The Ph.D. Program in business administration with an emphasis in international business is designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching. Flexibility in program design allows for students who seek career opportunities in the global business environment. The program seeks to create an intellectual climate that embraces diversity and global awareness. The college is committed to meeting the needs of the Rio Grande Valley region, and particular emphasis is placed on business practices as they relate to North, Central and South America.

The doctoral degree in business administration with an emphasis in international business is a minimum 66-hour, double-major degree program. In addition to the focus on International Business, each student selects a functional area major from finance/economics, management or marketing. In consultation with his or her advisory committee, the student selects courses to create an individual degree program. All students are expected to complete a quantitative methods sequence and a support field sequence designed to provide an understanding of the cultural, political and social implications of global business. Easy access to the maquiladoras and numerous exchange agreements make it possible for the student to engage in joint research projects with an international university. All students are expected to demonstrate a working command of a language other than English before graduation. After coursework is completed, students take comprehensive examinations followed by the writing and defending of the dissertation. Each dissertation is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of knowledge encompassing global business administration.

To be admitted for graduate study at The University of Texas-Pan American, the student must submit the following materials to the Graduate School: 1. application for admission to the University, 2. transcripts from all previous college or university coursework, 3. official scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), 4. official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if English is not the primary language of the applicant, and 5. official scores from the Test of Spoken English (TSE), if applicable. In addition, the student must submit the following documents directly to the Ph.D. Program in business administration, College of Business Administration: 1. application for the doctoral program in business administration, 2. three letters of recommendation from references who can attest to the applicant’s scholarly potential, 3. copy of official GMAT scores, 4. a brief essay from the applicant describing his or her objectives in pursuing doctoral study, and 5. a non-refundable check in the amount of $35 (U.S.) payable to The University of Texas-Pan American to cover costs of application evaluation. Admission decisions for the doctoral program are made by an admissions committee. The committee members make a determination with respect to the probability of success. Thus, the student should provide materials that will be helpful in making this determination. Applications are for entrance to the program in the fall semester. For fall admission, all documents should be received by the doctoral program by March 15 preceding the fall of entrance desired. No students are admitted to begin in spring or summer.