Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

The Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Temple University’s Fox School of Business 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 Business Research Master of Science program 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 Temple’s Main Campus. Course and curriculum information for the Business Research Master of Science will be added as soon as the Temple University Bulletin for this degree program is available. For questions regarding the program's curriculum, please email foxphd@temple.edu.

Concentrations

The Fox PhD in Business Administration offers students the opportunity to focus on one of the following eleven concentrations.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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Tuition & Fees

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

Tuition rates 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 2024–2025 academic year.

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

You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

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