Apr 29, 2025

Catalog 2024-2025

Management, Applied Research Track, PHD

Location(s): Online

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A Research Doctorate for Business Professionals

The Applied Research Track in the PhD in Management is directed toward a practice-based approach to doctoral education, preparing students to conduct research that centers on solving practical problems in business organizations. Graduates are able to use research methodologies, such as action research and case study, to solve a particular problem and develop specific interventions to achieve specified outcomes.

The PhD Management, Applied Research Track program prepares each student to conduct original and significant research through courses in management theory and in research methods and statistics. Students are encouraged to identify a research topic early in their studies so that the research papers throughout the program can focus on this chosen topic.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy in Management, Applied Research Track are required to have in earned MBA or master’s degree in a business-related field or other related discipline, and substantial business-related work experience.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a PhD in Management, Applied Research Track, students must successfully complete all program requirements within the maximum allowed timeframe. A total of 60 credits are required, including the 4-credit Science of Creative Intelligence course required for all graduate students, one Forest Academy course in each semester in which the student is enrolled for 12 weeks or more, 20 credits of core Management courses, and 16 credits of research methods courses. When all core management and research methods are successfully completed, students must also complete one research seminar in management per semester and a minimum of 20 credits in courses to prepare for the Qualifying Examination and the Dissertation in the following courses:

MGT 690 - Preparation For The Qualifying Examination
Prepares students for an exam that tests the student’s ability to critically analyze and integrate knowledge to complete a doctoral dissertation successfully.
MGT 700 - Preparing The Dissertation Proposal
Students work closely with their dissertation committees to determine the composition of the dissertation proposal, write the dissertation proposal, and prepare for the dissertation defense to assure that the plan of researching the proposed research question if complete and holds academic merit.
MGT 701 - Dissertation Research
When a dissertation proposal is accepted by the dissertation committee, the student is advanced to PhD Researcher status. The amount of time required to complete the dissertation varies according to the research project.

A student’s faculty advisory committee may require additional coursework if required by the student’s dissertation research.

PHD in Management, Applied Research Track Requirements

Exploring Consciousness Courses (4 credits)

Complete both courses in the sequence:

FOR 500A - Science Of Creative Intelligence 1 Credits: 2 ¹
FOR 500B - Science Of Creative Intelligence 2 Credits: 2 ¹

Forest Academy Requirement

FOR 246 - Creative Intelligence In Business Credits: 1 ²
Any Forest Academy courses Credits: variable

Total Credits Required 58

¹Each course in the FOR 500 sequence fulfills the Forest Academy requirement for the semester in which the course is completed.

²FOR 246 lfills the Forest Academy requirement for the semester in which the course is completed.

PHD Dissertation, Exam, and Grade Requirements

To graduate with a PhD in Management, Applied Research Track, students must meet the following requirements.

Course Grades

A grade of B (3.00 GPA) or higher in all courses.

Qualifying Examination

This examination assesses the ability of the student to pursue doctoral research. Based on successful completion of this examination, the student is advanced to PhD Candidate status.

Teaching and Research Experience

All doctoral students who have passed their qualifying exams may be asked to help teach courses and/or help as research assistants. These activities give students necessary experience and skills in academic teaching and conducting research necessary in the career path of PhD graduates. Students who have reached PhD Candidate status may be awarded a PhD Assistantship, which entails this teaching or research.

Advanced Coursework

Advanced courses may be prescribed by the dissertation advisor and dissertation committee to ensure that students have comprehensive knowledge of a major field and related subjects. The courses students are required to take will depend upon academic background in relation to their graduate program and area of research interest.

Dissertation Committee

A doctoral student must form a Dissertation Committee of at least four members including the dissertation advisor, a faculty member from the student’s department, a faculty member from another MIU department, and one faculty member from another university or research institution. Dissertation committee membership must be approved by the director of the doctoral program and the Dean of Faculty.

Dissertation Proposal

The student submits the completed dissertation proposal to their Dissertation Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. When the dissertation proposal is accepted, the student advances to PhD Researcher status to prepare an oral defense of the dissertation.

Original Research for a Dissertation

Each doctoral student must conduct original research as the basis for a dissertation that contributes significantly to knowledge. This research is guided by the dissertation advisor and the dissertation committee and requires their approval. All doctoral students must be registered during each block they’re working on their doctoral dissertation, whether they live on or off campus.

Written Dissertation and Abstract

Dissertation guidelines are online at www.library.miu.edu/dissertation-guidelines-for-phd-candidates/ Students should read these guidelines before beginning their dissertations. When writing a dissertation, students work closely with their dissertation advisor. At least four months before students plan to graduate, they should have the first version of their dissertation thoroughly checked by their dissertation advisor.

Once the dissertation advisor has approved the dissertation, the student may submit the document to the other members of their dissertation committee. The committee members will review the document and give their comments within two weeks. After incorporating all comments, the student will send updated copies of the manuscript to all committee members at least two weeks before the dissertation defense.

Oral Defense of the Dissertation

The PhD researcher must successfully complete an oral defense of the dissertation. The oral examination in defense of the dissertation is conducted and evaluated by the dissertation committee (supplemented by additional appointed faculty members, at the discretion of the Dean of the Graduate School). The examination is scheduled for a date not earlier than two weeks after the dissertation and abstract have been submitted to the dissertation advisor and dissertation committee. The student must be registered during the block in which the final oral examination is taken.

Publishing the Dissertation

When the dissertation committee has reviewed and approved the dissertation and the student has passed the dissertation defense, the student incorporates any further recommended changes and corrections before submitting the dissertation to the MIU Library. To aid in completing the final dissertation, students present an electronic copy of their dissertations one month before graduation to the MIU Library Director (even if the dissertation is not complete). The Library Director will give the student feedback on formatting the dissertation. One week before graduation, the student must give the Library Director a final printed copy of the dissertation and two copies of the abstract. Everything needs to be complete at this time.

All doctoral dissertations submitted to the Graduate School will be published. MIU subscribes to a service offered by Proquest ETD Administrator. Information about the publication procedures and fees may be obtained from the MIU Proquest ETD administrator website and from the MIU Library Director. Two copies of the dissertation will be placed in the MIU Library and will be available for interlibrary loan. The abstract will be published in Dissertation Abstracts, which announces the availability of the dissertation.