PhD

Business Information Technology

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
201–250 place StudyQA ranking:3157 Duration:4 years

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The PhD in Business with a major in Business Information Technology is a full-time, four-year, residential program offering specializations in information technology/decision support systems/business analytics and in operations and supply chain management. It is designed to prepare students for teaching and research careers in higher education.  Although the program emphasizes the study of technology used in the creation, storage, exchange, and use of information in its various forms, considerable emphasis is also placed on the related disciplines of mathematical programming, decision support systems, data mining, stochastic processes, computer simulation, production/operations management, and statistics.  Study of these topics requires that the student have a strong quantitative background.

The primary goal of the program is to prepare graduate students for a successful career in an academic environment.  This objective is realized through a research-oriented program of study that provides extensive interaction with a faculty of outstanding researchers and teachers.  Recent graduates of our program have accepted faculty positions at North Carolina State, William and Mary, University of Connecticut, Radford University, Xavier University, Wyoming, and Iowa State.

Virginia Tech academic calendar operates on the semester system.  There are two 15 week sessions scheduled from late August through early May, followed by two five-week summer sessions.  The normal academic load for full-time doctoral students is 12 hours during each regular academic term and six hours during the summer sessions.  All Ph.D. candidates must complete a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate.  This total must include a minimum of 60 semester hours of approved course work and no fewer than 30 hours of research and dissertation credits.  At least 50 percent of all graduate course credits (excluding research and dissertation credits) must be earned at Virginia Tech.  The program of study must also satisfy four departmental specifications.

  • A minimum of 12 hours of graduate course work must be taken in the Department of Business Information Technology.
  • A minimum of nine hours of research methodology related course work must be completed.
  • At least two continuous years must be spent in residence on the Blacksburg campus.  A minimum of 24 graduate-level semester credit hours must be earned during this period.
  • Full instructional responsibility for a least one course during doctoral studies.

In evaluating applications the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee seeks to identify individuals who possess the intellectual capability, motivation, and quantitative background necessary for successful completion of the program.  Desirable quantitative competencies include computer programming skills and a strong foundation in calculus and linear algebra. 

Admission decisions are based on a composite of factors, including, academic record, areas of previous study, academic institutions previously attended, score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), letters of recommendation, and work experience.  International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 600 on the paper version or 250 on the computer exam. There is no minimum required GRE score.

Application for admission to the doctoral program is restricted to the fall semester.   A complete application consists of the following items:

  • a completed online application
  • GRE and TOEFL (if required) scores should be sent to Virginia Tech; ETS Institution Code 5859;
  • official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate course work and letters of recommendation should be sent to the Graduate School

The most common form of financial support for entering doctoral candidate is a graduate assistantship.  These awards presently carry a stipend of approximately $18,000 for the nine-month academic year and require that the recipient work 20 hours per week in support of the instructional and research activities of a faculty member.  Students holding one of these graduate assistantships receive a full tuition waiver.

Candidates who have completed most of their course work frequently hold either a half or full-time instructorship.  Half-time instructors normally teach six hours (two classes) of undergraduate course work.  The salary is dependent upon the individual’s credentials but exceeds the graduate assistantship stipend.

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