Business Analytics Major, PhD

The PhD with a major in business analytics is designed to prepare students for research related to the application of analytical tools to complex decision-making. Three primary objectives of the program are:

To provide, through relevant coursework, a thorough knowledge of common analytical models and their uses in business.
To provide sufficient advanced study in a supporting area to qualify the graduate for a faculty position in management science, business analytics, or any supporting area. The candidate may choose from the business functional areas (accounting, finance, marketing, management, and supply chain management) or other disciplines (e.g., computer science, forestry, ecology, and public administration).
To develop in the student, through coursework in management science, statistics, operations management, and computer science, a high degree of analytical maturity to enhance a potential career in management, research, or teaching.

The PhD in business analytics will focus on research specifically aimed at applying analytical tools for modeling and analyzing data to support decision-making in complex real-world systems in business and industry.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

In addition to any other admission requirements for the Graduate School:
- Submit online graduate application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Submit three recommendation forms.
- Submit a GRE or GMAT score.
- Submit candidate statement of purpose.

Academic Standards

Prerequisites for business analytics courses. The business analytics program is interdisciplinary and students in other degree programs are encouraged to enroll in business analytics courses. Course prerequisites are designed to indicate the level at which courses are taught. Interested students whose prior coursework does not match the prerequisites are encouraged to seek the instructor’s guidance and consent to enroll.

Credit Hours Required

72 graduate credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree; 24 of these credit hours will be dissertation research.
48 graduate credit hours beyond a master’s degree; 24 of these credit hours will be dissertation research.

Required Courses

Non-Course Requirements

Qualifying Examination
- The student must demonstrate mastery of the core methodological foundation of business analytics by passing a written qualifying examination.
Comprehensive Examination
- The student must pass a written comprehensive examination covering various topics as applied to their research focus.
  - Topics included in this examination are determined on an individual basis.
  - Students will be expected to demonstrate an integrative ability that goes beyond simple mastery of course content.
A dissertation proposal defense is required before the student can conduct their final dissertation defense.
A final oral examination is conducted over the dissertation and such other segments of the program that the faculty committee deems appropriate.
There is no foreign language requirement.

Undergraduates

Graduate Students