The Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers the PhD degree in which students can focus on one of the following research areas: Retail and Consumer Sciences and Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism. Our PhD program prepares students to become leaders in academic and executive research fields. The program offers advanced doctoral courses and exceptional experiences for students to achieve teaching excellence and gain an in-depth knowledge of key theories, source relevant literature information, employ appropriate research methods and apply them when conducting research. More information on the PhD program can be found on the RHTM webpage.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

Admission to the PhD program is decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration an applicant’s Graduate Application for Admission file, undergraduate record, performance on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) (required), three Graduate Rating Forms completed by individuals who can attest to the graduate education, and adequate academic and/or industry backgrounds in the desired specialization (i.e., Retail and Consumer Sciences, Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism).

Academic Standards

Evaluation of student progress occurs prior to enrollment and during the second semester of full-time enrollment in the program. The graduate committee reviews the student’s performance each semester with consideration given to factors such as GPA (minimum 3.0), portfolio evaluation, and demonstrated research capability. If progress or performance is deemed insufficient to meet our standard, the graduate committee may recommend probation with specific goals set for a specified time or termination.

Credit Hours Required

65 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• RHTM 600 (24 credit hours)
• Required Courses (18 credit hours)
  • RHTM 604  
  • RHTM 614  
  • RHTM 615  
  • RHTM 616  
  • RHTM 625  
  • RHTM 641  
• Research Methods (6 credit hours)
  • Course options include, but are not limited to: STAT 573 , STAT 575 , STAT 579 , EDPY 530 , EDPY 604 , EDPY 631 , IT 695 , SOCI 640 , or CCI 643 . Consult with your advisor.
• Statistics (6 credit hours), consult with your advisor
  • STAT 537  or PSYC 521  or SOWK 605  
  • STAT 538  or PSYC 522  or SOWK 606  
• Cognate (9 credit hours) selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee
  • Cognate credit hours must include at least 3 credit hours at the 600 level
  • Examples include but are not limited to Statistics (STAT), Marketing (MARK), Communication Studies (CMST), etc., chosen in consultation with the major professor and / or guidance committee.
• Instructional Methods (2 credit hours) selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee, at the graduate-level, and intended to help develop students’ instructional capabilities such as BUAD 610 .

Non-Course Requirements

• Comprehensive examinations
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation defense