Get Your PhD in Organizational Behavior


The program follows an apprentice model with an emphasis on one-on-one interaction by working directly with faculty.

As a student pursuing a PhD in Organizational Behavior at WashU Olin, you study organizations from multiple viewpoints, methods and levels of analysis. You delve deep into management, leadership, negotiation and other areas as you prepare for a career in academia.

OB students develop close mentoring relationships with faculty, working on projects together and often co-authoring papers. From your first year of study through defense of your dissertation, you find the support you need from faculty and staff alike.  

Organizational Behavior Faculty and Research

Olin has a diverse and highly productive faculty in Organizational Behavior, and their work draws on cutting-edge theory and methods from economics, psychology and sociology. Recent research projects have examined performance benefits of team production; how leaders gain the trust of their subordinates, and how they can rebuild it once it has been lost; how to enhance the creativity of workgroups; the changing nature of the employment contract; and methods of negotiation and conflict resolution.

Our OB faculty’s research has been published in a wide range of leading journals, including:

  • Academy of Management Journal
  • Academy of Management Review
  • Journal of Applied Psychology
  • Organization Behavior and Human Decision Processes
  • Psychological Science

Read about collabortive research by Organizational Behavior faculty and PhD students.

Organizational Behavior Curriculum


  • First Year

    Recommended Course Sequence


    First Semester

    • Tools Course: Quantitative Methods I (Psych 5066)
    • Psychology courses
    • Olin PhD OB courses

    Second Semester

    • Tools Course: Quantitative Methods II (Psych 5067)
    • Cognitive Psychology Seminar (e.g., Advanced Cognitive Psychology)
    • Olin PhD OB courses

    The order of classes may change due to availability, and classes may be substituted with approval. A communications course that focuses on oral communication is also recommended during the first two years. When the student takes the course is determined by the student and their advisor.

    Research

    • Attend Organizational Behavior seminars.
    • Begin research collaborations.

    Milestones

    • In the summer after the first year, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1 after the first year.
    • First-year summer papers are due at the end of the first summer prior to beginning second-year course work.
    • In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA orientation offered by The Center for Teaching and Learning.
  • Second Year

    Courses


    Third Semester

    • Olin PhD OB courses
    • Tools Course: Research Methods/Analysis (e.g., Research Designs and Methods, Psych 5011)
    • Psychology elective seminar

    Fourth Semester

    • Olin PhD OB courses
    • Psychology elective seminar

    Research

    • Attend Organizational Behavior Seminars
    • Continue research collaborations

    Milestones

    • Field exam
    • Second year summer papers are due at the end of the second summer prior to third year course work.
    • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1.

  • Third Year

    Courses

    • B53 660 Seminar in Presentation Skills (fall semester, required)
    • Improvisation course
       

    Research

    • Attend Organizational Behavior seminars,
    • Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
    • Dissertation research

    Milestones

    • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD office by August 1.

  • Fourth Year

    Research

    • Attend Organizational Behavior seminars
    • Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
    • Dissertation research

    Milestones

    • Dissertation Proposal – students must be able to assemble a Research Advisory Committee for the proposal of their dissertation and must submit a Title, Scope and Procedure Form as the committee’s approval of the proposed dissertation by September 30 after the fourth year.
    • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1.

  • Fifth Year

    Research

    • Attend Organizational Behavior seminars
    • Paper presentations (job market paper presentations with faculty and at conferences)
    • Dissertation research

    Milestones

    • Intent to Graduate (complete form online)
    • Job market and placement
    • Oral Defense of Dissertation
    • Submission of Examination Approval form which signifies committee’s approval
    • Upload of final, approved Dissertation to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
    • Submission of Documented Teaching Requirements to PhD office

  • Course Descriptions

Full-Time Organizational Behavior Faculty Members


Judi McLean Parks

Judi McLean Parks

Full Professor

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Hillary Anger Elfenbein

Hillary Anger Elfenbein

Full Professor

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Faculty Directory