Business, Ph.D.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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:

To synthesize and integrate current research and literature to problems found in the areas of accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing.
To construct research-based, strategic, effective, and ethical solutions to optimize organizational performance (both domestic and international).
To develop advanced communication, collaboration, research, and critical thinking skills.
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

Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours

BACC 731 - Advanced Managerial Accounting Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 733 - Strategic Marketing: Research and Practice Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 734 - Corporate Finance: Fiscal Management in a Global Climate Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 735 - Comparative Economics Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 737 - Managerial Ethics and Social Responsibility Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 838 - Strategic Thinking, Decision-Making and Innovation Credit(s): 3 hours

Professional Research: 24 Credit Hours

DSRT 734 - Inferential Statistics in Decision-making Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 834 - Advanced Statistical Applications Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 837 - Professional Writing and Proposal Development Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 850 - Qualitative Research Methods Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 736 - Dissertation Seminar Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 839 - Advanced Research Methods Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 930 - Dissertation Credit(s): 3 hours
DSRT 931 - Dissertation Credit(s): 3 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 Speciality Emphasis Area: 24 Credit Hours

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.

Notes:

*Online students will have the opportunity to choose three electives, totaling nine (9) credit hours. Executive students have the option to allocate six (6) credit hours of INTR 799/899 Applied Learning Practicum towards fulfilling their elective requirements.

Strategic Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

BADM 631 - Managing in a Global Environment Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 632 - Advanced Human Resource Management Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 624 - Competitive Strategy Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 625 - Mergers and Acquisitions Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 626 - Management Consulting Credit(s): 3 hours
BADM 645 - Strategic Leadership Credit(s): 3 hours
Students will choose other 600-level business electives Credit(s): 6 hours - For online students.
OR
BADM 692 - Special Projects in Strategic Management Credit(s): 3 hours – For online students.
OR
INTR 799 - Applied Learning Practicum Credit(s): 1 hour - For Executive students.
INTR 899 - Applied Learning Practicum, Dissertation Phase Credit(s): 3 hours For Executive students.

Supply Chain Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

SCM 600 - Supply Chain Management Foundations Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 605 - Supply Chain Management Reporting Systems Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 610 - Supply Chain Management Modeling, Simulation, and Analytics Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 620 - Supply Chain Management Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution Systems Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 635 - Supply Chain Management Quality Assurance and Control Systems Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 640 - Supply Chain Management Sourcing, Procurement, and Contract Administration Credit(s): 3 hours
SCM 625 - Supply Chain Management Inventory, Warehousing, and Forecasting Credit(s): 3 hours *
SCM 615 - Supply Chain Management Operation and Production Technologies Credit(s): 3 hours *
* Executive students can substitute SCM 625 and SCM 615 with six (6) credit hours of INTR 799 /INTR 899 Applied Learning Practicum.

Business, Ph.D.

Course Requirements: 66 Credit Hours

Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours

Professional Research: 24 Credit Hours

Notes:

Content Speciality Emphasis Area: 24 Credit Hours

Accounting Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

Blockchain Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

Business Analytics Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

Entrepreneurship Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

Finance 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

Notes:

Strategic Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours

Supply Chain Management Emphasis: 24 Credit Hours