PhD in Business Administration University of Pécs

The International Ph.D. Program is aimed at professionals in business or public administration with several years of experience in their field, but not necessarily in research or education. The program combines the advantages of contact-based and distance-based education, drawing on the contribution of recognized national and international experts. In its design, the program combines two major international traditions in doctoral education such as the American tradition (where several years of formal education is needed to get the Ph.D.) and the European tradition (with a usually limited number of classes and a strong emphasis on independent dissertation research).

Program Structure

The program consists of two (preferably overlapping) parts:

• the period of organized study (4 semesters) and
• independent research phase

The study period provides the students with the opportunity to divide their studies into two parts: an intensive study period spent at the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE), UP, and extensive home study. This approach combines the advantages of contact-based and distance-based methods.

In each of the four semesters, students spend approximately 10 days on the premises of the FBE UP and follow lectures, attend seminars, have dissertation consultations with their dissertation advisors, and may also do research in the Faculty Library.

Individual work is supported by the guidance of an experienced Faculty consultant (dissertation advisor). At the end of the sessions, students return home and continue their studies and research using the written study materials (books and scientific papers) provided or recommended by the instructors/dissertation advisor. Lecture materials are available on the Faculty and/or Program Intranet that students can access from home.

Instructors of the various modules and dissertation advisors are available via electronic mail, should the students need to advise or help during the home study period.

Should the students need advice or help during the home study period, instructors of the various modules and dissertation advisors are available via electronic mail. Evaluation is based on class papers (homework assignments or in-class exams) in each module; topics are designated by the individual instructors.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Ph.D. degree, students must accomplish the following: receive grades in all modules, pass the Doctoral Examination (Comprehensive Exam); have at least 30+ credits of publication that cover the area of dissertation research; prepare the Ph.D. Dissertation; defend the Ph.D. Dissertation.