St. Thomas University (FL)

What you'll study

St. Thomas University does not run a PhD in Business Administration. However, for students planning to progress to doctoral study elsewhere, the university's graduate business courses and research preparation typically focus on core areas that feed into PhD-level work: research methods and statistics, advanced micro- and macroeconomics, organisational theory, strategic management, quantitative modelling, and specialised seminars in finance, marketing, operations and entrepreneurship. Students preparing for doctoral programmes often undertake an independent research project or thesis, study advanced econometrics, and take seminars in research design and publication strategies.

Typical doctoral-level topics you would expect at a research university

• Research methods and advanced quantitative techniques (time series, panel data, structural equation modelling).
• Microeconomic theory for business and management.
• Organisational behaviour, strategy and corporate governance.
• Specialist streams such as finance, marketing analytics, operations management or entrepreneurship.
• Academic writing, pedagogy and the ethics of research.
• Dissertation research and defence under the supervision of faculty advisors.

Entry requirements

Because St. Thomas University does not offer a PhD in Business Administration, there are no institutional PhD entry requirements to meet at St. Thomas. For students using St. Thomas graduate study as preparation for doctoral work elsewhere, typical entry requirements for research doctorate programmes you would apply to include:

• A master's degree in business, economics, a closely related social science, or a relevant professional field; some programmes accept exceptional candidates directly from a bachelor’s degree.
• A strong academic record with evidence of quantitative coursework (statistics, econometrics, calculus) for most research-focused doctoral programmes.
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees, and a statement of research interests outlining proposed areas of inquiry.
• Proof of research potential: publications, conference presentations, or a substantial master’s thesis where applicable.
• For non-native English speakers, a recognised English language qualification at the level required by the receiving doctoral institution.

Career prospects

A PhD in Business Administration (from a research university) prepares graduates for academic careers as faculty and researchers, and for senior research and policy roles in think-tanks, international organisations and advanced consultancy. Common career paths include:

• Tenure-track faculty positions in business schools, teaching and supervising research.
• Research director or principal economist roles in corporate strategy, finance and analytics teams.
• Senior positions in public policy, economic development agencies or international organisations requiring rigorous research skills.
• High-level consulting roles that focus on evidence-based strategy, organisational change and data-driven decision-making.

Graduates typically combine deep theoretical knowledge with advanced quantitative skills, positioning them for leadership in both academia and industry.

Why study at St. Thomas University (FL)

St. Thomas University is a small private Catholic university located in the Miami metropolitan area, known for personalised attention, small class sizes and a values-driven curriculum. For students seeking preparation for doctoral study, St. Thomas offers graduate-level business education such as the MBA and related courses that develop practical and analytical skills, opportunities for close faculty mentorship, and access to the regional business community for applied projects and internships.

The university's location in South Florida provides proximity to a diverse, international business environment—useful for research topics tied to Latin American markets, international trade, hospitality and tourism, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. If your goal is doctoral study in business administration, St. Thomas can serve as a stepping stone: complete rigorous graduate coursework, engage in research or capstone projects, and then apply to institutions that offer formal PhD or DBA programmes.