Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration program at Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business is designed for accomplished professionals seeking to advance to leadership positions in their organizations or academic institutions. This AACSB-accredited, STEM-designated program enables students to conduct and publish world-class research in leading academic journals while maintaining their full-time jobs.

Program Overview

• The program is designed to be completed in three years, with once-a-month weekend residencies allowing students to keep their full-time jobs while earning their terminal degree.
• Graduates of the program hold tenured/tenure-track, clinical, and leadership positions at universities across the United States.
• The program focuses on developing scholars for academic careers, with research-active faculty exposing Ph.D. candidates to various research areas and methods.

Concentrations

• Accounting: Designed to develop scholars for academic careers, with a focus on auditing, corporate governance, financial accounting, and tax.
• Information Systems and Security: Seeks to educate and train individuals to become outstanding scholars who excel in research, teaching, and leadership positions at academic institutions, focusing on the intersection of business and technology.
• Management: Covers sub-disciplines such as entrepreneurship, family business, human resource management, international management, operations management, organization behavior, strategic management, and supply chain management.
• Marketing and Sales Leadership: Accomplished and dedicated faculty strive to develop successful scholars in academia, with a focus on buyer behavior, sales, innovation, strategy, advertising, branding, retailing, marketing research, pricing, physical distribution, new product introduction, international business, e-commerce, digital and social media, and more.
• Risk and Decision Analytics: Prepares future scholars for academic careers and teaches industry leaders about quantitative analysis, decision analysis, risk analytics, business analytics, and risk management.

Curriculum

• The program consists of 48 academic credit hours and is designed to be completed in three years.
• The curriculum includes a combination of applied business concepts and theoretical foundations, with a focus on research methods and statistical tools.
• Students attend a one-day orientation at the start of the semester and participate in intense residencies throughout the program.

Admissions Process

• The four-step application process includes attending an information session, submitting an initial application with a resume, cover letter, and statement of interest, attending a research workshop, and completing an interview.
• The program receives a high volume of applications annually, and admissions decisions are made based on the applicant's skills, interests, and fit with the program.
• Priority admissions deadline is mid-October, and regular admissions deadline is February 1 for consideration into the Fall Cohort.

Tuition and Aid

• The total tuition for the program is $98,913, including fees and a deposit.
• Additional expenses may include travel, lodging, and meals during residencies, as well as data collection costs for dissertation research.
• Financial assistance is available through loans, scholarships, and grants, and the program also provides Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) to help students with finances and gain teaching experience.

FAQs

• The program is AACSB accredited, which is essential for those seeking to become university-level faculty members.
• The program can be completed in as little as three years, with most students taking between three and four years to complete.
• Students are required to attend all classes and participate in residencies, with the option to work full-time while pursuing the degree.
• A dissertation is required, with students completing either a longer single-essay dissertation or a two-paper style dissertation.

Doctoral Degree Options

• The program offers a non-traditional research doctorate, which provides a unique opportunity to pursue an applied research project and earn a doctoral degree.
• The program is designed for experienced professionals, with a focus on developing scholars for academic careers.
• Graduates are prepared for research and teaching responsibilities as "Scholarly Academic" faculty at AACSB-accredited schools.

The Ph.D. Advantage

• The program blends the advantages of traditional Ph.D. programs with the advantages of non-traditional programs.
• Students have the opportunity to continue working full-time while pursuing the degree, with a flexible residency structure.
• The program is recognized by AACSB International and has a strong reputation for producing high-quality research and graduates.
• Faculty involvement and mentorship are critical to developing doctoral students' ability to publish, with a focus on well-published scholars teaching and mentoring students.

Kennesaw State University

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Overview:

Kennesaw State University is a public research university located in Georgia. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines. Kennesaw State is known for its innovative teaching and learning methods and is recognized as a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among the top 6% of U.S. colleges.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Kennesaw State University offers a vibrant campus experience with a variety of student life activities and organizations. Students can participate in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities. The university also provides resources for student support, including academic advising, career services, and health and wellness services.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Location:

Kennesaw State is conveniently located just 15 miles from Atlanta, offering access to the city's cultural and entertainment attractions while also providing a more relaxed and suburban environment.

Academic Programs:

The university offers over 190 programs, providing students with a wide range of options to pursue their academic interests.

Research Opportunities:

As an R2 institution, Kennesaw State offers significant research opportunities for students and faculty.

Financial Aid:

The university is committed to helping students afford their education and provides various financial aid options.

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Academic Programs:

Kennesaw State University offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in over 190 fields of study.

Graduate:

Master's and doctoral degrees in various disciplines.

Online:

Online programs for students seeking flexible learning options.

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Other:

Kennesaw State University has two campuses: the Kennesaw Campus and the Marietta Campus. The university also offers a variety of resources for students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and the community.