E. J. Ourso College of Business | Department of ISDS

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PROGRAMS

PROGRAM
Information about the Doctoral Program in ISDS at LSU, including administration, admission requirements, curriculum, breadth of study requirements, and examination information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to some commonly asked questions about the Doctoral Program.

STUDENT RESOURCES
Miscellaneous resources available to graduate students at LSU. Includes links to information regarding financial aid, course offerings, career services, and more.

For more information contact:
	PhD Program Advisor Dr. Rudy Hirschheim ISDS_PhD_prog@lsu.edu

PROGRAM

Administration
Admission Requirements
Curriculum
Breadth of Study Requirements
Examinations

The Ph.D. in Business Administration with a major in ISDS is designed to provide advanced as well as comprehensive academic training for those who wish to pursue careers at a research university. The program seeks to develop a complete professional faculty with a broad managerial perspective by providing the students with training in research methodology, knowledge of the current information technology, and with knowledge of how they are applied in businesses as well as training for teaching at an institution of higher education.

ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Rudy Hirschheim, Graduate Advisor
Telephone: (225) 578-2514
Fax: (225) 578-2511
E-Mail: ISDS_PhD_Prog@lsu.edu

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and score at least 600 prior to consideration for admission. The admission decision is based primarily on the student's academic records, recommendation letters, and on the GMAT. Students who have graduated from non-U.S. schools must make a minimum of 550 on the TOEFL exam and must possess a superior academic record in their home country. Applicants should have an MBA or an undergraduate degree in Business with at least a concentration in ISDS. Ideally the candidate would also have an MS in ISDS.

CURRICULUM

Each doctoral program in the E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration is individually tailored to the student as a function of previous graduate course work and career objectives. Programs are designed to ensure thorough theoretical and methodological training in the student's chosen discipline, but are sufficiently flexible to provide a range of major and minor field options. Doctoral study is fulfilled in a variety of ways, primarily through course work, independent reading, and dissertation research, but also through informal "brown bag" seminars, visiting faculty colloquia, and participation in professional conferences and symposia. Doctoral students are expected to work closely with one another and with the college's graduate faculty, and are encouraged to collaborate on research projects.

Although specific course work requirements vary from student to student, all doctoral students must satisfy the following curriculum requirements:

Major field of concentration
Minor field of concentration
Supporting field of concentration
Breadth of study in Business Administration and Economics
Research methodology
At least 60 hours of course work and dissertation credit beyond the baccalaureate

Note that no graduate course work may be substituted using undergraduate courses.

BREADTH OF STUDY REQUIREMENTS

The requirement for Breadth of Study in the Ph.D. in Business Administration requires 3 hours of graduate course work in each academic department except Economics and ISDS.

In these departments 6 hours are required:

BADM 7030 Understanding Financial Information
BADM 7040 Managerial Economics MICRO
BADM 4710 Aggregate Economic Analysis MACRO
BADM 7090 Financial Management
MGT Topic
BADM 7100 Marketing Administration

The detailed program requirements are posted at Doctoral Program in ISDS

EXAMINATIONS

Semester 1: Qualifying Examination
Approval of program of study

Semester 5 or 7 depending on student's background
Written and oral comprehensive examination

Semester 6 - 8: Dissertation Proposal
Oral Exam with members of Dissertation Committee demonstrating soundness of research design.

Semester 8-10: Dissertation Defense
Oral Exam with members of Dissertation Committee and graduate school representative demonstrating soundness of the research.

Last updated 11-12-03

Disclaimer: The information presented in this document does not take precedence over the LSU Graduate Catalog. The student is responsible for knowing the current rules and regulations in the Catalog, especially the various calendar deadlines.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is the intended audience for the Ph.D. program?
Individuals who seek positions as faculty in research oriented institutions.

Is there a recommendation form to be used?
No, there is no form.

Can I attend the program part time?
No.

Is it possible to take some or all of the program via distance education?
No.

Is it practical to plan on off-campus work either full or part-time?
No.

Assuming I go full time, what is the estimated time to complete the degree?
This depends on your background. The time to complete also varies a great deal from student to student, but typically 4 years for those having an MBA.

Is financial assistance available?
If accepted, almost all students receive somewhere between $10,000-15,000 in assistantships.

What do I have to do for my assistantship?
This varies by student experience and years in the program. Students may initially start out as graduate assistants and eventually be given teaching responsibilities. All assignments are 20 hours a week.