DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
Ph.D. Programs
Prepare for a career in academic research and university teaching through a doctoral program defined by intellectual curiosity, faculty mentorship, and scholarly impact.
Advance Business Knowledge Through Research
Develop the research expertise to become a scholar, educator, and future faculty member at a leading business school. The Penn State Smeal College of Business Ph.D. programs combine close faculty mentorship, rigorous research training, and a collaborative doctoral community to prepare you for careers in academia.
Pursue original research in one of six specialty areas while leveraging the resources of a major research university and the expertise of accomplished faculty.
Find Your Research Focus
Accounting
Advance accounting scholarship through research in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and capital markets.
Management & Organization
Study leadership, organizational behavior, strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the factors that influence organizational performance.
Real Estate
Smeal offers a highly selective, fully funded real estate doctoral program with close faculty mentorship, exceptional research resources, and strong graduate placement in real estate, finance, and urban economics.
Supply Chain and Information Systems
Study how organizations design, manage, and improve supply chains and information systems to create resilient, sustainable, and technology-enabled operations.
Why Pursue a Ph.D.?
Create New Knowledge
Conduct original research that advances your discipline and contributes to scholarly understanding.
Prepare for Academic Careers
Develop the research, teaching, publishing, and analytical skills expected of faculty at leading colleges and universities.
Work Alongside Faculty Mentors
Collaborate with accomplished scholars through research, coursework, conference participation, and academic mentorship.
Join a Research Community
Become part of a collaborative doctoral community defined by intellectual curiosity, scholarly rigor, and meaningful impact.
The Smeal Advantage
Why Penn State Smeal?
A Penn State Smeal doctoral education connects you with accomplished scholars, major research resources, and a collaborative community advancing business knowledge.
Through Smeal’s research centers and institutes, gain faculty expertise and opportunities to support rigorous scholarship.
Recognized for Excellence
Penn State Smeal is recognized for academic excellence, expert faculty, and preparing graduates to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.
#25
Worldwide Research Performance
UT-Dallas Worldwide Business Research Rankings
100%
Placement Rate
(5-year average)
94
Editorial Positions for Top Scholarly Journals
Strength in Numbers
Connect with more than 98,000 Smeal alumni and 800,000 Penn State graduates worldwide. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, seeking mentorship, or expanding your professional network, you'll have access to a community that spans industries and continents.
The Smeal Experience
Join a collaborative community of doctoral students, faculty mentors, and accomplished scholars dedicated to advancing research and preparing future business faculty.
Take the Next Step
Learn more about our programs, connect with admissions, and discover how Penn State Smeal can help you achieve your goals.