Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 54

Required Courses:

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
BA 9801 Understanding the Firm through Management and Organizational Theory 3
BA 9802 Scientific Inquiry through Applied Research 3
BA 9813 Problem Solving using Quantitative Research Methods 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
BA 9806 Integrative Perspectives on Business Knowledge 3
BA 9815 Problem Solving using Qualitative Research Methods 3
Select one of the following: 3
BA 9803
Navigating the Global Marketplace
BA 9890
Special Topics in Business Research
 Credit Hours9
Summer
BA 9683 Research Project I 3
 Credit Hours3
Year 2
Fall
BA 9783 Research Project II 3
BA 9814 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods 3
Select one of the following: 3
BA 9817
Applied Qualitative Methods
BA 9890
Special Topics in Business Research
 Credit Hours9
Spring
BA 9816 Creation and Dissemination of Business Knowledge 3
BA 9883 Research Project III 3
Select one of the following: 3
BA 9812
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the New Economy
BA 9890
Special Topics in Business Research
 Credit Hours9
Summer
BA 9994 Preliminary Examination Preparation 3
 Credit Hours3
Year 3
Fall
BA 9998 Pre-Dissertation Research 6
 Credit Hours6
Spring
BA 9999 Dissertation Research 6
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours54

Culminating Events:
Proposal:
The doctoral dissertation is an original investigation that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing body of knowledge and demonstrate the student's own knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of their primary area of interest. In consultation with the committee chair, the proposal should include a statement of the general research problem and motivation for the research; the questions or hypotheses to be investigated; the relevance of the problem to business theory and practice; a review of relevant literature; an outline of the dissertation; a detailed description of the methodology to be used; and expected contributions and practical implications. Executive DBA students should defend their dissertation proposal defense in the Fall of their third year.

Dissertation:
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense, including the student's ability to express verbally their research question, methodological approach, primary findings and implications. The Dissertation Examining Committee votes to pass, conditionally pass, or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation based on whether the requirements laid out in the dissertation proposal and agree upon by the committee and the student have been successfully met.

Executive DBA students should defend their dissertation in the Spring of their third year. Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Examining Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date and room for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within "University Forms," at least 10 days before the defense. The department publicly announces the defense, and the Graduate School announces the defense on its website.