Business Administration PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

The Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in 51��’s prepares doctoral students to advance their fields through innovative research and teaching. This rigorous full-time program trains students to tackle some of the most complex problems facing the contemporary business world.

This heavily research-focused program is designed for advanced scholars who want to

build their research portfolios;
expand their ideas using data-driven theories and approaches; and
position themselves to become business educators.

The comprehensive curriculum of the Business Administration PhD, along with its multiple concentrations, promote interdisciplinary study. PhD faculty partner with students to pursue cutting-edge research that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Small class sizes allow you to work in a close-knit collaborative environment with other students as well as the school’s outstanding research faculty. Fox’s unique culture of mentorship provides students with both academic support and personalized professional guidance.��Fox’s relationship with large corporations and local small businesses will also allow you to learn from and network with leading industry experts.

Advanced research centers and institutes provide the resources, current data and industry connections to support doctoral student success.��Outside the classroom, you will have ample opportunity to present your research at regional, national and international conferences. Learn more about research for PhD student at Fox.��

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Choosing Between the PhD and DBA

The Business Administration PhD differs from Fox’s Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program in several key ways.

The PhD program is targeted toward those interested in pursuing research- and scholarship-focused careers in academia. PhD students focus on broad, theoretical issues and questions relating to business.
The DBA is an executive program designed for working professionals with extensive managerial experience—usually 10 to 15 years—who are looking to transform their business. DBA students investigate applied research problems, and their work usually addresses issues within their current professional organization.

Learn more about the Executive DBA program at Fox.

Preparing for the PhD

The is designed for students who want to prepare for study in a PhD program. Students gain comprehensive training in core business theories, research methods and advanced statistical analyses. Coursework can be customized to support your professional goals and facilitate individual research projects. Graduates can apply for PhD programs and pursue research and scholarship at the doctoral level.��

The Master of Science in Business Research can be completed on a part- or full-time basis and students have up to six years to complete the program. Classes take place on 51��’s Main Campus. Course and curriculum information for the Business Research Master of Science will be added as soon as the 51�� Bulletin for this degree program is available. For questions regarding the program's curriculum, please email [click-for-email].

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

Strategic Management
Build advanced knowledge of business management, entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy. Conduct comprehensive research on topics ranging from inter-organizational relationships to technological innovations. Prepare to continue your research fulltime at a major university.
Tourism and Sport
Concentrate your work and research on three primary areas: economics and asset management, marketing and social engagement, and strategic management and experience design. Graduates advance to faculty positions at universities offering degrees in hospitality, recreation, sport and tourism.
Interdisciplinary Study
Develop in-depth knowledge spanning multiple functional areas of business. Faculty members specialize in accounting, finance, international business, information systems, marketing, neuroscience, statistics, and strategic management. Stay ahead of the competition in today’s rapidly evolving technological environment by adopting a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.
International Business Administration
Understand the wide-ranging challenges for businesses operating on a global scale. Combined with a functional business minor, the PhD concentration in International Business emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to research within national and international universities.
Accounting
Pursue advanced research and scholarship opportunities with a PhD concentration in Accounting. Earn faculty appointments in Accounting and related departments at top-tier research universities.
Marketing
Make use of cross-disciplinary methods from economics, neuroscience, psychology and sociology to produce innovative marketing research. A PhD concentration in Marketing prepares you to pursue highly competitive research positions at top universities.
Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior
Explore a range of complex human resource and organizational issues—from leadership tactics and workplace anger to organizational justice staffing. Collaborate with faculty mentors on joint research and publications.
Management Information Systems
Advance your knowledge of the design, use, and effects of information technology with the PhD concentration in Management Information Systems. Prepare to take on high-impact research projects at leading academic institutions.
Finance
Gain expertise in areas of asset pricing, banking and corporate finance with the PhD in Finance. Co-author articles and research studies with faculty mentors while preparing for an academic career at a major research university.
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Develop your theoretical and empirical expertise in the tenets of operations and supply chain services. Explore a wide range of topical issues such as how to maximize customer value, oversee daily operations and long-term strategic plans, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The research-based curriculum is specifically tailored to prepare students for academic careers in operations-related departments and major research universities.
Risk Management and Insurance
Develop and employ research methodologies around economics and finance. Conduct studies on an array of topics central to financial risk and insurance, while preparing for positions at leading research institutions.

Classes & Curriculum

Required courses will vary depending on your chosen concentration, but listed below is a selection of courses available to students pursuing a PhD in Business Administration.

Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovation
Information Technology Perspectives
Law and Ethics in Business
Managing People and Organizations
Managing Risk
Socioeconomic Context of Business

In addition to traditional courses, students will also complete immersive field experience credits, providing real-world context to inform their research.

Learn more about Business Administration PhD courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51��’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,000.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,250.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Our Advisors

The Fox School of Business formally encourages a culture of mentoring in which faculty and students collaborate on joint research and projects. Both formal and informal, this mentoring provides support for PhD students as they adapt to the rigors of academic life and successful scholarship.

Program Contact

Jessica Hallstrom is the program contact for the Business Administration PhD.
Phone: 215-204-7038
Email:��[click-for-email]

Student Clubs & Organizations

Joining student clubs and organizations is a great way to meet like-minded students; connect with local, national and international businesses; and enhance the skills you use in your professional career. Fox offers more than 30 student professional organizations. Supplement your academic experience by participating in a club related to your major or interests.

The following clubs and organizations are available to students in Fox.

The Fox Graduate Student Association connects students and alumni with the greater Fox community, providing professional development, networking and volunteer opportunities for graduate students.
The mission of is to grow and strengthen a network of leaders who use the power of business to make a positive economic, environmental and social impact. It brings together students seeking to network and to use the power of business to create a better world.
The brings together students from all over the world to learn about foreign business and the global economy, and offers an array of professional development opportunities.
invites students to practice their communication, presentation and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment.
Those with dreams of starting their own business may be interested in the , which aims to support, inspire and encourage students to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. The association is open to students of all majors.

Global Immersions

Fox graduate students can participate in Global Immersions.��They are destination-focused learning experiences that allow graduate students to engage with a different country's culture, language and business practices.��

Global Immersions expose students to

comparative business environments,
global business in emerging markets,
global companies working to solve crucial problems,
intensive and diverse learning experiences, and
international innovation and entrepreneurship.

Previous destinations include China, India, Latin America and South Africa. Recent participating companies include Black and Decker, BMW, Deloitte, Microsoft and SanDisk. .

51�� also offers interested students a variety of options for pursuing internship, teaching and volunteer opportunities abroad through the Center for International Business and Research. .

Accreditation

The Fox School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (). The school has maintained AACSB accreditation since 1934.

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