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Over the years, I have received numerous e-mails from students interested in learning about a Ph.D. Program in Business Administration, and to know its prospects. I thought this article can help these students make an informed decision.

Why a Ph.D.?

You should do a Ph.D. in Business Administration if you are interested in academic research or in a consulting career. Financially, Ph.D. in Business Administration has an edge over MBA because you are typically assured of a scholarship. Additionally, most Ph.D.s joining consulting firms, or Universities, get starting salaries ranging from $90K to $150k. To some, a Ph.D. and an academic life offer flexibility and independence that you normally do not get in the corporate world.

What do you need to get into a Ph.D. program?

In order to get into a Ph.D. program, it is essential that you have a good academic background. A "Good" academic background does not mean that you have to be from a top ranking Indian university or institute. What is important is that you have excelled in your subjects, and your teachers know you to be academically inclined. Your teachers (or managers, in case you are a working professional) will write your recommendation letters. These confidential letters should reflect your ability to be a good researcher.

If you have done exceptionally well in a four-year bachelor's program, you may not even need a Masters Degree. Most universities do not require MBA as a pre-requisite for Ph.D. in Business Administration.

Before applying to any university, you are required to take the GMAT Test as well as TOEFL Test. You should complete GMAT and TOEFL before November (latest by December) so that you have sufficient time to apply to different schools. Most Ph.D. programmes admit students only for Fall Semester (August).

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* Contributed by -
Dr. Partha Mohapatra,
Assistant Professor,
Morgan State University, USA,
The contents of this article reflect author's personal opinions.