PhD in Business Innovation and Applied Interdisciplinary Studies
The Ph.D. program is designed for scholars who are excited to tackle business challenges through research and critical inquiry. Students will be challenged to propose solutions and discuss the ramifications and the pros and cons of their solutions to societal business problems. Furthermore, doctoral students will explore and adapt the Ubuntu philosophy to selected contemporary business challenges while developing strong research skills.
Students should have assembled their dissertation committee and have a working title for their dissertation after 18 months in the program. Between 24 and 27 months in the Ph.D. program, students are expected to present their research proposal to their committee. Between 32 and 35 months, students are expected to present their research for consideration for Candidacy. After 44 months, students may defend their dissertation. Students must have at least three journal articles already published or under peer review at reputable journals in order to be awarded a doctorate degree. Faculty members work very closely with students to ensure they meet this research publication requirement.
Admission Requirements
Students must have a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited university and a command of the English Language. Students must demonstrate a strong appetite for innovative business research and teaching. There will be a live Zoom interview conducted by at least three (3) faculty members from the School of Business prior to admission into the Ph.D. program.
Program Courses
Completing a Ph.D. in Business Administration requires taking fourteen (14) 3-credit graduate courses plus graduate seminars and doctoral dissertation courses. The Ph.D. program is designed as a five-year program but can be completed within three years, as shown below.
The following course list is subject to change to reflecting changing professional practices and landscapes.
Year 1
Spring
Session 1
BUSA 530 Supply Chain Management
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 550 International Business
Session 3
BUSA 510 Business Strategy
Summer
Session 1
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, may enroll every semester)
BUSA 570 Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Session 2
HUMA 570 Human Knowledge, Philosophy and Ethics
Fall
Session 1
BUSA 560 Accounting for Leaders
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 540 Sustainable Economics and Development
Session 3
BUSA 520 Finance for Leaders
Year 2
Spring
Session 1
BUSA 810 Leading Change
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, may enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 850 Qualitative Research Methods
Session 3
BUSA 820 Theory and Practice of Collective Action
Summer
Session 1
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, may enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 840 Quantitative Research Methods
Fall
Session 1
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 830 Designing Complex and Sustainable Systems
Session 3
BUSA 860 Advanced Graduate Writing
Year 3
Spring
Session 1
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 800 Doctoral Dissertation (6 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 3
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Summer
Session 1
BUSA 800 Doctoral Dissertation (6 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Fall
Session 1
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
BUSA 800 Doctoral Dissertation (6 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 2
BUSA 800 Doctoral Dissertation (6 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)
Session 3
BUSA 870 Graduate Seminar (3 credits, 8 weeks, May enroll every semester)