Program Overview

The objective of the PhD in Business Administration joint program is to educate competent researchers and stimulate research on management solutions.

A Semi-Structured Program Design

Once students have completed a minimum of formal requirements, they may define their specialized research objectives under the guidance of a Supervisory Committee. The program requires proficiency in either English or French and a basic knowledge of the second language. This is a full-time program.

Phase I: Qualifying

Students who do not have a formal academic background in Business Administration are required to take up to five (5) 3-credit courses, usually at the MSc or MBA level, from the following disciplines: Business Economics, Organizational Behaviour, Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, Marketing, Finance, Business Policy and Strategy, and Accountancy and Control. Students may take up to two (2) of these courses in their intended area of specialization.

Phase II: Specialization

The Supervisory Committee determines the student’s program of study. The minimum requirement for this phase is 27 credits. Students must take two (2) 3-credit seminars, one in Research Methodology and one in Pedagogy. All other Phase II seminars depend on the student's field of specialization and are generally structured around a major and minor discipline.

The major discipline can be in Business Economics, Organizational Behaviour, Decision Sciences, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Finance, Business Policy and Strategy, Accountancy, a related interdisciplinary field such as International Business, or a relevant sub-field such as Consumer Behaviour or Long-Range Planning.

The minor can be in a foundation discipline such as Mathematics, Social Psychology, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, or a sub-discipline (subject to approval) that supports the student's major. Instruction for minor courses is frequently given outside the PhD program. Students must take a minimum of four (4) seminars (12 credits) in the major discipline and two (2) seminars (6 credits) in the minor, followed by a set of comprehensive examinations (9 credits).

Phase III: Thesis

The PhD Faculty Committee approves a Phase III Committee once the student enters this phase of the program. The Phase III Committee supervises all stages of the thesis (60 credits), from initial proposal to final defence.

Please visit the School of Graduate Studies website for details about doctoral thesis examinations and regulations.