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​Consumer Behavior Curriculum

First Year

Research

Begin research collaborations with faculty

Milestones/Hurdles

First year summer papers are due at the end of the first summer prior to beginning second year course work.

  1. Focuses on research completed in year 1
  2. Brief publication-style research paper with data/results

In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA training offered by the Teaching Center.

Classes *

First Semester Classes

Tools Course: Quantitative Methods I (Psych 5066, 3 credits)
Seminar in Consumer Behavior I (MKT 601, mini course, 1.5 credits)
Social Psychology Seminar or other social science elective (e.g., Social Cognition, 3 credits)
Social Science Elective (e.g., seminar inpsychology, OB, social work, or experimental economics)

Second Semester Classes

Tools Course: Quantitative Methods II (Psych 5067, 3 credits)
Behavioral and Experimental Research Methods I (MKT 600A, mini course, 1.5 credits)

Judgment and Decision Making I (MKT 674, mini course, 1.5 credits)
Organizational Research Methods (OB 630, 3 credits)



* 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 his/her advisor.

Second Year

Research

Research—developing toward publication

Milestones/Hurdles

Paper from 1st year presented in fall or spring semester (ideally fall)


Comprehensive Exams due summer after 2nd year

  1. Breadth – Open book essays based on extensive reading list
  2. Depth – Original research proposal
  3. Review – Write a journal article review

Classes

Third Semester

Tools Course: Quantitative Methods (e.g., Research Designs and Methods, Psych 5011, 3 credits)
Seminar in Marketing Management (MKT 670, 1.5-3 credits)
Seminar in Consumer Behavior II (MKT 601, mini course, 1.5 credits)
Social Science Elective (e.g., seminar in psychology, OB, social work, or experimental economics)

Fourth Semester

Tools Course: Quantitative Methods (e.g., Applied Multivariate Analysis, Psych 516, 3 credits)
Behavioral and Experimental Research Methods II (MKT 600B, mini course, 1.5 credits)
Judgment and Decision Making I (MKT 674, mini course, 1.5 credits)

Social Science Elective (e.g., seminar in psychology, OB, social work, or experimental economics)

Third Year

Research

Research – developing toward publication

Milestones/Hurdles

Second year paper due and presented at the end of fall semester


  1. Paper should focus on research completed in year 2
  2. Publication-style research paper with data/results
  3. Options for paper
    • extension of 1st year paper, if substantially different
    • extension of depth exam
    • new project

Classes

B53 660 Seminar in Presentation Skills (fall semester, required)
Improvisation Course
Fourth Year

Research

Research – developing toward publication, academic job market, and dissertation

Milestones/Hurdles

Dissertation Proposal – students must assemble a Research Advisory Committee for the proposal of their dissertation and submit a Title, Scope and Procedure Form at the committee’s approval of the proposed dissertation by September 30th after the fourth year.

  1. Ideally, the dissertation proposal will be submitted and presented by end of spring semester of the fourth year. September 30th after the fourth year is the final deadline.
  2. The dissertation proposal and dissertation must propose/describe a substantial and novel body of research that is significantly different from previous milestone submissions.
    • The dissertation may incorporate previous milestone research, but must go well beyond it
Fifth Year

Research

Research — developing toward publication, job market, and dissertation

Milestones/Hurdles

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

General Expectations
Attend all marketing department research seminars, lab meetings, journal club meetings, proseminar meetings, and speaker meetings.

Be collegial.

All milestones will be evaluated by 2 faculty who will grade and provide comments
A Passing grade (or higher) must be received on each milestone
  • Grading scale: High Pass, Pass, Low Pass, Fail
By August 1 each year, review progress annually with Faculty/PhD Program Staff

PhD Consumer Behavior Courses

  • B55 MKT 670 Seminar in Marketing Management
  • B55 MKT 674 Judgment and Decision Making
  • B55 MKT 601 Seminar in Consumer Behavior I
  • B55 MKT 602 Seminar in Consumer Behavior II
  • B55 MKT 678 Independent Study in Marketing
  • B55 MKT 679 Directed Readings in Marketing
  • B56 HRM 621 Seminar in Organizational Behavior II

Psychology Elective Seminars

Personality and the Self
Introduction to Affective Science
Imagery and Memory
Memory, Emotion, and Attitudes
Experimental Social Psychology
Emotion Regulation

Download Consumer Behavior PhD course descriptions