepting applications only for the Operations Management and Information Systems concentrations. Explore the current PhD in Business concentrations here.

Program Highlights

Why Pursue a PhD in Business at Costello?

A PhD in Business is designed for students who want to conduct original research, publish scholarly work, teach in business schools, and study complex organizational, technological, operational, financial, and managerial questions. Costello’s doctoral program emphasizes close faculty mentorship, research development, teaching preparation, and applied business relevance.

Students build the skills to evaluate existing scholarship, design research studies, analyze evidence, write for academic audiences, and contribute to their fields through dissertation research. The program is intentionally research-intensive and best suited for applicants motivated by inquiry, scholarship, and long-term academic or research careers. 

Curriculum

The PhD in Business is a 72-credit doctoral program organized around core doctoral training, concentration coursework, research methods, specialization or elective study, and dissertation research. Students develop the foundation needed to conduct independent research while building depth in a chosen business discipline.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the major responsibilities of academic life: conducting research, writing for scholarly audiences, presenting research, teaching, and contributing to their field. Students work with faculty advisors to shape their research direction and complete dissertation work that contributes original knowledge to business scholarship.

Faculty Mentorship and Research Fit

PhD students should expect to work closely with faculty throughout the program. Because doctoral education is research-driven, applicants should review faculty research areas before applying and use the statement of purpose to explain how their interests align with current faculty expertise.

A strong doctoral application should show research curiosity, preparation for rigorous study, evidence of quantitative, analytical, or methodological ability, and a clear understanding of why the applicant wants to pursue a research-intensive PhD in Business.

Meet the PhD Faculty

George Mason University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top research universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, earning the “very high research” (or R1) designation. Our highly acclaimed, experienced faculty live, work, and consult in the Washington, D.C., area and draw on their real-world experience to enrich their mentoring and classroom instruction. 

• Operations Management
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Organizational Behavior
• Strategy
• Finance 

Funding and Support

Eligible PhD students may receive funding for up to five years. Funding includes a stipend and tuition support.  

Admissions Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to submit an online application, application fee, college transcripts, personal statement, GMAT or GRE score, three letters of recommendation, and a current resume. The personal statement should identify the applicant’s intended concentration and research interests. At least one recommendation should come from a current or former professor when possible. Interviews are by invitation only.  

The application deadline is January 15, 2027. Learn more about the Application Requirements here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions, contact us at (703) 993-8006 or busphd@gmu.edu. 

Program Overview and Fit

What is the PhD in Business at George Mason University? 
The PhD in Business is a full-time, research-intensive doctoral program offered by the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. The program prepares students to conduct original business research, contribute to academic knowledge, teach college-level courses, and pursue faculty or research-focused careers.

Who should apply to the PhD in Business program? 
The program is designed for students who are interested in academic, research-intensive careers. Strong applicants are typically motivated by research, writing, teaching, and the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to a business discipline.

Is the PhD in Business a good fit if I want to become a business school professor? 
Yes. The PhD in Business is designed to prepare graduates for business school faculty careers through doctoral coursework, research methods training, faculty mentorship, teaching development, and dissertation research.

Is the PhD in Business a professional doctorate or a research doctorate? 
The PhD in Business is a research doctorate. It is designed for students who want to conduct original research, publish scholarly work, teach, and pursue academic or research-oriented careers.

Is the PhD in Business offered online? 
No. The PhD in Business is an on-campus program based at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.

What is the difference between a DBA and a PhD in Business? 
A Doctor of Business Administration, or DBA, is typically a professional doctorate designed for experienced business practitioners who want to apply research to organizational, leadership, or industry problems. A PhD in Business is a research doctorate designed for students who want to conduct original scholarly research, publish academic work, teach, and pursue faculty or research-focused careers.

The Costello program is a PhD, not a DBA.

Concentrations and Research Fit

What concentrations are available in the PhD in Business program? 
The PhD in Business includes concentrations in Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior, and Strategy. However, available recruiting concentrations vary by application cycle. Prospective students should review the current application cycle information before applying.

Which PhD in Business concentrations are accepting applications for Fall 2027? 
For Fall 2027, the Costello College of Business is accepting PhD in Business applications only for the Operations Management and Information Systems concentrations.

Should I identify a concentration when I apply? 
Yes. Applicants should identify their intended concentration in the personal statement and explain how their research interests align with that area.

Should I contact faculty before applying? 
Contacting faculty before applying is not required, but applicants who clearly describe their research interests and explain their fit with current faculty expertise are easier to evaluate.

How important is faculty research fit in the PhD application process? 
Faculty research fit is very important because the PhD in Business is a research-intensive program. Applicants should review faculty research areas and use the personal statement to explain the types of research questions they want to investigate and why Costello is a good fit for their goals.

Curriculum and Program Structure

How many credits is the PhD in Business program? 
The PhD in Business is a 72-credit doctoral program that includes doctoral coursework, concentration study, research methods training, specialization or elective coursework, and dissertation research.

What will I study in the PhD in Business program? 
Students complete doctoral coursework in research, teaching, methods, and their chosen business concentration. The program is designed to help students develop the research, writing, analytical, and teaching skills needed for academic and research-focused careers.

Does the PhD in Business include research methods training? 
Yes. Research methods training is a core part of the PhD in Business curriculum. Students build methodological skills that support independent research and dissertation work.

Does the PhD in Business include teaching preparation? 
Yes. The program includes teaching development and prepares students to teach college-level business courses. Each student will be given opportunities to teach.  

What is the dissertation requirement? 
PhD students complete dissertation research that contributes original knowledge to their field. Dissertation work allows students to develop and defend independent research under faculty guidance.

Format, Timeline, and Student Experience

How long does it take to complete the PhD in Business? 
The program is designed to be completed in five years by full-time students, although individual timelines may vary.

Is the PhD in Business full-time? 
Yes. The PhD in Business is designed as a full-time doctoral program.

How large are PhD cohorts? 
The PhD in Business is intentionally small. Cohort sizes vary by year and available faculty capacity, but the program is designed to support close faculty mentorship and a focused research environment.

Where is the PhD in Business offered? 
The program is offered on campus at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.

Why pursue a PhD in Business near Washington, D.C.? 
George Mason University’s location in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., connects students to a region shaped by business, government, technology, policy, consulting, and public-sector decision-making. This setting can support research interests connected to organizations, technology, operations, policy, markets, and management.

Funding and Tuition

Is funding available for PhD in Business students? 
Yes. Eligible PhD in Business students may receive funding support for up to five years.

What funding is available for stipend-supported PhD students? 
Stipend-supported students may receive a stipend and tuition support. The exact stipend amount and funding terms should be confirmed with the PhD program before applying.

Can self-funded or externally funded students apply? 
Yes. The program may consider qualified applicants who have their own funding or outside funding sources.

Where can I find current PhD tuition rates? 
Students should review the current Costello College of Business graduate tuition and fees page for the most recent PhD tuition rates, mandatory fees, and related cost information.

Admissions and Application Requirements

Is a master’s degree required to apply to the PhD in Business program? 
No. A master’s degree is not required. Applicants must have an earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or an international equivalent.

Are GMAT or GRE scores required for the PhD in Business? 
Yes. Applicants should be prepared to submit GMAT or GRE scores as part of the PhD in Business application.

What application materials are required for the PhD in Business? 
Applicants should submit the online application, application fee, college transcripts, personal statement, GMAT or GRE score, three letters of recommendation, and current resume. International applicants and applicants with degrees from outside the United States may have additional requirements.

What should I include in my PhD personal statement? 
The personal statement should identify the applicant’s intended concentration, research interests, preparation for doctoral study, and reasons for applying to George Mason University’s Costello College of Business.

How many letters of recommendation are required? 
Applicants should submit three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should come from a current or former professor when possible.

Is an interview required? 
Interviews are by invitation only.

When is the Fall 2027 application deadline? 
The Fall 2027 application deadline is January 15, 2027.

Who can I contact with questions about the PhD in Business program? 
Prospective students may contact the PhD program team at (703) 993-8006 or busphd@gmu.edu.