The PhD in Business, with specialization in Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, or Accounting, is a 66-credit doctoral program designed for high-caliber and self-motivated students who wish to acquire top research, leadership, and analytical skills in business. It is primarily designed for students seeking jobs in academia but it is also for professionals and consultants seeking to serve multinational companies, government agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms and international agencies.
August or January
All students must meet the following, in addition to the general AIIAS admission criteria:
The department will evaluate each student’s application and make the final determination as to whether a prerequisite has been met. All students must demonstrate computer literacy upon entry into the program. Students deficient in any areas of computer literacy (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, reference management software, academic plagiarism checker, etc.) will be recommended to take appropriate self-study modules.
To be awarded the PhD degree in Business, a candidate must satisfactorily fulfill all the following requirements:
Stages | Duration |
|---|---|
Coursework | 22-24 months |
Comprehensives | 3 months |
Dissertation | 12-18 months |
TOTAL | 37-45 months |
Anup Dominic and Natasha Nangoy-Sinaga talks about why they choose AIIAS for their advance degree.
Complete the following seven courses:
Provides a strategic and structured approach to designing, monitoring, and improving business processes to
enhance organizational performance and increase customer satisfaction. Topics include quality perspectives,
quality theory, quality standards and awards, quality planning, customer focus, benchmarking, product and
process design, service quality design, supply chain management, quality tools, quality improvement teams
and projects, statistical process control, process capability, quality training, quality audits, and organizational
learning. Knowledge management strategies and processes designed to identify, capture, structure, value,
leverage, and share an organization’s intellectual properties will also be covered.
This course reviews the traditional paradigm for decision-making and then builds different perspectives to
decision-making that will enhance the quality of the decisions achieved. This is an advanced course in decision-
making and it assumes that students who enroll in this course are competent in quantitative analysis for
decision-making. Topics include hypothesis testing, Bayesian view of covariance, probability theory and
calibration, heuristics and biases, normative decision theory, prospect theory, decision biases, emotions in
decision-making, morality, forecasting, simulation, scenario generation, uncertainty and risk, happiness, and
improving decision-making.
A critical examination of traditional and contemporary leadership theories and concepts. The focus is on
leadership roles such as visioning, mentoring, team building, making ethical judgments with informed
analysis/reasoning, leading change, leading during crises and influencing business behavior in an ethical
manner towards organizational goals and mission. The course also critically evaluates the theories of corporate
governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, and their empirical testing.
Covers selected topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, developmental economics and
labor economics. Emphasis is on reading, analyzing, critiquing and synthesizing recent ideas published in current
journal articles on economic related issues.
A study of current business issues addressed from a biblical and ethical perspective. The aim of this course is
to equip students with the ability to develop a Biblical and ethical perspective of any business issues and to
articulate it clearly and comprehensively. The course purposes to develop in students the ability to perceive,
understand and discern any business issue from a Biblical and ethical point of view. The students will learn to
connect, analyze and evaluate business issues on the basis of ethical philosophies, moral principles and
common sense logic. Further, Biblical themes and scriptural foundation will be used to make value judgment
on contemporary business issues. This course may be taught from a methodological perspective where the
focus is on building Bible-based ethical framework for decision-making.
Historical and contemporary theories of administration and their application in today’s world. Particular
attention is focused on the context (history, politics, religion, economics, geography) in which the theories
emerge, and their implications for Christians. The course aims to provide an understanding of the major
philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of management thinking and practice.
Examines contemporary theories, conceptual frameworks and best practices in managing organizational change
and preventing and managing crisis. The course enhances student’s competence in the area of understanding
trends, identifying needs for change, overcoming resistance for change, designing programs for change,
implementing change, sticking change, spreading change and controlling change. Further, it also prepares
students in anticipating crisis and its impact, planning for crisis, developing a crisis plan, managing crisis when
and if it happens and learning from crisis. Prerequisite: MGMT 610 OrganizationalBehavior and Communication.
Complete the following two courses:
A critical comparison of secular systems of Western philosophy and Christian and educational thought, with
special reference to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the writings of Ellen White. This course is based on
an extensive survey of secular philosophical documents and consideration of theological, educational, and
practical issues arising from the readings. Position/reaction papers and extensive discussion allow students to
explore the Adventist perspective.
A course designed to prepare subject matter specialists to teach at the tertiary level. It focuses on characteristics
of adult learners and methods of teaching which are appropriate to higher education. It addresses topics such
as curriculum planning with focus on creating course outlines and lesson planning, instructional planning with
focus on teaching processes and preparation of learning materials and evaluation. The use of technology in
teaching, as well as research on best practices in adult learning, are also discussed.
Complete the following two courses:
Analysis of the nature and scope of international business in the global market economy. Topics covered include
international business environments, the framework for international transactions, global strategies, and cross-
cultural concerns in management.
This course explains and reinforces the concept that performance management is not a one-time supervisory
event, but an ongoing process of planning, facilitating, assessing, and improving individual and organizational
performance. Topics include role and importance of performance management, performance management
framework, performance planning, creating a performance management culture, performance assessment,
including 360degree feedback, performance improvement planning, identifying root causes of performance
issues and developing appropriate responses and performance metrics.
Complete the following two courses:
Open to students only on a limited basis with departmental approval. Requires extensive readings on an agreed
topic with oral and written reports to the teacher. Normally, Advanced Readings is limited to 3 credits per
student per degree. Advanced Readings may not be used in lieu of core requirements.
A course designed to give students the opportunity to present in-depth research in specific areas in consultation
with the teacher. The courses focus on research work as presented in extensive writing. One semester hour of
course credit requires 60 hours of individual work by the student.
This course is designed to overview the consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on organization
consulting issues. Effort is placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting.
This course enables students to provide research-based analytics, offer vital information to clients, solve client’s
problem, make diagnosis-based recommendations, assist solution implementation, build consensus and
commitment, facilitate client learning, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Complete the following two courses:
In the midst of the 4th industrial revolution economy, financial technology or fintech has disrupted several
industries, particularly the banking system. This course seeks to expose students to a variety of innovative
financial policies and practices, which uses internet banking, mobile banking, cloud computing, artificial
intelligence, etc. to make financial management more efficient. The underlining philosophies that define fintech
versus other traditional financial methods are discussed and evaluated by observing how they operate in reality.
Complete the following two courses:
Open to students only on a limited basis with departmental approval. Requires extensive readings on an agreed
topic with oral and written reports to the teacher. Normally, Advanced Readings is limited to 3 credits per
student per degree. Advanced Readings may not be used in lieu of core requirements.
A course designed to give students the opportunity to present in-depth research in specific areas in consultation
with the teacher. The courses focus on research work as presented in extensive writing. One semester hour of
course credit requires 60 hours of individual work by the student.
This course is designed to overview the consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on organization
consulting issues. Effort is placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting.
This course enables students to provide research-based analytics, offer vital information to clients, solve client’s
problem, make diagnosis-based recommendations, assist solution implementation, build consensus and
commitment, facilitate client learning, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Complete the following two courses:
An in-depth study, analysis and evaluation of accounting theory (theory and method, measurement and
accounting theory construction); alternative models to the historical model of accounting; empirical research in
accounting: (positive theory of accounting) and accounting regulation (conceptual framework and accounting
standards); and other specific issues. A 700-level registration involves a study of advanced Accounting Theory,
Prerequisite: ACCT 652 Financial Accounting II.
This course is designed to cover current issues and developments in financial accounting. The topics covered
depend on the current issues in the field of financial accounting. It is designed to familiarize students with
current issues and problems facing the accounting profession, to examine in depth various solutions proposed
by accounting scholars and others, and to strengthen students’ understanding of today’s critical issues in
accounting theory. A 700-level registration involves a study of advanced issues in accounting. Prerequisite:
ACCT 652 Financial Accounting II.
Complete the following two courses:
Open to students only on a limited basis with departmental approval. Requires extensive readings on an agreed
topic with oral and written reports to the teacher. Normally, Advanced Readings is limited to 3 credits per
student per degree. Advanced Readings may not be used in lieu of core requirements.
A course designed to give students the opportunity to present in-depth research in specific areas in consultation
with the teacher. The courses focus on research work as presented in extensive writing. One semester hour of
course credit requires 60 hours of individual work by the student.
This course is designed to overview the consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on organization
consulting issues. Effort is placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting.
This course enables students to provide research-based analytics, offer vital information to clients, solve client’s
problem, make diagnosis-based recommendations, assist solution implementation, build consensus and
commitment, facilitate client learning, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Complete the following two courses:
This course exposes students to methods and practices to acquire, engage, and develop talent; focuses on the
development of leaders within an organization; and examines how executive succession is managed. The overall
integrative course framework leads students to examine current and seminal research based literature on
recruitment, selection, orientation/induction, socialization, and personnel retention.
This course focuses on formal and informal methods of developing and training talent within an organization.
Through readings and discussions of both contemporary and seminal research-based literature, the course
covers topics such as formal and informal learning, developmental relationships, training techniques (on and
off-the-job) and performance management.
Complete the following two courses:
Open to students only on a limited basis with departmental approval. Requires extensive readings on an agreed
topic with oral and written reports to the teacher. Normally, Advanced Readings is limited to 3 credits per
student per degree. Advanced Readings may not be used in lieu of core requirements.
A course designed to give students the opportunity to present in-depth research in specific areas in consultation
with the teacher. The courses focus on research work as presented in extensive writing. One semester hour of
course credit requires 60 hours of individual work by the student.
This course is designed to overview the consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on organization
consulting issues. Effort is placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting.
This course enables students to provide research-based analytics, offer vital information to clients, solve client’s
problem, make diagnosis-based recommendations, assist solution implementation, build consensus and
commitment, facilitate client learning, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Complete the following two courses:
In this course students research and apply psychological, social and cultural concepts to marketing decision-
making. Topics include consumer behavior and research; internal influences such as motivation and
involvement, personality, self-image, life-style, perception, learning, attitude formation and change, and
communication; external influences such as culture, subculture, social class, reference groups and family, and
the diffusion of innovations; and consumer decision-making.
This course aims to give students an advanced understanding of integrated marketing communications (IMC),
as practiced by marketing managers and as conceptualized by researchers. It gives students theoretical,
conceptual, and practical skills in developing and managing advertising campaigns, sales promotions programs,
publicity drives, media mix, and public relations for building brand equity.
Complete the following two courses:
Open to students only on a limited basis with departmental approval. Requires extensive readings on an agreed
topic with oral and written reports to the teacher. Normally, Advanced Readings is limited to 3 credits per
student per degree. Advanced Readings may not be used in lieu of core requirements.
A course designed to give students the opportunity to present in-depth research in specific areas in consultation
with the teacher. The courses focus on research work as presented in extensive writing. One semester hour of
course credit requires 60 hours of individual work by the student.
This course is designed to overview the consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on organization
consulting issues. Effort is placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting.
This course enables students to provide research-based analytics, offer vital information to clients, solve client’s
problem, make diagnosis-based recommendations, assist solution implementation, build consensus and
commitment, facilitate client learning, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Complete the following four courses:
Theory and applications of multivariate statistics. Topics include factorial ANOVA, multiple regression, multiple
discriminant analyses, logistical regression, multivariate analysis of variance (ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA),
multidimensional scaling, cluster analysis, time series, and factor analysis. The student is expected to conduct
quantitative research involving advanced statistical procedures; analyze, interpret, and present and discuss the
results. Prerequisite: RESM 615 Statistics or equivalent. Note: Students who took basic statistics more than 5
years ago must audit RESM 615 or pass a proficiency examination before enrolling in this class.
An overview of the research traditions in qualitative research. The range consists of research methods from
criticism to inductive science. Philosophical assumptions; psychological and anthropological perspectives;
inductive, deductive, and abductive thought processes are considered from a personal worldview and values
orientation. The purpose is to make thoughtful and considered decisions about personal choices of research
methods available and suitable or appropriate for conducting research.
Examination of a qualitative research method including the question of purpose, design, interpretation, and
presentation of findings. The first part of the course includes the philosophy, theory, and the step-by-step
processes included in a particular research design. The second part of the course consists of conducting a study
using this design in the field.
Applications of multivariate analysis (a continuation of topics introduced in RESM 715) in analyzing causal
relationships. The topics include introduction to construction of scales, confirmatory factor analysis, path
analysis, and structural equation modeling using relevant statistical tools. The student applies the concepts to
the relevant quantitative research designs. This course should lead to validated measurement instruments and
the models of complex relationships for hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: RESM 715 Advanced Statistics.
Complete the following:
A dissertation required under the PhD in Religion program. For details, see the PhD in Religion program section.
A total of 12 semester hours must be taken. Prerequisite: GSEM 890 PhD Dissertation Proposal Seminar.
Program Structure | Credits |
|---|---|
Business Core | 21 |
Education Cognate | 6 |
Specialization | 12 |
Research Cognate | 12 |
Dissertation | 15 |
Total | 66 |
Core | 21 |
Complete the following seven courses: | |
BUAD 730 Quality and Knowledge Management | 3 |
BUAD 778 Advanced Management Decision Tools | 3 |
BUAD 785 Leadership and Corporate Governance | 3 |
ECON 765 Advanced Economic Theory | 3 |
LEAD 890 Biblical and Ethical Perspectives of Business Issues | 3 |
MGMT 720 Management Thought and Philosophy | 3 |
MGMT 725 Change and Crisis Management | 3 |
Education Cognate | 6 |
Complete the following two courses: | |
CHPH 872 Philosophy: An Adventist Perspective | 3 |
EDCI 620 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | 3 |
Management Specialization | 12 |
Complete the following two courses: | |
MGMT 626 International Business Management | 3 |
MGMT 750 Performance Management | 3 |
Complete two of the following courses: | |
MGMT 793 Advanced Readings in ______ | 3 |
MGMT 895 Directed Research in ______ | 3 |
MGMT 845 Business Consulting | 3 |
Finance Specialization | 12 |
Complete the following two courses: | |
FNCE 720 Innovative FinTech Management | 3 |
FNCE 740 Seminar in Financial Management | 3 |
Complete two of the following courses: | |
FNCE 793 Advanced Readings in ______ | 3 |
FNCE 895 Directed Research in ______ | 3 |
FNCE 845 Business Consulting | 3 |
Human Resource Management Specialization | 12 |
Complete the following two courses: | |
HRMT 765 Staffing and Talent Management | 3 |
HRMT 775 Advanced Training and Development | 3 |
Complete the two of the following courses: | |
HRMT 793 Advanced Readings in ______ | 3 |
HRMT 895 Directed Research in ______ | 3 |
HRMT 845 Business Consulting | 3 |
Marketing Specialization | 12 |
Complete the following two courses: | |
MKTG 775 Advanced Consumer Behavior | 3 |
MKTG 778 Advanced Advertising and Promotion | 3 |
Complete two of the following courses: | |
MKTG 793 Advanced Readings in ______ | 3 |
MKTG 895 Directed Research in ______ | 3 |
MKTG 845 Business Consulting | 3 |
Research Cognate | 12 |
Complete the following four courses: | |
RESM 715 Advanced Statistics | 3 |
RESM 740 Qualitative Research | 3 |
RESM 751 Applied Qualitative Research | 3 |
RESM 752 Applied Quantitative Research | 3 |
Dissertation | 15 |
Complete the following: | |
BUAD 897 Dissertation Proposal Writing | 3 |
BUAD 898 PhD Dissertation | 12 |
Tuition, required fees, books. Not including prerequisites.
This includes housing, utility, food & miscellaneous, refundable deposit. For a couple with 2 children in a 2-bedroom unit.
This includes housing, utility, food & miscellaneous, refundable deposit.
Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm;
Friday 8 am to 12 nn
