PhD in International Business
Bring a Global Perspective to Your Business or Academic Career with an International Business PhD
Whether your focus is on pursuing an executive level career in applied business or a teaching career in higher education, earning a PhD in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University is a great way to take the next step toward your goal. Grow your expertise as you develop extensive theoretical knowledge and expand your independent thinking capabilities in this research-oriented program. You’ll participate in international business seminars complemented by methodology courses that will help give you a hands-on, interactive education that goes beyond the classroom.
SNHU’s PhD in International Business is a cohort program, giving you the opportunity to progress and build community with a group of your peers.
- Conventional Campus-Based Program.
A conventional campus-based program is the traditional university educational model. Prospective students will be admitted as full-time students. They will work with our School of Business faculty on our vibrant Manchester, NH campus. Campus program students are required to live in the region to complete their program in as few as 5 years.
The International Business PhD program only has a fall intake term. The program admits applicants for the Fall semester ONCE a year. The application cycle will open in August each year, and the application deadline is February 20th.
See Yourself Succeed with a PhD in International Business
SNHU's PhD in International Business strives to meet the needs of all students while accommodating those with demanding schedules and careers. The program is tailored to those who wish to develop their scholarly knowledge in pursuit of future professional and academic goals. Graduates of this program are in a position to influence the ideas and actions of others through positional or non-positional leadership opportunities. Academics, executives, community leaders, leaders within nonprofit and government organizations, and local entrepreneurs are welcome to apply for program admission.
Cohort Model
The cohort learning environment offers a collaborative experience for individuals with diverse career experiences and backgrounds. Cohort members become a source of support and encouragement to one another. Each individual’s dissertation will be based on their interests.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of majoring in international business at SNHU include:
- Supportive community. Join the SNHU community of learners who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
- Affordability. SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in the Northeast.
- Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty members who are experts in their fields.
Should you earn a PhD in International Business or a DBA?
The answer depends on your interests and your career goals. Both degrees represent the highest level of academic achievement, and both degrees are highly respected in both the academic and business worlds. Additionally, both the PhD and DBA are advanced research degrees that involve conducting original research, analyzing data, and producing important findings.
But there are differences. The DBA is considered a professional doctorate, and the PhD is an academic doctorate. SNHU does not currently offer a DBA.
PhD research is focused on developing theories, addressing a gap between theories, or addressing a gap in the general body of knowledge. The PhD may be more appropriate if you are focused on a faculty career in higher education or a career as a researcher in a research center.
In contrast, DBAs focus on real-world organizational and business problems and involve original and secondary research to explore, examine, and address those problems. The DBA is primarily for those focused on a career in business and consulting. However, many DBAs do teach in colleges and universities.
It’s important to note that students in either program can study real-world problems. PhD students might use a different set of methodologies or look at the problem from a broader scope in contrast to DBA students who may focus their research on a particular industry or company with a narrower lens. However, any topic of interest in the international business field including but not limited to, multinational companies or managers engaged in international business is likely to be a viable research area for a SNHU PhD student.
Many of SNHU PhD graduates are enjoying careers in both business and academia.
Curriculum
A significant part of the educational experience includes advanced research courses, doctoral colloquiums, and the completion of a dissertation. Through these experiences, learners, professors, and thought leaders gather to discuss their topics related to the field, focus on research, and provide a supportive learning environment.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| PhD in International Business |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| PhD in International Business | ||
| INT 800 | Foreign Direct Investment | This course is an examination of direct investments made by a company or entity based in one country, into a company or entity based in another country. Entities making direct investments typically have a significant degree of influence and control over the company into which the investment is made. Key topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to: the foundations of FDI; the impact of location on FDI; FDI and Technology; FDI under Uncertainty; Risk and Profitability of the multinational corporation; and Political Risk Analysis. This is a research and writing intensive course. |
| INT 810 | Privatization, Economic Reform and Globalization in Emerging Markets | This seminar has been designed to introduce the students to the theoretical and applied literature on economic reform and globalization nexus in the emerging markets context. Another purpose of the course is to enhance student's appreciation of research process and help development of a research agenda in subjects related to macro and micro integration of emerging markets to the global economic system. More specifically the course focuses on transition from centrally planned or government dominated economic systems to market economy and its micro and macro implications. A particular emphasis is placed on the international expansion of emerging market companies. Students are expected to acquire and demonstrate advanced knowledge on issues surrounding economic reform, privatization, economic integration and internationalization/globalization and to be able to conduct original research. |
| INT 820 | Seminar in Multinational Finance | This course is devoted to the study of advanced topics and current research being employed in the field of multinational finance. The course provides an opportunity for students to explore their area of interest in this field. |
| INT 830 | Theories of Globalization | This doctoral seminar presents globalization as the central issue that influences the practice of international business and internationalization processes of the FIRM and vice versa. Keeping the firm at the core, the course takes up globalization from various points of view, such as world economy and finance, geo-strategic and geo-political concerns, regionalism, institutions, global and corporate governance etc., which reflect opportunities and prosperity as well as big challenges facing international business theory, practice and research. The course enhances students' cognitive, heuristic, analytical and philosophical thinking process. It also creates the prospect for students to better their research, teaching, and communicative skills (writing and presentation skills). |
| INT 840 | Seminar in Multinational Marketing | This seminar will include extensive reading in the international Marketing/Business literature. Major seminar topics will include (but will not be limited to): countertrade, tariff and non-tariff barriers, cultural differences among market segments and global vs. multinational marketing strategies. The case method will be utilized. Class discussions will center around the literature via assigned journal articles. Class preparation and presentation will be individual and group. International market access will include the Internet. |
| INT 850 | Seminar in Global Business Strategy | This seminar is designed to allow doctoral students to explore the complex problems of international business strategy from multiple levels of analysis using both contemporary and historical materials. The course will include a literature review, area studies and specialized case analysis as appropriate to illustrate specific problems characteristic of the discipline. Various theoretical methods will be compared and contrasted in order to evaluate their ability to solve problems of particular interest and intractability as defined by the major authors and practitioners in the field. |
| INT 880 | Advanced Quantitative Methods/ International Business I | This is an advanced course in building binary and continuous response regression models using cross-sectional, time series and panel data with applications to business. It includes selection of variables and form, testing hypotheses, diagnosing problems, and implementing remedial measures using EViews and other software. The course requires the students to apply the regression techniques to a research problem in international business. |
| INT 881 | Advanced Quantitative Methods/ International Business II | This is an advanced course in multivariate analysis methods with applications to business. It includes ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Analysis, Cluster Analysis, and System Dynamics using SPSS, VENSIM and other software. The course requires the students to apply one or more multivariate analysis techniques to a research problem in international business. |
| INT 889 | Comprehensive Exam | The Comprehensive Exam provides a transition for students to prepare for their doctoral comprehensive exam and to help monitor timely progress toward completion of the comprehensive exam and progression toward dissertation work. Students take the comprehensive exam during the term they enroll in Comprehensive Exam INT 889. Students are permitted to take INT889 no more than two consecutive terms. |
| Total Credits: 46 | ||
Program Overview
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Procedure
The Southern Hampshire University Admission Office and the School of Business PhD in International Business application review committee govern the application procedure. All material should be submitted online through the portal or Admission Office.
- Online Application
- Official Bachelor’s degree transcript(s)
- Official master's degree transcript(s)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic record and potential for doctoral work in International Business.
International Students (in addition to domestic student requirements):
Proof of English proficiency as evidenced by:
- TOEFL score of 71 or higher
- IELTS score of 6.0 or higher (sub scores: ≥ 5.5)
- Duolingo score of 105
- Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by NACES or AICE approved evaluators
Application Deadline
The International Business PhD programs only have a fall intake term. Both programs admit applicants for the Fall Semester ONCE a year. The application cycle will open in August each year, and the priority application deadline is the February 20.
The Director of the Program will inform the applicants for the final interview if they pass the initial application materials screening. All the interviews will be scheduled in early March. Applicants will receive the final decision from the committee by the end of March.
Questions?
Campus Admissions – Domestic Students
Doctoral@snhu.edu
603.645.9688
Campus Admissions – International Students
International@snhu.edu
603.645.9629
Program Degree Requirements
The International Business Doctoral program consists of three major stages.
- Stage 1: Coursework
- Stage 2: The comprehensive examination
- Stage 3: Dissertation research and writing
Prospective students who are admitted to the program are doctoral students. Doctoral students achieve candidacy status upon the successful completion of the comprehensive examination and successfully defending the dissertation proposal. Doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy are required to maintain continuous enrollment until all degree requirements have been completed, and the student has graduated.
The admitted students must complete all degree requirements within eight years of the start date. All students need to fulfill the following requirement:
- Minimum of 46 graduate credits (including 42 graduate credits of coursework, 3 graduate credits of dissertation work, and 1 credit comprehensive exam)
- Minimum enrollment of 6 graduate credits each fall and spring semester for campus program students.
- All students who successfully complete the comprehensive exam must attend the doctoral research day in the Fall and Spring semesters.
- All students must maintain an accumulative GPA 3.0 and above. No more than two grades of “C” or “C+”. Students receiving a 3rd grade of “C” or “C+” must re-take one of these courses before the comprehensive examinations.
PhD Campus Program:
- Year 1: coursework, 4 courses (12 credits)
- Year 2: coursework, 4 courses (12 credits)
- Year 3: coursework, 6 courses (18 credits)
- Year 4: Comps + First Colloquium: (2 credits)
- Year 5: Second Colloquium + Final Defense: (1 credit)
Curriculum
Required Courses | Credits
- INT800 - Foreign Direct Investment (3)
- INT801 - Foundations for Advanced International Business Study (3)
- INT810 - Privatization, Economic Reform and Globalization in Emerging Markets (3)
- INT820 - Seminar in Multinational Finance (3)
- INT830 - Theories of Globalization (3)
- INT840 - Seminar in Multinational Marketing (3)
- INT850 - Seminar in Global Business Strategy (3)
- INT880 - Advanced Quantitative Methods/ International Business I (3)
- INT881 - Advanced Quantitative Methods/ International Business II (3)
- INT889 - Comprehensive Exam (1)
- INT890 - Doctoral Colloquium (1)
- DOC950 - Dissertation Status (1)
Electives: 15 credit(s) from the subject(s): BUS CIS, DAT, DOC, FIN, INT, IT, MBA, MKT, OL, or QSO within the range of the course numbers 500 - 999As part of the PhD in International Business, you will have the opportunity to focus your doctoral work on a specialized area of personal and professional interest. SNHU professors take an interest in the success of all those enrolled in the program. An emphasis is on one-on-one interactions to facilitate the development of scholars and scholarship.
The current specialization areas offered by International Business PhD Program:
- Business Strategy & Management
- Finance
- Marketing
- Information Technology
Requirements for the minor field include FIVE courses at the 500 - 700 level. Course selection should be developed under the guidance of coordinating faculty. Minor fields are coordinated by the program faculty and the Program Director.
Representative Schedule for PhD in International Business – Example based on availability.
Elective| Term | Campus Program | Academic Year & Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Fall) | INT-801 INT-880 |
Year 1 12 credits - Campus |
| Term 2 (Spring) | INT-840 INT-881 |
|
| Term 3 (Summer) | N/A | |
| Term 4 (Fall) | INT-810 INT-830 |
Year 2 12 credits - Campus |
| Term 5 (Spring) | INT-800 Elective |
|
| Term 6 (Summer) | N/A | |
| Term 7 (Fall) | INT-850 Elective Elective |
Year 3 18 credits - Campus |
| Term 8 (Spring) | INT-820 Elective Elective |
|
| Term 9 (Summer) |
N/A |
|
| Term 10 (Fall) | INT-889 | Year 4 3 credits - Campus |
| Term 11 (Spring) | INT-890 | |
| Term 12 (Summer) | N/A | |
| Term 13 (Fall) | INT-890 | Year 5 1 credit - Campus |
| Term 14 (Spring) | DOC-950 | |
| Total Credits | 46 credits - Campus |
Additional years in the Program may be needed to complete the dissertation (INT-890) but must not exceed eight years in total.
Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation
Comprehensive Exam
Students will be permitted to take the comprehensive exam after completing all coursework and satisfying the requirements. Comprehensive exams are offered in both fall and spring semesters. To take the comprehensive exam, students must register for INT 889 in the respective semester. Students are required to take the exam in person on the New Hampshire Campus. The comprehensive examination will take place in the 8th week of the respective semester, and the makeup examinations will take place in the 16th week of the respective semester.
Comprehensive Examinations are designed to test comprehensive knowledge. Doctoral students are expected to demonstrate mastery and competence. The Assessments test student knowledge in several domains, including but not limited to: theory and relevant literature --including students' capacity to utilize and integrate this knowledge base; research design and methods --the theory of research and the practice of research, including students' ability to engage in analytical research critique, and apply the appropriate methodology to typical research questions; and statistical analysis --including students' ability to apply appropriate statistical procedures to typical research questions, engage in focused analysis, and interpret research findings.
For more information, please refer to Doctoral Program Guidebook.
Dissertation
Upon successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, doctoral students become designated as doctoral candidates and ABD (All but Dissertation). At this point in the degree process, each student should have a reasonably firm idea about the subject on which they would like to write their dissertation.
Research and writing are the most intensive part of the Doctoral Program. The Program requires every ABD candidate to complete three related courses while students are registered for PhD - Colloquium INT 890 and dissertation defense DOC 950.
- Approval of the dissertation topic (INT 890) after which IRB approval must be obtained (if applicable to the type of research)
- Approval of the dissertation proposal (INT 890)
- Approval of the final dissertation itself (DOC 950)
The Program requires every ABD candidate to complete these three courses sequentially. Thus, a candidate cannot proceed to the dissertation (DOC 950) until their committee has approved their topic and they have successfully defended their proposal (again to their committee).
Students must present their topic and dissertation proposals and updates during the International Business Doctoral Students Research Day in Fall and Spring Semester to faculty and fellow students in addition to their prior presentations to their respective committees. Similarly, upon the final defense of their dissertation, candidates may offer a public presentation of the final version of their dissertation to a large audience during the International Business Doctoral Students Research Day.
The process is designed so that students will not pursue a particular research avenue without the clear guidance of their committee. For more information, please refer to Doctoral Program Guidebook.
FAQ
Is Southern New Hampshire University accredited?
SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, which means that your degree carries with it international recognition. The International Business PhD program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which means that your degree also carries with it Global Business recognition.
Who can apply?
This program is for individuals who want to earn a PhD with a focus on doctoral-level scholarship in international business and research. Applicants are expected to hold a Master’s degree and may come from a variety of related fields. The campus-based program is designed for domestic and international students who wish to engage in learning alongside faculty as full-time students. Classes are typically held in the evenings and during the week.
When is the application deadline?
This program has one admittance date which is the Fall term. The application deadline for this is the February 20. Applications received in full after the deadline may be considered for admission into the program on a case-by-case basis.
Applications are typically reviewed by a committee of faculty. If approved in this initial review, applicants may be invited to an interview for acceptance into the program.
Are test scores (GRE, GMAT) required?
Test scores (GER,GMAT) are optional. Prospective students can be offered conditional acceptance without test scores, converting to full acceptance upon successful demonstration of academic ability.
Can I transfer credits from other programs?
Due to the nature of the program, transfer credits are not accepted.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available if a student is taking three (3) credits or more per term. A graduate student must be accepted to our program to be eligible for financial aid.
Note: International applicants must provide documentation of their ability to meet the costs of the program. These costs are indicated on the I-20 form. The costs may appear to be somewhat higher than the total of tuition and room and board because they also include such general expenses as health insurance, textbooks, pocket money, etc.
What areas of specialization are available?
Within the program, there are opportunities to focus on specific topics of personal and professional interest. Examples include specialization such as Business Strategy & Management, Finance, Marketing, and Information Technology.
What is the dissertation and colloquium process like?
After successfully completing comprehensive exams, students enroll each term in the doctoral dissertation colloquium. The dissertation is based on a student's research and is expected to contribute to their area of study. Each student has a dissertation committee, normally consisting of a minimum of four faculty members.
Doctoral colloquiums provide a forum for students to discuss their dissertation research and help monitor their progress in completing their dissertations. Once a student completes the research and the final draft and receives approval, they will give an oral presentation. A student must receive approval from all members of their dissertation committee in order to successfully complete the doctoral program.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The program is designed to take approximately 5 years. You have maximum 8 years to complete your program from the time you begin the first course. This includes the completion of the required course of study, comprehensive exams, and the dissertation.
What is the structure of the classes?
Conventional On-campus Program: Classes typically meet during the day but may be scheduled during late afternoon periods. All classes are structured to meet face-to-face with faculty members of Southern New Hampshire University who hold a terminal degree.
How many classes may students take a semester?
During most academic terms, students in this doctoral program will take two to three 3-credit courses. After the successful completion of comprehensive exams, students enroll in dissertation colloquium courses each term.
Where else can I find information about the field of international business?
Applicants are encouraged to learn about the international business field prior to applying for the program. Reviewing articles published in journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies, International Business Review, and Journal of World Business as well as visiting the website of the Academy of International Business may provide ample insights about the discipline and main areas of research.
Should you earn a PhD in International Business or a DBA?
The answer depends on your interests and your career goals. Both degrees represent the highest level of academic achievement, and both degrees are highly respected in both the academic and business worlds. Additionally, both the PhD and DBA are advanced research degrees that involve conducting original research, analyzing data, and producing important findings.
But there are differences. The DBA is considered a professional doctorate, and the PhD is an academic doctorate.
PhD research is focused on developing theories, addressing a gap between theories, or addressing a gap in the general body of knowledge. The PhD may be more appropriate if you are focused on a faculty career in higher education or a career as a researcher in a research center.
In contrast, DBAs focus on real-world organizational and business problems and involve original and secondary research to explore, examine, and address those problems. The DBA is primarily for those focused on a career in business and consulting. However, many DBAs do teach in colleges and universities.
It’s important to note that students in either program can study real-world problems. PhD students might use a different set of methodologies or look at the problem from a broader scope in contrast to DBA students who may focus their research on a particular industry or company with a narrower lens. However, any topic of interest in the international business field including but not limited to, multinational companies or managers engaged in international business is likely to be a viable research area for a SNHU PhD student.
Many of SNHU PhD graduates are enjoying careers in both business and academia. Make sure you give serious consideration to which degree best suits your needs and career aspirations. SNHU does not currently offer a DBA.
Graduate Tuition
Earning your degree is a smart choice to advance your career, and investing in an affordable program increases your ROI. We keep our costs low to remove barriers between you and your goals.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on the ACBSP accreditation page.
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