Program Overview

Ph.D. Program in Decision Sciences

The Ph.D. program in Decision Sciences at Fuqua prepares students to pursue cutting-edge research under the mentorship of our faculty. The training and research themes in our Ph.D. Program are comparable to those of top Ph.D. programs in operations research and management science, with a strong methodological and rigorous component. The Decision Sciences Ph.D. program is primarily intended to prepare graduates for academic research careers, though positions in industry are also a possibility. Prospective Ph.D. students with a strong mathematics background and a desire for theoretical research in areas of decision sciences and operations research are encouraged to apply.

Program Overview

The interdisciplinary nature of our program leads students to take courses and interact with students and faculty from many other areas around Fuqua and Duke University. Our Ph.D. students take graduate-level courses in applied probability, computer science, decision sciences, economics, mathematics, operations research, and statistics as the foundation upon which to build a program of original research culminating in a dissertation. No previous coursework in business administration is necessary or expected. In addition to Ph.D. courses offered by Decision Sciences faculty, our students are expected to take graduate courses at Fuqua School of Business, and at Duke computer science, economics, mathematics, and statistics departments. Programs of study and research are individually designed to fit each student’s interests and abilities.

Admissions

Applications can only be submitted through Duke Graduate School. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong mathematical background and desire to pursue research compatible with our program. All aspects of the application package are important: statement of purpose, transcripts and grades, standardized test scores (GRE is preferred to GMAT), recommendations from faculty, etc. Decision Sciences faculty make admission decisions, typically by mid-March. All admitted students are given a full tuition grant and a generous living stipend for five years, provided their progress is satisfactory.

Admission Criteria

• Strong mathematical background
• Desire to pursue research compatible with our program
• Statement of purpose
• Transcripts and grades
• Standardized test scores (GRE is preferred to GMAT)
• Recommendations from faculty

Program Benefits

• Full tuition grant
• Generous living stipend for five years
• Opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research under faculty mentorship
• Interdisciplinary program with courses and interactions across Fuqua and Duke University

Research Areas

• Decision sciences
• Operations research
• Applied probability
• Computer science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Statistics