University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Management Sciences
The Doctor of Philosopy (Ph.D.) degree program in Management Sciences is for advanced graduate students with a strong research interest in the management sciences.
Students in the Ph.D. program are expected to complete several courses (depending on prior coursework), pass a comprehensive exam, and submit a Ph.D. thesis of independent and original work. The program takes most students four to five years of full-time study.
Students admitted to PhD program fall 2017 and onwards
Students who choose the PhD program must complete a total of four courses (.50 weight per course) at the 600 or 700 level.
Of the four courses, at least two of the courses (0.50 weight per course) must be from the following list of core courses:
No more than two courses (0.50 weigh per course) may be taken outside of the department. These courses could be taken in place of two elective courses. Core courses must be chosen from the above list. Any courses completed outside the department will require department approval. This must be approved prior to enrolling in the course in Quest for it to count toward your degree requirements. This includes OVGS courses. In order to receive pre-approval you will need to complete an Elective Pre-Approval Request Form.
Please submit an Elective Pre-Approval Request Form for approval before enrolment opens in Quest.
Students must maintain an overall average of at least 73% at the end of each term, with no more than two failed courses overall.
A grade less than 65% in any course counts as a failure. A failed core course must be repeated (one time only) and a failed elective must be replaced. A failed course will count toward your overall GPA but does not count toward the four course requirement (six in the case of students admitted prior to fall 2017).
The PhD program in Management Sciences has two major milestones: (1) a comprehensive exam and (2) a final thesis defence.
Students must pass a comprehensive exam, normally taken within 16 months (or four terms) of commencing the program. This exam will focus on:
The Faculty of Engineering PhD Comprehensive Exam page contains detailed instructions for completing your PhD Comprehensive Exam milestone.
Lastly, students must write, submit, and defend a thesis of independent and original research.
PhD thesis defence and submission: The PhD thesis submission and acceptance page has a detailed breakdown of your requirements in the final steps of your PhD program.
To become a PhD student in Management Sciences visit our 'Applying to graduate studies' page for admission requirements.
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Management Sciences
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.