Why Academia? If you are someone who loves learning, generating new ideas, and setting your own agenda you may want to seriously consider pursuing a doctoral degree in business. While all academicians can make their mark in a field, those in business have the opportunity to influence both the educational and the corporate sectors. Click here to find out how Academia can help your Work/Life Balance. I have been in Corporate America for more than 10 years. Is it too late to consider pursuing a career as a Business School Professor? Not at all! Many of the Ph.D.’s who have come through The PhD Project, have done so after spending a significant period of time in another career. Doctoral students come in all ages – from recent college graduates to mid-career professionals. Click here to read about making the switch to academia after an extensive corporate career. Is The PhD Project a doctoral program? No. The PhD Project is an informational network for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans (U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents) who are interested in getting more information about business doctoral programs. The network is comprised of current doctoral students, faculty and doctoral program directors who help provide access to information and resources about doctoral studies in the business area. How can The PhD Project help me learn about getting a Ph.D. in business? Take advantage of the information contained in this website – be inspired by the Real World Success stories, read about The PhD Project In the News, and apply to attend the annual PhD Project Conference. What is The PhD Project Conference? The PhD Project Conference is a 2-Day event that takes place annually, each November in Chicago. The conference provides a rare networking and information gathering opportunity for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans (U.S. Citizens or Permanent U.S. Residents) interested in pursuing a business Ph.D. to become a business school professor. How do I register for the conference? The conference is invitation only. There is an application, which must be completed and submitted for consideration. All applications are reviewed by heads of doctoral programs. If you are invited, The PhD Project will pay for your round trip airfare (domestic travel only), and your hotel stay for the duration of the conference. Do I need an MBA to enter a doctoral program? No. An MBA degree is not required for admission to doctoral programs. Only a Bachelor’s degree is required. Visit Alternate Paths to a Doctorate to learn about the various approaches to getting your Doctorate. Is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) required for admission to a doctoral program? Yes, the GMAT is required for admission to doctoral programs. For more information visit their website at: www.gmat.org.

How can I better prepare for the challenge of a Doctoral Program? New York Universities' Stern School of Business offers a Pre-Doctoral program, designed specifically for underrepresented minority students who are seeking to enroll in a Ph.D. program in Business at any university. For more information, visit their website at: www.stern.nyu.edu/phd/predoctoral/. When are applications for most doctoral programs due? Applications for most doctoral programs are due in January, and offers of admission are usually announced in March. Where can I find samples of a Statement of Purpose (SoP)? Visit www.statementofpurpose.com for information and advice on developing a winning SoP. Can I do a Ph.D. program part-time, or on-line, and still participate in The PhD Project? If you are seriously considering teaching at the university level as a tenure–track professor, you should attend a full-time doctoral program at an AACSB accredited business school (see Supporting Universities.) Although, part-time and on-line programs are available, students of these programs are not eligible for membership in the The PhD Project Doctoral Students Association. What costs are associated with pursuing a Ph.D.? Unlike undergraduate and graduate schools, most doctoral programs waive tuition and fees. In addition, almost all doctoral granting institutions offer compensated research and or teaching assistantships. Although The PhD Project does not offer any funding to doctoral students, additional sources of funding can be obtained from private foundations and government agencies. What can I expect to earn as a Business School Professor? Based on feedback from recent Ph.D.'s., average 9-month salaries can range between $70,000 - 100,000 depending upon discipline, with the opportunity for substantial additional compensation for summer research and teaching assignments (See Academic Jobs Sites.) Read more about salaries for business school professors in The BizED article, "The Professor's Paycheck," written by Dan Le Clair. What will The PhD Project do to help me once I begin my doctoral program? Once accepted into a full-time, accredited business doctoral program, students who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to join The PhD Project Minority Doctoral Students Associations (DSAs). These associations were created in 1994 by The PhD Project to sustain a high level of commitment and a sense of connection among minority business doctoral students. There are now five minority doctoral students associations covering all the major areas of business education: Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Management, Marketing.