Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes for Ph.D. in business administration subprograms are included in each department's Doctor of Philosophy section of the Catalog.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in business administration requires a minimum of 72 s.h., including approved transfer credit. The program is flexible, permitting students to choose a specialization area according to their interests. Coursework and related experience enable students to achieve competence in economic theory, statistical methods, and behavioral science as well as expertise in a major and minor study area. Students also have opportunities to develop research and teaching skills.
Ph.D. coursework consists of prerequisites (as necessary), the Ph.D. core, major and minor study areas, and dissertation research, described in brief below. For more detailed information about Ph.D. requirements, contact the individual Tippie College of Business departments or visit their websites.
Core Courses
Core courses develop research competence and provide background for specialized study. Doctoral students consult with their advisors to develop a study plan that reflects the individual student's background and interests and satisfies core requirements.
Major Study Area
At least 12 s.h. of approved doctoral-level courses must be completed in one of the following areas: accounting, finance, human resource management, management information systems, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, or quantitative methods.
Minor Study Area
Students must complete a minimum of 9 s.h. of doctoral-level courses beyond the Ph.D. core course requirements in one of the major study areas listed above or in a concentration outside the Tippie College of Business.
Comprehensive Examinations
Students must satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination, consisting of written or oral parts or both, at the discretion of their major department.
Dissertation
Students must present a dissertation proposal at a forum attended by dissertation committee members and open to interested faculty members and graduate students, as established by the student's major department. Researching and writing the dissertation typically require two years of full-time effort.
Final Examination
Ph.D. candidates defend the dissertation in an oral examination attended by dissertation committee members and open to interested faculty members and graduate students.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program in business administration must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and have their scores sent to the University in order to be considered for admission. The Departments of Business Analytics, Finance, Management and Entrepreneurship, and Marketing accept test scores for either the GRE or GMAT. The Department of Accounting accepts only GMAT scores. Required scores on these tests and their weight in admission decisions vary by department.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or the Duolingo English Test (DET) and have their scores sent to the University of Iowa. An IELTS total score of at least 7.0 with no subscore below 6.0 or a minimum score of at least 105 on the Duolingo English Test satisfies the English language requirement. Applicants who use the IELTS or Duolingo tests are required to take the on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation.
Admission is for fall entry. Completed applications should be submitted as early as possible and no later than the following deadlines.
- Accounting: January 15
- Business Analytics: January 15
- Finance: January 15
- Management and Entrepreneurship: January 15
- Marketing: January 15
Visit Ph.D. Programs on the Tippie College of Business website to learn more.
The Doctor of Philosophy program prepares students for research positions in business and government or for research and teaching positions at academic institutions.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Business Administration, Ph.D.
- Accounting Subprogram
- Business Analytics Subprogram
- Finance Subprogram
- Management Subprogram
- Marketing Subprogram
Accounting Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Teaching Orientation | ||
| Serve as Faculty Teaching Assistant | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7900 | Seminar in Selected Accounting Topics | 3 |
| ECON:5115 | Fundamentals of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON:5805 | Statistics for Economics | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7900 | Seminar in Selected Accounting Topics | 3 |
| ECON:5800 | Econometrics | 3 |
| FIN:7110 | Finance Theory I | 3 |
| Research Design Fundamentals (Experimental Specialization) course b | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Serve as Faculty Teaching Assistant | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7900 | Seminar in Selected Accounting Topics | 3 |
| ECON:5810 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| FIN:7120 | Seminar in Corporate Finance | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 3 |
| ACCT:7900 | Seminar in Selected Accounting Topics | 3 |
| Research Design Fundamentals (Archival Specialization) course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Second Year Research Paper Manuscript and Presentation to Faculty d | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Teach Standalone Course e | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 3 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 6 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 3 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 6 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| Comprehensive Exam f | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 3 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| Dissertation Proposal | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 3 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:7850 | Seminar in Accounting Research | 1 |
| ACCT:7975 | Thesis: Accounting | 1 |
| Final Exam g | ||
| Hours | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Choose from BIOS:5730, STAT:5201, STAT:6513, STAT:6514, STAT:6516, or work with faculty advisor to select an appropriate course.
- c
- Choose from BIOS:5730, FIN:7140, STAT:5201, STAT:6513, STAT:6514, STAT:6516, or work with faculty advisor to select an appropriate course.
- d
- May also complete during third year fall semester.
- e
- May also complete during fourth or fifth year.
- f
- May also complete during third year summer session.
- g
- Dissertation defense.
Business Analytics Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| STAT:4100 or STAT:3100 |
Mathematical Statistics I or Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I |
3 |
| Departmental core course b | 3 | |
| Major area course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major area course c | 3 | |
| Major area course c | 3 | |
| Research methodology course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Qualifying Exam | ||
| Departmental core course b | 3 | |
| Major area course c | 3 | |
| Research methodology course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor area course f | 3 | |
| Minor area course f | 3 | |
| Minor area course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Comprehensive Exam g | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| Interdepartmental core course h | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Dissertation Proposal | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:7975 | Thesis in Business Analytics e | 3 |
| Final Exam i | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Choose an Information Systems course (BAIS:6480 or CS:4440) or an Operations Management/Quantitative Methods course (BAIS:6600 or BAIS:7900); other specialization area courses may be substituted with departmental approval.
- c
- May not include a course taken as part of the departmental core or research methodology requirements; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework in one of the three tracks (Information Systems, Operations Management, Quantitative Methods). Other courses may be added or substituted with departmental approval.
- d
- Work with faculty advisor to select a course from approved list of research methodology courses.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- f
- Courses outside of the department or the Tippie College of Business are often acceptable; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- g
- Comprehensive Exam requires current session enrollment.
- h
- Choose from ECON:5115, ECON:5800, FIN:7120, or MKTG:7850; other courses in these areas many substituted with departmental approval.
- i
- Dissertation defense.
Finance Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| First Year Paper b | ||
| Minor Qualifying Exams b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ECON:5115 | Fundamentals of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON:5805 | Statistics for Economics | 3 |
| FIN:7850 | Seminar in Finance | 1 |
| STAT:4100 | Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON:5800 | Econometrics | 3 |
| FIN:7110 | Finance Theory I | 3 |
| FIN:7850 | Seminar in Finance | 1 |
| STAT:4101 | Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| Writing Workshop | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Second Year Paper c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ECON:5810 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| FIN:7120 | Seminar in Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN:7130 | Finance Theory II | 3 |
| FIN:7850 | Seminar in Finance | 1 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN:7140 | Advanced Empirical Finance | 3 |
| FIN:7850 | Seminar in Finance | 1 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| Comprehensive Exam e | ||
| Writing Workshop | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Third Year Research Paper f | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| FIN:7120 | Seminar in Corporate Finance g | 3 |
| FIN:7130 | Finance Theory II g | 3 |
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 1 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN:7140 | Advanced Empirical Finance g | 3 |
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 3 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Writing Workshop | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Dissertation Proposal h | ||
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Summer | ||
| Writing Workshop | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN:7975 | Thesis in Business | 1 |
| Final Exam i | ||
| Hours | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Completion required by end of first year.
- c
- Completion required by end of second year.
- d
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate elective coursework and sequence.
- e
- Comprehensive Exam requires current session enrollment.
- f
- Completion required by end of third year.
- g
- Students are encouraged to retake or sit in on FIN:7120 Seminar in Corporate Finance, FIN:7130 Finance Theory II, and FIN:7140 Advanced Empirical Finance, as the content of these three courses is refreshed each year.
- h
- May also complete during fifth year fall semester.
- i
- Dissertation defense.
Management Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Mentored Research Presentation to Faculty | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| MGMT:7350 or MGMT:7360 |
Leadership (Ph.D.) b or Motivation and Attitudes (Ph.D.) |
3 |
| MGMT:7700 | Mentored Research | 3 |
| MGMT:7900 | Contemporary Topics in Management and Organizations | 3 |
| Statistics course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT:7140 or MGMT:7160 |
Meta-Analysis in Behavioral Social Sciences (Ph.D.) d or Measurement Theory and Methods in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (Ph.D.) |
3 |
| MGMT:7800 or MGMT:7340 |
Foundations of Human Resource Management d or Group Processes (Ph.D.) |
3 |
| MGMT:7700 | Mentored Research | 3 |
| Statistics course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MGMT:7350 or MGMT:7360 |
Leadership (Ph.D.) b or Motivation and Attitudes (Ph.D.) |
3 |
| MGMT:7700 | Mentored Research | 2 |
| Statistics course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT:7140 or MGMT:7160 |
Meta-Analysis in Behavioral Social Sciences (Ph.D.) d or Measurement Theory and Methods in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (Ph.D.) |
3 |
| MGMT:7340 or MGMT:7800 |
Group Processes (Ph.D.) d or Foundations of Human Resource Management |
3 |
| MGMT:7700 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| Statistics course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| Comprehensive Exam e | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 3 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Third Year Paper and Presentation | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 3 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Dissertation Proposal Defense g | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 8 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT:7975 | Thesis in Management and Organizations | 1 |
| Final Exam h | ||
| Hours | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Courses are typically offered once every two years.
- c
- Refer to department handbook for list of approved courses; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- d
- Courses are typically offered on rotating basis.
- e
- Comprehensive Exam requires current session enrollment.
- f
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate elective coursework.
- g
- Complete in fall or spring of fourth year.
- h
- Dissertation defense.
Marketing Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKTG:7825 or MKTG:7800 |
Problems and Solutions in Behavioral Research c or Seminar in Consumer Behavior - Ph.D. |
3 |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKTG:7850 | Seminar in Marketing Models - Ph.D. | 3 |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Qualifying Exam | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Present First Year Paper | ||
| MKTG:7825 or MKTG:7800 |
Problems and Solutions in Behavioral Research c or Seminar in Consumer Behavior - Ph.D. |
3 |
| Academic track course | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Present Second Year Paper | ||
| MKTG:7850 | Seminar in Marketing Models - Ph.D. | 3 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Comprehensive Exam e | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 3 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 3 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Dissertation Proposal Defense | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer Fellowship | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKTG:7975 | Thesis in Marketing | 3 |
| Final Exam f | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Curriculum will vary based on which academic track students choose: Quantitative Modeling (QM), Consumer Behavior (CB), or Marketing Strategy (MS). All students must meet the 72 semester hour requirement and complete the doctoral seminars and econometrics sequence. Beyond that, the program allows a fair amount of freedom based on research interests. Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- MKTG:7800 is typically offered in fall semesters of odd years only; MKTG:7825 is typically offered in fall semesters of even years only.
- d
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate elective coursework and sequence.
- e
- Comprehensive Exam requires current session enrollment.
- f
- Dissertation defense.