Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business creates and disseminates knowledge that enhances the quality of the management of organizations. The Katz School, through faculty research programs and our doctoral program, produces high-quality research in areas of importance and infuses knowledge created by this research into all programs, but especially the MBA and related professional programs. Our school’s reputation, primarily resulting from our MBA programs and our doctoral program, allows us to attract international, national, regional, and campus partners, with whom collaboration results in specialty professional programs with the MBA program as a foundation. This includes areas such as international business, technology management/engineering, and the health sciences. Our culture of teamwork, adaptability, and flexibility permits the school to readily adapt to future environments and strategic opportunities.

The Katz School is accredited by AACSB-the International Association for Management Education.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Assistant Dean for MBA and Executive Programs
301 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6440
E-mail: valenta@katz.pitt.edu
www.katz.pitt.business.edu

Application Procedures

Please refer to individual program descriptions in this section for further information regarding application procedures for MBA and MS programs and the doctoral program.

Degree Options

The Katz School awards the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as Specialized Master of Science (MS) degree programs and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Fulltime and part-time programs are available in the following areas: finance, management of information systems, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior and human resources management, and strategy.

In addition to the above degrees, the Katz School offers a number of dual and joint degree options for students who wish to specialize and add a second professional degree to the MBA:

• MBA and Master of International Business
• MBA and Master of Public and International Affairs
• MBA and MS degrees in engineering
• MBA and Master of Health Administration
• MBA and Master of Social Work
• MBA and Juris Doctorate

In cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration, the Katz School offers an accelerated BSBA and MS in Accounting program.

• 3+1/BS in Business Administration/MS in Accounting

 

For further information regarding these dual- and joint-degree programs, please refer to MBA Program Descriptions.

Special Academic Opportunities

The Katz School offers the following special opportunities/programs:

Professional Workshops

Students participate in a variety of workshops throughout the program. During the Transition Module, students take a self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses in various managerial skills. Results of this capability assessment and career evaluation exercise help students determine those workshops that will be most beneficial to them such as presentation skills, project management, conflict resolution, creativity, problem solving, and time management.

Study Abroad

As part of a 6-credit MBA international elective course, students spend four to six weeks studying at a school in another country (past countries include the Czech Republic and India).

International Field Studies

As part of a 3-credit international elective course, students spend 10 days in another part of the world studying business culture and practices and visiting different companies in other parts of the world (regions visited in the past include Eastern Europe and Latin America).

Corporate Connections

There are also a number of programs that bring CEOs of major firms to the Katz School to meet and interact with students including Best Practice Partners, Executive Faculty, Executive Women’s Panel, Executive Spotlight, and the Katz on Wall Street Panel.

Graduation

A special Katz School graduation ceremony for all graduating Master’s and doctoral students is held at the end of April on campus.

Doctoral Program

The theoretically based, managerially relevant doctoral program in business administration seeks to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in management and related areas at leading business schools and universities. This is accomplished by fostering a learning environment in which students can achieve intellectual growth and fulfillment. Successful completion of the doctoral program therefore entails much more than the satisfaction of a set of formal requirements. Doctoral students are expected to assess their knowledge and skills in regular consultation with the faculty and to develop a set of educational experiences that will fulfill their needs and facilitate the pursuit of personal goals.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Doctoral Program
Director
282 Mervis Hall
412-648-1522
www.katz.business.pitt.edu/phd

Application Procedures

All application materials must be submitted by January 1 of the year of expected entry into the program. The basic prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program is the equivalent of an American bachelor’s degree. Many applicants also have advanced degrees and professional experience. Scores on the GMAT or GRE (as well as on the TOEFL for international students) are required, along with recommendation letters and transcripts.

Financial Aid

Most financial aid for doctoral students is in the form of an assistantship that requires research and some teaching. The assistantship provides a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. Assistantships are available to domestic as well as international students. Funds associated with specific research projects are sometimes available to students, and faculty often help students obtain funding for dissertation research.

Sequence of Study

Progress to the PhD consists of: the seminar phase, comprehensive examinations, teaching requirement, and the dissertation. Students complete course work in the seminar phase. This is the time during which the student sets scholarly standards and goals. Every student prepares a written statement called the Field Statement upon declaring the student’s areas of study. This is also the time to form relationships with faculty members and begin developing research skills.

Most doctoral courses involve research projects and the majority of students, including all those with assistantships, work on faculty research from an early stage. A minimum of 72 post baccalaureate credits is required for the PhD degree. A maximum of 30 credits from a previously earned master’s degree may be applied.

Formal requirements in the seminar phase are:

• Work to ensure a basic level of competence in the disciplines and functions relevant to management. Students choose 6 credits of MBA course work. Some or all of these requirements may be exempted depending on educational background and doctoral course objectives.
• Eight courses in the major area of study and three courses in the minor area of study or a seven course research methodology minor.
• A 6-credit teaching requirement.
• At least four courses in research methodology or a seven course research methodology minor.
• A grade point average of 3.3.
• A preliminary evaluation (comprehensive examinations).

Comprehensive examinations are written and oral examinations in both the major and minor area of study. Each student’s exams are designed individually, focusing on the area(s) of study. The student is expected to demonstrate comprehensive ability, meaning the ability to synthesize and build on all that the student has learned.

Dissertation

Doctoral students are required to demonstrate their capacity to engage in a sustained research effort by completing a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation entails an independent investigation of a problem of acknowledged significance and size in a management-related area. Only if the dissertation is judged to demonstrate such competence, after a formal defense in a final oral examination, does the department recommend the awarding of a degree.

For more details on requirements of doctoral students, see Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees .

Teaching

All Katz doctoral students are required to teach six credits as the primary instructor, at the University of Pittsburgh as part of their graduation requirements.

Timeline to Graduation

Most students earn the PhD in four years. The seminar phase typically lasts two years, while the comprehensive exams and the dissertation together require an additional two years to complete.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations represents the maximum time permitted for the fulfillment of all requirements for the PhD degree. The statute of limitations is as follows:

1. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh term of study.
2. The dissertation overview examination must be successfully completed before the end of the fourth year.
3. The dissertation defense must be completed successfully before the end of the sixth year.

Exceptions to the Katz Doctoral Program statute of limitations, not to exceed the University of Pittsburgh’s statute of limitations, must be approved by the Katz Doctoral and Research Committee.

Placement

The Katz School’s goal is to place PhD graduates in universities that consistently produce highquality business research, and a successful record has been established in this regard.

Individual Curriculum Design

Students must choose from the following areas of study leading to the PhD in Business Administration:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics and Operations
• Finance
• Information Systems and Technology Management
• Marketing
• Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
• Strategic Management

Within the framework of these standard areas, every PhD student plans a unique, individual area of study. A student may choose any of the areas as a primary (major) area of study or as a secondary (minor) area of study. Each of the areas of study provides additional choices to meet student interests and developmental needs. All have subspecialties; all explore a range of current topics. In addition, to expand the option in the core areas, students are invited to draw on courses and research opportunities at the Katz School, as well as other parts of the University, and other institutions.

Two goals must be balanced in planning an individual program. One is to acquire a sound body of knowledge in recognized disciplines and methods. The other is to choose a mix of courses, mentors, and research topics geared to the student’s own interests and talents. Ideally, this will lead to a truly original dissertation, followed by a career of meaningful research.

MBA and Master’s Programs

The following section details the full range of programs for students interested in pursuing an MBA, an MS, or an MBA and another degree at the same time. Unless otherwise noted, additional information regarding these programs may be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office.

Contact Information

Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Director of Master’s Admissions
301 Mervis Hall
412-648-1700
Fax: 412-648-1659
E-mail: admissions@katz.pitt.edu
www.katz.business.pitt.edu/form/contact

Application Procedures

https://www.katz.business.pitt.edu/apply

Applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent and should demonstrate quantitative competence via academic coursework and GMAT or GRE. Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills that are evaluated through written essays, test scores, and/or a personal interview.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required, and for international applicants, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also a requirement. International applicants should also see the section on Admissions of International Students in the front section of this bulletin.

Financial Assistance

The primary sources of financial assistance for incoming full-time Katz MBA students are tuition scholarships and loans.  Limited scholarships are available for the MS programs.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded in various dollar amounts and are directly applied against tuition charges. Katz School scholarships are available to full-time U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international students. Award notifications are mailed along with the official admission decision. While consideration for scholarship candidate is independent of the admissions decision, there is no additional application required.

There are several educational loan programs available for students. All of them offer very reasonable interest rates.

Tuition and Fees

Financial Information  

Actual tuition for the one-year MBA and two-year MBA programs is approximately the same. However, students in the two-year MBA program will incur additional cost in academic fees, as they will be attending the equivalent of one additional term.

Master’s Program Academic Standards

The following section details academic standards for the full-time Masters programs.

Good Academic Standing

In order to maintain good academic standing, a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above in all courses applicable to the degree is required throughout the program and for graduation from the Katz program.

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

Any student whose GPA falls below 3.00 at any time during the program may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal from the full-time program. Exceptions to the school’s guidelines and procedures may be considered only through written petition to the assistant dean for Master’s programs.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List for full-time students is compiled at the end of each term and consists of 20 percent of the student body with the highest grade point averages (3.75 or above).

Other Academic Honors

The Katz School recognizes high academic achievement and leadership through the following honors and awards.

Albert Wesley Frey Prize is awarded to a full-time MBA student for the highest academic performance among all full-time graduating students.

Beta Gamma Sigma is an international honor society recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of students enrolled in collegiate business and management programs.

Brosius Creativity Award is awarded to those students demonstrating exceptional creativity in their program of study.

Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award is awarded at graduation to an MBA student for exemplary service and leadership.

Marshall Alan Robinson Prize is awarded at graduation to a full-time MBA student who has demonstrated academic and professional excellence in the MBA program.

Outstanding Professional MBA Student of the Year Award is awarded at graduation for exemplary academic performance and leadership.

Outstanding Master of Science Student of the Year Award is awarded at graduation for exemplary academic performance and leadership.

Outstanding Supply Chain Management Masters Student Award is awarded at gradution for exemplary academic performance and leadership.

Peter Stipanovich Award is awarded to the outstanding full-time MBA student in finance.

Sheth Scholar in Marketing is awarded to two students each year for exemplary performance in marketing course work.

Vincent W. Lanfear Prize is awarded to a professional MBA student for highest academic performance among all professional graduating students.

Transfer of Graduate-Level Courses

Students are permitted to transfer up to 6 graduate credit hours (for MS) and 17 graduate credit hours (for the one year MBA program), 19 (for the two year MBA program) from other AACSB-accredited MBA programs. However, these credits may not have been applied to another degree. If a student earned a degree at another school, the student must verify by letter that the courses desired for transfer did not apply to that degree; if a degree was not earned then a letter is not necessary. All courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher to be eligible for transfer consideration.

If a student wishes to have previously earned graduate credits applied to the Masters degree as transfer credits, the appropriate forms must be completed and returned to the school’s student records office. The appropriate faculty members will inform the student of the results after a review.

If a student must relocate during his or her studies at the Katz School, one-third of the total required credits may be taken at an AACSB-accredited MBA program to complete the MBA degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Courses taken at other institutions must be approved by the Katz School faculty. It is therefore recommended that each course be pre-approved for transfer before enrollment.

A student must have earned two-thirds of their total required credits from the University of Pittsburgh in order to qualify for an MBA from the Katz School. Note that all transfer credits are subject to the guidelines imposed by the statute of limitations.

Statute of Limitations

The Katz School requires completion of all degree requirements within four years of original registration. Under extraordinary circumstances, this statute may be extended, one year at a time, to a maximum of six years. The director of student services, upon written request, will consider extension of the statute of limitations. A detailed request must be filed before the end of the statutory period. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed more than six years to complete the degree.

This statute of limitations also governs the acceptability of transfer credits. Credits earned outside the Katz School must have been earned within the four-year period of the date of graduation. Credits more than four years old but less than six years as of graduation will be considered for acceptance upon written petition to the associate dean.

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to adhere to the school’s Code of Academic Standards, copies of which are available in the dean’s office. These standards follow the University’s guidelines with several procedure changes. Students may also contact the school’s academic integrity officer for advice or clarification of academic integrity guidelines.

Career Management

The Career Management team assists all full-time and professional students, as well as the students in the specialized degree programs. The mission is to be a collaborative career management partner with both students and corporate recruiters, as well as an industry leader in professional development.  The team is committed to providing advice in a manner that is designed to tailor a career path to fit each student’s unique strengths and professional competentcies, and develop and execute a job search plan to secure employment post-graduation. More information on the career management team can be found at https://www.katz.business.pitt.edu/recruiters-and-companies

Masters Programs & Student Services

The goal of the MBA and MS Programs team is exceptional student satisfaction. The Masters Program Office staff are subject matter experts who assist advisors and faculty in the delivery of various Masters Programs. The team also manages student events and activities, including Orientation, Academic Workshops and Professional Skills Development. The Program Office also manages matriculation, registration, curriculum delivery and graduation processes for Masters Students.

The Program advisors are part of the Program Office Student Services team.  The advisors are responsible for advising students regarding requirements and procedures of their program.  The advisors will verify degree requirements, and are responsible for making sure students stay on track for graduation.  The academic advisors work very closely with the career advisors to ensure overall cohesiveness.

Faculty

Katz Graduate School of Business Faculty  

Programs & Courses