Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

Advanced Research Proficiency:

• • Master advanced qualitative and quantitative research techniques applicable to complex business problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct exhaustive literature reviews, formulate robust research questions, and develop rigorous research designs.
  • Expertly execute data analysis and interpretation plans for scholarly publication.

Theoretical Mastery:

• • Acquire deep, specialized knowledge in one of the five core majors: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, or MIS.
  • Apply advanced theoretical frameworks to analyze managerial and organizational contexts.

Original Intellectual Contribution:

• • • Successfully integrate and contribute new knowledge to their chosen domain through a doctoral dissertation.
    • Develop the ability to identify gaps in existing scholarly work and propose innovative solutions or models.

Academic & Professional Leadership:

• • Prepare for high-level teaching responsibilities in higher education institutions.
  • Gain the credentials needed to serve as thought leaders, consultants, or specialized cadres in the public and private sectors within the Kingdom. 

Prior Degree: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related discipline from an accredited university.

GPA Standards:

• General requirement of at least a “Very Good” standing (typically 3.75/5.0 or 3.0/4.0).
• Specific tracks may require a higher GPA (e.g., up to 4.5/5.0 for some administrative disciplines).

Major Specifics: For specialized PhD tracks (e.g., Accounting), both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in that specific field are often required.

English Proficiency:

• • TOEFL-iBT: Minimum score of 61.
  • IELTS: Minimum score of 6.0.
  • STEP: Minimum score of 85.
  • Note: Waivers may be granted if the Master’s degree was obtained from an English-speaking country like the US, UK, or Canada.
• GMAT/GRE: A GMAT score is typically required; competitive programs may look for scores around the 80th percentile or specific department-set thresholds.
• GAT: Some tracks require a minimum score of 70% to 80% on the General Aptitude Test (GAT) for university students.

Research Proposal: A well-defined proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and expected contributions.

Recommendations: Two official letters of recommendation from professors who have previously taught the applicant.

Statement of Purpose: A document detailing the applicant’s academic background and research goals.

CV: A current curriculum vitae, ideally including evidence of recent publications or patents.

First Year – First Semester

RESR701 – Advanced Research Methods – 3 Credit Hours
STAT701 – Applied Statistical Analysis – 3 Credit Hours
SPEC701 – Specialization Course I – 3 Credit Hours

First Year – Second Semester

RESR702 – Quantitative & Qualitative Research – 3 Credit Hours
STAT702 – Multivariate Data Analysis – 3 Credit Hours
SPEC702 – Specialization Course II – 3 Credit Hours

Second Year – First Semester

SPEC703 – Specialization Course III – 3 Credit Hours
SPEC704 – Specialization Course IV – 3 Credit Hours
ELEC701 – Elective/Supporting Course I – 3 Credit Hours

Second Year – Second Semester

SPEC705 – Specialization Course V – 3 Credit Hours
ELEC702 – Elective/Supporting Course II – 3 Credit Hours
DISS701 – Doctoral Dissertation I – 3 Credit Hours

Third Year – First Semester

DISS702 – Doctoral Dissertation II – 3 Credit Hours
DISS703 – Doctoral Dissertation III – 3 Credit Hours

Third Year – Second Semester

DISS704 – Doctoral Dissertation IV – 3 Credit Hours
DISS705 – Doctoral Dissertation V – 3 Credit Hours

Notes on the Program Structure:

• Total Units: 49 Credit Hours (16 Compulsory + 15 Major + 6 Elective/Supporting + 12 Dissertation)

• Specialization Tracks: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Management Information Systems (MIS)

• Prerequisite Courses: Up to 15 units if required before starting PhD coursework

• Comprehensive Exam: Two-part assessment (written & oral) in the specialization field

• Program Duration: Typically 4–6 semesters of coursework; total research may take 3–6 years

• Grading Requirement: Minimum “Very Good” grade in all coursework