International Business Ph.D. Program and Curriculum

Program Overview

Academic Achievement

The objective of the Ph.D. program is to prepare students for academic careers at major research universities. It is expected that our graduating students will have:

1. One or more journal publications in top-tier academic journals
2. Multiple presentations at major academic conferences.
3. Won awards for best dissertations and best papers at professional conferences, and
4. Developed effective personal networks with scholars from around the world.

Coursework

Students are required to complete core course requirements, and develop a study plan in consultation with their advisory committee. Students should complete coursework during the first two years of the program.

Summer Paper

Each student is required to write a summer research paper during their first summer in the program. The summer paper must be approved and accepted by IB Department core faculty and the GWSB Doctoral Committee, by the end of the second year. It is expected that this summer research will result in a paper that is accepted for publication in an ABS4 or ABS3 journal by the end of the fourth year of the program (continued fellowship is contingent on this result).

Second Year Comprehensive Field Exam

Performance on the major field exam is an important indicator of a student’s capacity for successful completion of the degree. Proficiency in the major field is determined by a written exam. To maintain normal progress, this exam should be taken at the end of a student’s second year. (And this exam must be passed by the end of the spring quarter of the student’s third year or the student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.) This exam will be administered and graded by a committee of three faculty members (who have taught the student a Ph.D. seminar within the student’s chosen focus.)

Annual Review

Student performance is reviewed at the end of each year. The review evaluates student promise and progress, looking at course grades, written and oral capabilities, capacity for intellectual contribution, participation in the academic life of the school, and research productivity and progress. This review will include a recommendation to the Associate Dean whether the student should continue in the program and areas for improvement where needed.

All doctoral students are required to attend the IB research seminar series.

Graduating Timeline

The dissertation defense must be completed in five years. In extenuating circumstances, extensions not to exceed two years may be granted by the Associate Dean in consultation with the Dissertation Committee.

Unsatisfactory Performance

Students will be withdrawn from the program if they do not meet the following performance expectations. All course work must be completed (with satisfactory grades) by the end of the second year, the summer paper must be approved by the end of the second year, and the comprehensive exam must be passed before the start of the third year. In extenuating circumstances the Doctoral Committee, on the recommendation of the department, may grant extensions of up to but not exceeding one year, for the timelines above. Engagement in research activities of the department, and progress toward proposal and the dissertation, are critical from year three onwards.

The Curriculum

The Ph.D. program consists of a minimum of 45 credits. This must include four doctoral seminars from the IB Department, one doctoral level seminar from outside the IB Department, and at least four courses in research methods and quantitative analysis. Each student designs his or her own coursework through choices on methods and electives (see below for possible electives).

Possible Elective Courses