Although there are no required courses to begin a doctoral program, it is highly recommended that applicants have a strong background in quantitative methods. Depending on your individual field of study, it may also be beneficial to have a good understanding of the basic principles of your chosen field; for example, psychology or sociology, if you are pursuing graduate work in organizational behavior; or substantial background in economics and mathematics if applying to Economic Analysis and Policy.

A significant number of the PhD student body have joined the Program from abroad, and a variety of personal and professional backgrounds is represented. These backgrounds range from individuals with substantial experience in management and/or industry to those newly graduated from undergraduate programs such as economics, mathematics, or psychology. Prerequisites for admission into specific fields are detailed in the individual field descriptions.

A profile of the recent entering class is given below.