RMI Doctoral Program

Ph.D. in Risk Management & Insurance Frequently Asked Questions



Q: What do you look for when you evaluate potential students?

A: We choose to look at the "big picture" in evaluating applications. This means we look at traditional measures like GMAT, GPA (particularly undergraduate GPA), recommendation letters, and transcripts. But we're also interested in intangibles like fit with the program and placement potential. This is why we ask potential students to visit campus if possible and get to know the faculty and current students, as it helps us to evaluate the intangibles.

Q: What are the minimum and preferred GMAT scores for admission to your program?

A: The College of Business has a minimum GMAT requirement of 600. Typical RMI doctoral students, however, have GMAT scores that often are significantly higher.

Q: I'm a non-native English speaker. What are the TOEFL or iBT requirements?

A: The minimum score for TOEFL is 600 if the paper version is taken and 250 for the computer version. We also require that non-native English speaking applicants take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) in order to qualify for a teaching assistantship. Both the TOEFL and TSE exams have been combined into the new, internet-based TOEFL (iBT). The minimum score on the iBT exam is 100.

Q: Do you admit students who start the program in the spring or summer semesters?

A: No. Students in our program start only in the fall semester.

Q: How many students do you recruit in a typical year?

A: We recruit, on average, 2 new students every other year so that our overall program size is approximately 4-6 students at any one time.

Q: Do you have part-time or online options for the doctoral program in RMI?

A: No. The doctoral program in marketing at FSU is full time and requires students to be in residence.

Q: Do I need a postgraduate degree to apply?

A: No. We have an option for students to enter directly into our program without a graduate degree. This option requires a year-long sequence of courses that we view as equivalent to a graduate degree.

Q: How long does the doctoral program last?

A: The FSU doctoral program in RMI is a four-year program. There are two years of coursework followed by two years of intensive research work, culminating with the dissertation.

Q: Can I get financial assistance?

A: Yes. Each student admitted to the doctoral program in RMI gets a tuition waiver, assistantship, and stipend. The total package is worth approximately $35,000 for out-of-state students and $20,000 for in-state students.

Q: I hear that your program has a reputation for producing minority graduates. Is this true?

A: We have a very diverse student body at FSU and we're proud of it. Along these lines, we know of no other university that has produced as many minority doctoral graduates in business as FSU. We welcome applications from students of all ethnic and social backgrounds.

Q: Do you wave the application fee for McKnight applicants?

A: Yes, we do.

Q: Where can I get more information about the FSU doctoral program in marketing?

A: The best place to start is by contacting Dr. James Carson (jcarson@fsu.edu), the RMI doctoral program director. For more general questions about graduate education in the FSU College of Business, contact Jennifer Clark (jsclark2@cob.fsu.edu) in our graduate programs office.

Q: Where can I get more information about other doctoral programs in RMI?

A: The American Risk and Insurance Association has some additional information about RMI doctoral programs. You can learn more by visiting their website at: http://www.aria.org.

For more information on the Marketing Ph.D. Program, please contact Dr. James Carson.