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 course work 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 course work, 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 course work requirements vary from 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 and economics
research methodology requirement

At a minimum, students must complete 60 hours of course work 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
A minimum of nine hours of credit earned for breadth of study. Three hours to be taken in each of the following: Accounting, Management, and Marketing

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 of “common body of knowledge” course work covering all other business disciplines; 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. Individuals with a master’s degree in a business field may substitute much of their previous graduate course work for the “common body of knowledge” course work. Students should plan to spend two to three academic years (fall, spring, and summer) completing course work. 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. Both written and oral comprehensive examinations are required upon completion of the course work. Each PhD candidate is also required to 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 course work 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. Sixty-three hours of credit at the graduate level must be earned, including a minimum of nine hours of credit for the dissertation and ‘breadth of study’ requirements which may be fulfilled with prior graduate level course work. The curricular requirements include:

At least 42 hours at the 7000 level or above, exclusive of any type of independent studies credit except for special project credit earned.
A primary area consisting of a minimum of 24 hours of earned credit in a specified field of study.
A minimum core requirement of 15 credit hours in management core courses required of all PhD students: MGT 7301 , MGT 7600 , MGT 7800 , MGT 7811 , and MGT 9201 .
Must pass a general/qualifying/final exam consisting of a written exam and a comprehensive oral exam.
Completion of a written and oral 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 course work 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 (PhD 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 21 semester hours of marketing course work, 12 semester hours in a minor area, six semester hours in a support area, and 18 semester hours of “common body of knowledge” course work covering all other business disciplines. Students should plan to spend two to three academic years (fall, spring, and summer) to complete course work and devote summer terms to advance their research with fellow doctoral students and faculty members. Upon completion of major coursework, students must pass a written qualifying exam and 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 course work completed during the four year program (business.lsu.edu/marketing/Pages/PhDCurriculum.aspx).