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Supply Chain Management, PhD

Supply Chain Management, PhD

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Supply Chain Management, PhD

Business, economics, urban

Program description
Degree awarded: PHD  Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)

Supply chain management incorporates the core areas of logistics management, operations management and supply management.

The PhD in business administration with a concentration in supply chain management is a full-time residential program for students whose career goals are full-time university research and teaching. The curriculum guides students in conducting high-quality research and teaching at the university level.

Students are trained to develop the capability to recognize problems related to supply chain management and frame these problems into research questions, which are then addressed in a scholarly way, and they are required to review, analyze, conduct and publish research. They are prepared to do this through a series of doctoral seminars and research methods courses and by participating in active research projects. Students also develop their teaching skills through assignments as teaching assistants or instructors. Teaching assignments typically take place during the last two years of the program.

This program is designed to be completed within five years.

At a glance

Degree requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

The doctoral program requires the completion of coursework, the completion of academic papers for submission to journals, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation. The program is generally viewed as a five-year process. Most students serve in research assistantships for all five years. During the program, students are expected to actively participate in required courses as well as in seminars and presentations from colleagues, department faculty and visiting scholars.

Students also have the opportunity to teach courses during their doctoral program. Teaching assistantships typically are made available during the last two years of the program. This allows doctoral degree students to get research projects and manuscripts into the multiyear pipeline typical of accepted research articles. Through areas of excellence, centers and the faculty, the supply chain management program has special opportunities for industry-based research projects.

Coursework
The program consists of a minimum of 84 credit hours of approved graduate coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. The department requires doctoral students to take 48 credit hours of graduate coursework in residence at ASU during their first two years. The specific classes must be approved by faculty members in the students' areas of excellence. Students are also required to take 12 hours of research and 12 hours of dissertation credit. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be transferred from previous graduate coursework. Moreover, students' plans of study must be approved in advance by their program chair.

Academic Papers
Students are expected to work on academic papers for submission to journals during their doctoral program. Summer months are intended for manuscript writing for those students who have yet to successfully defend their dissertation proposals. At the end of each summer, all doctoral students are required to have at least one new manuscript ready for submission to a journal for publication. Faculty in the areas of excellence supervise manuscript planning and writing. The bulk of the writing is done during the summer by the students. Faculty in the students' areas of excellence evaluate the papers and provide detailed feedback and instructions for rewriting of papers.

Comprehensive Examinations
Upon completion of all necessary coursework on a student's approved plan of study, the academic unit may initiate the scheduling and administering of a student's comprehensive examinations. The comprehensive examinations consist of a minimum of a written exam, and an oral exam also may be required at the discretion of the academic unit.

Candidacy
Doctoral students are notified of achieving candidacy status when they receive a letter from the dean of the Graduate College upon passing the comprehensive examinations and successfully defending the dissertation prospectus.

Dissertation Requirements
Students are required to present a dissertation to satisfy the research requirement for the doctorate. The dissertation is defended in an oral examination commonly known as the dissertation defense.

Students must be enrolled for at least one credit hour that appears on the plan of study or one hour of appropriate graduate-level credit, such as 795 Continuing Registration, during the semester (including a summer session) in which the student defends the dissertation.

For detailed information regarding the university's doctoral degree requirements, students should refer to the Graduate College policies and procedures.

Maximum Time Limit
Doctoral students must complete all program requirements within 10 consecutive years.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. GMAT or GRE scores
  4. prior academic performance records
  5. letters of recommendation
  6. a personal statement
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.

Applications are initially reviewed by a faculty committee using a portfolio approach. Materials are reviewed to ensure a good fit between students' goals and research interests and those of the department. Recommendations for action are then made to ASU Admission Services, which admits each applicant or denies their admission and notifies them in writing.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person 01/15Final
Career opportunities

Graduates of the doctoral program in business administration at one of the largest public universities in the U.S. have learned from thought leaders in their respective fields and benefitted from the university's tremendous resources. These graduates are fully prepared for careers in research and academia.

Careers opportunities include:

  • assistant professor
  • professor
  • researcher
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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