A master's degree in Management Information Systems or Computer Science is required. An alternative is the completion of specific prerequisite courses.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your specific interest in Temple's program; your reasons and motivation for applying for a Ph.D. program in Business Administration; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GMAT is required, with a minimum score of 600.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 100 iBT or 600 PBT.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 36, including five core business and methods courses, four MIS concentration courses, and three electives, as well as 0-4 prerequisites based upon experience

Required Courses:

BA 9001: Organizations and Management Theory

BA 9002: Scientific Inquiry–Management Research

ECON 5001: Managerial Economics

MIS 784: Qualitative and Interpretive Methods in Information Systems

MIS 785: Information Systems Foundations and Theory

MIS 786: Contemporary Topics and Research Approaches in Information Systems

MIS 787: Advanced Research Methods/Topics in Information Systems

STAT 8003: Statistical Methods I

STAT 8004: Statistical Methods II

3 Electives

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Summer Research Paper

Statistics Competency Examination:

An assessment of proficiency in statistical theory and methodology is made at the end of the first year in the program. The examination is offered in June. Students who fail the Statistics Competency Examination on the first attempt must sit for reexamination prior to the Fall semester of their second year. A second failure results in dismissal from the University. No third attempt is allowed.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination:

The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of current research. The subject areas are determined, in advance, by the faculty of the department. The preliminary exam should be completed no more than one semester after the student completes the coursework component of the program.

The members of the student's department write the questions for the preliminary exam. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated by the Department Committee. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas; a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; and an ability to write technical prose. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed.

Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor.

Proposal:

The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after completing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process will be established.

Dissertation:

The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standard of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

The Doctoral Advisory Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the student's department. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of her/his academic progress.

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense, including the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Dissertation Examining Committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least one additional faculty member from outside the department.

If any member decides to withdraw from the committee, the student shall notify the Chair of the Dissertation Examining Committee and the Director of the PHDBA program. The student is responsible for finding a replacement, in consultation with the Chair. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case, the student may petition the Director of the PHDBA program for a review. Once review of the facts and circumstances is completed, the Director will rule on the student's progress. If the Director rules that the student is not capable of completing the dissertation, s/he will be dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to SBM's Senior Associate Dean. If dismissed, the student may appeal to the Graduate School.

Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Examining Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary arranges the time, date, and room within two working days, and forwards to the student the appropriate forms. After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department posts flyers announcing the defense, and the Graduate School announces the defense on its website.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

http://community.mis.temple.edu

Department Information:

Dept. of Management Information Systems

Fox School of Business and Management
210 Speakman Hall
1810 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

mis@sbm.temple.edu
215-204-5617

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Marlene Bell
Administrative Coordinator
mis@sbm.temple.edu
215-204-5617

Graduate Chairperson:

Dr. Munir Mandviwalla
mandviwa@temple.edu
215-204-5617

About the Program

The Ph.D. program in Business Administration prepares the student for advanced research and scholarship. The primary emphasis of our program is to prepare future faculty members for successful academic careers, although many of our alumni are employed in government, industry, and consulting.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.

Department Information:

Dept. of Management Information Systems

Fox School of Business and Management
210 Speakman Hall
1810 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

mis@sbm.temple.edu
215-204-5617

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Temple University has been rated as 71st in the nation for faculty research in the area of business. This ranking was developed based on a study of more than 700 accredited M.B.A. programs nationwide. The rankings were published in the Academy of Management Journal. Additionally, the Fox School of Business and Management has been ranked 14th by Computerworld for our technology programs and holds a specialty ranking of 26th in the nation for its healthcare management programs.

Accreditation:

All Fox School of Business and Management graduate programs are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Areas of Specialization:

The primary focus of the MIS faculty is on research in the following areas of E-Business and E-Commerce: Computer Support of Communication, Collaboration, and Group Learning; Data Warehousing and Visualization; Innovation and Diffusion and Electronic Scholarship; IS Development and Use; IS Strategy, Planning, and Sourcing; Theoretical and Methodological Foundations of IS Research; and Virtual Communities and Knowledge Management.

Job Placement:

The program prepares individuals for academic and corporate research careers.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are not permitted to take doctoral courses.

Financing Opportunities

Assistantships are the centerpiece of the program's mentorship philosophy. They require 20 hours of service per week, which can include teaching and supervised research. An assistantship provides a stipend and tuition remission.