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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Why Do People Choose Extreme Candidates? The Role of Identity Relevance

Mohamed Hussein, Zakary Tormala, S. Christian Wheeler
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology January2026 Vol. 122, Article 104821

Fifteen Reasons You Should Read This Paper: How Providing Many Arguments Increases Perceptions of Both Expertise and Persuasive Intent

Abigail Bergman, Mohamed Hussein, Rhia Catapano, Zakary Tormala
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 2026 Issue in press

Talking About What We Support Versus Oppose Affects Others’ Openness To Our Views

Rhia Catapano, Zakary Tormala
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2026

Understanding the belief-behavior gap: Insights from attitudes research

Zakary Tormala, Derek Rucker
Journal of Consumer Psychology 2026 Issue in press

Veto Players and Policy Development

Alexander V. Hirsch, Ken Shotts
American Journal of Political Science (forthcoming) 2026