Ph.D. in business administration

Why apply to the Ilitch School’s doctoral program in business administration?

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in business administration program at Wayne State University's Mike Ilitch School of Business equips you to excel as a faculty member at prominent research universities. Gain invaluable research experience in your chosen field to lay the foundation for your future career. Specialize your course of study with three concentrations: finance, management and marketing. Only the Finance and Management concentrations will be admitting for Fall 2025 (as of September 9, 2024).

All of our programs distinguish themselves with their small seminar courses and hands-on approach. Our expert faculty collaborate with students one-on-one, so you become a better statistician, writer and researcher. In addition, our business doctoral program offers an assistantship that fully funds your Ph.D., allowing you to complete research alongside professors, teach and receive a stipend. Notably, Ph.D. students in our business administration program have published their insights in highly ranked scholarly journals, such as:

The Accounting Review
Journal of Marketing Research
The Journal of Banking and Finance
Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology

The Ilitch School’s Ph.D. program has a nearly 100% success rate in placing students in tenure-track positions at research-oriented universities. Join the ranks of accomplished alumni who are making significant contributions to the fields of finance, management and marketing.

Apply now

Request information

Loading....

Explore the program

The Ilitch School’s full-time finance doctoral program specializes in corporate finance and asset pricing. Students explore high-level finance concepts and quantitative methods, including econometrics, and conduct empirical research into these topics.

Work with faculty to publish research in finance and teach relevant courses to undergraduate students. Complete the Ph.D. program by passing written and oral qualifying exams, as well as writing and defending a dissertation based on your original findings.

Earn your Ph.D. in finance in as little as four years. You may be able to may be able to transfer up to 32 master’s level credits to your doctoral academic plan.

View finance Ph.D. program requirements and WSU's Graduate Bulletin for program overview and requirements.

Begin your journey to becoming a professor with a Ph.D. in management from the Ilitch School of Business. Our full-time, research-based program helps you discover your specific academic interests and introduces you to important methodologies.

Management Ph.D. students also choose between two tracks to study quantitative methods. The Organizational Behavior Track tackles advanced psychology theories, while the Strategic Management Track covers econometrics. After completing your coursework and comprehensive exams, research and write your dissertation. In addition, lead undergraduate classes to gain teaching experience.

Complete the doctoral program in management in four to five years. You may be able to may be able to transfer up to 32 master’s level credits to your doctoral academic plan.

View management Ph.D. program requirements and WSU's Graduate Bulletin for program overview and requirements

Study consumer behavior through a comprehensive, research-based lens with our marketing doctoral program. This full-time program combines courses from the Ilitch School of Business and Wayne State’s Department of Psychology to help you understand advanced concepts in both fields.

As a marketing doctoral student, work on faculty projects and teach undergraduate students. Once you have completed your comprehensive exams, begin conducting original research to develop your dissertation.

Earn your Ph.D. in marketing in four to five years. You may be able to may be able to transfer up to 32 master’s level credits to your doctoral academic plan.

View marketing Ph.D. program requirements and WSU's Graduate Bulletin for program overview and requirements

Careers and outcomes

Discover how the Ph.D. in business administration prepares you for research, academia and more professional opportunities.

Start a rewarding career in academia with a Ph.D. from the Ilitch School. Many of our students secure professorships even while pursuing their degrees, and post-graduation, they continue to excel in tenure-track teaching and research roles.

Prepare for the next step in your career with our many resources, including networking and professional development opportunities.

Explore career resources

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.

Student services and opportunities

Benefit from the Ilitch School’s rich student involvement, support services and numerous invaluable opportunities.

I have been lucky to have two academic fathers in Drs. Amanuel Tekleab and Jaegul Lee. Without their faith in my abilities and their guidance, none of this would be possible.

Tapan Seth

Ph.D. ‘14

The finance faculty are very well established, and their research was in line with my area of interest...Plus, the university offered a diverse environment in which to study.

Chenguang Shang

Ph.D. ‘14