The Ph.D. Program

Objectives

The Ph.D. program prepares graduates for careers in research, teaching, and consulting in various functional areas of business. Graduates of the program are expected to make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge of business practices through research and consulting, and to disseminate such knowledge through their teaching.

The curriculum is designed to provide graduates with in-depth exposure to a specific business content area, sophisticated analytical methods, and education techniques. This last feature is unique to the program and is structured around different aspects of exposure to university-level teaching.

Admission

Admission into the Doctoral Program is in the fall semester only. The deadline for completed applications is February 1. Completed applications must include all supporting documents and test scores before they can be considered for review. Applications completed after the deadline will be deferred for consideration in the next admission cycle.

Criteria for Admission

A Masters Degree in Business from an AACSB-accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students without such backgrounds in business and related fields will be required to take MBA level business courses at an AACSB-accredited institution in order to ensure adequate preparation prior to enrollment in required doctoral courses.
Outstanding applicants who only possess a Bachelor's degree may be considered for admission if they possess a GPA of at least 3.5. However, students will be required to enroll in additional preparatory courses, prior to commencing their doctoral studies.
A satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) taken no more than five years prior to applying;
For students from non-English speaking countries, a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required, and the exam must not have been taken more than three years prior to applying. This requirement may be waived for students who have had at least a year of university-level education in English;
Three completed recommendation forms from people who are qualified to comment on the applicant's academic preparation and potential for success in the Doctoral Program;
An essay on professional plans and what role the doctorate will play in attaining them.

Additional Information for International Applicants

Completed Supplemental International Applicant Information Sheet;
An evaluation of the applicant's credentials either from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., P.O. Box 92920, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-0790, (414) 289-3400 or World Education Services, Inc. Bowling Green Station P.O. Box 5087, New York, NY 10274-5087, (212) 966-6311. The application for evaluation of foreign credentials must be sent directly to Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. Official or certified true copies of all grade reports, mark sheets, certificates, diplomas, and similar academic records testifying to the completion of secondary and post-secondary work must accompany the application. These records must include a list of subjects studied, the grades received in each subject on each examination, the maximum and minimum passing marks on each examination, and the student's rank in class. Documents not written in English must be accompanied by official English translations.
Applicants must not send any foreign transcripts, certificates, or portfolios to the School of Graduate Studies.
International students who fail to register for at least 9 credits each fall and spring semester will jeopardize their visa status and will be reported to the relevant authorities.