Doctor of Philosophy
Concentration in Agribusiness

Program Description

Agribusiness contributes to 50% of the global economy, and accounts for 20% of domestic employment and as much as 90% of employment in some developing economies.  It is unique in its dependence upon biological production processes and the relentlessly competitive nature of agribusiness firms.  The Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness and the W. P. Carey School of Business offer an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in agribusiness.  As an academic discipline, agribusiness involves the application of theory and quantitative methods in economics, finance, marketing and management to issues involved in the production, distribution and marketing of food and fiber.  Agribusiness Ph.D. students study topics such as consumer behavior in food markets, strategic marketing by food retailers, supply-chain management, derivatives and risk management and international agricultural trade and policy.  The objective of the agribusiness Ph.D. program is to produce scholars who are trained in the latest methods of business and economic analysis as well as at the forefront of problem solving in one of the most important sectors of the global economy.  With this background, graduates of this concentration are expected to assume teaching and research positions at top-ranked research universities.

Admission

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in agribusiness must submit a completed application package by February 1 for fall study. Because this degree is offered through the W.P. Carey School of Business, all applicants must follow the admission procedures listed online at http://wpcarey.asu.edu/grad/phd/.

Once an application is complete, it will evaluated by faculty in the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness for final approval.  All admission decisions must be reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean of Doctoral Programs in the W. P. Carey School of Business and the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies before deemed final. 

Agribusiness Ph.D. students are expected to develop a program of study that consist of three elements: (1) a core of theory and quantitative methods course work in economics and management from the W. P. Carey School, (2) advanced courses in at least one of economics, finance, marketing or management from the W. P. Carey School and (3) a two-course sequence of Ph.D.-level theory and methods as applied to issues and concepts specific to the agribusiness sector from the Morrison School.  The agribusiness Ph.D. is designed to allow “flexibility with focus” so each student’s program of study is unique, but is designed in order to produce the highest level of research competency in the student’s chosen area of interest.   

Comprehensive Examination

After completion of all course work, each student completes a comprehensive written examination that covers both core and interest-area subject matter.  The intent of the exam is to determine whether the student is sufficiently prepared to conduct dissertation research to the standards of the W. P. Carey School and the Morrison School research faculty.  Consequently, the exam is set and graded by faculty in both schools.  Students must pass the comprehensive exam with a grade of “B” in order to begin work towards their respective dissertation stage.

Dissertation

Upon successful passing of the written comprehensive examination, Ph.D. students select a dissertation committee consisting of a minimum of three faculty members, with at least one member from the W. P. Carey School and two members from the Morrison School.  Students are then required to prepare a dissertation proposal on a topic approved by their committee.  The Ph.D. dissertation represents an original body of research that contributes to the stock of knowledge in the chosen field in a significant way.  Students are expected to complete and defend a dissertation proposal by the end of the third year of coursework.  The proposal outlines the research problem, objectives, research methods, and potential implications of the dissertation research.  Once the proposal is approved, the student is formally advanced to candidacy.

Final Examination

Upon completing the dissertation, Ph.D. candidates take an oral examination in defense of their work.  All members of the student’s approved Graduate Supervisory (Dissertation) Committee must be present.  The final oral defense is mandatory and must be held on the campus of Arizona State University.  The Ph.D. degree is granted upon successful completion of the oral defense and any revisions to the dissertation required by committee members.