Academic Experience in the PhD Program

The PhD program’s distinct academic approach is designed to enable students to excel as researchers, educators, and scholars in the future.

Throughout their five-year experience, students focus on one of seven distinct areas of study. Students work closely with PhD faculty and the other students within their field of study, among other scholars and peers across the university. Small class sizes and an intimate faculty-to-student ratio ensures that all students benefit from the attention and expertise of respected experts in their fields. 

Rigorous

The intensity of the full-time PhD program demands energy and zeal in the pursuit of greater understanding, and a commitment to master the behavioral, economic, and mathematical sciences that are the essential components of academic research in business-related disciplines. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the tools to pursue the most challenging research agendas. Residence is required for the majority of the program’s duration.

Flexible

While disciplined and rigorous in training, the program is also flexible for students to pursue their unique research interests. Students customize their program within their chosen discipline to their own goals and research interests.

Collaborative

The collaborative culture of Stanford GSB thrives in the PhD program. Students learn, study, and work together. It’s a dynamic that leads to deep relationships, shared accomplishments, and an enduring support network.

Recent Journal Articles

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Preferences for shared language for health equity across the political spectrum

Samantha X. Y. Wang, Sujin Song, Margaret C. Nikolo, Zakary Tormala, Robert M. Kaplan, Kevin A. Schulman
JAMA Network Open March2026 Vol. 9 Issue 3

Fair Market Value of Used Capacity Assets: Forecasts for Repurposed Electric Vehicle Batteries

Amadeus Bach, Simona Onori, Stefan J. Reichelstein, Jihan Zhuang
The Accounting Review March2026 Vol. 101 Issue 2

Cooperative Environments Bolster Feelings of Autonomy in Dyads, Teams, and Organizations

Valentino E. Chai, Nir Halevy
PNAS February2026 Vol. 123 Issue 8

A Cognitive-Structural Sociological Account of the Emergence of Novel Worlds

Giacomo Negro, Michael T. Hannan
Sociological Theory February2026

Impact of 340B Exposure on Treatment Utilization and Cost for Medicare Patients With Cancer

Danea M. Horn, Kevin A. Schulman
https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.70092 February2026