3. Academic Requirements

The PhD in Business Administration at the University of Memphis is a 72-credit-hour graduate degree.

3.1 - Prerequisites

Each concentration determines its own prerequisite coursework. International students may need to complete additional English language requirements, such as the SPEAK test, before engaging in teaching assignments.

3.2 - Program of Study

Each student must have a Program of Study, approved by the departmental PhD Coordinator and Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The Program of Study is submitted at the beginning of the Fall semester, and is revised and resubmitted to the PhD Coordinators and the Graduate Programs Office on a yearly basis or as needed.

3.3 - Coursework Requirements

Students must complete between 54 and 66 credit hours comprising the following categories:

• Research Core: Minimum of 12 credit hours in research methods and quantitative
• Concentration Courses: Minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least 15 credit hours of 7000/8000-level courses specific to each concentration (e.g., accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing).
• Elective Coursework: additional coursework needed to complete 54 -66 credit hours, according to the student’s program of study approved by the PhD

3.4 - Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive examination is completed within two years of completing coursework, and consists of two components:

• A written
• An oral

Only students who are in good standing who are completing an approved program of study may take the comprehensive examination. Successful completion of both a written and an oral examination is required.

The comprehensive examination is not a course. Therefore, the results of the examination cannot be appealed, nor can they be changed after the form has been filed with the Graduate School. Students may take the examination a second time. A second comprehensive examination failure results in termination, which can be appealed. More information about retention appeals is provided in Section 6.3.2.

3.4.1  Written Examination

The written examination is set by the departmental PhD Coordinator in collaboration with appropriate Departmental faculty. At least two graduate faculty members will grade each exam question.

The procedures used for grading each question and determining an overall pass or fail are determined by each concentration. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with departmental comprehensive exam requirements.

If a student’s performance on the written examination is unsatisfactory, the student may be awarded a grade of “fail” on the comprehensive examination. If a student’s performance on the written examination warrants, the concentration schedules an oral examination.

3.4.2 Oral Examination

The oral examination is scheduled as soon as possible following the grading of the written examination. The departmental PhD Coordinator and other faculty from the concentration organize and administer the oral examination.

3.5 - Student Status

A student who has not yet completed the Comprehensive Exam requirement is considered an Early-Stage student.

A student who has successfully completed the Comprehensive Exam requirement and whose Comprehensive Exam Results Form has been fully processed is considered a Late- Stage student.

As mentioned in Section 2.2, student status affects the conditions to fulfill the full-time enrollment requirement.

3.6 - Dissertation

Students must write and defend a dissertation. A dissertation constitutes major research that is both original and creative. It must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and interpret the facts and information revealed by the research in a logical and thought-provoking manner.

The dissertation and the final defense must demonstrate a satisfactory level of scholarly competence in the use of research methods and writing. The content of the dissertation must comply with the research standards of the University and contribute to the development of new knowledge and/or information. The dissertation is the research capstone of the PhD program.

A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 18 dissertation credit hours can be counted toward the degree. Details about the dissertation process are provided in Section 4.

3.7 Additional Requirements

Some concentrations may have additional requirements for PhD students, such as submitting research proposals or reports, paper presentations, participating in research lab activities, attending colloquia, among others.