Business Administration Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
Advancing your knowledge and practice through research and the exploration of the latest trends and biggest challenges found at the intersection of business and technological innovation.
Overview for Business Administration Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in business administration is designed to inspire and train scholars to identify, investigate, and solve novel business challenges that influence business and society, particularly, those that are triggered by technological changes. Our program has a sharp emphasis on the effects of technological innovation on discipline-based theories and research. Faculty work with students in an apprenticeship model so that students become independent scholars, cutting-edge researchers, and well-trained educators at research-oriented universities.
The program offers three areas of specialization:
Digital Transformation: Digital transformation emphasizes the integration of digital technologies that have altered the marketing of products and services, as well as the management of information systems. In this area of specialization, you will study the design and development of digital artifacts and their implications for interpersonal interaction, analyze the modes of human information processing in digitally transformed business contexts, and theorize the emergence of new business models and ways of organizing in digitally immersive environments.
Finance and Accounting: The finance and accounting specialization emphasizes new challenges and research areas that have emerged from technological innovations within finance and accounting disciplines. These areas include FinTech, high-frequency trading, alternative trading systems (dark pool and ECNs), crowdfunding platforms, P2P lending platforms, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, data analytic tools in auditing and credit rating, digital transformation of SEC filings and corporate disclosures. In this area of specialization, you will study the antecedents and consequences of technology in finance and accounting.
Strategy and Innovation: A distinct feature of 21st century competition is the pivotal role played by technological innovation as a competitive advantage for organizations. In the strategy and innovation specialization, research emphasizes the growing role of technological capabilities and innovation-based products and processes as a source of competitive advantage. You will acquire knowledge and skills to address novel research questions about firm-level strategy and innovation-related challenges faced by managers and policy makers. This specialization is not accepting students for academic year 2027-28.
-
Graduate Program Information Sessions
Take the next step in your professional journey. Join an upcoming virtual information session to explore top-ranked MBA, MS, and Ph.D. programs and get immediate answers to your questions!
-
Discover how graduate study at RIT can help further your career objectives.
Virtual Admissions Webinars | September 19 - October 1
Virtual Academic Sessions | October 20 - October 29
On-Campus Open House | November 20
Featured Work and Profiles
-
Advancing Corporate Responsibility Through a Saunders Ph.D.
Misbahus Sad Tushar ’27 What is your specialty in Saunders’ Ph.D. program?
Read More about Advancing Corporate Responsibility Through a Saunders Ph.D. -
Building an Academic Career at the Frontier of Climate Finance and AI
Fubin Yang ’27 "I chose Saunders for its technological strengths and deeply collaborative academic culture, which create an ideal environment for pursuing forward-looking, interdisciplinary research."
Read More about Building an Academic Career at the Frontier of Climate Finance and AI -
Advocating for Walkable Cities Through a Saunders Ph.D.
Konnie Niaz "The Saunder’s business school seems to be at its apex and I am very happy to be at this foundational time. I hope I can contribute to the college and university’s ambition to become an R1 university....
Read More about Advocating for Walkable Cities Through a Saunders Ph.D. -
Building Business Models for a Circular Economy at Saunders
Zijiao Yang ’27 "I chose SCB at RIT because I identified that there are some faculty researching the Circular Economy and Sustainability. More importantly, I like the idea that RIT is the place for turning ...
Read More about Building Business Models for a Circular Economy at Saunders -
Researching the Future of Strategy at Saunders
Wenyao Lyu ’27 "At Saunders, I have found the environment to be very supportive and collaborative. Faculty members and other Ph.D. students are approachable, and there are many opportunities to learn from people...
Read More about Researching the Future of Strategy at Saunders -
HR Strategy and Innovation Through Organizational Behavior Research
Yasmin da Silva Almeida ’27 "The PhD offered by the Saunders College of Business allows me to work and learn under the mentorship of insightful and discerning professors whose research aligns with my interests HR strategy...
Read More about HR Strategy and Innovation Through Organizational Behavior Research
Related News
-
February 9, 2024
Doctoral degrees continue to expand
RIT’s Ph.D. programs continue to grow. Today, RIT enrolls more than 450 doctoral students, including a record 112 new Ph.D. students who started last fall.
-
September 13, 2023
RIT president charts vision for future during State of the University Address
In his welcome to the community for the start of a new academic year, RIT President David Munson asserted the university is well positioned to thrive while laying out “challenges, opportunities, and vision” for RIT’s future.
-
August 24, 2023
Saunders College of Business at RIT launches innovative Ph.D. in business administration
Saunders College of Business is entering its first cohort of students into the college’s new Ph.D. in business administration this fall, marking the university’s inaugural social sciences doctoral program. The program is designed to inspire and train scholars to identify, investigate, and solve unique business challenges that influence business and society.
Curriculum for 2026-2027 for Business Administration Ph.D.
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM-OPT Visa Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall | January 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Business Administration Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Learn tips to apply for a doctoral program and then complete a graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: GMAT or GRE required
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 135
IELTS: 7.0
LanguageCert Academic: 78
PTE Academic: 66
TOEFL: 94/5
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).
