About the Ph.D. in Marketing and Management
UW’s Ph.D. in Marketing and Management is a highly regarded program that prepares
students for ambitious careers at top research institutions. During this program,
you’ll take core courses on strategy, research methods and consumer behavior. You
also have the opportunity to specialize in one of five concentration areas: consumer
and organizational behavior, consumer culture, sales management, innovation and entrepreneurship
and sustainability and well-being. In the second year of the program, students learn
to teach under the supervision of an experienced educator.
All students are fully funded and work alongside accomplished faculty to complete
research projects. Outside of the classroom, students are invited to present their
work at international conferences and participate in various events on campus, including
semesterly skills seminars.
The Ph.D. in Marketing offers five concentration options. Students may select an area
of specialization and take courses specific to that concentration.
Concentration options include:
- Consumer and Organizational Behavior: Study the reasons why consumers and organizations buy goods and services.
- Consumer Culture: Learn about how the values and norms in various societies affect advertising and purchase patterns.
- Sales Management: Sales are key to the operation of any successful business and marketing campaign. Understand how to run successful sales teams.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Learn to start, scale and operate a successful business.
- Sustainability and Well-Being: Get well-versed in managing a sustainable business focused on the well-being of people and the planet.
What can you do with a Ph.D. in marketing and management?
A Ph.D. in Marketing and Management prepares you for high-level careers in academia, research and industry leadership. Graduates may become university professors, academic researchers or consultants, while others pursue executive roles in corporate strategy, market research or organizational development. This program also opens doors to positions in think tanks, policy analysis and thought leadership, making it ideal for those interested in advancing theory, shaping business practices or influencing decision-making at the highest levels.
- University Professor
- Academic Researcher
- Consultant
- Corporate Executive
- Market Research Director
- Think Tank or Policy Analyst
- Author or Speaker
- And more!
UW’s Ph.D. in marketing and management prepares students for careers in academia and
research at top institutions. To date, all of our graduates have been placed in tenure-track
positions, most at R1 and R2 institutions.
Graduates are currently tenured, or on tenure tracks, at the following institutions:
- University of Idaho
- University of Nevada, Reno
- University of North Florida
- Old Dominion University
Yes, a Ph.D. in marketing is useful if you're pursuing a career in academia, research or high-level consulting. It provides deep expertise in consumer behavior, marketing strategy and data analysis, preparing you to teach at universities, publish original research or advise organizations on complex marketing challenges. While it's not typically required for most corporate marketing jobs, it’s highly valuable for those interested in thought leadership, academic influence or shaping marketing theory and practice.
With a Ph.D. in Marketing, you can research topics like consumer behavior, marketing strategy, digital marketing, pricing, promotions and brand management. Other areas include behavioral economics, marketing analytics and ethical or sustainable marketing practices. This research often blends theory with real-world application, helping shape both academic understanding and business decision-making.
Alumni spotlight
Dr. Mya Groza is a 2014 alum of the Ph.D. in marketing and management program. Dr. Groza currently serves as an Associate Dean at the University of Idaho. She recently met with UW students to discuss how to launch a successful academic career. Everyone was delighted to learn from her and celebrate her success!
