Graduate Bulletin

Business Administration/Strategic Management, Ph.D.

FOX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15

Applications for the Ph.D. program are all processed together after the deadline.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

TBA

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A master's degree in a business discipline is required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree is required, although it need not be in a business discipline.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your specific interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE/GMAT is required. In general, we look for scores above the 80th percentile on each portion of the exam.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 36

Required Courses:

BA 9001:  Organizations and Management Theory

BA 9002:  Scientific Inquiry - Management Research

ECON 9001:  Foundations in Managerial Economics

GSM 9001:  Seminar in Strategy Formulation and Environmental Analysis

GSM 9002:  Seminar in Administration of Strategic Decisions

GSM 9003:  Seminar in Management Control

IBA 731:  Theory of International Business and Multinational Firms

STAT 8112:  Statistical Methods for Business Research I

STAT 8113:  Statistical Methods for Business Research II

Three doctoral-level electives, preferably within the business school.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Comprehensive Examination

Teaching Experience:

The student must have at least one semester's experience teaching.

Statistics Competency Examination:

An assessment of proficiency in statistical theory and methodology is made at the end of the first year in the program. The examination is offered in June. Students who fail the statistics competency examination on the first attempt must sit for reexamination prior to the fall semester of their second year. A second failure results in dismissal from the university. No third attempt is allowed.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination:

The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of current research. The exam should be completed no more than one semester after the student finishes the coursework component of the program. The subject areas are determined, in advance, by the faculty of the department to reflect the required seminars. The members of the student's department write the questions for the preliminary examination.

The Department Committee evaluates the examination. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas; a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; and an ability to write technical prose. Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examination should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor.

Proposal:

The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after completing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process is established.

Dissertation:

The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

The Doctoral Advisory Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the student's department. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress; coordinating the responses of the Committee members; and informing the student of her/his academic progress.

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least one additional faculty member from outside the department. The committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The committee then votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.

If any member of the committee decides to withdraw from the committee, the student shall notify the Chair of the committee and the Director of the PHDBA program. The student is responsible to find a replacement, in consultation with her/his chair. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case, the student may petition the Director of the PHDBA program for a review. Once review of the facts and circumstances is completed, the Director rules on the student's progress. If the Director finds that the student is not capable of completing the dissertation, s/he is dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to Fox's Senior Associate Dean and, if need be, to the Graduate School.

Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Doctoral Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense. The Graduate Secretary arranges the time, date, and room within two working days, and forwards the appropriate forms to the student. After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room for the defense, the student must send a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form to the Graduate School at least 10 days before the defense. The Department posts flyers announcing the defense.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

http://www.sbm.temple.edu/phd/

Department Information:

Department of General and Strategic Management

Fox School of Business and Management

504A Alter Hall

1801 Liacouras Walk

Philadelphia  PA 19122

215-204-1692

http://www.sbm.temple.edu/dept/gsm/

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Ayana Tyler
atyler@temple.edu
215-204-1692

Ph.D. Program Coordinator:

Dr. Arun Kumaraswamy

215-204-6876

akumaras@temple.edu

Chairperson:

Dr. Ram Mudambi

215-204-2099

rmudambi@temple.edu

About the Program

The Ph.D. in Business Administration program engages the student in advanced research and scholarship. The primary emphasis of our program is to prepare future faculty members for successful academic careers, although many of our alumni are employed in government, industry, and consulting.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.

Department Information:

Department of General and Strategic Management

Fox School of Business and Management

504A Alter Hall

1801 Liacouras Walk

Philadelphia  PA 19122

215-204-1692

http://www.sbm.temple.edu/dept/gsm/

Interdisciplinary Study:

Students seeking a Ph.D. in Business Administration/Strategic Management are required to take courses in Economics and Statistics in addition to their other coursework.  Three electives are also permitted.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Not applicable.

Job Placement:

The program is primarily dedicated to producing well-trained researchers who will work in academic positions.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are not permitted to take doctoral courses.

Financing Opportunities

Assistantships are the centerpiece of the program's mentorship philosophy. They require 20 hours of service per week, which can include teaching and supervised research. An Assistantship provides a stipend and tuition scholarship.

Updated 5.8.09