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How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

Coursework Examination Research Papers Research Activities Field-Specific Requirements

Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

Years 4 & 5

Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

From undergrad to phd, from phd student to colleague, conducting ground-breaking research at wharton.

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Brian Lowery, Professor of Organizational Behavior, talking with students. Credit: Elena Zukhova

Our faculty members are uncompromisingly committed to student success

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Students pursue an intensely focused, highly energized academic experience in their chosen discipline

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Recognized experts in their fields, our faculty continually publish groundbreaking research

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Our collaborative culture enables students to support one another, and most students live on campus

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Learn more about our application materials and what we look for in a candidate

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Our graduates pursue tenure-track academic placements at top institutions around the world

Stanford GSB PhD Program

Discover a focus and intensity greater than you may have thought possible. As a PhD student at Stanford Graduate School of Business, you will be inspired and challenged to explore novel ideas and complex questions.

Fall 2024 applications are now closed. Applications for Fall 2025 will be available in September 2024.

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Become an Outstanding Scholar

Our PhD Program is designed to develop outstanding scholars for careers in research and teaching at leading academic institutions throughout the world. You will embark on a challenging and meaningful experience, focusing your academic study in one of seven distinct fields within the PhD degree program.

Is a PhD Right for You?

Strong PhD candidates are full of ideas and curiosity, with a passion and aptitude for research. If you’re prepared to embark on a rigorous career in research and develop your full potential, we invite you to explore the possibilities of a PhD in business. Admitted students receive full fellowships for their doctoral studies.

Faculty Publications

2023 state of latino entrepreneurship, autonomous strategic behavior, organizational learning and top management support: re-examining field research with computational modeling, developing an individualized treatment rule for veterans with major depressive disorder using electronic health records, phd student voices, school news, stanford economist guido imbens wins nobel in economic sciences, susan athey named president of american economic association, teaching through a pandemic: students recognize two faculty members for their efforts, diversifying the pool of phd students will require systemic change.

Gain valuable research experience and training in a two-year, pre-doctoral opportunity at Stanford University.

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Tepper School of Business

Tepper School

Ph.D. Program

Doctoral graduates and faculty at the tepper school share an impressive legacy of path-breaking research and global recognition that includes nine nobel laureates. .

As a small, serious-minded program, our Ph.D. students benefit from close working relationships (both academic and social) with faculty, advisors, and classmates. 

There are eight focused fields of study in our doctoral program and we also offer joint Ph.D. degrees in conjunction with other world-class colleges across the university campus.

Apply Now >

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The Tepper Doctoral Program

Areas of study, nobel laureates, current students on the job market >, research for the intelligent future, how do you anticipate and address tomorrow's business needs, today you think boldly. you challenge what you know. and you do the work. tepper's doctoral program hosts the next-generation researchers who will transform society's collective intelligence as we arrive at the intelligent future of business..

mirzaeian_neda

Neda Mirzaeian Ph.D. Candidate, Operations Management

"I chose to pursue my Ph.D. at the Tepper School of Business because of the diversity of opportunities it offers. At Tepper, I have been fortunate to work with some of the most prominent professors in my field, and develop the proper skill set for my future career."

michael

Mik Zlatin Ph.D. Candidate, Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization

"At Tepper, I work with amazing people who help me reach my full potential both as a researcher and as a world citizen."

saeseul park

Sae-Seul Park Ph.D. Candidate, Organizational Behavior and Theory

"I chose the Tepper School because its interdisciplinary focus and great access to faculty enable doctoral students to pursue ideas and empirical methods that push the boundaries of research."

Program Fields of Study

Meet our ph.d. candidates, ph.d. student profiles.

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Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) Overview

A doctorate in business administration is tailor-made for busy business professionals. Learn more about this degree and whether it might support your career goals.

[Featured image] A Doctorate of Business Administration student stands on the steps of a university building while using his cell phone. He's wearing a jacket and scarf.

Earning a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) offers a path toward personal and professional advancement in business. This relatively new degree, first offered at Harvard Business School in the early 1950s, is an option for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of business practices and pursue education beyond the Master of Business Administration (MBA) level.

While typically less well-known than the related MBA and PhD degrees, a DBA may be worth your time, especially if you're interested in practical, hands-on learning and an academic environment where you can explore research-based solutions to challenges you're facing in the business world.

What exactly is a Doctorate of Business Administration?

A Doctorate of Business Administration is a professional degree designed for individuals who want to expand or develop their business skills. Those who pursue this degree typically have experience owning, managing, or operating a business. This allows them to experiment with the theories they study in a real-world situation and seek solutions to problems they may encounter in the course of business operations.

Although the degree focuses on business theory and practice, it differs from an MBA or a PhD in Business Administration. The coursework in an MBA program tends to cover topics relevant to general business management, while a DBA program typically allows for more individual study in a specific area. A PhD program may be more beneficial to you if you want to do academic research or teach at a university.

Typical concentrations in DBA programs

Depending on your school, you may have to select a concentration within your DBA program. Others allow you to incorporate the areas you want to study into your research, creating a built-in concentration to meet your individual needs. Some common concentrations you may find in DBA programs include:

Accounting: Explore investments, taxes, and other topics for a career as an analyst, manager, or chief financial officer.

Business management: Study methods for implementing change and managing people and projects for roles as a consultant, department or division manager, or executive.

Finance: Dive into tools for financial modeling, analysis, and decision making used by financial analysts, CEOs, CFOs, and consultants.

Health care leadership or management: Examine laws, regulations, and systems specific to the health care industry to prepare for positions like hospital administrator, facility director, or executive.

Is a doctorate in business administration worth it?

People have many different reasons for getting a DBA, including learning more about the latest research and theories that apply to their business, qualifying for a new position, or positioning themselves as experts in the field. Some want to transition into a role as an instructor and mentor for the upcoming generation of business leaders. Others see the coursework as an opportunity to explore problems affecting their industry and identify possible solutions.

No matter why you decide to work on this advanced degree, you're likely to enjoy the challenge of the work and find plenty of practical applications for it. Along the way, you may be able to expand your business management skills and distinguish yourself from other business leaders who work in similar roles. 

Specifically, you can refine your ability to identify and frame problems, seek solutions for them, and share your findings with your team. This competitive advantage may be helpful when you're up for a promotion or applying for a position with another company.

Earning a DBA can also increase your earnings potential and job security. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people with a doctorate tend to have lower rates of unemployment and higher wages than those with a master's or bachelor's degree. In 2021, the unemployment rate for individuals with a doctorate in the United States was 2 percent lower than for those with a bachelor's degree [ 1 ]. Here's how the median weekly wages of the different degrees compare:

Doctorate degree: $1,909 

Professional degree: $1,924

Master's degree: $1,574

Bachelor's degree: $1,334

What can you do with a doctorate in business administration?

The knowledge and skills you develop as you earn a DBA apply to many different areas in business. You can use your degree in various careers, including business administration, executive positions, market research, and more. After graduation, you may find that your newly enhanced skills boost your performance at work, and this may put you in line for a promotion and higher salary — that may or may not be with your current company.

With your doctorate, you may find work in private and non-profit sectors. You may decide to strike out on your own and start your own company. Whether you stay with your current employer or look elsewhere, here are some of the roles you may consider:

Analyst: $93,000

C-suite executive: $98,980

Economist: $105,630

Information systems manager: $159,010

Human resources director: $126,230 

Professor: $76,640

Organizational manager: $105,310

*All data represents median annual salaries in the United States according to the BLS (May 2021)

Read more: 10 In-Demand Jobs You Can Get with a Business Degree

What will you learn in a DBA program?

In a DBA program, you study current research and theories about business practices, including topics like leadership and decision making, as well as how to conduct research at the graduate level. These courses typically build on content taught in MBA programs and help prepare you to work on your dissertation and residency. You can divide the content you may encounter into three broad categories: theory, research, and problem-solving.

Business and management theory

Business and management theory classes address topics like how to lead organizations in the current environment, set up and manage teams of people, and identify strengths and areas of concern in personnel, as well as corporate governance and ethics. These courses help establish the foundation of knowledge you use as you progress through the curriculum. You may apply one or more of the theories you study in your daily work life to deepen your understanding of the merits and deficits of the thinking. This also can inform your research. Examples of these courses include:

Entrepreneurial Behavior in Organizations

Influences and Limitations on Executive Decision Making

Leadership to Create Human Value

Leading 21st Century Organizations

Quality Improvement and Organizational Change

Research principles, philosophies, methods, and design

For many DBA students, researching questions and finding solutions to problems is one of the more exciting parts of a DBA program. The curriculum typically includes introductory courses in research methods and experimental design, as well as how to read and analyze articles from scholarly journals. Sample courses include:

Advanced Statistics and Applications

Archival Research Methods

Creating and Disseminating Research Knowledge

Defining the Dissertation Research Problem and Research Question

Qualitative Research

Contemporary issues and concerns

DBA programs usually include opportunities for students to learn more about contemporary issues that today's business leaders may need to address in their work. These courses can cover topics like global warming, scarce resource management, and cultural responsiveness in the workplace. Depending on the specific curriculum at the school, you may take classes that specifically address these topics or find them embedded in the theory and research courses you take.

How to choose a DBA program

When choosing a DBA program, consider how the program's design and curriculum fit into your schedule and align with your personal and professional goals. You may prefer a fully online program if you're already working full time and have personal obligations. Alternatively, you may prefer attending classes in person because it gives you a chance to give your full attention to the work without distraction. Some schools offer a hybrid course schedule with online classes and weekly or monthly face-to-face sessions.

The good news is that most schools design their DBA programs for working professionals. Not only does this let you keep your day job while you work on the degree, but it also means the professors may be more understanding when an emergency arises. They also try to arrange students in cohorts, so you have an opportunity to develop relationships with other students, share your knowledge, and support each other.

How to get a Doctorate of Business Administration

To get a Doctorate in Business Administration, you have to apply to, be accepted by, and complete a program at a school that offers the degree. Each school sets its own admission requirements, and these may include an MBA or relevant master's degree, professional experience, and evidence of a promising research project. The school may also ask you to explain why you want to earn the degree and whether you have time to commit to the program.

The DBA application process

The DBA application process usually starts when you complete the school's application and pay the application fee. You'll include details like your contact information, education, work experience, and why you're interested in the program. Some schools also ask for professional references and proof of English language proficiency at this stage.

If you make it through the first stage in the process, you may be invited to interview. During the interview, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your critical thinking and communication skills and share what motivates you to complete the degree program. The school wants to see evidence that you will complete the program.

The school you choose may also have additional steps in the application process. This can include an on-site campus visit where you can talk face-to-face with staff. Others may ask you to submit GRE scores or academic references. They will use all the information they collect to evaluate your candidacy.

For many, the first step toward a DBA is earning an MBA. Check out programs like the Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, available on Coursera. You can earn this degree in as little as two years from anywhere with an internet connection.

If you already have an MBA, you may prefer expanding your business knowledge and building skills by earning a Professional Certificate such as the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate . Learn the basics of digital marketing, including how to set up and market an online store and measure its performance. This can help you choose an area of focus when you're ready to start your DBA courses.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a dba the same as an mba ‎.

The DBA is not the same as an MBA, but the two degrees share some similarities. Both degrees can be considered terminal degrees for business management professionals. However, fewer people have completed a DBA program, which can help you stand out when you apply for a new job or are up for a promotion. ‎

What is the difference between a DBA and a PhD in business administration? ‎

The most significant difference between a DBA and a PhD in business administration is the focus of the research. A DBA program typically emphasizes applied research and inquiry, while a PhD program tends to encourage theoretical research and the relationship between business theories and their effects on people. DBA graduates are often more likely to pursue careers in the business world, and PhD graduates tend to go into academia. ‎

Is getting a DBA worth it? ‎

Getting a DBA may be worth it if it helps you meet your personal or professional goals, like a new position or enhanced leadership skills. If your goal is to land a specific job, find out the requirements for the position and whether the DBA will help you meet them. Even if you don't have specific career goals, you will likely discover that a DBA program gives you a place to examine problems, explore ideas, and develop strategies that you can use in your personal and professional lives.

Ultimately, the answer to this question is a personal one. Collaboration, personal development, and knowledge building can be more beneficial than a salary for some people. ‎

How much does a DBA cost? ‎

The cost of a DBA depends on the school you choose, but tuition typically ranges between $500 and $1500 per credit hour. This does not include course, application, and registration fees or charges for reading the dissertation and graduation. Overall, you can expect to pay between $34,000 and $125,000 or more for the degree. ‎

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Article sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Education Pays, 2021 ," https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm." Accessed June 20, 2022.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

before you go

Help us keep in touch — it won’t take long, developing the next generation of business scholars.

Fuqua's PhD Program in Business Administration (CIP 52.1399, STEM eligible) prepares candidates for research and teaching careers at leading educational institutions and for careers where advanced research and analytical capabilities are needed.

At Fuqua, you'll develop close working relationships with leading scholars in your field in a stimulating and collaborative learning environment. We encourage strong collaborations between students and faculty, both within your academic area and across different areas, in order to foster the groundbreaking interdisciplinary research we're known for.

Academic Experience

Our PhD program focuses on three critical development areas to prepare you for your career:

  • Independent inquiry
  • Competence in research methodology
  • Communication of research results

From the start, you'll be introduced to rigorous coursework and the research activities across our faculty and your PhD student peers.

Our Faculty

In our PhD degree program, you'll work with our world-renowned faculty who are recognized for excellence in both teaching and research, and for their accessibility across degree programs.

Program Requirements

The PhD in Business Administration is a degree of the Graduate School of Duke University and follows the degree requirements set by Duke's Graduate School. In general, the PhD program requires an average of 5 years to complete. After you and a faculty member in your academic area determine your specific study program, according to your interests and goals, you'll be required to:

  • Gain expertise in your area of special interest through your coursework and independent study
  • Complete a preliminary qualifiying exam in this area of study by the third year of residence, or earlier
  • Defend your dissertation successfully

How to Apply

If you have any questions about Fuqua's PhD programs, please contact our PhD Program Office +1 919.660.7862 or by email . Applications for the PhD program can be found online on the Duke Graduate School website . The application deadline is December 14.

Admission is based on both merit and on a competitive basis. On average, each academic area matriculates 2-3 students each year. The acceptance rate ranges between 2% and 8% across the areas.

Recent PhD Placements

Oliver Binz  - Accounting

  • The Information Content of Corporate Earnings: Evidence from the Securities Exchange Act of 1934   Journal of Accounting Research, 2022
  • Firms’ Response to Macroeconomic Estimation Errors Journal of Accounting and Economics, 2022
  • Managerial Response to Macroeconomic Uncertainty: Implications for Firm Profitability The Accounting Review, 2022

Gregory Burke  - Accounting

  • SEC Rule 14a-8 Shareholder Proposals: No-Action Requests, Determinants, and the Role of SEC Staff   Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 2023

Matt Kubic  - Accounting

  • Regulator Continuity and Decision-Making Quality: Evidence from SEC Comment Letters The Accounting Review, forthcoming
  • State Sponsors of Terrorism Disclosure and SEC Financial Reporting Oversight Journal of Accounting and Economics, 2021
  • Examining the Examiners: SEC Error Detection Rates and Human Capital Allocation The Accounting Review, 2021
  • Time to Get It Right: An Examination of Post-Acquisition Fair Value Adjustments Journal of Financial Reporting, 2021

Chen Chen  - Decision Sciences

  • Dynamic Pricing of Relocating Resources in Large Networks Management Science, 2021

Mingliu Chen  - Decision Sciences

  • Optimal Monitoring Schedule in Dynamic Contracts Operations Research, 2020

Yan Chen  - Decision Sciences

  • Society of Agents: Regret Bounds of Concurrent Thompson Sampling NeurIPS 2022, accepted

Huseyin Gurkan  - Decision Sciences

  • Informing the Public About a Pandemic Management Science, 2021
  • Contracting, Pricing, and Data Collection Under the AI Flywheel Effect Management Science, 2022
  • Multistage Intermediation in Display Advertising Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 2020

Cagin Uru  - Decision Sciences

  • Sequential Search with Acquisition Uncertainty Management Science, forthcoming
  • Sequential Search with Acquisition Uncertainty By David B. Brown and Cagin Uru Management Science

Sophie Yu  - Decision Sciences

  • Testing Correlation of Unlabeled Random Graphs Annals of Applied Probability, forthcoming
  • Testing Network Correlation Efficiently via Counting Trees Annals of Statistics, accepted
  • Settling the Sharp Reconstruction Thresholds of Random Graph Matching IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 2022

Jingwei Zhang  - Decision Sciences

  • On the Strength of Relaxations of Weakly Coupled Stochastic Dynamic Programs Operations Research, forthcoming
  • Dynamic Programs with Shared Resources and Signals: Dynamic Fluid Policies and Asymptotic Optimality Operations Research, forthcoming

Hanjing Zhu - Decision Sciences

  • One-Pass SGD in Over-Parametrized Two-Layer Neural Network AISTATS, 2021

Rafael Alves  - Finance

  • Forecasting Large Realized Covariance Matrices: The Benefits of Factor Models and Shrinkage Research Policy, 2022

John Barry  - Finance

  • Corporate Flexibility in a Time of Crisis Journal of Financial Economics, 2022

Hao Pang  - Finance

  • Common shocks in stocks and bonds Journal of Financial Economics, 2022
  • Contagion in a network of heterogeneous banks Journal of Banking and Finance, 2021

Danbee Chon  - Management & Organizations

  • Disentangling the Process and Content of Self-Awareness: a Review, Critical Assessment, and Synthesis Academy of Management Annals, 2021

Sean Fath  - Management & Organizations

  • Encouraging Self-Blinding in Hiring Behavioral Science and Policy, forthcoming
  • How Reflecting on Experiences of Disadvantage Can Lead White Men to Perceive Racial Privilege Harvard Business Review, forthcoming
  • Blinding Curiosity: Exploring Preferences for “Blinding” One’s Own Judgment Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2022
  • Self-Views of Disadvantage and Success Impact Perceptions of Privilege Among White Men Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2022
  • Why Putting on Blinders Can Help Us See More Clearly MIT Sloan Management Review, 2021
  • The Highs and Lows of Hierarchy in Multiteam Systems Academy of Management Journal, 2021
  • Signaling Creative Genius: How Perceived Social Connectedness Influences Judgments of Creative Potential Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2021

Carman W Fowler  - Management & Organizations

  • Seen and Not Seen: How People Judge Ambiguous Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 2022

Anyi Ma  - Management & Organizations

  • On the Mutual Constitution of Person and Culture: Examining the Link Between Perceived Control and Cultural Tightness-Looseness Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, forthcoming
  • Support for Increasing Low Wage Workers’ Compensation: The Role of Fixed-Growth Mindsets about Intelligence Journal of Experimental Psychology, forthcoming
  • Reconciling Female Agentic Advantage and Disadvantage with the CADDIS Measure of Agency Journal of Applied Psychology, 2022
  • Exploring Perceptions of Disadvantage and Success as Interwoven Antecedents of White Privilege Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2022

Jessica Paek - Management & Organizations

  • Congratulations, So Happy for You! Promotion Motivation Predicts Social Support for Positive Events Motivation Science, 2022
  • Tying the Value of Goals to Social Class Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2023
  • The Andrew Carnegie Effect: Legacy motives increase the intergenerational allocation of wealth to collective causes Social Psychological and Personality Science, forthcoming

Rebecca Ponce de Leon  - Management & Organizations

  • “Invisible” Discrimination: Divergent Outcomes for the Non-Prototypicality of Black Women Academy of Management Journal, 2022
  • “They’re Everywhere!”: Symbolically Threatening Groups Seem More Pervasive than Non-Threatening Groups Psychological Science, 2022
  • Double Jeopardy or Intersectional Invisibility? Reconciling (Seemingly) Opposing Perspectives Research on Social Issues in Management: The Future of Scholarship on Race in Organizations, forthcoming
  • Ironic Egalitarianism: When Hierarchy-Attenuating Motives Increase Hierarchy-Enhancing Beliefs Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2021

Sara Wingrove  - Management & Organizations

  • Interpersonal Consequences of Conveying Goal Ambition Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, forthcoming
  • Scientific Skepticism and Inequality: Political and Ideological Roots Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2020

Rodrigo Dias  - Marketing

  • Spending and Happiness: The Role of Perceived Financial Constraints Journal of Consumer Research, 2022
  • Aha over Haha: Brands Benefit More from Being Clever than from Being Funny Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2022

Holly Howe  - Marketing

  • Aha vs. Haha: Brand Benefit More from Being Clever than from Being Funny Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2022
  • Open Science Online Grocery: A Tool for Studying Choice Context and Food Choice Journal of the Association of Consumer Research, 2022
  • Being There without Being There: Gifts Compensate for Lack of In-Person Support Psychology and Marketing, 2022
  • Therapeutic Cannabis Use in Kidney Disease: A Survey of Canadian Nephrologists Kidney Medicine, 2022
  • Associations Between Resistance Training Motivation, Behaviour and Strength International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2021
  • Body Image and Voluntary Gaze Behaviors Towards Physique-Salient Images International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
  • The Shifting Perspectives Study Protocol: Cognitive Remediation Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment to Family Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2021
  • Anger Damns the Innocent: The Paradox of Anger in False Accusations of Wrongdoing Psychological Science, 2021

Nah Lee  - Marketing

  • Vertical versus Horizontal Variance in Online Reviews and Their Impact on Demand Journal of Marketing Research, accepted

Demilade Oba  - Marketing

  • How communication mediums shape the message Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2023

Siddharth Prusty  - Marketing

  • Robust Importance Weighting for Covariate Shift Proceedings of the Twenty Third International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Statistics, 2020

Jacqueline Rifkin  - Marketing

  • Penny for Your Preferences: Leveraging Self-Expression to Encourage Small Prosocial Gifts Journal of Marketing, 2020
  • How Nonconsumption Can Turn Ordinary Items into Perceived Treasures Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 2021

Kelley Gullo Wight  - Marketing

  • Social Relationships and Consumer Behavior  APA Handbook of Consumer Psychology, 2022
  • Secret Consumer Behaviors in Close Relationships Journal of Consumer Psychology, forthcoming

Lingrui Zhou  - Marketing

  • Befriending the Enemy: The Effects of Observing Brand-to-Brand Praise on Consumer Evaluations and Choices Journal of Marketing, 2022
  • Better to Decide Together: Shared Consumer Decision Making, Power, and Relationship Satisfaction Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2021

Yuan-Mao Kao  - Operations Management

  • Impact of Information Asymmetry and Limited Production Capacity on Business Interruption Insurance Management Science, 2022

Yuexing Li  - Operations Management

  • Data-driven Dynamic Pricing and Ordering with Perishable Inventory in a Changing Environment Management Science, 2022

Chen-An Lin  - Operations Management

  • Wait Time–Based Pricing for Queues with Customer-Chosen Service Times Management Science, 2022

Ali Kaan Tuna  - Operations Management

  • Sustainability Implications of Supply Chain Responsiveness Research Policy, 2022

Divya Sebastian  - Strategy

  • Invention value, inventive capability and the large firm advantage By Ashish Arora, Wesley M Cohen, and Honggi Lee Research Policy, 2023

Lia Sheer  - Strategy

  • Sitting on the Fence: Integrating the Two Worlds of Scientific Discovery and Invention within the Firm Research Policy, 2022
  • Knowledge Spillovers and Corporate Investment in Scientific Research American Economic Review, 2021
  •  Matching Patents to Compustat Firms, 1980-2015: Dynamic Reassignment, Name Changes, and Ownership Structures Research Policy, 2021
  • FARS Midyear Meeting Outstanding Reviewer Award 2022
  • EAR Conference Best Discussant Award 2021

Matthew Kubic  - Accounting

  • The Fuqua School of Business' Best Dissertation Award 2019-2020

Ayoub Amil  - Decision Sciences

  • RMP Jeff McGill Student Paper Prize (2022), Finalist  - Multi-Item Order Fulfillment Revisited: LP Formulation and Prophet Inequality
  • INFORMS M&SOM Student Paper Award (2023), Second Place
  • The Fuqua School of Business' Best Dissertation Award 2022-2023
  • INFORMS 2022, George Nicholson Student Paper Competition, Finalist

Taha Ahsin  - Finance

  • MFA Doctoral Symposium (2022), Finalist
  • SFA Doctoral Student Paper Runners-Up Award (2022)

Jing Huang  - Finance

  • European Finance Association Best Conference Paper Prize 2021 for  Open Banking: Credit Market Competition when Borrowers Own the Data
  • Western Finance Association Best Paper in FinTech 2022, for "Fintech Expansion"

YoungJun Song  - Finance

  • Most Influential Faculty Award
  • Selected for AOM Best Paper Proceedings (top 10% of accepted papers)
  • Lepage Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Faculty Award
  • Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Outstanding Dissertation Award 2020

Jessica Paek  - Management & Organizations

  • Lim Kim San Fellowship at Singapore Management University 2022
  • Kenan Institute for Ethics Graduate Fellowship 2021–2022
  • Best Theoretical/Empirical Paper Award, Academy of Management Meeting, Conflict Management Division 2021
  • Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity Graduate Student Scholarship 2021
  • The Fuqua School of Business' Best Dissertation Award 2021-2022
  • University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Advancing Research and Creativity Grant 2022
  • Winner, INFORMS/Organization Science Dissertation Proposal Competition 2021

Jessica Reif  - Management & Organizations

  • Teaching on Purpose Fellowship, Kenan Institute for Ethics (2024)
  • Best Student Poster Award, Honorable Mention - Society for Judgment and Decision Making (2022)
  • AMA CBSig Rising Star Award (2023)
  • AMA Sheth Doctoral Consortium Fellow
  • AMA CBSig Rising Star Award
  • AMA Mathew Joseph Emerging Scholar Award
  • SCP 2023 Best Competitive Paper Finalist
  • Co-Principal Investigator, The Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business Research Grant 2022
  • Best Talk Award 2022, Society for Consumer Psychology Conference (Interpersonal Relations & Group Processes Track)
  • Early Career Faculty Award 2021, University of Missouri-Kansas City Emeritus College
  • AMA Sheth Consortium Fellow 2020
  • Society of Consumer Psychology, Best Poster Award - Beyond Persuasion: Developing a Framework of Communication Patterns in Joint Decision-Making

Chenghuai Li  - Operations Management

  • Winner, Best Paper Competition 2022, Digital Supply Chain and Supplier Diversity Conference
  • INFORMS Data Mining Best Paper Competition, Winner 2020 - Data-driven Clustering and Feature-based Retail Electricity Pricing with Smart Meters
  • College of Sustainable Operations Student Paper Award, Honorable Mention 2021 - Wait Time Based Pricing for Queues with Customer-Chosen Service Times
  • Recipient of the Duke India Initiative Grant ($2020)
  • Duke Graduate School Bass Instructional Fellow
  • The Fuqua School of Business' Best Dissertation Award 2020-2021

What areas of study do you offer?

We have study concentrations in the following areas: Accounting, Decision Sciences, Finance, Marketing, Management and Organizations, Operations Management and Strategy.

Could you evaluate my chances of admissions to the program?

Please be advised, we cannot offer assessment of candidacy to applicants or provide feedback to re-applicants. The admission decision is made by faculty in each area and awarded on a competitive basis, after evaluating all applications. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Do you have online or part time options for your degree program?

No, online or part time options are not available for our doctoral program.

Do you have to be in residence during the program?

Students are required to be in residence during their coursework (2-3 years) and are highly encouraged to remain in residence for the remainder of the program. On average, students complete the program in 5 years.

I have a graduate degree. Could I be exempt from the GRE/GMAT test requirement?

The GMAT or GRE is required for admission to the Business Administration Program. The GMAT or GRE cannot be waived under any circumstance.

Is there a minimum score for GMAT or GRE?

There is no minimum score requirement, although successful applicants tend to have competitive scores.

If I have an MBA degree, will that make a difference?

Some students have an MBA or another master's degree before entering the program. However, an MBA or another master's degree is not required for admissions.

Is work experience required?

No, it is not required.

Are interviews required as part of the admissions process?

No, they are not required, although some areas may choose to conduct preliminary interviews prior to final admission decisions.

How many recommendation letters are required?

Three recommendation letters are required.

What financial assistance is available for doctoral students?

Fuqua offers fellowships to all doctoral students, including international students. This fellowship pays for tuition, a competitive stipend for living expenses, and single person health fees. The fellowship is renewable for up to five years of doctoral education, conditional on good academic standing in the program. Additional funding in the form of research and teaching assistantships is also available to PhD students. For information about financial aid, please see  https://gradschool.duke.edu/financial-support .

Your admission to the PhD program will include stipends, tuition and registration, and health fees for up to ten semesters, provided you are making satisfactory progress in the program.  Other forms of financial assistance include:

  • Desktop computer
  • Support for approved academic travel
  • Assistance in seeking funding from the Graduate School and outside sources

Teaching and research assistantships are available for supplementary funding.  For additional information about financial aid, please see  https://gradschool.duke.edu/financial-support .

Can I visit the Fuqua School of Business?

The PhD office is unable to offer school tours or individual meetings with Fuqua faculty before the pre-admit season begins. Contacting faculty prior to application submission is not necessary. Due to the volume of inquiries, faculty members regret that they are unable to respond to all inquiries. Prospective students are encouraged to learn about  faculty research .

Do you have a resource guide for Duke and the greater Durham area?

Duke Graduate School and the Emerging Leaders Institute  have surveyed current students and created  The Professional's Guide to Duke and Durham  to answer common questions for incoming students.

Duke's Graduate School

The answers to the following frequently asked questions can be found at the  Duke's Graduate School  general webpage:

  • How do I apply to the PhD Program?
  • Do I need to provide TOEFLs or IELTS scores?
  • What is the minimum ESL-related score?
  • If I have an admissions question, who do I contact?
  • How much is the application fee?
  • Are official documents required during the application review process?
  • My transcript is not in English, do I need to provide a translation?
  • What if I retake the GRE or GMAT, which score is considered?
  • How can I check the status of my application?

Start your application to one of our PhD programs now.

Accounting * Decision Sciences * Finance * Management and Organizations * Marketing * Operations Management * Strategy

Thumbnail shot for PhD video

PhD Program in Business Administration

Duke university’s fuqua school of business.

100 Fuqua Drive Durham, NC 27708-0120 Tel +1.919.660.7862 [email protected]

Office Hours

Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

Map and Directions

Fields of Study

Get a solid foundation in the tools of accounting research.

Decision Sciences

Help organizations make better decisions.

Push the frontiers of research in financial economics.

Management and Organizations

Understand organizations from multiple perspectives.

Among the most published and cited marketing faculties in the world.

Operations Management

Think conceptually, carefully and creatively about operations issues.

Innovation, entrepreneurship, organizations, and business and public policy.

PH.D. Program

Become an academic superstar.

Knowledge creation through research is the lifeblood of a university. Our award-winning faculty are here to mentor and guide you as you mature into a scholar of the first class.

CHOOSE A REWARDING CAREER

The path ahead is long and challenging, with unexpected twists and maybe a detour or two. If you are ready to dedicate your time and energy to pursuing the highest academic degree possible, we will make the journey with you. The next four to six years will be exciting, exhausting, demanding, and when you see the next step of your academic career finally come into view – immensely gratifying.

WHO WE ARE – An Elite School with Broad Study Options

What we do – resources focused on your career placement, how we do it – faculty and ph.d. prospects researching side-by-side, dean mills welcomes ph.d. prospects.

Click to watch video

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Mccombs ph.d. conference.

News, business research, and ideas from Texas McCombs

McCOMBS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARDS

Graduate School

Ph.d. requirements.

  • Academics & Research
  • Programs & Requirements

Brown University awards more than 200 doctor of philosophy degrees annually.

The Brown Ph.D. is primarily a research degree. Teaching is an important part of many doctoral programs, and many departments require candidates for the Ph.D. to have teaching experience.

Brown University offers substantial financial support to doctoral students. All incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of support, which includes a stipend, full tuition remission, health-services fee, and a health-insurance subsidy. Doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences are guaranteed six years of support. All promises of student support are subject to students making satisfactory academic progress, as determined by their programs of study. Please see related links for additional details regarding the University's commitment to doctoral education.

Ph.D. Funding

Funding guarantee, four general requirements for the doctor of philosophy.

The candidate must be formally admitted to his or her degree program.

The normal residency requirement is the equivalent of three Academic Years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Students who enter a PhD program at Brown already holding a master’s degree in a related field have a residency requirement equivalent to two Academic Years of full-time study upon entering the PhD program at Brown. Use of a previously earned master’s degree to reduce PhD residency requirements is contingent upon approval of the program Director of Graduate Study. Graduate work done at other institutions and not used in fulfillment of the requirements for any doctoral degree elsewhere may, on the approval of the program Director of Graduate Study, be counted in fulfillment of up to, but not exceeding, one year of the residency requirement. A student who desires credit for work done elsewhere should file a timely application with the program Director of Graduate Study; transfer credit forms are available through the  Office of the Registrar .

A student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. when he or she has completed satisfactorily all the requirements, departmental and general, requisite to beginning work on the dissertation. Candidacy is determined by the department or program of study and certified by the Registrar. Most departments require a preliminary examination before advancing any student to candidacy. Most departments also require a final examination or defense. The examination is conducted by professors in the department and by such other members of the faculty as may be appointed.

The candidate must present a dissertation on a topic related to his or her area of specialization that presents the results of original research and gives evidence of excellent scholarship. The dissertation must be approved by the professor or committee under whose direction it is written and by the Graduate Council. All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within five years after advancement to candidacy.

Faculty Member Leaves Brown

If a faculty member working with a doctoral student leaves Brown for any reason before that student has completed his or her degree requirements, it may not always be possible for that faculty member to continue working with the student as an advisor. In such cases, departments will work with students to help them locate a new advisor.

Additional Requirements

Individual departments and programs may have additional requirements regarding the number of courses to be taken, proficiency in foreign languages, special examinations, and theses. The department should be consulted for specific information.

  • Enroll & Pay
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students

Applying for Ph.D. programs

Application requirements.

All application materials should be submitted online (including transcripts). Please do not send paper documents.

Students are admitted once each academic year at the start of the fall semester. For entry in the fall, the priority deadline is Dec. 15 and the final deadline is Jan. 10. All applicants are encouraged to apply early. Notification of admission and financial aid will be made by April 15.

College Calculus is a prerequisite for admission.  You must have a completed application file prior to our review. Incomplete applications or applications received after Jan. 10 will not be considered for admission.

A complete application contains the following:

  • A completed KU Graduate Studies application
  • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Focus Edition scores OR Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
  • ​iBT minimum score to apply is 100; IELTS minimum score to apply is 6.5 Total Band and at least 6 in each component (listening, reading writing, and speaking)
  • ​Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study completed to date
  • Three letters of recommendation received directly from the persons writing the letters
  • A non-refundable application processing fee of US $65 for domestic applications and $85 for international applicants payable to the University of Kansas
  • Statement of purpose

If admitted to the program, please request official transcripts to be sent to:

KU School of Business Attn: Doctoral Program 1654 Naismith Drive Capitol Federal Hall, Office 1193 Lawrence, KS 66045

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Students

For All Online Programs

International Students

On Campus, need or have Visa

Campus Students

For All Campus Programs

PhD in International Business

Bring a global perspective to your business or academic career with an international business phd.

Whether your focus is on pursuing an executive level career in applied business or a teaching career in higher education, earning a PhD in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University is a great way to take the next step toward your goal. Grow your expertise as you develop extensive theoretical knowledge and expand your independent thinking capabilities in this research-oriented program. You’ll participate in international business seminars complemented by methodology courses that will help give you a hands-on, interactive education that goes beyond the classroom.

SNHU’s PhD in International Business is a cohort program, giving you the opportunity to progress and build community with a group of your peers. The program may be completed in one of two formats:

  • Conventional Campus-Based Program. A conventional campus-based program is the traditional university educational model. Prospective students will be admitted as full-time students. They will work with our School of Business faculty on our vibrant Manchester, NH campus. Campus program students are required to live in the region to complete their program in as few as 5 years.
  • Executive Low-Residency Program.  An executive low-residency program combines online and campus-based experiences, designed for working business professionals. Students will meet with faculty in-person on the Manchester, NH campus once a month on a Saturday (four times per semester). and participate in a mandatory summer residency week during their coursework stage. Executive low-residency program can earn their PhD in as few as 4.5 years. The low-residency model is not available for international students. (Note: this program will be on pause starting Fall 2024)

The International Business PhD programs only have a fall intake term. Both programs admit applicants for the Fall semester ONCE a year. The application cycle will open in August each year, and the application deadline is the February 20th.

See Yourself Succeed with a PhD in International Business

SNHU's PhD in International Business strives to meet the needs of all students while accommodating those with demanding schedules and careers. The program is tailored to those who wish to develop their scholarly knowledge in pursuit of future professional and academic goals. Graduates of this program are in a position to influence the ideas and actions of others through positional or non-positional leadership opportunities. Academics, executives, community leaders, leaders within nonprofit and government organizations, and local entrepreneurs are welcome to apply for program admission.

Cohort Model

The cohort learning environment offers a collaborative experience for individuals with diverse career experiences and backgrounds. Cohort members become a source of support and encouragement to one another. Each individual’s dissertation will be based on their interests.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of majoring in international business at SNHU include:

  • Supportive community.  Join the SNHU community of learners who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
  • Affordability.  SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in the Northeast.
  • Accessible faculty.  Learn from highly credentialed faculty members who are experts in their fields.

Should you earn a PhD in International Business or a DBA?

The answer depends on your interests and your career goals. Both degrees represent the highest level of academic achievement, and both degrees are highly respected in both the academic and business worlds. Additionally, both the PhD and DBA are advanced research degrees that involve conducting original research, analyzing data, and producing important findings.

But there are differences. The DBA is considered a professional doctorate, and the PhD is an academic doctorate. SNHU does not currently offer a DBA.

PhD research is focused on developing theories, addressing a gap between theories, or addressing a gap in the general body of knowledge. The PhD may be more appropriate if you are focused on a faculty career in higher education or a career as a researcher in a research center.

In contrast, DBAs focus on real-world organizational and business problems and involve original and secondary research to explore, examine, and address those problems. The DBA is primarily for those focused on a career in business and consulting. However, many DBAs do teach in colleges and universities.

It’s important to note that students in either program can study real-world problems.  PhD students might use a different set of methodologies or look at the problem from a broader scope in contrast to DBA students who may focus their research on a particular industry or company with a narrower lens.  However, any topic of interest in the international business field including but not limited to, multinational companies or managers engaged in international business is likely to be a viable research area for a SNHU PhD student.

Many of SNHU PhD graduates are enjoying careers in both business and academia.  

A significant part of the educational experience includes advanced research courses, doctoral colloquiums, and the completion of a dissertation. Through these experiences, learners, professors, and thought leaders gather to discuss their topics related to the field, focus on research, and provide a supportive learning environment.

Program Overview

Earning your degree is a smart choice to advance your career, and investing in an affordable program increases your ROI. We keep our costs low  to remove barriers between you and your goals.

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)  as well as several other accrediting bodies.

This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator .

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Business, PhD

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Master the Business World with a PhD in Business

With a PhD in Business from IUP, you’ll be able to meet the growing demand for highly educated experts to teach in business schools around the world—or take on leadership roles in tons of industries.

IUP’s PhD in Business lets you pick your own area of focus from areas like finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, HR management, international business, marketing, organization behavior, or supply chain management. As part of your PhD in Business, you’ll study in-depth concepts and apply your research with the support and guidance of experienced faculty with a global perspective.

Why Get a PhD in Business from IUP

Our PhD in Business program is designed for working professionals like you, so you won’t have to put your career on hold to pursue your degree. You’ll likely complete the program in four years, and with our weekend classes and special schedule, IUP is the first year-round business PhD in Pennsylvania. With two courses each in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, you’ll have the flexibility needed to work full-time.

The program will include two years of coursework, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation.

The Eberly College of Business is part of only 5 percent of business schools worldwide accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

What You’ll Learn in IUP’s PhD in Business Program

After graduating with a PhD in Business from IUP, you’ll have:

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of research and applications
  • Proficiency in applying quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • The ability to create scholarly work in both academic and business settings
  • The ability to integrate information from different business areas with the help of research tools

Imagine Your Future

Qualified professionals with business doctorates are needed to serve as faculty members at business schools around the globe, and Eberly College of Business at IUP specifically designed our business doctorate program to address this need—a need that you’ll be well prepared to fill. 

But if academia isn’t the path you want to pursue, a PhD in Business will set you up for tons of other possibilities. As a graduate of IUP, you’ll be uniquely prepared for leadership roles in a variety of industries. You’ll also be qualified for executive and research-focused positions or senior consulting roles where you can use the in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge you’ll learn in school.

IUP’s business doctorate reflects the tasks and challenges that today’s business leaders face on a daily basis. Everything you do in school will connect to a real problem you’ll face once you enter the working world, giving you the tools you need as a business leader in the 21st century.

Today, there are an estimated 103,400 employed postsecondary business teachers , and that number is forecasted to rise to 109,800 by 2031. 

Business professors are among the highest paid faculty in higher education, with a current average salary of $108,060 .

Outside of academia, current average salaries for senior employees in business are comfortably above $100,000 nationally . Consider the average salaries for marketing managers ($158,280), financial managers ($166,050), human resources managers ($145,750), and operation specialties managers ($148,190).

Classes and Requirements

Your doctoral program will follow a detailed course schedule with two classes on weekends in six consecutive fall, spring, and summer terms.

For your first ten courses, your entire cohort will be together. They’ll be broken down like this:

  • In three of these ten courses, you’ll learn research design and quantitative analytic techniques commonly used in advanced business research.
  • Your other seven courses will provide advanced understanding of the major areas of business research.

In the second summer, you’ll take six credits of seminar coursework in your selected focus area, which helps prepare you for dissertation research. At the end of the second summer, you’ll take your comprehensive exams. After passing comprehensive exams, you’ll form your dissertation committee and begin your dissertation research. You’ll complete 12 credits of dissertation research before graduating.

Focus area options change based on cohort demand and faculty availability, and you’ll be able to choose from some of the following:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Human resources management
  • International business
  • Organizational behavior
  • Supply chain management

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

Admission Requirements for the PhD in Business at IUP

To complete your application for our PhD in Business program, you’ll need to follow IUP’s admissions requirements for graduate studies. The documents you’ll need include:

  • A goal statement that outlines your reason for pursuing a PhD in Business and your degree objectives
  • A master’s degree with at least one degree (bachelor’s or master’s) in business or closely related field
  • A resume that outlines your professional accomplishments to date
  • An online application in our admission system
  • Official transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended
  • Professional writing samples that highlight your writing and research skills
  • Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources

Once you’ve submitted all of the necessary materials, you may be invited to a candidate interview to determine the potential fit. Candidates who meet all the requirements will be admitted without the need for an interview.

Application Deadlines and Recommendations

IUP accepts applications for the PhD in Business program on a rolling basis. In other words: You can submit an application until shortly before the start of a new cohort, as long as space is available. However, it is important to plan for the time required to send your official transcripts and test scores.

In addition, demand for the PhD in Business program can be significant. We recommend submitting your application as soon as you make the decision to pursue the degree, which will help to secure your seat in the program before the cohort fills up. International applicants will need additional time to secure a US visa.

Checking on Your Application after Submission

After you have completed your application, IUP will begin the review process. To check on its status or for details, please contact the PhD in Business coordinator:

Professor David Yerger, PhD [email protected] 724–357–4775

Convenient Location

As a student in our PhD in Business program, you’ll take weekend classes at IUP Pittsburgh East. Located just east of Pittsburgh, the location is easily accessible from downtown Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Free and convenient parking is available for all students. 

Student Resources at IUP Pittsburgh East

At IUP Pittsburgh East, you’ll have access to a student lounge and a shared kitchen space. You’ll also be able to use classrooms and computer labs with state-of-the-art technology that offer the ideal learning environment for doctoral students.

The location is directly connected to IUP's campus network, giving students easy access to extensive library services and a private network drive. Through the university’s Virtual Private Network (VPN), you'll be able to connect to these resources from anywhere.

Accelerating Your Business Career

A PhD in Business can level up your career in a variety of ways. Traditionally, most students earn this degree to become tenure-track professors in business schools around the globe. However, a variety of industries have also begun to prize PhD graduates in senior leadership positions.

Our program’s applied curriculum and focus area options will prepare you for leadership roles across multiple fields.

With the knowledge and experience gained in your PhD studies, you'll have the power to transform your organization and industry. As a result, you can accelerate your career, benefiting you and your organization for years to come.

Costs and Financial Aid

We understand that budget plays a major role in whether you decide to pursue a PhD. We’ve broken down for you how much it costs to earn your PhD in Business, as well as several financial aid opportunities to help you afford your doctoral degree.

PhD in Business Costs

IUP charges tuition costs for graduate students on a per-credit basis. For the 2020–2021 academic year, PhD in Business tuition and fee costs were approximately:

  • $923 per credit for in-state residents
  • $1,312 per credit for out-of-state students
  • $1,396 per credit for international students

Ultimately, you’ll pay for 48 credits for the PhD in Business program . Learn more about IUP’s graduate tuition and fees.

Financial Support Opportunities

We want to help you afford IUP's PhD in Business, so we offer annual graduate assistantships to our students.

Each year, we select a number of highly qualified and interested students in the PhD in Business program for these graduate assistantship awards. Awardees will support faculty and administrators at the Eberly College of Business. Currently, the awards are:

  • A partial tuition waiver and per-semester stipend
  • Remote work, with no on-campus requirements

If you’re interested in pursuing an award, you should complete our graduate assistantship application in addition to your graduate school application.

Keep in mind that your employer might reimburse all or part of your tuition if the Business PhD is relevant to your work. You can download the Employer Tuition Reimbursement Form on our website.

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UMass Boston

business phd programs qualifications

  • Business Administration PhD

Collaborate, exchange ideas, and grow with an engagement-based PhD.

Are you the right fit for the Business Administration PhD at UMass Boston? The program’s distinguishing feature is the collegial spirit and noncompetitive nature of the community, where students collaborate on projects and assist each other and participate in joint research with faculty. Our informal atmosphere and open-door policy encourage students to engage in conversation with faculty or continue seminar discussions with distinguished visitors beyond the allotted class time and space.

To prepare for the academic path, students participate in a teaching seminar and practicum in their second year and then are offered opportunities to teach a variety of undergraduate courses. Career development workshops are also offered, and focus on topics such as writing research grants, the interviewing process, and delivering a successful research talk. Three distinct tracks of this program are available to suit the differing needs of PhD candidates: Organizations and Social Change (OSC) , Finance , and Information Systems for Data Science and Management .

Career Possibilities

Work for a prestigious business school as a professor or researcher. Become a consultant for a government agency whose work speaks to you. Or, use your entrepreneurial spirit and know-how to launch your own successful business. These are just a few of the possibilities a Business Administration PhD offers.

Become a(n):

  • Data Analyst
  • Business Consultant

Start Your Application

Finance Track

UMass Boston's Business Administration PhD - Finance track is a full-time, in-residence program lasting 4 to 5 years. The program prepares students to be academic researchers, tenure-track professors, or for careers in government organizations and the private sector.

The finance track provides a unique curriculum. It’s taught by both accounting and finance faculty and demands competency tests in both subject areas. Additionally, the curriculum has been updated to include state-of-the-art classes in data science (natural language processing, machine learning, and textual analysis). This new emphasis on data science provides students the tools needed to differentiate their research in a very competitive area. Learn more about students' job placements .

Students accepted into the program generally qualify for a stipend ($31,000 per year for four years, subject to satisfactory academic progress) and full tuition credits. Students may also apply for grants for conference participation. Travel grants annually fund academic conference presentations. Additionally, teaching opportunities and summer internships at financial institutions are encouraged to complement the stipend.

Small class sizes (4-6 students) allow closer interaction with faculty publishing in top-ranked journals to develop research niches. We organized international conferences to signal that competence ( Corporate Social Responsibility in 2019, 2021, and 2023 ). Mindful of the teaching career – a course on teaching skills is also part of the required curriculum. Recognizing the diverse insights other disciplines may bring, students can attend classes from two additional tracks of our PhD Business Administration program – the Organizations & Social Change and Information Systems for Data Science track. Competency tests in Accounting are also part of the required curriculum.

Who Should Apply

The finance program track is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a full-time doctoral program specializing in areas such as:

  • corporate finance (e.g., corporate governance and control, executive compensation, capital structure, payout policy, raising capital, and corporate social responsibility)
  • investments and asset pricing (e.g., asset management and portfolio analysis, market microstructure, stock-price modeling, fixed-income market, derivative markets, financial systems in emerging markets)
  • accounting (e.g., financial reporting, accounting anomalies, managerial accounting)

The program is designed to give students a solid foundation in finance, economics, accounting, and econometrics in the first year through coursework. The intensity of the coursework takes into consideration that applicants come from multiple disciplines. To proceed, students take a qualifying exam in the summer of their first year. The second year is dedicated solely to seminar courses, with some covering investments, asset pricing, corporate finance, and accounting. Courses are designed to prepare students for taking on instructor duties in their third year.

View the Finance Track curriculum.

Our faculty has published in the most prestigious journals in finance and accounting. Recent publications include articles listed in the FT-50 list of the highest-ranked journals in business, including in Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Management Science, Journal of Accounting Research, Accounting Review, Journal of Business Ethics, and Journal of International Business Studies.

Learn more about the Accounting & Finance faculty.

Information Systems for Data Science & Management Track

Data analytics has become a critical need in industries ranging from health care and financial services to marketing and government. Leveraging the strengths of the College of Management's faculty, the University of Massachusetts Boston is offering a cutting-edge and flexible doctoral program in this field.

Positioned at the intersection of technology, business, and strategy, UMass Boston's Business Administration PhD - Information Systems for Data Science and Management track allows students to have a holistic view of data science and its role in the competition. Students will get exposed to various state-of-art research streams in information systems and data science, with a relative focus on data analytical techniques from a design science perspective and the application and management of data analytics in business settings from an organizational perspective. The program offers students the flexibility to investigate other topics they find interesting in data science and technology fields.

All students with master's degrees who are interested in information technology and data analytics are welcome to apply. Students with degrees in quantitative fields such as statistics, economics, math, computer science, management sciences, information systems, and other related disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply. A master's degree in these related fields is a plus, although not required. Previous full-time working experiences in related positions are also a plus.

Rapid increases in the amount of published data results in a data deluge that imposes significant challenges in data analytics. By offering a carefully tailored combination of courses in information technology, applied statistics, and business analytics, our PhD program provides rigorous and in-depth courses of study with emphasis on various research methodologies, tools for data analytics, and relevant academic skill sets involving research design, literature review, theoretical development, empirical validation, and academic writing. Our program also provides students with extensive knowledge in the various emerging research areas in information systems (IS) field through IS research seminars and research collaboration opportunities with faculty members.

Academic advisors will help students configure a program of study which includes a rigorous sequence of courses in a variety of research methodologies, theories, and topics. Students will develop theoretical and methodological competencies in a variety of topics in the field of information systems and data science. Students will develop teaching competences through the teaching seminar, GA assignments to support a professor, and independently deliver courses. In addition to course work, students will actively engage in research with faculty members.

View the Information Systems for Data Science and Management curriculum.

Faculty Research

More than a dozen dedicated faculty members are devoted to student learning, with additional faculty serving in supporting roles. They are leaders in their fields who regularly publish scholarly articles in top academic journals. The program involves close, apprentice-like working relationships with faculty members, and students are introduced early to the world of conferences and publishing. Doctoral students are paired with faculty advisors based on their area of interest. This intense mentorship program allows students to learn the crafts of research and teaching in a highly collaborative environment. A sampling of faculty projects includes:

  • cybersecurity analytics for massive communication graphs
  • home health care management for dually diagnosed Individuals with mental and physical health problems
  • characterizing managers' decision making patterns under uncertain and competitive environment
  • business intelligence as an IT-enabled agile and competitive business platform
  • social media, big data, and Innovation: an investigation of the software industry in India
  • strategic use of cloud computing and data assets for sustainable competitive advantage
  • decision modeling applications to areas such as technology development, policy, resource management
  • abysmal behavior in online social networks
  • the role of health IT in hospital acquisitions
  • social influence on Bayesian learning process in post-adoption stage

Learn more about faculty and their research.

There are two main career opportunities for the individuals graduated from this program. They can pursue a career in academia as a faculty member or join an organization as a data scientist. In the first case, they can educate other data scientists and conduct state of the art research to be published in peer-reviewed journals.

For the second, students can become data scientists who use the acquired knowledge to excel the effectiveness of data collection and analytics in their organization and improve its competitiveness in today’s economy.

Organizations and Social Change Track

UMass Boston's Business Administration PhD - Organizations and Social Change (OSC) program has gained a strong international reputation for its distinctive focus on issues at the intersection of business and society and its explicit commitment to diverse perspectives, theories, and methodologies. The program examines how business and organizations structure societies, economies, and our identities, sometimes in harmful ways, but also how business and organizations can be engines for positive change.

This full-time, on-campus program is led by a high-quality faculty who are committed to supportive supervision and mentoring of students. Students are eligible for four years of financial support and enjoy opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects. Graduates of the program, which is primarily designed to train students for academic careers, have secured positions in well-known universities, while others have pursued successful careers in consulting and nonprofits.

The program is part of the AACSB-accredited College of Management at UMass Boston. The university is guided by a mission of social justice and community involvement. It is an extraordinary place to learn about the relevance of business and organizations in addressing societal issues.

The Organizations and Social Change program track is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a full-time doctoral program specializing in areas such as:

  • social responsibility and sustainability
  • social entrepreneurship
  • sustainable economic development
  • stakeholder engagement in corporate governance
  • contemporary human resource management, such as diversity and contingent labor
  • cultural and economic impacts of globalization
  • transnational identities of consumers and employees
  • gender equality and organizations
  • multi-sector partnerships for poverty alleviation and development

Prospective students with prior degrees in management, sociology, economics, political science, or other relevant areas are encouraged to apply. Most successful applicants have a master’s degree. Prior research experience (e.g., data analysis, literature reviews, academic writing) is highly recommended. Students accepted into the program are offered full tuition credits and a $31,000 stipend to help defray living costs for up to four years. Summer stipends of $6,000 are also available annually to all qualified students. Travel grants annually fund academic conference presentations.

View the Organizations and Social Change Track curriculum.

Doctoral students are paired with faculty advisors based on their area of interest. This intense mentorship program allows students to learn the crafts of research and teaching in a highly collaborative environment. Students are introduced early to academic research and publishing. Current and former PhD students of the OSC track regularly publish in highly regarded journals, typically together with faculty, and have been involved in impactful community projects and action-oriented research.

Faculty of the OSC track possess international reputations in their fields and are actively engaged in academic and practice-oriented research, and publishing in highly regarded outlets on inequality, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and diversity. Their expertise in organizations and social change brings them into close contact with business, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and nonprofits.

This year, Professor Maureen Scully was awarded the highly prestigious Joanne Martin Trailblazer Award from the Organization and Management Theory Division of the Academy of Management (2020). She also won the Donald Shephard Endowed Award for Research, College of Management, UMass Boston (2020).

Students in the OSC track will be positioned to pursue academic careers at universities and research institutions. Program graduates have successfully published in highly regarded academic journals and found excellent academic positions at institutions in North America and Europe.

The OSC PhD degree has qualified students for faculty positions in various departments, including entrepreneurship, strategy, management, and public affairs. They teach courses in organization theory, strategy, business and society, sustainability, business ethics, and international business. Several graduates have taken leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, research centers, and consulting.

Plan Your Education

How to apply.

Applicants need to submit a current résumé or CV, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts of all prior academic work, official GMAT or GRE scores, and, if appropriate, an official TOEFL or IELTS score. Provide these materials directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.

Writing Sample:

Please submit with your application one or two selected samples of prior academic writings. Such writings could include course papers from your master’s program, research papers, conference papers, or other types of manuscripts. Length is not important, but these typically range between 2,000 and 10,000 words. Please select papers written by you (solo-authored) that best showcase your ability to tackle a relevant research topic by using or developing analytical frameworks or theories, referencing other people’s work, and using empirical evidence (if applicable).

Information Systems for Data Science and Management Track (ISDS)

  • Statement of purpose
  • At least one writing sample
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
  • A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work

Organizations and Social Change (OSC) Track

Applicants need to submit a current résumé or CV, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts of all prior academic work, a writing sample, official GMAT or GRE scores, and, if appropriate an official TOEFL or IELTS score.

Statement of Purpose: With your application, please submit a statement of purpose, including a mini-research proposal on an OSC topic that reflects the goals of the program. Your mini- proposal should be about 5 pages long, and it should include the following elements:

  • Why do you want to study for a PhD in Organizations and Social Change
  • A specific research topic/problem and its significance
  • A compelling research question
  • A review of previous work relevant to the research question, i.e. what we know so far
  • The methods you propose (data collection, analytical techniques) to answer your research question
  • A summary of expected results/outcomes, and their potential significance

Note that you are not committing to a PhD topic at this point; your goal is to demonstrate your current thinking and capabilities in research. The mini-proposal will help us determine some of your potential interests and your aptitude for doing research.

Writing Sample: Please submit with your application one or two selected samples of prior academic writings. Such writings could include course papers from your master’s program, research papers, conference papers, or other types of manuscripts. Length is not important, but these typically range between 2,000 and 10,000 words. Please select papers that are written by you (solo-authored), and which best showcase your ability to tackle a relevant research topic by using or developing analytical frameworks or theories, referencing other people’s work, and using empirical evidence (if applicable).

Deadlines & Cost

Finance: February 15 for Fall 2024

Information Systems for Data Science and Management: We are currently not accepting applications for this track. The next admittance for this track will be for Fall 2025.

Organizations and Social Change (OSC): We are currently not accepting applications for this track. The next admittance for this track will be for Fall 2025.

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Please refer to Cost & Aid - Graduate Students for more information. For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or email [email protected] .

Curriculum - Finance Track

Core courses (6 credits).

  • BUSADM 700 - Business in Context: Markets, Technologies, Societies  3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 775 - Professional Development Workshop - Doctoral Teaching  3 Credit(s)

Track Courses (30 Credits)

  • BUSADM 710 - Accounting for Finance I 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 711 - Accounting for Finance II 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 721 - Quantitative Financial Analysis II 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 722 - Cross-Section Analysis of Financial Data 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 723 - Time Series Analysis of Financial Data 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 730 - Seminar in Investment & Asset Valuation 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 731 - Seminar in Financial Economics 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 732 - Seminar in Corporate Finance 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 780 - Advanced Data Mining and Predictive Modeling 3 Credit(s)

Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three additional BUSADM courses.

At least one course must be from below.

  • BUSADM 733 - Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 734 - Topics in Investment Asset Pricing 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 736 - Accounting for Finance III 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 782 - Optimization for Data Science 3 Credit(s)

Dissertation Research (12 Credits)

  • BUSADM 777 - Dissertation Seminar - Finance track 3 Credit(s) or
  • BUSADM 899 - Dissertation Research 1-12 Credit(s)

Curriculum - Information Systems for Data Science and Management

  • BUSADM 700 - Business in Context: Markets, Technologies, Societies 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 775 - Professional Development Workshop - Doctoral Teaching 3 Credit(s)

Track Courses (27 Credits)

  • BUSADM 740 - Information Systems Theory I: Behavioral and Group Perspectives 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 741 - Information Systems Theory II: Organizational and Economic Perspectives 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 742 - Regression Analysis 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 743 - Decision and Risk Analysis 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 744 - Quantitative Research Methods in Information Systems 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 745 - Multivariate Statistics 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 785 - Big Data: Management, Analytics, and Applications 3 Credit(s)

Core Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three additional courses chosen with faculty advisor approval.

Curriculum - Organizations and Social Change Track

Track courses (18 credits).

  • BUSADM 750 - Foundations of Organization Theory 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 751 - Contemporary Organization Theory 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 754 - Introduction to Organizations & Social Change 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 770 - Introduction to Research Methods for the Social Sciences 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 771 - Contemporary Research Practice on Management, Organizations, and Social Change 3 Credit(s)
  • BUSADM 891 - Dissertation Proposal Course 3-6 Credit(s)

Electives (18 Credits)

Complete six additional courses chosen with approval of the faculty advisor.

Graduation Criteria

Program requirements - finance track.

Complete a minimum of 57 credits from at least sixteen courses including two core courses, ten track courses, three electives, and twelve credits of dissertation research.

Doctoral candidacy:  Pass qualifying exams at the end of the first and second years. Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original research. Project: Complete a summer project.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Program Requirements - Information Systems for Data Science and Management Track

Complete a minimum of 54 credits from at least 15 courses including two core courses, nine track courses, three electives, and twelve credits of dissertation research.

Doctoral candidacy: Pass a qualifying exam taken at the end of the second year. Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original research. Project: Complete a summer project.

Program Requirements - Organizations and Social Change Track

Complete a minimum of 54 credits from at least 15 courses including two core courses, six track courses, six electives, and twelve credits of dissertation research.

Doctoral candidacy: Pass a qualifying exam by the end of the second year. Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original research. Project: Complete a summer project after the first year.

Learning Outcomes

As a candidate in the Business Administration PhD, you will:

  • Develop a strong foundation in the theories and concepts of business administration
  • Acquire advanced research skills to design and conduct original research in the field of business administration
  • Build the ability to analyze complex business problems and develop innovative solutions
  • Develop the capacity to effectively communicate research findings through scholarly writing and presentations

Learning Outcomes: OSC Track

The OSC PhD track will prepare students to pursue academic and research careers and have a broader impact on the world by engaging with the media and organizational practice. Students will learn how to:

  • Apply theoretical frameworks to understand business and organizational practices, as well as their economic, social, cultural, environmental, and political impacts
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and identify problems and solutions
  • Critique policy and articulate recommendations on issues at the interface of business, government, and critical social issues
  • Translate research into more practice-oriented articles, media coverage, and organizational interventions

Graduate Program Director Chi Wan (Finance) Chi.Wan [at] umb.edu

Graduate Program Director Ehsan Elahi (Information Systems for Data Science and Management) Ehsan.Elahi [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7881

Graduate Program Director David Levy (Organizations and Social Change) David.Levy [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7860

Finance Faculty

  • Mehran Azimi, Assistant Professor of Finance
  • Arindam Bandopadhyaya, Professor of Finance, Chair of Accounting and Finance Department
  • Atreya Chakraborty, Professor of Finance, Director of Partnerships and PhD Program
  • Mine Ertugrul, Associate Professor of Finance
  • James L. Grant, Associate Professor of Finance
  • Tyler J. Hull, Assistant Professor of Finance
  • Aditya Kashikar, Assistant Professor of Finance
  • Rui Li, Associate Professor of Financial Economics
  • Lucia Silva-Gao, Associate Professor of Finance
  • Chi Wan, Associate Professor of Finance
  • Yijia (Eddie) Zhao, Associate Professor of Finance

Accounting Faculty

  • Ting Chen, Assistant Professor of Accounting
  • Thomas J. Hogan, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Robert Kim, Assistant Professor of Accounting
  • Sangwan Kim, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Jay Junghun Lee, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • KoEun Park, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Yong-Chul Shin, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Surjit Tinaikar, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Kiran Verma, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Wan-Ting (Alexandra) Wu, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Xiaolu Xu, Associate Professor of Accounting
  • Kun Yu, Associate Professor of Accounting

OSC Faculty

  • Alessia Contu, Chair, Department of Management; Professor of Management
  • Edward J. Carberry, Associate Professor of Management
  • Silvia Dorado-Banacloche, Associate Professor of Management
  • Samantha E. Erskine, Assistant Professor of Management
  • Pacey C. Foster, Associate Professor of Management
  • Janice Goldman, Senior Lecturer II in Management
  • Mohsin Habib, Associate Professor of Management
  • Marc Lavine, Associate Professor of Management
  • David Levy, Professor of Management
  • Benyamin B. Lichtenstein, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management
  • J. Keith Motley, Professor of Management
  • Jared M. Poole, Assistant Professor of Management
  • Maureen A. Scully, Professor of Management
  • Vesela Veleva, Senior Lecturer in Management

ISDS Faculty

  • Ramakrishna Ayyagari, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Pratyush Bharati, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Roger Blake, Associate Chair, Management Science & Information Systems; Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Kui Du, Assistant Professor of Management Science and Information Systems
  • Ehsan Elahi, Associate Professor of Management Science
  • Davood Golmohammadi, Associate Professor of Management Science
  • Shan Jiang, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Jeffrey Keisler, Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Jonathan Kim, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Jean-Pierre Kuilboer, Associate Professor of Management Science and Information Systems
  • Daniel Lee, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Josephine Namayanja, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Romilla Syed, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Peng Xu, Chair of Management Science and Information Systems; Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
  • Wei Zhang, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems

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Accounting & Finance Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Department of Accounting & Finance, our research and our faculty.

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College of Management

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Management.

Information Systems Ph.D. Application and Admission

Admission requirements.

The Ph.D. in Information Systems program is governed by University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School requirements. To apply, browse to the Graduate School Application Portal , create an account, and then choose “Business Administration PhD” for Program of Study, and “Business – Information Systems PhD” for the Sub-plan/Emphasis for Program of Study.

Applicants should submit the followings:

  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions,
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae,
  • A statement of purpose that provides information on the applicant’s academic background, aptitude for research, work and research experience, and motivation for seeking a PhD in Information Systems. Statement of purpose must also outline the applicant’s research interests (and how they relate to Information Systems) and highlight any qualifications that may distinguish them from other applicants.
  • A minimum of two (preferably three) letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic records and aptitude for doctoral work in Information Systems. Current or former professors with significant interaction with the applicant are the recommenders of choice. For applicants who are employed in a field related to Information Systems, a letter from an employer can also be of value.
  • GMAT or GRE scores (preferred, not mandatory). Use the University of Nevada, Reno, (code: 4844) to submit the scores.
  • Published and/or working research papers (preferred, not mandatory)
  • Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online via Zoom.

International students

International students must fulfill  all University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School requirements , including the  English exam scores  if your educational history is from a non-English speaking country. An exemption from English exams is granted if you are a US citizen or you have a degree from certain  English-speaking countries .

International students are also encouraged to consult the  Office of International Students and Scholars .

Application deadlines

Our priority application deadline for the Fall semester is on March 15 th and the first round of application review will commence in the last week of March 2024; thus, early applications are strongly encouraged. Although we continue accepting applications until April 15 th , priority will be given to applications that are submitted before March 15 th .

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Business Economics

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Curriculum & Coursework

Research dissertation, areas of specialization.

  • Behavioral Economics
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  • Economic Theory
  • Economics of Organization
  • Entrepreneurship
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“ HBS is the ideal environment because I get to think about the world like an economist, but I have the freedom and resources to draw on methods from other disciplines as I study market design and industrial organization. ”

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Current Harvard Economics Faculty

  • Pol Antràs
  • Robert Barro
  • Emily Breza
  • John Y. Campbell
  • Raj Chetty
  • Gabriel Chodorow-Reich
  • Richard Cooper
  • David M. Cutler
  • Melissa Dell
  • Karen Dynan
  • Benjamin Enke
  • Richard B. Freeman
  • Benjamin M. Friedman
  • Roland G. Fryer, Jr.
  • Xavier Gabaix
  • Edward Glaeser
  • Claudia Goldin
  • Benjamin Golub
  • Gita Gopinath
  • Oliver Hart
  • Elhanan Helpman
  • Dale Jorgenson
  • Myrto Kalouptsidi
  • Maximilian Kasy
  • Lawrence Katz
  • Gabriel Kreindler
  • David Laibson
  • Robin S. Lee
  • N. Gregory Mankiw
  • Stephen Marglin
  • Eric S. Maskin
  • Marc Melitz
  • Jeffrey Miron
  • Ariel Pakes
  • Amanda Pallais
  • Matthew Rabin
  • Gautam Rao
  • Kenneth Rogoff
  • Amartya Sen
  • Neil Shephard
  • Andrei Shleifer
  • Stefanie Stantcheva
  • Jeremy Stein
  • James Stock
  • Ludwig Straub
  • Tomasz Strzalecki
  • Lawrence H. Summers
  • Elie Tamer
  • Winnie Van Dijk
  • David Yang

Current HBS Faculty

  • Laura Alfaro
  • Samuel B. Antill
  • Brian K. Baik
  • Malcolm P. Baker
  • John Beshears
  • Katherine B. Coffman
  • Lauren H. Cohen
  • Shawn A. Cole
  • Joshua D. Coval
  • Mihir A. Desai
  • Mark L. Egan
  • Benjamin C. Esty
  • C. Fritz Foley
  • Stuart C. Gilson
  • Paul A. Gompers
  • Jerry R. Green
  • Shane M. Greenstein
  • Robin Greenwood
  • Brian J. Hall
  • Samuel G. Hanson
  • Victoria Ivashina
  • Ebehi Iyoha
  • Robert S. Kaplan
  • William R. Kerr
  • Scott Duke Kominers
  • Jacqueline Ng Lane
  • Josh Lerner
  • Michael Luca
  • Alexander J. MacKay
  • Edward McFowland III
  • David A. Moss
  • Ramana Nanda
  • Matthew Rabin
  • Forest L. Reinhardt
  • Edward J. Riedl
  • Raffaella Sadun
  • William A. Sahlman
  • David S. Scharfstein
  • Joshua R. Schwartzstein
  • Arthur I Segel
  • Emil N. Siriwardane
  • Ariel D. Stern
  • Adi Sunderam
  • Boris Vallee
  • Luis M. Viceira
  • Matthew C. Weinzierl
  • Dennis A. Yao

Current Business Economics Students

  • Maxim Alekseev
  • Martin Aragoneses
  • Sage Belz
  • Michael Blank
  • Fiona Chen
  • Jiafeng (Kevin) Chen
  • Cameron Cohen
  • Jorge Colmenares
  • Terry Culpepper
  • Songyuan Ding
  • Jo Ellery
  • Simon Essig Aberg
  • Toren Fronsdal
  • Jacob Furst
  • Jeffrey Gortmaker
  • Shlok Goyal
  • Helene Hall
  • Ruru (Juan Ru) Hoong
  • Catherine Huang
  • Baiyun Jing
  • Nathan Kaplan
  • Justin Katz
  • Lev Klarnet
  • Shira Li
  • Angela Ma
  • Alex Magnuson
  • Fanele Mashwama
  • Marcela Mello
  • Laura Nicolae
  • Lauren Rice
  • Maya Roy
  • Dominic Russel
  • Kunal Sangani
  • Claire Shi
  • Wilbur Townsend
  • Jennifer Walsh
  • Andi Wang
  • Alex Wu
  • Hanbin Yang
  • Jeffrey Yang
  • Jennifer Zou

Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest

Recent placement, john conlon, 2023, erica moszkowski, 2023, ran zhuo, 2023, matthew lilley, 2022, david zhang, 2022, karen shen, 2021, ravi jagadeesan, 2020, christopher anderson, 2019, yizhou jin, 2019, william diamond, 2018, neil thakral, 2018, spencer yongwook kwon, 2023, daniel ramos, 2023, francesca bastianello, 2022, frank pinter, 2022, andreas schaab, 2021, edoardo maria acabbi, 2020, michael thaler, 2020, vitaly bord, 2019, weiling liu, 2019, anastassia fedyk, 2018, robert minton, 2023, sagar saxena, 2023, talia b. gillis, 2022, ron yang, 2022, gregor schubert, 2021, xiang ding, 2020, oren danieli, 2019, janelle schlossberger, 2019, yueran ma, 2018.

Quick Guide: Your College Degree Options

There are generally four categories of college degrees: associate degree, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and doctorate or professional degree. Each category comes with its own particular subcategories, and there are some subtle differences between a doctorate and a professional degree.

If you ever find yourself lost in the sea of abbreviations for degrees, you're not alone. This quick guide is here to clear the air regarding the types of degrees available to you and what each one means.

Guide to College Degrees, Professional Studies & Certifications

Associate degree.

An associate degree is a two-year degree typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and career colleges. However, some four-year universities offer them as well. Examples of some associate degrees include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS).

AS degrees are generally more narrowly focused and prepare students for science and math-related careers. AA degrees are broader and focus on fields outside of math and science such as liberal arts, business administration, criminal justice, and culinary arts.

Some students who earn an associate degree transfer to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. Others complete associate degrees and then go straight to work.

Bachelor's or Baccalaureate Degree

Bachelor’s degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor’s degrees are bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS). Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the bachelor of fine arts (BFA), and bachelor of architecture (BArch).

Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income.

Some institutions offer a liberal arts and career combination program, also called a 3-2 program. This is a type of dual degree in which a student completes three years of liberal arts study followed by two years of professional or technical study. In the end, students earn two bachelor’s degrees, usually a BA and a BS.

An example of this is Columbia University’s 3-2 Combined Plan program in which students can earn a BA and a BS in five years.

Some colleges also let you earn a teacher certification by combining bachelor's degree study with state certification requirements. State requirements vary, but these programs usually feature professional education courses, including student teaching.

Graduate Degree

Graduate degrees are advanced degrees that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. The two most common are master of arts (MA) and master of science (MS). Other examples include master of fine arts (MFA) and master of business administration (MBA). A graduate degree is like an extension of a bachelor’s degree whereby a student further enriches their knowledge of their field and narrows their f ocus of study .

Graduate degrees usually take around two years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree. This may require some extra credit hours, though.

Professional Degree

Students earn professional degrees to become licensed to work in professions like medicine or law. The M.D. degree is an example. Professional programs generally require a college degree before you start them and then at least three years of study to complete.

Doctoral Degree and Professional Degree

The doctorate and professional degrees are the highest levels of education one can attain. They signify mastery of a subject and often come with the coveted title “doctor.” Although the two are similar, there are some important differences.

A doctorate or doctoral degree is a research-oriented degree focused on scholarly development. The most common doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Despite the name, a PhD covers many disciplines, not just philosophy.

A professional degree is an application-oriented degree, meaning it prepares students for a specific working position. There are many types of professional degrees. Some examples are: doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of pharmacy (PharmD), and doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) in the field of medicine, and juris doctor (JD) and doctor of juridical science (SJD) in the field of law.

A graduate degree does not need to precede a doctorate or professional degree. Often, students will go straight into a doctorate or professional program following their bachelor’s, however some programs will require a master’s degree to gain entry. Completion can take anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the field of study.

Many doctoral students work either full-time or part-time while they study in the program. This, along with the field they are studying, will significantly affect the time it takes to complete their degree.

Joint Degrees

Some students may choose to pursue a joint degree, also known as a dual degree, which means they simultaneously study for a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. Joint degrees can be pursued in the same college or can be split between two different colleges. For example, Berklee College of Music and Harvard University offer a dual bachelor’s/master’s program in which a student receives a bachelor of arts (BA) at Harvard and a master of music (MM) or master of arts (MA) at Berklee.

Depending on the program, it may be possible to study at the same time for a master's degree and a doctorate. For example, the University of Southern California offers a program leading to doctor of pharmacy and master of public health degrees.

How do academic degrees go in order?

There are four types of degrees. In order of level of education, they rank as associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s or graduate degrees, and doctorate or professional degrees.

How many degrees are there in college?

Most community colleges offer only two-year associate degrees, while most four-year colleges offer bachelor’s, graduate, and doctorate or professional degrees. Some four-year colleges may also have associate degree programs.

How many years do you have to be in college to achieve certain degrees?

Though it will vary between academic disciplines, associate degrees usually take two years to achieve, bachelor’s degrees take four years, master’s degrees take two years, and doctorate or professional degrees can take anywhere from four to eight years.

What is an eight-year degree?

An “eight-year degree” typically refers to a doctorate degree or PhD. Although some doctorates can be completed in as little as three years, these degrees typically require more time studying highly specialized subjects. Students in these programs often must defend a dissertation while already working a professional job.

What are the four years of college called?

The first four years of college are the undergraduate years, and a student studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate. The four years refer to the total accumulated credit hours; a student may take fewer or more than four years to attain their undergraduate degree.

What does a graduate degree mean?

A graduate degree or master’s degree is an advanced degree that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. Earning a graduate degree signifies mastery of a particular field of study and focuses more intensely on a subject than a bachelor’s degree does. Graduate degrees usually take two years to attain.

What do you call a master's student?

A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short. A student still studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate student or “undergrad student.”

How many years is a master's degree?

Graduate degrees usually take around two years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree, although it may require some extra credit hours.

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Northeastern University Graduate Programs

D'Amore-McKim School of Business

Business analytics.

Our STEM-designated MS in Business Analytics will not only teach you to analyze data efficiently but, more importantly, will also teach how to leverage data to make effective strategic business decisions confidently. You'll learn from business school faculty who are thought leaders in their fields and build the skills needed for long-term business success.

Data is essential in today’s business world—but it only has true meaning in context. More and more companies are seeking the right professionals who can capture, analyze, and translate the right data. That’s why the experience-driven approach to our program is so valuable.

The Online Master of Science in Business Analytics program at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business focuses on the ever-changing and dynamic tech economy. Our programs support skilled leaders using new technologies and data analytics to inform their decision-making. You'll tackle a rigorous curriculum and learn from expert faculty and business trailblazers. Through in-class case studies, your professors will share real company data as you explore questions such as how to build sales, enhance marketing, or strengthen a company’s infrastructure.

You'll gain exposure to data mining, statistical and quantitative analysis, multivariate testing, and predictive modeling.

Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, this 100% online program includes experience-powered learning opportunities—allowing you to take the knowledge and insights you gain in the classroom and easily apply them the next day in the workplace.

Your Path to an MBA

After successfully completing your MS in Business Analytics, you can apply your credits earned toward an eligible MBA at Northeastern. As a Northeastern alum, you’ll qualify for the Double Husky Scholarship and receive a 25% reduction in your tuition for your remaining MBA courses.

Dive deeper into the MS in Business Analytics: Online program on the D’Amore-McKim School of Business website.

More Details

Unique features.

  • Top-ranked. Earn your MS in Business Analytics at a highly ranked, top-tier U.S. university.
  • World-class faculty. Your business school faculty are thought leaders in their field and consult with Fortune 500 companies as well as startups.
  • Creating tomorrow’s business leaders. Prepare for a leadership role where you’ll need to recognize and respond to potential management challenges and make data-driven business decisions during times of uncertainty.
  • Personalized career support. You'll have a dedicated career advisor who will meet with you one-on-one in coaching sessions to help you develop the personal and professional skills to manage your lifelong career. Whether you're a seasoned professional or looking to advance your career, your advisor will help you map your next steps.
  • Build toward an MBA. You can apply your credits to an eligible MBA program at Northeastern.

Program Objectives

D’Amore-McKim’s MS in Business Analytics program prepares you to interpret and apply data and make data-driven decisions in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven business environment.

  • Core courses will introduce you to data mining, statistical and quantitative analysis, multivariate testing, and predictive modeling.
  • Marketing track courses will include real company data to help you explore questions such as building sales, enhancing marketing, or strengthening a company’s infrastructure.
  • Project-based learning allows you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to actual business challenges.
  • Faculty will help you achieve success and connect you to new opportunities in this growing field.

Career Outlook

By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 275,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.

Depending on your background, the MS in Business Analytics program will help you prepare to differentiate yourself and take on roles in the fields of financial services, transportation and logistics, retail, and more.

All companies see a growing need for skilled and forward-thinking business professionals—large or small, public or private, startup or well established. Industries experiencing strong growth in this arena include financial, retail, health services, and transportation, just to name a few.

  • Five Steps to Help You Break into Analytics
  • The Unexpected Impact Data Analytics Could Have on Your Career
  • The Unexpected Ways an Online Education Can Help at Work
  • How to Be a Successful Online Learner

Accreditation Description

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International—the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide.

Testimonials

David igbokwe, ms in business analytics, '21, enoska ventura, ms in business analytics, '21, mannat lamba, ms in business analytics, '21, sascha demmerle, ms in business analytics, '21, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Application form
  • Application fee
  • A personal statement (<=500 words) and a short essay (<=300 words)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
  • Kira online interview (by invitation, access is provided after submitting your application)
  • Optional GMAT/GRE test scores (for more information, review our admissions policies )
  • TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (for international students only, view more information and waiver eligibility in our admissions policies )
  • Passport or permanent residency card (if applicable)

Are You an International Student? Find everything you need, from tuition and financial aid to deadlines and procedures.

Admissions Details Learn more about the D’Amore-McKim School of Business admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Classes Begin in September

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

At the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, our integration of academic thinking with authentic experiential learning opportunities has created a unique educational model that defines the standard for business education’s future. Within the MS in Business Analytics program, you will execute in-class case studies where professors integrate real-world data into the coursework to bring a business perspective and relevance to what they’re teaching.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Yang W. Lee, PhD

Yang W. Lee, PhD

Peter Tarasewich, PhD

Peter Tarasewich, PhD

Kwong Chan

Felicia Lassk

Christoph riedl.

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Where They Work

  • State Street

What They Do

  • Analytics Developer
  • Operations Analyst
  • Product Content Associate
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Finance Manager

What They're Skilled At

  • Business intelligence
  • Data visualization
  • Information management
  • Strategic planning
  • Quantitative analysis techniques

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ASU business school launches AI degree program

W. p. carey school graduate program accepting applications for fall 2024 admission.

Photo illustration of woman interacting with colorful, digital chart

Catherine Phillips is an MBA student in the W.P. Carey School of Business. The school is officially launching a new degree program — the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS-AIB). ASU photo

Following Arizona State University’s groundbreaking announcement of the first university collaboration with OpenAI , the W. P. Carey School of Business is officially launching a new degree program — the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS-AIB).

Backed by faculty from the Department of Information Systems, it is the first AI graduate degree program from a business school in the United States.

“There is no doubt that AI is quickly becoming a vital business skill. We are excited to meet the needs of students and employers through our new graduate degree program within our top-ranked information systems department,” said Ohad Kadan , Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business.

The new W. P. Carey MS-AIB program, to be held on the Tempe campus, incorporates an applied curriculum and career coaching to prepare graduates for success in emerging roles across industries. Taught by world-renowned faculty, the MS-AIB degree will help students develop technical AI and professional skills needed to thrive in the constantly evolving landscape of technology and business. 

Allowing students to lead what’s next

The goal of the program is to equip leaders with a business-aligned framework and strategies for implementing AI — delivering both technical skills and business skills to design, deploy and apply AI mindfully in diverse business contexts.

“Students will learn to understand and plan for the implications and possibilities enabled by artificial intelligence, in addition to the importance of governance, ethics and principled innovation,” explained Pei-yu Chen , chair of the Department of Information Systems and Red Avenue Foundation Professor. Chen is also the co-director of the Center for AI and Data Analytics for Business and Society .

Students will complete the program able to:

  • Analyze diverse business situations and apply AI to further business goals.
  • Understand and effectively communicate the impact of AI transformations.
  • Practice mindful AI and pay attention to ethics, bias, welfare, privacy and trust.
  • Lead cross-functional conversations and collaboration for effective implementation.
  • Advance their careers and solve pressing challenges for global businesses.

Learn more about the MS-AIB , now accepting applications for fall 2024 admission.

AI skill development a focus across programs

In addition to the groundbreaking new graduate program, the W. P. Carey School offers a host of ways for students to grow their understanding of AI and apply those skills to solve business problems. For example, students have the opportunity to select AI concentrations within the MBA and Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MS-ISM) programs. 

“W. P. Carey has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its academic programs, showcasing a commitment to leadership in AI education and its applications in business,” said Dan Mazzola , faculty director of the MS-ISM program. “The school's offerings of AI-focused degrees, alongside various AI-related certificates and concentrations, highlight its active role in shaping the conversation around AI and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in technology.”

W. P. Carey also offers a  certificate in artificial intelligence in business , which allows learners to train in the mechanics of this cutting-edge technology, design intelligent systems, learn how to harness these systems mindfully for value creation, and then how to embed them into business to transform organizational strategy and revolutionize business processes and operations. Credit completed in the certificate program can later be transferred toward several W. P. Carey master’s degrees.

By integrating AI into its core educational offerings and providing flexible learning opportunities tailored to various student needs, the W. P. Carey School aims to ensure its graduates are well equipped to fulfill the diverse and evolving career demands in AI-enabled organizations.

These programs each demonstrate W. P. Carey's long-standing dedication to preparing students for the evolving business landscape through a multifaceted educational approach.

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Lindner College of Business » Programs » Graduate Programs & Certificates » MBA

The Lindner MBA

A Lindner MBA will help you build skills and develop talents in a way that will open the right doors for you. Our program is small, personalized, customized and immersive.

Lindner's full-time and part-time MBA programs are uniquely designed to fit each student's specific needs and consists of 48 credit hours: 10 credit hours of foundation classes, 26 credit hours of core classes, and 12 credit hours of electives.

For recent graduates and those with relevant work experience, the 10 credit hours of foundation classes can be waived. The 12 credit hours of electives can be used to customize your MBA to fit your specific needs by earning one of our 20+ graduate certificates.

Enrich your MBA experience by participating in one of our immersive  study abroad  experiences, which are required for full-time cohort students, by visiting with your personal career coach, or by getting involved in one of the country's most dynamic business communities.

What MBA formats are available?

The UC Lindner College of Business MBA is available as a full-time, working professionals part-time, and a 100 percent online program . The full-time Lindner MBA is an accelerated one-year program. The part-time program can be completed in as few as 24 months.

Am I able to do a graduate certificate program in the MBA?  

Students in the MBA program can use their electives to pursue a graduate certificate program. Students need to apply to their desired graduate certificate program after their admission and confirmation to the MBA program. Students will need to follow established deadlines for their certificate programs. For more information on graduate certificates, visit the graduate certificates home page .

Do I need work experience for the MBA program?

We recommend two years of work experience by the time you enter the MBA program. This may include co-op or internship experience.

In your application materials, ensure your resume clearly lists the dates of any professional (ex: full-time role, internships, co-ops), volunteer, non-profit or any other leadership experiences. There is no formatting requirement, however, please review your resume for any grammar mistakes. It should be no longer than two pages.

Are international students able to be considered for the MBA program?

Yes, international applicants are able to be considered for the full-time MBA cohort program. However, students seeking a visa are not eligible to apply for the working professionals part-time MBA or the 100% online version.

Is the MBA program STEM designated?

The MBA is not a STEM designated program.  

When do classes begin?

Classes begin each fall, spring and summer semester. The University of Cincinnati  academic calendar  lists upcoming semester start dates.

Full-Time MBA Program

The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program sets graduates up for success with an optional internship, specializations, career services.  Students can complete this program in as little as one year or 16 months with an internship.

We limit our full-time MBA class sizes so we can give each of our students the personalized attention they deserve. Students engage with the Cincinnati business community, working to find solutions to real-world problems for some of the world's leading companies. In fact, some of those companies, such as Procter & Gamble, Kroger, and Macy’s, are within three miles of campus.

Our students and world-renowned faculty play an integral part in creating in-depth classroom experiences. The UC MBA full-time curriculum consists of 36 to 48 semester hours.

With more than 20 optional specializations to choose from, there are classes for every career interest. These specializations include data analytics, entrepreneurship and health care administration.

At UC, we provide students with life-changing learning opportunities. That’s why full-time MBA students have the chance to study abroad in Chile for hands-on learning about business. Not only will you receive academic credit towards your degree, but you’ll improve your resume and increase your global business knowledge.

Earning an MBA is one of the most beneficial master’s degrees for job-seekers today. One benefit is improved career stability and mobility. Many management roles prefer candidates with an MBA over candidates who only have an undergraduate degree. Additionally, anyone looking to switch career fields can benefit from this program. Our graduates have worked everywhere from Fortune 500 companies to startups.

Graduates of our program earn an average starting salary of $106,000 and our Career Services team ensures that you aren’t alone when looking for employment post-graduation. We even provide students with personal career coaches for additional guidance during and after the program.

Part-Time MBA Program

The University of Cincinnati’s part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides a flexible option for students looking to advance their careers with a graduate degree. The Carl H. Lindner College of Business offers the expertise and hands-on experience you need to open doors and set your success in motion. This program consists of 36 to 48 semester hours and classes can be taken both in the evenings and on weekends.

As one of the top business schools in the U.S., our program develops leaders by bridging theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on, real-life experience. In fact, many of today's most prosperous companies, like Unilever, SAP, and JC Penney, are run by C-level executives who are also Lindner graduates.

We keep our classes small to ensure a personalized education that feels fully immersive. Courses consist of a mix of core MBA classes, as well as foundational business classes. These MBA-specific courses include Marketing for Managers, Accounting for Managerial Decisions, and Decision Modeling.

In addition to our proven curriculum, we also offer study abroad opportunities for graduate students. Locations include Italy, Paris and Bordeaux, and Chile. Each offer their own concentrations such as Luxury Marketing, Managing Risk in a Complex Market, and International Management Consulting.

Our flexible program allows students to earn their degree without putting their lives on hold. MBA graduates from Lindner College of Business have been hired at Morgan Stanley, Goodyear, and Toyota, just to name a few.

It’s possible to complete this program in as few as two years. Classes in our part-time program are available in various formats and students have up to five years to finish. Part-time students take evening classes (6:00-9:50 p.m.), weekend blast classes and even have the opportunity to take some courses online.

Lindner boasts the number one ranked online public MBA program in the state of Ohio. Our online MBA offers the most flexibility of our program options, providing even the busiest professionals with the opportunity to earn an advanced degree.

MBA Joint Degrees

Students seeking joint degrees must apply and be admitted to each program separately. In order to satisfy the MBA degree requirements with only core MBA courses, students must either be admitted to the two programs simultaneously or must have applied (and been admitted) to the MBA program prior to completing the requirements of the other complementary graduate degree program.

Students can combine a non-business graduate degree with an MBA degree obtained either through our full-time day program or our part-time evening program and must specify which MBA program they are applying to.

In 1990, the College of Business and College-Conservatory of Music established a joint program leading to two degrees: Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAA). Students admitted to the joint program may earn both degrees in two years, only one quarter longer than is required to earn the MAA by itself.

The program enables students to work on MBA and MAA coursework simultaneously. The majority of the MBA coursework will be taken in the evening with part-time MBA students. Two Arts Administration Summer Internships will be completed in the summers after the first and second years of study. The joint program is available only to full-time students.

For additional information about this program, visit the College-Conservatory of Music website .

In 1981, the College of Business and the College of Law of the University of Cincinnati established a joint program leading to the degrees of Master of Business (MBA) and Juris Doctor (JD). Students admitted to these full-time programs may earn both degrees concurrently in approximately four years.

The program is designed for the student to spend the first year in the College of Law and the second year in the College of Business. The joint program is available only to students pursuing degrees on a full-time basis.

For more information, visit the College of Law website .

This program, started in 1999, has been designed for highly qualified students who wish to complement standard medical training with a greater understanding of the economics, finance, marketing and management of the health care system. The program has been created with the recognition that there have been tremendous changes on the business side of the healthcare industry. As a graduate, you will enjoy expanded career options including management positions in major healthcare organizations.

Offered in conjunction with UC's nationally recognized College of Medicine, this program is open to full-time students only, lasts 12 months and allows students to obtain an MBA in time to start residency.

For more information, visit the College of Medicine website . 

Johnny Rungtusanatham

Academic Director, MBA Programs and Professor , Department of Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems

3362 Carl H. Lindner Hall

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  21. Graduate Admissions Requirements

    Graduate Admissions Requirements. Any student with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, regardless of field of study, is eligible to apply for admission to a Lindner graduate program. Applicants should have at least a B grade average (3.0 GPA or equivalent) in relevant undergraduate coursework, or otherwise show ...

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