Program Overview

The primary objective of the PhD with a major in business administration is to prepare a select number of qualified students for careers in university-level teaching and research and for responsible positions in business and government.

The PhD normally requires four years of intensive study and research beyond the master’s degree. Typically, the first two years of a student’s program consist of course work, writing, and research. The third and fourth years require completion of courses, the comprehensive exam, and completion of the dissertation. It is emphasized that the PhD program is structured for full-time students only. Upon acceptance of a student by a particular departmental faculty, the student is expected to remain in residence until the dissertation has been completed and all requirements are met for completion of the PhD.

Since the program focuses on the development of competent scholars, heavy emphasis is placed on both teaching and research skills. As part of the doctoral program, each student is required to serve as a teaching assistant to an undergraduate business class or as a research assistant to a senior faculty member. Students with strong teaching skills may be assigned their own classes. Typically, the Haslam College of Business offers financial support for doctoral students during their tenure in the program.

The PhD program is highly flexible, offering a wide array of concentrations and cognates. Moreover, heavy emphasis is placed on individualized instruction and close student-faculty interaction. Instruction takes the form of regular classes, doctoral seminars, and independent study and research. Students are also encouraged to attend lectures and discussions by visiting scholars throughout the year.

Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Organizations Concentration

The strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations concentration is a research-oriented doctoral program of instruction that provides perspectives and skills necessary for an academic career pursuit in the field of management. Successful completion and defense of the dissertation qualifies the candidate to pursue academic opportunities at research-oriented or other universities.