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Program Description
Generally, a minimum of four academic years is needed to obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration degree. Doctoral students must be in residence at the University of South Carolina for a minimum of two academic years of full-time graduate work. The student, in consultation with a Ph.D. Advisory Committee, develops a program of study to maintain consistency and continuity of course work, giving consideration to academic background and professional objectives.

The major emphasis and cognate course work may be chosen from the following:

Additional cognate course work is available in:

Insurance
Human Resources
Banking
Real Estate
Tax

More specifically, the program is designed:

To provide a thorough knowledge and deep insight into the main disciplines underlying the student's field of specialization. This knowledge is built upon a basic understanding of the business environment.
To develop the skills, professional attitudes, and competence required to design, execute, and evaluate creative and meaningful research in the student's field of specialization.
To promote individual programs of study that encourage students to develop the appropriate skills and motivation for their eventual roles in university research and teaching, business, and/or government.

Admissions Schedule
Individual areas of emphasis have established varying admission schedules for their entering classes. Please see the Admission Schedule for the 2008-09 academic year. Please contact the Managing Director for more information.

Prerequisites
Specific prerequisites vary by major areas of concentration, and prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the managing director of Ph.D. programs for details.

For students whose academic background is not sufficient to satisfy the required prerequisites, deficiencies are made up by taking the appropriate course(s) along with their program of study for the doctorate.

Language Requirement
The candidate must demonstrate competency in a computer programming language or statistics as demonstrated by appropriate coursework or examination by the student's Ph.D. advisory committee.

Core Requirements
All doctoral students are required to complete a core of at least 18 semester hours of research-tools course work as specified by the student's Ph.D. advisory committee. The specific course work required cannot include more than six semester hours of research-tools course work from the major area of concentration.

Major and Cognate Areas of Emphasis
Beyond the required core, a student must complete at least 24 additional semester hour of course work:

At least 15 hours are to be taken in a major area of emphasis.
A minimum of nine hours are to be taken in a cognate area.

Required Examinations
Near the end of the student's third term in the program, the Graduate School requires each Ph.D. student to pass a qualifying examination to be admitted to candidacy. The purpose of this written and/or oral examination is to establish at an early date whether the student should be allowed to continue in the program. Upon completion of all required courses, candidates must pass a "Comprehensive Examination" consisting of two parts: written and oral. The oral examination must be taken within three weeks of the successful completion of the written examination. The examinations may not be taken more than twice.

Dissertation
Each candidate must complete a minimum of 12 dissertation credit hours and present and defend a dissertation that gives evidence of original and significant research. The dissertation must be completed no later than five years after the comprehensive examinations.

Residence
Residence at an approved university is required for at least three academic years after the student has begun graduate work. At least two of the three years must be spent in full-time residence at the Moore School of Business. A student has eight calendar years to complete a program, beginning with the first semester of matriculation.

More information about . . .

Application and Admission to Ph.D. programs
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships
Doctoral Recruiting Events
Admission Schedule
Costs and Expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Ph.D. Faculty Coordinators
Ph.D. Deadlines and Entry Dates
Policy Statement for the Ph.D. in Business Administration
Regulations for Doctoral Graduate Assistants - Moore School of Business

Scott Ranges, Managing Director of PhD Programs
Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
1705 College Street, Columbia, SC 29208
Telephone: 803.777-2748 or sranges@moore.sc.edu