Business Administration, Ph.D.

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Finance
Information Systems and Decision Sciences

Management
Marketing

(PBDM)

Concentrations in Finance (GFIN), Information Systems & Decision Science (ISDS), Management (GMGT), Marketing (GMKT)

Each doctoral program is individually tailored to the student as a function of previous graduate coursework and career objectives. Programs are designed to ensure thorough theoretical and methodological training in the student’s chosen discipline, but are sufficiently flexible to provide a range of major and minor field options. Doctoral study is fulfilled in a variety of ways, primarily through coursework, independent reading, and dissertation research, but also through informal “brown bag” seminars, visiting faculty colloquia, and participation in professional conferences and symposia. Doctoral students are expected to work closely with each other and with the college’s graduate faculty and are encouraged to collaborate on research of shared interest.

Although specific coursework requirements vary from concentration to concentration and student to student, all doctoral students must satisfy the following curriculum requirements:

major field of specialization (finance; information systems and decision sciences; management; or marketing)
minor field
supporting field
breadth of study in business administration (breadth of study course requirement may be satisfied by prior coursework in the business disciplines and need not count toward the Ph.D. degree)
research methodology requirement

At a minimum, students must complete 54 hours of coursework and dissertation credit beyond the baccalaureate degree requirements.

Specializations

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance (PBADM)(GFIN)

The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied.

The degree is a dissertation degree requiring a dissertation. Fifty-four hours of credit at the graduate level must be earned. The curricular requirements include:

At least 54 hours at the 7000 level or above
A primary area consisting of a minimum of 18 hours of earned credit in Finance
A minor area consisting of a minimum of 12 hours of Economics

The student must pass a general exam consisting of a written examination and successful defense of his/her dissertation.

Please refer to two websites for (1) additional details about the program (business.lsu.edu/finance/Pages/PhD-Finance.aspx) and (2) the typical course work completed during the four year program (business.lsu.edu/finance/Pages/PhDCurriculum.aspx).

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems and Decision Sciences (PBAIS)

The PhD program (PhD in business administration with a concentration in ISDS) is designed for full-time study and involves 60 credit hours at the graduate level. The program consists of 12 hours breadth of study in the four business disciplines: accounting, finance, marketing, and management; 12 hours of major field core courses; 9 semester hours in a minor area; 12 hours of research methodology; 6 semester hours in a supporting area; and 9 hours of dissertation studies. The breadth of study course requirement may be satisfied by prior undergraduate or graduate coursework in the four business areas and need not count toward the PhD degree. Students should plan to spend two academic years (fall and spring) completing coursework and spend the summer working on independent research projects under their advisor’s supervision. The specific departmental-level academic course plan must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied. Upon completion of the coursework, excluding breadth of study, the candidates must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations and design, implement, and complete an original dissertation under the supervision of an ISDS faculty member. Completion of the dissertation usually takes 12 to 18 months. Overall, the PhD program normally requires four years to finish.

Please refer to two websites for (1) additional details about the program (business.lsu.edu/Information-Systems-Decision-Sciences/Pages/PhD.aspx) and (2) the typical coursework completed during the four year program (business.lsu.edu/Information-Systems-Decision-Sciences/Pages/PhD-Curriculum.aspx).

Doctor of Philosophy PhD in Business Administration, concentration in Management (PBDM) (GMGT)

The degree is a dissertation degree requiring a dissertation. Fifty-seven hours of credit at the graduate level must be earned, including a minimum of nine hours of credit for the dissertation.

The curricular requirements include:

At least 57 hours at the 7000 level or above including pre-dissertation/dissertation research coursework.
Up to nine hours of breadth of study courses in an appropriate business discipline as determined by the department. This requirement can be fulfilled with prior coursework and may be (although not required to be) included in the 57 course hour total.
A primary area consisting of a minimum of 21 hours of earned credit in a specified field of study.
Included in the primary area of study is a minimum core requirement of 15 credit hours in management core courses required of all PhD students: MGT 7301 , MGT 7600 , MGT 7800 , and MGT 7811 .
A supporting area with a minimum of 12 hours of graduate level courses. Although students can select their supporting area, research methods is commonly recommended.
A research tool requirement, usually met by successfully completing a two term sequence in basic statistics.
Must pass a general/qualifying exam consisting of a written exam and a comprehensive oral exam.
Successful completion and defense of the dissertation.

Please refer to two websites for (1) additional details about the program (business.lsu.edu/Management/Pages/PhD-Management.aspx) and (2) the typical coursework completed during the four year program (business.lsu.edu/management/Pages/PhD-Curriculum.aspx).

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing (PBDM)(GMKT)

The PhD program in business administration with a concentration in marketing is a year round program (fall, spring, and summer) for full-time study. The program consists of 24 semester hours of major marketing coursework, 15 semester hours of elective coursework, 12 semester hours of “common body of knowledge” coursework covering all other business disciplines (may be waived with an approved Master’s degree), and 12 semester hours of dissertation coursework for a total of 63 hours. Students spend two academic years (fall and spring) completing coursework and devote summer terms to advancing their research with fellow doctoral students and faculty members. Upon completion of major marketing coursework, students must pass a written comprehensive (qualifying) exam of major marketing coursework. Upon completion of 24 semester hours of major marketing coursework, 15 semester hours of approved elective coursework, and 12 semester hours of “common body of knowledge” coursework, students must pass an oral exam. Each PhD candidate is also required to design, implement, and complete an original dissertation under the supervision of a marketing faculty member. Overall, the PhD program normally requires four years to complete.

Please refer to two websites for (1) additional details about the program (business.lsu.edu/Marketing/Pages/PhD-Marketing.aspx) and (2) the typical coursework completed during the four year program (business.lsu.edu/marketing/Pages/PhDCurriculum.aspx).