Ph.D. Admissions
Source: https://business.rice.edu/graduate-programs/phd-business/phd-admissions Parent: https://business.rice.edu/
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PhD Program
Guiding You on Your Ph.D. Admissions Journey
The Rice Business Ph.D. Program is accepting applications in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior, and Strategic Management. The application deadline is December 15, 2025.
Online Application
Using the online application, you will create a user account for the creation and submission of your application, and from which you may check the status of your submitted application and receipt of your supplemental documentation.
Interested in Rice Business?
Application Requirements
To be considered for admission, the following documents must be received no later than the posted application deadline:
- Completed online Ph.D. application including a Statement of Purpose and CV/Résumé.
- Three confidential recommendations (academic strongly preferred). Recommendations should be submitted using the online application recommendation feature. After entering your recommender’s contact information into your application, the application system will immediately send an electronic "Recommendation" form to that individual.
- For reviewing purposes, electronic copies of transcript(s) can be uploaded through the online application system to meet the application requirements. (If you are offered admission to Rice, official paper or electronic transcript(s) will be required and should be sent directly to the Rice Jones Graduate School of Business by the issuing institution. Official transcript(s) are required from all undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended.)
- Your official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report, or GRE test score report submitted direclty to us (test taker copy not acceptable). This requirement will not be waived.
- To send your official GMAT score report, log on to the MBA GMAC website, click “The GMAT” then “GMAT Scores and Score Reports”. The “Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business – PhD Program” code is 3WS-WD-54.
- To send your official GRE score report, log on to the ETS site, under “Tests” click “GRE”. Under “Test Takers” click “Order Additional Score Reports”. The “Rice U Mgmt PhD Program” code is 6618.
If you did not earn your undergraduate degree in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, an official score report of your TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) taken within 2 years of your application date is required (test-taker copy not acceptable). This requirement is waived for international applicants who have received a Master's degree or a Doctorate from an institution within the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom by the application deadline.
- To send your official TOEFL score report, log on to the ETS site, under “Tests” click “TOEFL” and then “Test Scores.” The “Rice University-Management PhD Program” code is 6618.
A non-refundable application fee of $40 payable via credit card or check. Please make checks payable to Rice University. Applications will not be processed without the required application fee.
Please note that applicants may not apply for, or be considered for, more than one program at a time within the Jones Graduate School.
Supplemental Application Materials
While most of your application materials will be submitted electronically via our online application, materials that must be mailed should be addressed to:\ \ Melinda Pena\ PhD Admissions / MS 531 \ Rice University \ Jones Graduate School of Business \ 6100 Main Street \ Houston, TX 77005
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Alexander Ober, Ph.D. Program
Best Paper Award in Options & Derivatives at the FMA Conference
Congrats to Ph.D. Student in Finance Alexander Ober for winning the Best Paper Award in Options & Derivatives at the FMA International Conference!
This year, the FMA recognized five papers from over 1,000 submissions for top recognition. Alexander’s paper studies an intermediary option pricing model that explains how the risks faced by market makers influence option prices and market behavior.
He is advised by his Chair, Kerry Back, with committee members Kevin Crotty, Robert Dittmar, Zachary Bethune, and Kris Jacobs (University of Houston).
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question answered below? Contact Melinda Pena, Assistant Director Faculty Administration and Ph.D. Program.
- When is the application deadline?
The Rice Business PhD Program application deadline is December 15, 2025.
Candidates will be notified of admission decisions via email by April 15th. If you do not receive a decision by this date, please reach out to Melinda Pena at Melinda.E.Pena@rice.edu. - Is financial assistance offered to students?
Financial assistance is offered in the form of tuition grants, stipends, and research and academic support. Please refer to the Ph.D. program guidebook for more detailed information. - Can you have a job while working on your Ph.D.?
In most cases, students are expected to be full-time Ph.D. students. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the student's chairperson, area advisor, and the director of the Ph.D. program. - How do I send my TOEFL score?
If you did not earn your undergraduate degree in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, an official score report of your TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) taken within 2 years of your application date is required (test-taker copy not acceptable). This requirement is waived for international applicants who have received a Master's degree or a Doctorate from an institution within the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom by the application deadline.
To send your official TOEFL score report, log on to http://www.ets.org, under “Tests” click “TOEFL” and then “Test Scores.” The “Rice University-Management PhD Program” code is 6618. - What is the minimum GMAT/GRE Score requirement and can it be waived?
While our program is highly competitive, we do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score requirement. All applicants regardless of academic or professional background must submit either a GRE or GMAT. There are no exceptions to this requirement.