PhD in Business Administration with Emphasis in Business
- Concentration in Finance
- Concentration in Management
- Concentration in Marketing
- Degree Requirements - all concentrations
- Degree Requirements - Finance concentration
- Degree Requirements - Management concentration
- Degree Requirements - Marketing concentration
- Sample Plan of Study - Management concentration
- All Concentrations
- Admissions
The PhD program is designed to prepare graduates for careers as effective university researchers and teachers or for senior research positions in business or government. A primary objective of the program is to train PhD candidates to become proficient researchers. Therefore, course work involves research activities such as literature review and critique, theoretical modeling, research design, computer-assisted empirical analysis and preparation of proposals and research papers. Another objective is to train students to become high-quality teachers. PhD candidates are provided the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses in their specialty area. In addition, students are expected to participate in national and regional academic conferences and are encouraged to work with faculty in developing individual research and teaching skills. The PhD in Business Administration offers three concentration areas: Finance, Management and Marketing. (Concentrations will not appear on diplomas or transcripts.)
Concentration in Finance
The PhD program with a concentration in Finance emphasizes university-level research and teaching skills. The program of study is flexible to meet individual needs and interests, but all students take advanced classes in Finance, Economics, and Statistics. Students are only admitted on a full-time basis and normally work as research or teaching assistants. Students must complete an on-campus interview before any decision can be made regarding their ultimate admission. The GMAT is strongly preferred with the GRE only considered in special circumstances.
Concentration in Management
PhD students with a concentration in Management emphasize university level research and teaching skills. The program of study is flexible to allow students to focus on their personal interests. The program includes a business core of at least 15 hours, at least 15 hours of doctoral seminars in management, one 12-hour or two 9-hour support areas, and a minimum of 12 hours in research methods and statistics (18 hours with one 12-hour support area). Students typically work as research or teaching assistants. The PhD program in management is designed to provide students with a sound foundation for a productive career as an academic at a research-oriented university.
Concentration in Marketing
Students with an interest in behavioral, strategic, or methodological issues marketing are a great fit for this program. It emphasizes the development of research and teaching skills needed to pursue career placement at a research-oriented university. The program is flexible to meet individual needs and interests and graduates annually well-situated professionals prepared for the market. In addition, the program offers small class sizes, a set of doctoral specific seminars, and a collaborative environment. Students develop research skills by working with faculty on research projects and from faculty mentoring. Students also gain valuable experience by teaching undergraduate courses.
Degree Requirements - All Concentrations
Below are the degree requirements for all PhD students in Business Administration, regardless of the concentration chosen.
General Business Courses | ||
Before enrolling in concentration area courses, all students must take or have waived the following courses (students with an MBA typically have these requirements waived): | ||
ACCTCY 8310 | Accounting for Managers | 3 |
FINANC 8140 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
MRKTNG 8460 | Managerial Marketing | 3 |
FINANC 8210 | Microeconomics for Business | 3 |
And one of the following: | ||
MANGMT 7380 | Organizational Behavior and Management: The Individual | |
MANGMT 8390 | Organizational Behavior and Management: Dyadic, Group and Organizational Processes | |
MANGMT 8960 | Introduction to Strategic Management | |
Concentration Area of Finance, Management or Marketing | ||
Minimum of 15 hours of 8000/9000 level courses. See below for details. | ||
Support Areas | ||
Supporting areas offer students considerable latitude in identifying a course of study that can be tailored to the individual's interests and goals. | ||
Two support areas of at least 9 credit hours each, one of which must be taken outside the College of Business | ||
OR | ||
One support area of at least 12 credit hours | ||
Research Methods and Analysis Sequence | ||
Includes appropriate courses in economics, mathematics, psychology, sociology, statistics or other areas deemed appropriate by the program committee. | ||
If 2 support areas chosen, student must satisfy 12 hours analytical tool requirement. | ||
If 1 support area chosen, student must satisfy 18 hours analytical tool requirement. | ||
Seminar | ||
Ongoing seminar experience each semester until successful completion of comprehensive exams, to acquaint students with current literature and research in the major area of interest. This is in addition to other seminars offered departmentally. Minimum of 4 credit hours. | ||
Dissertation | ||
Minimum 12 credit hours in 9090. |
These requirements are independent of one another; courses taken to satisfy one requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirement. Previous graduate work taken before admission to the PhD program may be used to satisfy these requirements if it is deemed appropriate by the student’s program committee.
Degree Requirements - Finance Concentration
Prerequisites typically needed for Finance program of study: | ||
ECONOM 7351 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 5 |
MATH 1700 | Calculus II | 5 |
STAT 2500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
Required courses: | ||
FINANC 9100 | Corporate Finance I | 3 |
FINANC 9200 | Corporate Finance II | 3 |
FINANC 9300 | Asset Pricing I | 3 |
FINANC 9400 | Asset Pricing II | 3 |
FINANC 9500 | Advanced Topics in Finance | 3 |
FINANC 9080 | Research Methods in Finance | 1-3 |
ECONOM 7370 | Quantitative Economics | 3 |
ECONOM 8451 | Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
ECONOM 8472 | Econometric Methods I | 3 |
ECONOM 9473 | Econometric Theory II | 3 |
ECONOM 9452 | Advanced Microeconomic Theory II | 3 |
STAT 7510 | Applied Statistical Models I | 3 |
or MATH 7140 | Matrix Theory | |
STAT 7750 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 3 |
STAT 7760 | Statistical Inference | 3 |
Support Areas | ||
Students must complete either two 9-hour Support Areas or one 12-hour Support Area to complement advanced training in Finance. Successful completion may require a written examination. At least one Support Area must come from outside the College of Business. Most students choose Support Areas in Micreconomics and Statistics resembling the following examples. | ||
Example support area in Microeconomics: | ||
Quantitative Economics | ||
Microeconomic Theory | ||
Advanced Microeconomic Theory II | ||
Example support area in Statistics: | ||
Applied Statistical Models I | ||
Introduction to Probability Theory | ||
Statistical Inference | ||
Collateral Area | ||
Students must complete a Collateral Area (12 hours if completing two 9-hour Support Areas, or 18 hours if completing one 12-hour Support Area) selected in cooperation with a student's program committee. Coursework applied to a Support Area cannot be applied to a Collateral Area. | ||
The purpose of the Collateral Area for Finance students is to provide them with the necessary quantitative skills to undertake original empirical research. | ||
Recommended is a Collateral Area in Accounting, Econometrics, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Corporate Law. Some representative examples are shown below. | ||
Example collateral area in Econometrics: | ||
Econometric Methods I | ||
Econometric Theory II | ||
Advanced Topics in Econometrics II | ||
Example collateral area in Economics: | ||
Microeconomic Theory | ||
Advanced Microeconomic Theory II | ||
Example collateral area in Corporate Law: | ||
Bankruptcy | ||
Business Organizations | ||
Criminal Clinic | ||
Example collateral area in Statistics: | ||
Applied Nonparametric Methods | ||
Introduction to Probability Theory | ||
Statistical Inference | ||
Introduction to Stochastic Processes |
Degree Requirements - Management Concentration
Seminars | ||
Students are required to take four core seminars, and 3 credits of additional seminars that will be offered to match the needs and interests of current students. | ||
Four core seminars: | ||
MANGMT 9030 | Seminar in Macro Organizational Behavior | 3 |
MANGMT 9040 | Seminar in Human Resource Management | 3 |
MANGMT 9060 | Seminar in Corporate Strategy | 3 |
MANGMT 9080 | Seminar in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
While pursuing required course work, all students participate in MANGMT 9101 Topics Seminar in Management (1 hour per semester), which is taken on a Pass/Fail basis. | ||
Support Areas | ||
Students must complete either two 9-hour or one 12-hour Support Areas, tailored to the research and teaching goals of the student. Programs are highly individualized to reflect student interests and desired focus, and subject to approval by the student's program committee. | ||
Typical Support Areas include psychology, economics, research methods and statistics, career development, sociology, marketing, and communication. Below are examples of Support Areas. | ||
Example support area in Psychology: | ||
Motivation | ||
Personality Psychology | ||
Positive Psychology | ||
Studies in Social Psychology | ||
Example support area in Economics: | ||
Economics of Institutions and Organizations | ||
Advanced Topics in Economics II | ||
Advanced Topics in Finance | ||
Industrial Organization and Competitive Strategy | ||
Microeconomic Theory | ||
Example support area in Research Methods and Statistics: | ||
Introduction to Research Methods in Marketing | ||
General Linear Models in Psychology I | ||
Statistical Software Packages | ||
Studies in Clinical Psychology | ||
Application of Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research | ||
Structural Equation Modeling | ||
Multilevel Modeling | ||
The Logic of Social Research | ||
Ethnographic Fieldwork | ||
Quantitative Economics | ||
Econometric Methods I | ||
Applied Econometrics | ||
Topics in Qualitative Research Methods | ||
Statistical Software and Data Analysis | ||
Applied Statistical Models I | ||
Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | ||
Research Methods & Analysis (RM&A) Area | ||
Students must complete an RM&A Area (12 hours if completing two 9-hour Support Areas, 18 hours if completing one 12-hour Support Area). These courses, selected in cooperation with a student's program committee, will provide students with the tools and techniques necessary for conducting empirical research. | ||
Sample courses are those listed in the Support Area in Research Methods and Statistics above. Courses applied to a Support Area canoon be applied to the RM&A. |
Degree Requirements - Marketing Concentration
Prerequisites typically needed | ||
STAT 1400 | Elementary Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
MATH 1400 | Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I | 3 |
Required courses: | ||
MRKTNG 9010 | Introduction to Research Methods in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9020 | Seminar in Advanced Research Methods in Marketing | 3 |
MRKTNG 9030 | Seminar in Applied Multivariate Analysis in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9210 | Seminar in Marketing Strategy | 3 |
MRKTNG 9220 | Seminar Marketing Models | 3 |
MRKTNG 9230 | Seminar in Consumer Behavior | 3 |
Electives (minimum of 3 credits): | ||
MRKTNG 9185 | Doctoral Independent Study in Marketing | 3 |
MRKTNG 9101 | Current Topics Seminar in Marketing (taken each fall and spring while in residence at MU) | 1 |
MRKTNG 9090 | Research in Marketing (Dissertation - minimum of 12 hours with at least 2 hours each fall and spring and 1 hour each summer semester) | 12 |
Support Areas | ||
Students must complete either two 9-hour Support Areas or one 12-hour Support Area, to provide depth in theory and research appropriate for the particular research interests of the student. | ||
Typical Support Areas are social psychology, organizational behavior, economics, and statistics, but other areas may be appropriate. See examples below. | ||
Example support area in Psychology/Social Psychology: | ||
Motivation | ||
Theories of Social Psychology | ||
Seminar in Social Psychology | ||
Example support area in Organizational Behavior: | ||
Seminar in Management (Human Resource Management) | ||
Seminar in Management (Organizational Behavior I) | ||
Seminar in Management (Organizational Behavior II) | ||
Seminar in Management (Strategic Management I) | ||
Seminar in Management (Organizational Theory) | ||
Example support area in Economics: | ||
Introduction to Game Theory | ||
Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
Microeconomic Theory | ||
Econometric Methods I | ||
Advanced Microeconomic Theory II | ||
Advanced Game Theory | ||
Econometric Theory II | ||
Example support area in Statistics: | ||
Analysis of Variance | ||
Introduction to Probability Theory | ||
Statistical Inference | ||
Categorical Data Analysis | ||
Introduction to Stochastic Processes | ||
Bayesian Analysis I | ||
Advanced Mathematical Statistics I | ||
Advanced Mathematical Statistics II | ||
Econometric Methods I | ||
Econometric Theory II | ||
Analytical Tools | ||
Students must complete courses in research methods and statistics (12 hours for students with two support areas, 18 hours for students with one support area) to provide each student with a sound foundation in research skills. | ||
Two marketing seminars that focus on research methods are required, with additional courses chosen as appropriate for the student's specific research emphasis. Courses in multiple regression, analysis of variance, and multivariate statistics are required. | ||
Students often take additional analytical tools courses to further develop the depth of knowledge in tools required for their specific research interests. | ||
Example analytical tools courses are listed below. | ||
MRKTNG 9010 | Introduction to Research Methods in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9030 | Seminar in Applied Multivariate Analysis in Marketing | 1-3 |
ECONOM 7340 | Introduction to Game Theory | 3 |
ECONOM 7351 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
ECONOM 8472 | Econometric Methods I | 3 |
ECONOM 9473 | Econometric Theory II | 3 |
PSYCH 8710 | General Linear Models in Psychology I | 4 |
PSYCH 8720 | General Linear Models in Psychology II | 4 |
PSYCH 9320 | Social Psychology Methodology | 3 |
PSYCH 9330 | Field Research Methods | 3 |
PSYCH 9520 | Psychometrics | 3 |
PSYCH 9710 | Multivariate Statistics in Psychology | 3 |
SOCIOL 7120 | Social Statistics | 3 |
SOCIOL 8120 | The Logic of Social Research | 3 |
SOCIOL 8130 | Advanced Social Statistics | 3 |
SOCIOL 9287 | Seminar in Qualitative Methods in Sociology | 3 |
STAT 7210 | Applied Nonparametric Methods | 3 |
STAT 7310 | Sampling Techniques | 3 |
STAT 7510 | Applied Statistical Models I | 3 |
STAT 7530 | Analysis of Variance | 3 |
STAT 7540 | Experimental Design | 3 |
STAT 7750 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 3 |
STAT 7760 | Statistical Inference | 3 |
STAT 7830 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
STAT 7850 | Introduction to Stochastic Processes | 3 |
STAT 8640 | Bayesian Analysis I | 3 |
STAT 9710 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
STAT 9720 | Advanced Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
Seminars | ||
MRKTNG 9010 | Introduction to Research Methods in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9020 | Seminar in Advanced Research Methods in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9030 | Seminar in Applied Multivariate Analysis in Marketing | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9210 | Seminar in Marketing Strategy | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9220 | Seminar Marketing Models | 1-3 |
MRKTNG 9230 | Seminar in Consumer Behavior | 1-3 |
Sample Plan of Study - Management Concentration
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
MANGMT Seminar | 3 | MANGMT Seminar | 3 | Support Area Course #2 | 3 |
Research Methods #1 | 3 | Research Methods #3 | 3 | ||
Research Methods #2 | 3 | Support Area Course #1 | 3 | ||
MANGMT 9101 | 1 | MANGMT 9101 | 1 | ||
10 | 10 | 3 | |||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
MANGMT Seminar | 3 | MANGMT Seminar | 3 | Research Experience | |
Support Area Course #3 | 3 | Support Area Course #4 | 3 | Comprehensive Exam Preparation | |
Research Methods #4 | 3 | Research Methods #6 | 3 | ||
Research Methods #5 | 3 | MANGMT Seminar | 3 | ||
MANGMT 9101 | 1 | MANGMT 9101 | 1 | ||
13 | 13 | 0 | |||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
Comprehensive Examination | MANGMT 9090 (Dissertation) | Variable Credit | |||
MANGMT 9090 (Dissertation) | Variable Credit | ||||
0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
MANGMT 9090 (Dissertation) | Variable Credit | MANGMT 9090 (Dissertation) | Variable Credit | ||
0 | 0 | ||||
Total Credits: 49 |
All Concentrations
Qualifying Process
Program Committee
During the first semester of course work, the PhD Coordinator, a member of the doctoral faculty from the major area of study (finance, management or marketing), serves as the student’s faculty advisor.
By the end of the first year of course work, a student should make formal application for the doctoral degree and, after consultation with faculty, request appointment of a Doctoral Program Committee. This committee consists of at least three members from the student’s major area of study and at least one member from a supporting area of study.
The Doctoral Program Committee conducts the qualifying examination and works with the student to design a plan of study.
Residency Requirement
In compliance with University regulations, the doctor of philosophy degree requires the completion of 72 semester hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree. Within the credit-hour requirement is the residency requirement. To satisfy the residency requirement, a student must complete at least two 9-hour semesters or three 6-hour semesters in an 18-month period at MU. All courses taken to satisfy the residency requirement must be MU courses approved for graduate credit and approved by the student’s doctoral program committee. Correspondence and off-campus courses may not be counted toward the residency requirement. This program is designed for full-time students and requires a minimum 4-year on-campus commitment.
Qualifying Examination and First-Year Project
Every marketing doctoral student is required to pass the qualifying exam consisting of two major components. The first component is a comprehensive evaluation of overall performance in coursework and RA assignments and participation in formal and informal doctoral program elements. The second component is a first-year project addressing a scholarly research topic in marketing consisting of three major parts: a written outline, presentation, and paper suitable for submission to a conference or journal. The goal of this project is to promote early research engagement, interaction with faculty, and the development of communication and presentation skills that will enhance the overall experience of the student throughout the doctoral program.
Finance students take the comprehensive exam following the completion of their doctoral course work requirements. The exam consists of written and oral sections and is typically scheduled at the beginning of the fall semester in the third year of study.
Management doctoral students are required to pass a qualifying exam composed of two parts: 1) major written sections of a faculty-led research paper and 2) an oral presentation of the entire research project.
First year students are expected to write first drafts of one or more major sections of the paper and to present the entire project before the end of the Spring semester of their first year. During this presentation, students are expected to demonstrate excellence in their specific contributions and to demonstrate they understand all aspects of the research project.
Comprehensive Examination Process
Typically, after completion of the course work specified on the plan of study, the student’s doctoral program committee determines the student’s readiness to undertake the comprehensive examination. The student must be enrolled at MU the semester s/he takes this examination.
The comprehensive examination process differs by department, but consists of written and oral sections. Both sections must be completed within one month of each other, and at least seven months before a final dissertation defense. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination requires that the student’s doctoral program committee vote to pass the student on the entire examination, both written and oral sections, with no more than one dissenting or abstaining vote. The student who fails this exam may not take a second comprehensive examination for at least 12 weeks. Failure to pass two successive comprehensive examinations automatically prevents candidacy.
Dissertation Requirements
A dissertation is required to complete the doctoral program. Each student, working under the supervision of the doctoral program committee chair, must propose an original scholarly research project. The dissertation proposal is normally defended at the end of the third year of the program in an oral presentation. The proposal must be approved formally by the student's program committee. Following completion of the research, the written dissertation must be orally defended and approved by the student's program committee.
Admissions
BusinessPhD@Missouri.edu
407 Cornell Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-0181
https://business.missouri.edu/programs-admissions/phd-program/