The PhD Program in Marketing prepares students for intellectually rigorous and rewarding careers in academia. The program places strong emphasis on conducting original research and preparing students to publish in top-tier academic journals. Throughout the program, students are exposed to a broad range of topics within the field of marketing and are encouraged to identify and pursue research areas that align with their individual interests.
Our PhD program is intentionally small and highly selective, creating a close-knit community where faculty and students work side by side. This one-on-one mentorship provides an exceptional opportunity for personalized guidance and a deeply engaging academic experience. Built around a mentor–apprentice model, MSU’s program gives students the chance to collaborate closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. In addition to our strong research focus, we are committed to developing outstanding educators. By the time they graduate, our students are fully prepared to thrive in academia—equipped with the skills, confidence, and experience to excel in both research and teaching.
Program Overview
The minimum course requirements for completing the Marketing PhD program consist of the following:
- 24 semester hours of marketing course work
- 18 semester hours of quantitative analysis
- Nine semester hours in a minor area
Up to six graduate credit hours of prior coursework can be applied to your program of study with the consent of the PhD program coordinator. Typically, students should expect to spend the first two years completing academic coursework and developing a required, independent research paper. At the beginning of the third year, students must pass a written comprehensive exam covering the content of their coursework. The student will then be responsible for developing a research idea for a dissertation. The proposal of the dissertation idea will need the approval of a student's dissertation committee. Finally, the student will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data to satisfy the requirements for the final dissertation defense. The length of a student's program is usually four years.
Admission
We typically admit two highly qualified students a year. Admission to the PhD program takes place only in the fall semester. The deadline to submit an application is January 15th each year. Criteria for admission is based on the applicant's previous GPA, GMAT (or GRE) score, previous work history, letters of recommendation, and the number of qualified applicants received. We prefer students to have a 3.2 GPA in their last 60 hours of coursework completed. International applicants that do not hold a degree from an English-speaking country must also submit a TOEFL score.
Contact
For specific information about the Marketing PhD program at Mississippi State University, please contact the coordinator, Dr. Mike Breazeale.
Visit MSU's Office of the Graduate School website for information on admission requirements for US students and International students.