2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Business, Ph.D.


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The PhD in Business at University of the Cumberlands is designed to be a research doctorate for those wishing to teach and research in higher education. The Ph.D. in Business enables students to develop advanced levels of competency in conducting applied research and in the comprehension of theoretical and applied literature in the discipline.

Program Goals:

The program consists of four components: 1) Core courses; 2) Specialization courses; 3) Research courses; and 4) the Dissertation. Through this course structure, the PhD in Business seeks to prepare candidates:

  1. To synthesize and integrate current research and literature to problems found in the areas of accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing.
  2. To construct research-based, strategic, effective, and ethical solutions to optimize organizational performance (both domestic and international).
  3. To develop advanced communication, collaboration, research, and critical thinking skills.
  4. To execute rigorous research and present scholarly work that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and provides linkages to practical business applications.

Students can earn the PhD in Business in either a fully online format or an executive format combining online and on-site study. The Executive format program requires attendance at weekend residency classes. Further, the Executive PhD in Business Program meets the needs of international graduate business students. This program provides both in-seat and online coursework. Graduate students joining the Executive PhD in Business program will be employed or conduct projects in business-related positions and participate in Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their program to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Professional Sensitivity:

While the program’s schedule requires considerable independent learning and preparation on the part of the candidate prior to each session, the schedule nevertheless enables in-depth, active learning based on critical and reflective thinking. The format allows assignments to be handled comfortably, while candidates maintain their continuing professional responsibilities. The program is designed with an applied learning component that is an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. This allows students the opportunity to apply their studies to their place of employment.

Professional Application:

For executive format students, the applied learning component (internship/practicum) is established as an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.

Course Requirements: 66 Credit Hours


Notes:


If the dissertation is not completed at the end of DSRT 931 , the candidate repeats DSRT 931  as needed, for three (3) credit hours each term, until the dissertation is completed and successfully defended.

Content Emphasis Courses- 24 Credit Hours Required


Content Emphasis courses may not be populated exclusively by doctoral students. However, doctoral students taking these courses will engage in learning activities beyond those expected of masters-level students. These learning activities are detailed on course syllabi. Other courses, including courses offered for transfer credit, may be certified by the Registrar as doctoral-level Content Emphasis courses if documentation of the learning experiences noted above can be offered through the syllabus, a portfolio of student work, or a detailed statement by the course professor.

Content Emphasis Areas


Twenty-four (24) hours are earned in courses in one of the following business-related disciplines. Classes available include but are not limited to those listed below.

Accounting Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Blockchain Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Entrepreneurship Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Healthcare Administration Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Marketing Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Project Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Public Administration Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


Strategic Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours


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