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Olin Business School
Washington University in St. Louis | Olin Business School
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​Strategy and Entrepreneurship Curriculum
Prior to the first year – mandatory attendance at math camp (offered through the Economics department)
First Year

Recommended Course Sequence*

First Semester

MEC 610 Microeconomics I (3 credits)
L11 5161 Applied Econometrics (3 credits)
Olin PhD Strategy Courses

Second Semester

MEC 611 Microeconomics II (3 credits)
L11 Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)
Olin PhD Strategy 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 his/her advisor.

Research

  • Attend Strategy Seminars
  • Begin research collaborations

Milestones/Hurdles

  • 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 1st after the first year.
  • Field statement papers are due at the end of the semester of the second year.
  • In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA orientation offered by The Teaching Center.
Second Year

Courses

Third Semester

Electives (directed readings, independent studies)
Olin PhD Strategy Courses

Fourth Semester

Electives (directed readings, independent studies)
Olin PhD Strategy Courses

Research

  • Attend Strategy Seminars
  • Continue research collaborations

Milestones/Hurdles

  • Field exam
  • Second year summer papers are due by the end of the fall semester of the third 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 1st.
Third Year

Courses

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

Research

  • Attend Strategy Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

Milestones/Hurdles

  • 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 1st.
Fourth Year

Research

  • Attend Strategy Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

Milestones/Hurdles

  • 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 30th 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 1st.
Fifth Year

Research

  • Attend Strategy Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (job market paper presentations with faculty and at conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

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

PhD Strategy and Entrepreneurship Courses

  • B53 MGT 603 Seminar in Strategy and Organization
  • B53 MGT 604 Strategy Management of Innovation & Technology
  • B53 MGT 606 Economics of the Organization
  • B53 MGT 620 Empirical Methods in Business
  • B53 MGT 623 Seminar in Entrepreneurship
Download Strategy and Entrepreneurship PhD course descriptions