PhD in Entrepreneurship Admissions and Tuition

Qualifications for admissions

Curriculum and Admissions APPLY HERE

An undergraduate degree is required. An MBA degree or similar degree is preferred. We typically admit 5 students every other year. A new cohort of students will begin their studies in August 2026.

Characteristics of applicants

An understanding of entrepreneurship requires an understanding of all the major facets of business, and this is typically satisfied with an MBA degree or extensive professional experience.

  • A valid GMAT or GRE score is required.
  • There is no minimum grade point average. The institutions you attended, your major(s) and minor(s), and your GPA are all factors we consider. Applicants with credentials from foreign universities must submit them for evaluation to one of the following services, which will issue a report that will become part of the applicant’s application.
  • Applicants with a degree from a non-english speaking university or those for whom English is not their native language must submit a TOEFL score. http://ets.org/ibt/register
  • Letters of recommendation describing applicant characteristics and research potential.
  • Prior work experience is not necessary for admission. Nonetheless, if you have prior work experience, we will consider it when making admission decisions.
  • An interview (either in person or via Microsoft Teams).
  • A personal statement that explains why the applicant is interested in pursuing a PhD and that provides other relevant information for us to make a decision.
  • We hope to admit 5 students for the Fall 2026 cohort. Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort will be accepted through  December 31, 2025

How to apply

Outstanding students will be considered for the University Fellowship Program. We will admit students on a rolling basis with an application deadline of December 31, 2025. If space permits, exceptional students can be admitted through April.

Apply today

Program cost

All students receive a full tuition waiver for four full academic years as long as they are making progress toward their degree. In special cases, fifth-year funding may be available. Students work as graduate assistants in order to receive the stipend, which is currently $32,000 per year. Students are not allowed to work outside of their research or teaching assistantship while they are in the PhD program. Students enter candidacy after successfully completing all required coursework, passing the qualifying examination, and successfully writing and presenting a required first-year paper. Typically, students enter candidacy after two full years in the program.

Learn more about financial support for graduate students.

Funding opportunities

International students

English proficiency is essential to success in UofL’s entrepreneurship doctoral program. International students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by  (1) taking the TOEFL test and scoring a paper-based TOEFL score of 550, a computer-based TOEFL score of 213, or an internet-based TOEFL score of 79, or (2) by successfully completing the exit examination for the advanced level of Intensive English as a Second Language Program at the University of Louisville and (3) by interviewing with the admissions committee conducted either in person or by Skype

If you have questions, contact the PhD program director, Dr. Daniel Bennett, at daniel.bennett.2@louisville.edu.

Email Dr. Bennett