Strategic Management

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Students in the Strategy discipline study the problems and issues facing general managers who must formulate and implement strategies for organizations in uncertain and ambiguous environments. Seminars cover theory and empirical findings related to strategy formulation and implementation, and are intended to familiarize students with the variety of research perspectives relevant to the strategy field. In addition, each faculty member leading a course will ask participants to build upon extant research to develop their own research topics as a first step toward publishing articles.

Strategy students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Strategy, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.
Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

Strategy doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.