Graduate

Ph.D. in Business Administration

Unleash your potential in business leadership.

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About this Program

Students admitted into the Ph.D. in Business Administration program choose a focus area in Finance, Management, or Marketing.

Coursework includes courses within each of the focus areas. Additionally, each doctoral student completes a set of research methods courses suited for exploring their areas of interest. While most students complete the program in four years, some students may be awarded a fifth year of funding.

Admission

The Ph.D. Program in Business Administration typically adds three new students per year in each area (Finance, Management, and Marketing). The Graduate Committee carefully evaluates a variety of characteristics including test scores, transcripts, statement of purpose, work experience, resume, cover letters, recommendations, and English language proficiency. Admission is granted only on recommendation by the committee.

Admissions to the doctoral program in Business Administration may be recommended for applicants who submit a competitive score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or at least a 3.10 GPA on the last 60 hours attempted at either the graduate or undergraduate level. However, admission is competitive among the pool of applicants, and only a small number of applicants are accepted.

Placement

The School of Business has a 100% placement of graduating students over the last 5-plus years in academic, government, and private positions. Recent students have obtained academic positions at West Virginia University, Kansas State University, Utah State University, University of Southern Illinois (Carbondale), California State (Fullerton) University, University of South Alabama, Tennessee Tech University, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Faculty

From the first day they arrive on campus, Ph.D. students work closely with faculty on research projects and attend regular research colloquiums and developmental activities. A number of these collaborative projects have led to publications.

Scholarly Research

The faculty of the School of Business Administration is engaged in research covering a wide range of fields in finance, management, marketing, management information systems, and operations management. Through assignments as research assistants, graduate students are offered the opportunity to become involved with the research activities of the faculty.

The School of Business sponsors a weekly research workshop series in which graduate students are expected to participate. The workshops include presentations from faculty based on current research as well as periodic presentations from outside guests who are making major research contributions in their disciplines. As part of the School of Business Administration, each area has access to a broad range of research facilities and support. Strong computer facilities, data resources, and laboratories enhance the research capabilities of students and faculty.

Financial Assistance

Opportunities for financial assistance include teaching or research assistantships and non-service fellowships. Graduate assistants and non-service fellows who are not residents of Mississippi, along with their spouses, are not required to pay the nonresident registration fee. Full-time enrolled students holding assistantships are eligible to receive a partial tuition scholarship.

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Doctorate Program

    Area of Study

    Business and Accountancy

    Duration

    4–5 Years

    Degree

    Ph.D. in Business Administration

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Emphases

    Finance;
    Management;
    Marketing

    Required Credit Hours

    58–62 Hours

    Degree Requirements

    Each student will be required to complete at least 60 hours of approved graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree. Moreover, each student must complete at least 12 hours at the 600 level in a major field beyond the bachelor’s degree and at least 9 hours in a minor field beyond the bachelor’s degree. A doctoral student must also demonstrate proficiency in research methodology and satisfy the tool requirement of the major field department. See the link below for descriptions of all Business Administration graduate classes.

    Upon satisfactory completion of all coursework in each area and the tool area, the student must pass a written examination provided by the appropriate academic department. The purpose of these examinations is to determine competence in the areas of study.

     

    The dissertation, which is supervised and evaluated by the faculty, demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct research and to make a distinct and significant contribution to the common body of knowledge within one’s discipline. The initial step of the process is directed toward the formulation of a written proposal that must be approved by a dissertation committee. After writing the dissertation, the candidate must successfully defend it before the dissertation committee.

    Ph.D. Courses

    Robert A Van Ness

    Director of Doctoral Programs

    Dr. Van Ness has taught undergraduate, MBA, Ph.D., and executive education courses in financial markets, investments, investment theory, security analysis as well as corporate finance.

    Robert A Van Ness

    Bruce Moore Scholar of Finance, Director of Graduate Programs and Distinguished Professor of Finance

    International Students

    To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program in Business Administration, international students must present evidence of satisfactory proficiency in the English language as indicated by results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) through the Educational Testing Service. The applicant must request that the testing center send the official results to the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi.

    The TOEFL is required of all applicants (international and U.S. citizens) whose native language is not English. “Native language” is determined by the medium of academic study, which is defined as the equivalent of 4 years of instruction at the secondary or college level where the language of instruction is English

    The School of Business requires a TOEFL result of at least 600 to be considered for admission.

    To learn more, visit The Office of International Programs.

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?