The Degree of PhD (Business) [Graduate]

Entrance Requirements

The program seeks prospective candidates with an excellent scholastic record and a strong interest in research related to their chosen field of business studies. Potential students must have at least a bachelor’s degree, which may be from any undergraduate program. Applications are evaluated by an admissions committee on the basis of academic potential as evidenced through past grades, the GMAT, letters of recommendation, and a well-written statement of purpose. There are no fixed cutoff levels for consideration (beyond the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research minimum admission requirement) but as a guideline, past entrants have scored at least in the ninetieth percentile of the GMAT (or the equivalent on the GRE) and achieved a 3.5 grade-point average (on the 4-point letter grading system). International students must demonstrate English Language proficiency on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS), prior to admission. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), or 88 (internet-based), or a minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 5 on each test band on the IELTS, is required. There is no additional language requirement.

Program Requirements

The Business PhD program is a research-oriented program which emphasizes knowledge of a major field of business studies, a cognate area, and strong analytical skills. The distinctive feature of business PhD programs, in general, is the concomitant study of related disciplines found in the University, as well as the study of functional fields of business. The program offered by the Faculty of Business at the University of Alberta consists of a major field of study chosen from accounting, finance, operations and information systems, marketing, and strategic management and organization. In addition, two minors are selected from disciplines which underlie the major field, and/or from functional areas of business which are complementary to the chosen major field.

There are two basic stages in the program. They are the completion of coursework and comprehensive examinations, and candidacy (for thesis completion).

All students in the Business PhD program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program.

The minimum period of residence is normally two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Financial Information

The Faculty of Business normally offers funding for up to four years (in exceptional cases for five years) made up of several kinds of support. Also, assistance with tuition is available for the strongest candidates. A number of attractive fellowships are available (see Graduate Financial Aid  section of this Calendar).

Length of Program

The program is normally full-time; candidates are expected to need two years of full-time study to complete the required coursework and comprehensive exams and, normally at least two years to complete the PhD thesis.