Academics

Curriculum

The goal of the PhD Program in Business Administration is to produce scholars capable of teaching and conducting research related to the management of organizations. To accomplish this goal, students must demonstrate competence in:

• The foundation areas of research methodology (including statistics) and economics or behavioral sciences;
• A major area of concentration within business administration, and an allied area of minor concentration;
• Designing, executing, and completing a significant research project; and
• Teaching in their area of interest.

Degree Requirements

• Full-Time Residency Requirement: The University of Massachusetts Graduate Program requires each doctoral degree candidate to spend the equivalent of at least 1 year of full-time graduate work in residence on campus. This requirement must be satisfied by the candidate's presence on campus for 2 consecutive semesters, either in a fall-spring or a spring-fall sequence. The candidate should not hold a full-time job during this period. In addition, the faculty of the School of Management require that doctoral students be enrolled full-time for at least the 2 years of coursework.
• Comprehensive Exam: The comprehensive exam covers the student's major and minor fields of study. The exam must have a written portion and may include an oral portion. The student's comprehensive exam committee is composed of at least 3 faculty members, 1 of whom represents the student's minor field of study.
• Dissertation Prospectus: Upon completing the comprehensive exam, the student forms a dissertation committee in consultation with the projected chairperson and doctoral program director. The committee is comprised of at least 3 members, including 1 member from outside the School of Management and student's area of concentration. The Graduate School then officially appoints members of the committee. A dissertation proposal is written and orally defended before the dissertation committee. An approved dissertation prospectus (proposal) must be submitted to the Graduate School at least seven months prior to the final oral examination (dissertation defense).
• Doctoral Dissertation: After the committee accepts the proposal, the student is expected to complete the dissertation research to the satisfaction of the committee. The student must then successfully complete a final oral examination.

Specific concentrations within the PhD program may include additional requirements to complete the doctoral program.

Program Completion Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 66 credit hours: 48 credit hours of course preparation, and 18 credit hours of dissertation
• Complete a minimum 3 semesters of teaching experience
• Pass a comprehensive examination in your major and minor fields of study
• Create a dissertation prospectus, develop a doctoral dissertation, and complete a final oral examination