A leader in non-traditional doctoral education, the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Ph.D) program at Kennesaw State University is an innovative program offered by an AACSB-accredited business school. Enrolling in this innovative program will allow you to advance your goal of obtaining an academic position at an AACSB-accredited university, all while still maintaining your full-time job. With more than 100 alumni, the program’s impact on academe and the business community is far-reaching and will provide you with the opportunity to develop and strengthen your network. Our alumni have an established record of publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed academic journals, thus demonstrating the quality of research conducted by our alumni.
KSU’s Ph.D. in Business Administration Program is intended for two types of doctoral students:
Experienced business professionals who wish to strengthen their academic credentials.
Ph.D. Concentrations
The Ph.D. in Business Administration Program is designed around intensive weekend residencies, so you can successfully attend while continuing with your current line of employment. Our concentrations allow you to focus on a specific area of business:
Program Format: One Weekend a Month In-Person Residency
Number of Credits Hours: 48 Minimum Hours
Entry Terms: Fall
Time to Complete: Three-to-Five-year Program
Application Deadlines:
The four-step application process is designed to determine if applicants have the skills and interests necessary to succeed the program. Admission decisions for each step are made only after receipt of required documents for that step. The program receives a extensive number of applications every year for each of the concentrations. Depending on the number of students enrolled in each concentration and discipline courses offered, certain concentrations will either admit students every year or every other year. Please see below for specific information pertaining to the concentrations before applying to the program.
STEP 1 | INITIAL REQUIREMENTS
ATTEND INFORMATION SESSION
We strongly encourage you to attend an information session before applying to the PhD in Business Administration Program.
COMPLETE APPLICATION - $100 fee
Do not use the Recommenders options on the application page. We require traditional business letters on the author's letterhead submitted electronically through email.
Note: Neither the GMAT nor the GRE is required; you should skip this question on the application.
SUBMIT RESUME
Your resume should document your professional experience.
You will have the option to attach your resume and cover letter to your electronic application. Or, you may submit an electronic copy only to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu. Please do not mail your resume or cover letter.
REQUEST ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS
Applicants to the PhD in Business Administration Program should have a master's degree, preferably in business or a related topic from an appropriately accredited institution; however, the graduate degrees in business from AACSB accredited business schools are strongly preferred. Degrees from schools with EQUIS or AMBA accreditation will also be considered.
Request that official transcripts from each institution attended (of all previous college work) be sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu or sent directly in a sealed envelope to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office at ONE of the following addresses:
Mailing Address (use for ALL U.S. POST OFFICE mail, including U.S. Express Mail)
Kennesaw State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
1000 Chastain Road, #9109
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591
Delivery Address (use for other delivery means such as FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Kennesaw State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
3391 Town Point Drive, Suite 1800
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144.5591
470-578-4377 (include phone number)
SUBMIT STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Your Personal and Professional Statement of Interest should be 2-3 pages in length and should discuss the following:
Submit electronic copy of your Personal and Professional Statement of Interest in the PhD in Business Administration Program to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.
The Program will not accept a paper submission. The subject line should include PhD in Business Administration, Your Name, Personal and Professional Statement of Interest.
REQUEST TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation should be requested from professionals in academe or industry who can comment on the following:
Letters of Recommendation - The letters should be on the author's letterhead. Enter the contact information for your recommenders on the application. An online form will be emailed for electronic submission. Please do not mail your letters. If you need assistance, please email to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.
The Admission Committee will review all documents listed above, and, if successful, you will be invited by email to proceed to STEP 2. If you are not qualified to proceed to STEP 2, you will be notified as well.
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STEP 2 | RESEARCH WORKSHOP & RESEARCH INTEREST OVERVIEW
ATTEND RESEARCH WORKSHOP
(by Invitation Only - $100 fee)
Qualified applicants will be invited by email to attend a one-day research interest workshop at the KSU Center.
This is an important opportunity for you to meet other prospective students, learn more about the opportunity and challenges of doctoral level research, and begin preparation of your research interest overview.
SUBMIT RESEARCH INTEREST OVERVIEW
Attendance in the workshop is required, and your Research Interest Overview will be a key factor in the admission decision.
After completing the workshop, you will prepare a 12-15 page Research Interest Overview (RIO). This overview is the most critical component of your application. Submit an electronic copy of your paper to ksuphd@kennesaw.edu. The subject line should include your last name, your first name - Research Interest Overview. Please do not mail a hard copy.
The Admission Committee will review the Research Interest Overviews using a double blind procedure. If successful, you will be invited by email to proceed to STEP 3. If you are not qualified to proceed to STEP 3, you will be notified as well.
STEP 3 | INTERVIEW
(by Invitation Only)
Complete an interview with the PhD Directors and two or more faculty members.
The Admission Committee will evaluate your interview, and, if successful, you will be invited by email within 14 days to proceed to STEP 4. If you are not qualified to proceed to STEP 4, you will be notified as well.
STEP 4 | OFFER & COMMITMENT
Because of class size limitations, not all successful candidates will be selected. Some may be asked to reconsider the Program in a subsequent year.
Once the offer is made, candidates have two weeks to accept and pay a non-refundable deposit.
Classes begin in August. Orientation will be 1 day prior to the start of class.
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Linda Rowlette
Senior Graduate Admissions Counselor, PhD in Business Administration Program
Email: ksuphd@kennesaw.edu
Phone: 470-578-4798
Kennesaw State University
PhD in Business Administration Program Office
Coles College of Business
3333 Busbee Drive
North Entrance, Suite 431
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: 470-578-4798
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