PhD

Degree Plan

Degree Plan

PhD in Business Administration – Degree Plan
Total Credits: 42 Coursework: 30 (10 courses) Dissertation: 12
Program duration is typically 5 years (4 years for students with a master’s degree).

Study Plan by Year & Semester
Year Semester Courses / Activities
Year 1 Semester 1 Core Method 1 – Common
Core Theory 1 – Track Specific
Specialization Elective 1
Year 1 Semester 2 Core Method 2 – Common
Core Theory 2 – Track Specific
Specialization Elective 2

Milestone: Dissertation Advisor Selection
Year 2 Semester 3 Methods Elective 1
Specialization Elective 3
Free Elective (Non-Track)
Seminar

End of Semester: Comprehensive Exam (1st attempt)
Milestone: Dissertation Committee Selection
Year 2 Semester 4 Methods Elective 2

End of Semester: Comprehensive Exam (2nd attempt)
Year 3 Semester 5 BUS 711 – PhD Pre-Dissertation
Year 3 Semester 6 BUS 712 – PhD Dissertation
Year 4 Semester 7 BUS 712 – PhD Dissertation
Year 4 Semester 8 BUS 712 – PhD Dissertation
Year 3–5 Dissertation Work (Proposal & Defense)
Meeting other graduation requirements (e.g., ISI publication)
Key Notes
• Students with a Master’s degree usually finish in 4 years.
• Teaching one course is optional but recommended after the qualifying exam.
• Exigency option: a student may exit with a Master’s degree if dissertation continuation is not possible (subject to requirements).

Course Details

Click on the link below to expand for information about the courses.

Year 1 – Semester 1

Year 1 – Semester 1
Course # Course Title Credit Hours
BUS 505 Multivariate Data Analysis for Business 3
BUS 506 Research Methods 3
TRACK Core Theory Course 1 3

Year 1 – Semester 2

Year 1 – Semester 2
Course # Course Title Credit Hours
TRACK Core Theory Course 2 3
METHOD Methodology Elective 1 3
THEORY Business Theory Elective 1 3

Year 2 – Semester 3

Year 2 – Semester 3
Course # Course Title Credit Hours
METHOD Methodology Elective 2 3
THEORY Business Theory Elective 2 3
THEORY Business Theory Elective 3 3

Year 2 – Semester 4

Year 2 – Semester 4
Course # Course Title Credit Hours
ELECTIVE Free Elective (KFUPM 500–600 level) 3
SEMINAR PhD Research Seminar (Pass / Fail)

Dissertation Research (Years 3–5)

Dissertation Research (Years 3–4)
Course # Course Title Credit Hours
DISS Dissertation Work 9
Program Credits Summary
Category Courses Credits
Core Courses
Core Methods Courses (Common) 2 6
Core Theory Courses (Track Specific) 2 6
Electives
1 free elective (non track)
2 Methods electives from a curated list
3 Business Theory electives (1 at least from the track; can resolve student deficiency)
6 18
Coursework Total 10 30
Dissertation Proposal 1 3
Dissertation Research 3 9
Overall Total 42
Students must also pass a qualifying (comprehensive) exam, complete a pass/fail research seminar,
and publish at least one ISI-indexed journal article prior to graduation.

Students must fulfill the requirements to be able to enrol in our Phd Program.

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