The University of Massachusetts Boston

College of Management

PhD in Business Administration, Organizations and Social Change

The Organizations and Social Change (OSC) track responds to the growing interest in issues at the intersection of business and society, such as climate change, workforce diversity, economic development, governance, inequality, and globalization. The study of organizations, management, and society has never been more important and dynamic than it is today. Harnessing the financial, organizational, and technological resources and techniques of business and entrepreneurship, often in partnership with the public and non-profit sectors, can generate innovative solutions to these concerns. The interdisciplinary OSC track builds on the Management and Marketing Department’s expertise to prepare graduates to be active academics and leaders in meeting these complex challenges. 

We offer a unique blend of academic and practical applications in organization theory. Our renowned faculty’s research interests span business disciplines as well as political economy, sociology, and women’s studies.  We are deeply involved in current issues of management and organizational studies through writing, research, and ongoing work in industry and government. A recent $3.1 million award from the National Science Foundation has created specific funding for two students a year for this PhD track for students interested in the intersection of business, policy and science in complex environmental problems such as climate change and coastal risks. Current PhD students did their Master’s level studies in business, education, philosophy, finance, international management, and sociology (although a Master’s is not required, some prior research experience is helpful). You can learn more about the OSC research group and current students from the Organizations and Social Change blog.

The Centers and Institutes at the College of Management sponsor studies and seminars on important issues of interest to students of organizations and social change.  They include the Center for Sustainable Enterprise and Regional Competitiveness, the Center for Collaborative Leadership, and the Center for Entrepreneurship.  Across the University, PhD students can participate in the Center for Social Policy, the Global Environmental Governance Project, the Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture, the School for Global Inclusion, or the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters.  Our students also take courses and attend seminars at the wide range of universities in the Boston area, with which our faculty have connections, including Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis, Harvard, MIT, Simmons, and Tufts.

Please spread the word about our PhD program, which prepares scholars to expand knowledge, teach students, and advise leaders from a critical perspective. UMass Boston is guided by a mission of social justice and community involvement, and it is an extraordinary place to learn about how people can change organizations, and how organizations can change the world. Students will find a vibrant community of scholars and students with whom to share their passion and with whom to prepare for the next stage in their professional development.  The application deadline is January 15, 2014.  Prospective students are welcome to visit the campus and meet faculty. Please contact 

Richard Wong, the program administrator, at [log in to unmask]