Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration - Strategic Management

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in business administration is earned primarily by prospective college or university teachers and research personnel. This program provides an opportunity for developing a high degree of specialization in one of the following major fields of concentration: accounting, business information systems, finance, logistics, marketing, organizational behavior human resource management, operations and sourcing management, and strategic management. A guidance committee assists the doctoral student in planning a rigorous program of multidisciplinary study. Graduates are expected to be capable of specialized and innovative research. The following degree requirements are applicable to all doctoral students in business administration. Students should contact individual departments concerning any additional requirements they may impose. The general requirements are: 1. Complete a major field and one minor field of study. A major field consists of a minimum of three courses totaling at least 12 credits; a minor field consists of a minimum of three courses totaling at least 9 credits. Specific major and minor fields may require additional courses and credits. Know and be able to apply concepts, tools, and techniques of business practice. A student who enters the doctoral program without having earned a business degree from an institution accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business should develop a broad understanding of the functional areas of business: Accounting, Finance, Management, Supply Chain Management, and Marketing. Such background, if necessary, would be provided by undergraduate or master's level course work as specified by the student’s program guidance committee. 2. Achieve competence in economic and/or behavioral analysis by completing graduate level course work in these areas. Specific requirements are established by the student’s major department. 3. Complete a minimum of four graduate level courses totaling at least 12 credits in research related areas. The areas chosen are expected to be relevant to the student's dissertation research and in subsequent professional endeavors. 4. Pass a written comprehensive examination in the major field and successfully complete the requirements for the minor field, which may also include a written comprehensive examination. At the option of the student's major department, an oral component may be added to the major comprehensive examination. The student's major field advisor must certify to the Doctoral Programs Office that the student has met the requirements for taking a particular written comprehensive examination before the student will be permitted to sit for that examination. 5. Defend a dissertation proposal orally in an open meeting. Because the purpose of this requirement is to provide faculty input for the dissertation research, it should be satisfied before the majority of the research effort is undertaken. A successful defense of the dissertation proposal is achieved when three fourths of the student's dissertation committee, including the chairperson, approves the defense. The guidance committee will report to the Doctoral Programs Office the successful completion of this requirement.