The primary mission of a PhD in the E. J. Ourso College of Business is to develop trained professionals who are qualified to instruct in a university environment and who are capable of conducting scholarly research. It is a research-oriented degree designed to prepare students to conduct original research and teach in the academic and private sectors.

The PhD program is designed to be a year-round program of study for full-time students. The program consists of extensive coursework in the major discipline, supporting disciplines, and research methods. Students without previous coursework in business administration may be required to take additional coursework. Usually, the program consists of 2-3 academic years of coursework, after which the student must successfully pass a comprehensive examination. The student then designs and completes their doctoral dissertation, a substantive original research project. The Dissertation stage usually takes about 12-18 months to complete. Overall, our PhD program usually requires four or more years to finish. Students without a Master's degree may take longer to complete the program.

Ph.D. in Management

The primary mission of the PhD Program in Business Administration with a major in management is to prepare students for a career in teaching and research. The objective of the program is to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become outstanding researchers and university instructors. It prepares students for teaching and research in areas such as organizational behavior, human resources, strategic management, entrepreneurship, and international management.