Carlson School PhD students choose from six areas in business administration to focus their studies. Each area provides students with a common orientation to an academic discipline, as well as the opportunity to specialize and develop skills in theory building and empirical research. Students tailor their programs of study, as well as research and teaching experience, in close consultation with a faculty member. A complete program of study (major plus minor or supporting program) typically totals a minimum of 40 semester credits plus 24 thesis credits.

To complement courses in business, students select an integrated sequence of methodology courses in areas such as statistics, research design, cognitive modeling, econometrics, survey methodology, or database design.