Department website: https://www.odu.edu/engineering-management-systems-engineering/academics/doctoral-programs
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focuses on developing the necessary skills to perform and evaluate rigorous research. Graduates are prepared for careers in teaching and research at academic institutions as well as in other public and private organizations characterized by innovation and technological leadership. The program blends highly theoretical with more applied or pragmatic research. The fields of research supported by the program are defined by the diverse specializations of the department faculty. Students in the Ph.D. program work closely with faculty to develop world-class expertise in their chosen fields of research. Advising faculty expect doctoral students to become collaborators, supporting the faculty's research agenda, and contributing towards their research goals. This program is available on-campus and online.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering with a Concentration in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering requires a minimum of 48 credits beyond a master's degree (or 78 credits beyond a bachelor's degree). These include 24 credits of coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research (beyond a master's degree).
Additional Information
Graduate Student Program Handbook: For additional information, please contact the Graduate Program Director.
Additional Graduate Student Resources (Graduate School): The Graduate School has extensive additional resources for graduate students at https://www.odu.edu/graduateschool/graduate-student-resources
Program Financial Aid: Our programs offer graduate assistantships with stipends that are awarded to students after a competitive review process. The level of award is determined on the basis of previous experience and performance as a graduate assistant and on the student’s academic achievement and potential in the field. In addition, a number of teaching and research positions are available for financial support of graduate assistants during the summer months (June and July).
Admission Information
Application Process
Summary: The admission process is designed to select applicants that have a strong alignment between their own research interests and an area of specialization of one of the faculty. Applications for graduate study in the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program (Engineering Management and Systems Engineering) should be made through the general ODU Application Portal. Additional materials supporting your application (outlined below) will be required. Once complete, your application package will be reviewed and forwarded to the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Program's Graduate Program Director for consideration. Questions regarding the general application process can be directed to admissions@odu.edu (on-campus) or globaladmissions@odu.edu (online).
Application Deadlines: The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program uses a rolling admission process and does not have a formal application deadline. Entrance into the program and commencement of studies will be timed to begin with the start of the next academic term following admission.
General ODU Requirements
General ODU Requirements: General requirements for graduate admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Program (Engineering Management and Systems Engineering) can be found on the ODU Graduate Admissions website. Additional details can be found in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog.
Additional Program Requirements:
Prior Degrees: Engineering Management and Systems Engineering degree applicants are expected to hold both a bachelor's and a master's degree, with at least one degree in engineering management, systems engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, or a closely related field. A Master's in Business Administration (MBA) is acceptable if the applicant holds another engineering degree. Exceptions are possible for applicants who demonstrate a very strong background in engineering management and/or systems engineering research, i.e., those who have published in respected journals in those fields.
Graduate GPA: If the applicant holds an appropriate master’s degree, a grade point average of at least 3.50, on a 4.0 scale, from an accredited institution of higher education is expected. If the applicant's master's degree is not appropriate, a higher weight will be given to their undergraduate degree in Engineering GPA.
Undergraduate GPA: The undergraduate degree should have a grade point average of at least 3.00, on a 4.0 scale, from an accredited institution of higher education.
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required.
Examination/Test Scores: Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores is nominally required. However, this requirement is waived if the applicant holds an engineering degree from an ABET accredited institution in the USA.
Language Proficiency Requirements: TOEFL (or IELTS) scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English unless their BS degrees are from USA institutions. These applicants must meet University admission requirements (IELTS: 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT: 79+); please refer to the website: https://www.odu.edu/admissions/proficiency for additional details.
Résumé: A résumé or CV detailing relevant experience is required.
Personal Statement: Each applicant must submit an one page essay clearly describing their area of research and their research goals, for the Ph.D. program, and why they feel they are well-suited to complete that goal. This should include a description of their specific research interests and how those interests are reflected in their research goals. This personal statement will be used to determine if a potential candidate has a research match within the department's faculty.
Recommendation Letters: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted. At least one must be from former or current professors, and one could alternatively be from an employment supervisor.
Requirement Wavier: Only the Graduate Program Director (GPD) can waive an admission requirement. Please reach out directly to the GPD if you think you are eligible for a waiver from a requirement. The GPD may request additional information, including GRE scores. On rare occasions, potential students lacking adequate academic preparation may be admitted to the program due to exceptional prior research experience. Provisionally admitted students may be required to complete additional prerequisite course requirements to prepare them for the graduate curriculum in the discipline. As part of their plan of study, the student must take and successfully complete these courses at the earliest possible opportunity. All students must have mathematics coursework through the level of integral calculus, matrix algebra, or differential equations, and a course in calculus-based statistics (ENMA 420 or equivalent).
Additional Information: The GPD may request additional information that will assist in the selection process. Additional information may include but is not restricted to: publications, samples of research reports, and documents or materials that support proficiency claims of specialized skills. If warranted, the GPD will organize an interview of the applicant by faculty who have specializations in areas that may overlap with the applicant's intended area of research.
Evaluation Process:
Admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive. The best qualified applicant or applicants for an area of specialization are then selected. The number of students admitted into any faculty's area of specialization is dependent on the faculty's projected ability to advise additional doctoral students. The selection is based on the applicants' academic history, maturity in the development of research capabilities, and proficiency in specialized skills demanded by the research area. Applicants whose interests can be supported by a faculty's specialization and who demonstrate adequate preparation to meet the demands of doctoral studies will be contacted by the Graduate Program Director. Admission is contingent on having the support of a faculty that is willing to commit to acting as an advisor should the applicant be admitted.
Curriculum Requirements
The Ph.D. program is intended to develop scholarship and research capabilities in the student. Graduates will be experts in their chosen field, highly skilled researchers, critical thinkers, and competent communicators and debaters. Graduates will demonstrate this in a variety of ways that will include, but is not limited to, their performance in: coursework, written and oral examinations, closed and public debates and defenses, and contribution to their field's body of knowledge. The development and assessment of such expertise and scholarship take place under the guidance, advising, and mentorship of a faculty that is an expert in the field, and appropriate guidance, dissertation, and examination committees.
Curriculum requirements in the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Engineering Management and Systems Engineering) are in accordance with the general requirements for Ph.D. degrees at Old Dominion University as specified in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.
Progression in the Ph.D. program is governed by a Plan of Study that is established by the student in conjunction with his/her advisor and guidance committee within the first nine credit hours of coursework. The Plan of Study will follow the established course requirements (below) unless a substitution to one or more courses is agreed upon between the student and their primary advisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director.
The plan of study is designed to prepare the student to undertake scholarly research in the particular field and specialization of their dissertation. The coursework selected will provide the student with (1) the requisite foundational knowledge of the selected field, and (2) the necessary research skills. A high degree of flexibility is provided to customize the plan of study, taking into account the diversity in the fields of study, the multidisciplinary nature and variety of research that is undertaken, as well as the different levels of preparation that individual students have upon entry to the program.
Students Starting Doctoral Studies After Master's Degree:
* At least three-fifths (3/5) of all coursework applied towards the degree must be at the 800 level (or higher) for all doctoral programs.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| Engineering Research Methodology | |
| Multivariate Statistics for Engineering | |
| Foundations of Research | |
| |
| Model-based Systems Design | |
| Systems Analysis | |
| Risk Analysis | |
| Reliability and Maintainability | |
| Big Data Fundamentals | |
| Robust Engineering Design | |
| Doctoral Research | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 |
Additional Requirements
Requirements for Graduation
In addition to any University and College requirements presented in this catalog, the Ph.D. program in engineering management requires:
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of postmaster’s degree credit or equivalent level of performance coursework. This shall include a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework that complies with the student's plan of study, and a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation research hours.
- Passing a written and oral candidacy examination at the completion of formal coursework. The candidacy examination may only be repeated once.
- The completion of research representing independent original research and its formal documentation as a dissertation.
- The successful defense of a dissertation proposal.
- Written dissertation of the research results. The research shall be documented in a manner consistent with advanced, professional work. The project report will follow the standard format for Old Dominion University dissertations and theses.
- The successful final public defense of the dissertation before an audience, which includes an appropriately selected committee of faculty knowledgeable in the field of the research.
Continuance Requirements
Students may be separated for failure to comply with any policies, procedures or requirements that pertain to this Ph.D. program or student behavior. In addition to the requirements for graduation, separation from the program may be warranted for the following reasons, among others:
Coursework
- All students admitted to Engineering Management and Systems Engineering programs must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the degree and in all Engineering Management prerequisite courses. A student may be separated from the program if he/she receives a grade lower than a "C". Additionally, a student may be separated from the program if he/she receives 2 (two) grades lower than a "B".
Adherence to programmatic expectations
- Students are expected to complete their coursework according to an agreed upon plan of study. Failure to adhere to the plan of study may result in separation from the program.
- Students are expected to make timely progress on their coursework and research. Persistent failure to meet deadlines and milestones or other indicators that demonstrate progress, as assessed and documented by the guidance or advisory committee may lead to separation from the program.
- Students are expected to remain within the specialization area of their advisor and committee members. Students that deviate outside of the agreed upon research area will be notified of this deviation. The student may lose the support of their advisor and committee if the deviation persists. A student will be given a limited period of time (generally one semester) to acquire an advisor that is capable of supporting their new research direction. Separation from the program will result if the student cannot obtain a new advisor, whether this is due to the lack of a specialization in the new field, or if a faculty with a suitable specialization cannot take on additional advising responsibilities.
- Similarly, if a student is left without an advisor for any other reason (e.g. departure of a faculty advisor from the program), it is contingent on the student to obtain a new advisor in a timely manner. This may require flexibility and willingness by the student to adjust their area of specialization. The department will assist the student and take their particular situation into consideration when the loss of an advisor is due to factors outside of the student's control. Separation from the program will, however, result if no advisor is obtained after a limited period of time (generally one semester).
Quality of Research
- A student that persistently submits work of low quality whether it be in documented or in oral form, may be required to submit for special reviews by the committee. Records taken by the advisor, and the guidance or advisory committees, which document the quality problems and present remedial actions where appropriate will be used to help ascertain whether the problems can reasonably be expected to be resolved, or if separation from the program is warranted.
Ethical Behavior
- Any student partaking or demonstrating behaviors that might be considered to go against the policies and conditions expected for responsible conduct in research, Old Dominion University expected codes of conduct, or ethical considerations that might be specific to an area of research, may result in separation from the program.
