Case Western Reserve University

What you'll study

This PhD programme centres on developing original research that advances understanding of work, people and organisations. Core areas of study include organisational behaviour, strategic human resource management, employment relations, and the psychology of work. Students take advanced coursework in research design, multivariate statistics and causal inference, longitudinal methods, and qualitative approaches to build the methodological toolkit necessary for publishable research.

Typical coursework and seminar topics

• Foundations in Organisational Behaviour and HR: theories of motivation, leadership, group dynamics, organisational culture and strategic HRM.
• Research Methods and Statistics: linear and generalized linear models, multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling, experimental and quasi-experimental design, and time-series or longitudinal analysis.
• Advanced Seminars: topics such as diversity and inclusion, work and wellbeing, employment law and labour markets, and HR analytics.
• Interdisciplinary Electives: courses in economics, sociology, psychology or data science to support specific research agendas.
• Doctoral Colloquia and Teaching Practicum: presentation of work-in-progress, peer feedback, and supervised teaching experience.

The programme emphasises an apprenticeship model: students work closely with faculty advisors to design and execute dissertation research, participate in specialised research centres and present at internal and external conferences. Progress typically follows a sequence of structured coursework, comprehensive/qualifying exams, a dissertation proposal and independent dissertation research leading to a defended thesis.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree, and many successful applicants hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent research experience. Strong preparation in quantitative methods or a willingness to acquire these skills is important. Admissions decisions are made on a holistic basis and typically consider:

• Academic transcripts showing strong performance in relevant disciplines (business, management, psychology, economics, sociology or related fields).
• Evidence of research potential, such as a master’s thesis, published work, or relevant research assistant experience.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can attest to scholarly promise.
• A personal statement outlining research interests, fit with faculty expertise, and career goals.
• A current CV and, where available, a writing sample.

Standardised tests may be considered where submitted, but applicants should check the programme’s admissions page for up-to-date guidance on test policies. International applicants will need to demonstrate English language proficiency according to the university’s requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD programme commonly move into tenure-track faculty positions in business schools and departments of management, organisational behaviour or human resources. Other research-focused career paths include roles in policy institutes, think tanks, government research units and large organisations’ people analytics or organisational effectiveness teams.

Additional career outcomes include:

• Senior research and consultancy roles in management consulting firms and HR consultancies focusing on workforce strategy, talent management and organisational design.
• Leadership positions in human resource function where advanced analytical and evidence-based decision-making are required.
• Roles in industry research labs, healthcare systems, or non-profit organisations conducting applied organisational research.

Why study at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management is known for its research in organisational behaviour and management, offering doctoral students close mentorship from faculty with diverse methodological and substantive expertise. The university’s strong interdisciplinary environment enables PhD students to draw on resources across social sciences, engineering, and public health.

Located in Cleveland, the university provides access to a wide range of organisational partners across healthcare, manufacturing, finance and non-profit sectors—useful for applied projects and field research. Doctoral students benefit from a small-cohort structure, regular research seminars and a culture that prioritises publishing and placement support. Prospective students should review faculty profiles to identify advisors whose research interests align with their own and contact the department for information on funding and mentorship arrangements.