Program Overview

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Agribusiness, PhD

The discipline of agribusiness applies theory and quantitative methods in economics, finance, marketing, and management to issues involved in the production, distribution, and marketing of food and fiber. Doctoral agribusiness students are involved with research in:

• agribusiness management
• derivatives, commodity marketing, and risk management
• food and fiber supply chain management
• food marketing
• food policy and promotion
• global agricultural trade and policy
• strategic marketing by food retailers

The interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy program in business administration with a concentration in agribusiness produces scholars trained in the latest methods of business and economic analysis who can emerge at the forefront of problem-solving in a vital sector of the global economy.

Program Description

This program is offered by the W. P. Carey School of Business and the Morrison School of Agribusiness.

STEM-OPT for International Students

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.

At a Glance

• College/school: W. P. Carey School of Business
• Location: Polytechnic
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus, and a dissertation

Plan of Study

At least 30 credit hours (including research credit) of the approved doctoral program and 12 dissertation credit hours must be completed after admission to the doctoral program. Students may not apply credit hours earned for a previously awarded doctorate degree from ASU or another institution toward their current ASU doctorate. However, at the individual academic unit's discretion, students may apply up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree toward their doctoral plan of study.

Agribusiness doctoral students are expected to develop a program of study that consists of three elements. Students study core theory and quantitative methods coursework in economics and management from the Morrison School of Agribusiness as well as advanced courses in at least one of these areas in the W. P. Carey School of Business: economics, finance, marketing, supply chain management, or management. Students also complete a three-course sequence of doctorate-level theory and methods from the Morrison School of Agribusiness as applied to issues and concepts specific to the agribusiness sector.

Comprehensive Examinations

After the student has completed all necessary coursework on their approved program of study, the academic unit may initiate the student's comprehensive examination process. The examination consists of, at minimum, a written exam; an oral exam may also be required at the discretion of the academic unit.

Candidacy

Doctoral students are notified that they have achieved candidacy status in a letter from the dean of the Graduate College after passing the comprehensive examinations and successfully defending the dissertation prospectus.

Dissertation Requirements

Students are required to present a dissertation to satisfy the research requirement for the doctorate. The dissertation is defended in an oral examination commonly known as the dissertation defense.

Students must be enrolled in at least one credit hour that appears on the plan of study or one hour of appropriate graduate-level credit, such as 795 Continuing Registration, during the semester (including summer session) in which the student defends the dissertation.

Maximum Time Limit

Doctoral students must complete all program requirements within 10 consecutive years.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

1. graduate admission application and application fee
2. official transcripts
3. official GRE general exam or GMAT scores
4. personal statement
5. current curriculum vitae
6. three letters of recommendation
7. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program in business administration at one of the largest public universities in the U.S. have learned from thought leaders in their respective fields and benefitted from the university's tremendous resources. Agribusiness graduates are expected to assume teaching and research positions at top-ranked research universities.

Career opportunities include:

• data scientist
• economic consultant
• market analyst
• professor
• research economist

Additional Information

The program is designed to allow flexibility with focus; each student's program of study is distinct but is designed to produce the highest level of research competency in the student's chosen area of interest.