Program Overview

Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in Risk Management and Insurance is designed to educate students in the concepts and analytical techniques required for cutting-edge research related to risk. The program encompasses the study of the sources of risk, the effects of risk on the decisions of individuals and firms, the impact of these decisions on society, and the management of risk through financial institutions.

Program Details

• Duration: Typically 5 years
• Location: Atlanta Campus, Buckhead Center (3348 Peachtree Rd. NE)
• Application Deadlines: The Ph.D. program admits students once a year for the fall semester. Applications for fall 2026 will be accepted starting September 15, 2025. For fullest consideration, the application and all required materials should be submitted by January 8, 2026.
• Tuition and Funding: Students typically offset the cost of the program through an assistantship that includes full tuition waivers.

Application Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Test scores GMAT or GRE
• College transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation Three letters of recommendation are required.
• Interview If an interview or additional information is required, applicants will be notified.
• Immunization Certification Immunization forms should be sent directly to the Immunization Office after an offer of admission is accepted by the applicant.
• Additional requirements apply for international applicants

Curriculum

• Research Methods: 15 hours
• Major: 18 hours
• Secondary Area: 9 hours
• Elective Options:
  • BA 9260 - Theory Development
  • BA 9280 - Quantitative Research Methods in Business
  • BA 9300 - Qualitative Research Methods in Business
  • BA 9330E - Philosophy of Science for Business Research
  • BA 9340E - Advanced Psychometrics
  • BA 9520E - Principles of Multi-level Methods and Modeling
  • IFI 8650 - Image and Text Analytics with Deep Neural Networks
  • IFI 9000 - Research Methods with Analytics

Research Focus

Research is the main component of the Ph.D. program. Students will be mentored by highly productive research faculty and strongly encouraged to publish in scholarly journals and present research papers at national and regional conferences.

Career Outcomes

Robinson Ph.D. students go on to pursue research-focused careers in academia at well-regarded institutions.

Recent Placements

• 2023: Carlos Nu鎑z, Georgia State University
• 2022: Seul Ki Kang, University of St. Thomas
• 2021: Qianlong Liu, Lingnan University; Haitao Huang, Nankai University School of Finance; Ankit Anand, Texas Tech University

Program Goals

The Ph.D. program of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business will develop in graduates a high level of competence in conducting research and in teaching business disciplines by requiring:

1. Education in theory;
2. Education in general research techniques as well as research techniques specific to a discipline;
3. Research experience with faculty members on contemporary research problems and issues;
4. Training on teaching methodology reinforced with active classroom teaching experience.