Courses

Course Descriptions

BA 7301 Business Research Foundations
Introduces the fundamental philosophy of business research and the process of conducting applied business research. Topics may include positivism versus interpretivism, quantitative versus qualitative research, research question formulation, and theory and hypothesis development. Students will be exposed to the relevant literature of business research.

BA 7302 Business Research Methods I
Introduces research methods (e.g., survey) to conduct quantitative research and will focus on statistical tools and techniques to analyze quantitative data for applied research. Topics will include construct measurement, sampling techniques, regression, multivariate statistics, and structural equation modeling.

BA 7303 Business Research Methods II
Introduces qualitative research methods (e.g., case study, action research, ethnography, grounded theory) to conduct applied qualitative research. The course will focus on understanding the practical application of the methods, tools, techniques to conduct applied qualitative research.

BA 7304 Business Analytics Research
Introduces data-driven, evidence-based approaches to decision making. Topics include use of data analytic tools for data manipulation and the development of diagnostic, predictive, descriptive, and prescriptive analytics models.

BA 7305 Applied Econometrics
Introduces econometric theory and advanced regression and econometric methods for applied researchers. Topics will include times series and limited dependent variable/panel data analysis.

BA 7306 Experimental Design and Survey Methods
Focuses on the methods and applications of survey, quasi-experimental and experimental research methods. Topics will include construct development, hypotheses development, research design (e.g., factorial designs), instrument design (e.g., manipulations), statistical techniques for analyzing data, interpreting results, and ethical considerations.

BA 7310 Organizational Behavior and Group Dynamics
Focuses on the structure and behavioral dynamics of complex organizational systems, particularly as they relate to small groups. Students will review extant research that may include systems theory, change management, stages of group development, intragroup/intergroup behavior, sources of power and influence, effective group facilitation, optimization of group performance, and management of virtual groups.

BA 7311 Analysis of Corporate Policy
Focuses on measurement and analysis of an integrated view of operations within an organization. Students will review extant research on policy development and the behavioral effects of policy.

BA 7312 Global Business Issues
Provides a rigorous foundation for managing an enterprise that operates in a global economy. This course integrates global economic issues module and global strategic issues module to provide a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic concepts and models for analyzing the global environment in which managers of the multi-national enterprises need to make decisions and develop strategies for diversification, vertical integration, global expansions, etc. The role of technology, supply chain, government policies in affecting the economic and business conditions will be assessed.

BA 7313 Decision Making under Uncertainty
Focuses on decision making under uncertainty in the area of business strategy and innovation. Students will review research in theoretical and applied research context that includes the use of utility theory, bounded rationality, risk, heuristics and biases, conflict, and motivation.

BA 7351 Research Seminar in Analytics
Provides students with the opportunity to learn about applied research in analytics by interacting directly with the leading scholars and practitioners in the field. Students will also read and discuss some of the founding works in analytics.

BA 7353 Strategic Marketing Analysis and Applications
Focuses on topics pertaining to marketing strategy, such as value creation, marketing capabilities, buyer-seller relationships, branding, marketing mix, sales force and channel relationships, market performance, and competitive advantage. Emphasis will be on evaluating and applying theory, frameworks, research methodologies, and analytical techniques to develop insights on complex marketing problems.

BA 7354 Natural Language Processing in Business and Finance
Focuses on large language models and their applications in financial markets. Students will review the algorithms most used in natural language processing and how they are impacting financial markets, from chatbots to investment advice.

BA 7355 Accounting Analytics for Decision Making
Focuses on concepts and issues involved in the usage of data analytics in accounting to facilitate decision making. Students will review extant research on data analytics in accounting and develop skills for manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting complex data.

BA 7356 Human Resource Management Analytics
Provides the foundation for applied research in human resource management analytics. Students will review theoretical and applied research that gives insight into the challenges pertaining to development and management of the human capital assets of the organization.

BA 7360 Dissertation Design and Proposal
Includes the identification of an original business-relevant research problem and preparation of a dissertation proposal. A dissertation committee is formed to guide the student toward a successful dissertation proposal defense.

Dissertation and Comprehensive Exam

The dissertation phase represents the culmination of the DBA journey, requiring students to demonstrate deep subject-matter expertise and original research contributions. Early in the process, students consult with the program director to explore possible dissertation topics and identify potential faculty chairs whose expertise aligns with their chosen research area. By working closely with their dissertation chair, students establish a collaborative relationship that guides them through topic refinement, methodology selection, and the initial drafting of the dissertation proposal. Formal committee formation soon follows, as students invite two additional faculty members to join the dissertation committee. These members serve as invaluable resources throughout the project, bringing specialized knowledge and fostering high standards of academic rigor.

Once the committee is finalized, students focus on developing a thorough and coherent dissertation proposal, refining multiple drafts before submitting a final version for evaluation. This written proposal also functions as a comprehensive exam, ensuring that each candidate’s research design and understanding of key theoretical frameworks meet the standards of the doctoral program. Upon successful completion of the proposal defense, students proceed with data collection, analysis, and the writing of the dissertation chapters. Throughout this process, they maintain ongoing dialogue with the committee, receiving feedback that strengthens their scholarly work. As the project nears completion, students schedule and announce a final defense, presenting their findings and contributions to the field. A successful defense and approval of the written dissertation by the committee and The Graduate College mark the achievement of doctoral status, signifying both academic excellence and significant scholarly impact.