Doctoral Studies

The mark of highest achievement in entrepreneurship and information systems scholarship.

The LSU PhD in Business Administration program within SDEIS prepares graduate students for successful careers as researchers and professors. We desire to produce individuals who will become members of top-tier research institutions and make continuing contributions to business and society through their developments and application of new knowledge.

SDEIS currently supports two distinct areas for students to focus their studies:

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is defined as the process of creating value by gathering and combining resources in a unique way to exploit opportunities. This track produces graduates who can research and advance our understanding of the entrepreneurship process and its outcomes. The program is highly personalized to reflect individual intellectual interests. Yet, it closely involves internationally recognized faculty who aim to advance your career as a research professor at a top-tier academic institution. Students collaborate with faculty to explore many different entrepreneurship topics, including creativity, innovation, social entrepreneurship, crowdfunding, family business, venture capitalism, and new venture creation, among many others.

Information Systems

Advances in cloud computing and software as a service, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and the “Internet of Things” enable any firm in any industry to reconsider its value proposition. SDEIS understands that these trends are not just technology changes—computer scientists will continue to push the boundaries of the capabilities of IT. This is why advancing the domain of information systems research and thought leadership are critical to this ever-evolving industry. 

Key Research Areas

Entrepreneurship

Innovation & Creativity

Entrepreneurship Process

Social Entrepreneurship

Family Business

Strategic Entrepreneurship

Crowdfunding

Venture Capital

Information Systems

Digital Transformation

IT Outsourcing

IT Strategy

Cybersecurity

Organizational & individual adoption of new and emerging technology

 

Program Details 

SDEIS welcomes applications from highly qualified individuals considering a career in academics or industry. Through coursework and independent research, you will hone your analytical and technical competence while mastering skills in research design, project management, and teamwork. The program also emphasizes the ability to communicate research findings to academic audiences and practicing managers. This blend of knowledge and skills are valuable to anyone pursuing a career as an academic researcher, university professor, or individuals who intend to work in industry as a data scientist.

Length of Study

Most students should plan on spending four years in the program. Coursework typically takes two full years; for example, three courses each in the fall and spring semesters the first year, two courses in the summer, then three courses each in fall and spring the second year to complete the minimum courses. Students will sit for a Comprehensive Exam following the completion of their required core coursework. Most doctoral students seek academic careers, and the central market for academic placement occurs a full year before positions are available.

Sequence of Coursework

Entering students typically concentrate on research methods courses as they have not selected a supporting field. They must take four core doctoral-level seminars required by the department. Students will then select at least 12 credit hours of methodology coursework and additional coursework to support an internal minor and a supporting field of study. Students work one-on-one with their PhD advisor to prepare a program of study and update it each year.

Course Curriculum

Course  Hours

SDEIS PhD Core Seminar Courses

 12

Supporting Field

 6

Research Methodolgy

 12

Dissertation Hours

 12

Elective Hours

 12

Total

 54

 

 

Admission Requirements

Individuals desiring admission must formally apply to LSU’s Graduate School Office of Admissions. The following information should accompany all applications submitted to the graduate school:

  • Transcript(s) of undergraduate study
  • Transcript(s) of all graduate work attempted or completed
  • GMAT score
  • TOEFL score (if an international student)
  • Statement of purpose

If the LSU Graduate School criteria are met, the documents will be sent to the E. J. Ourso College of Business for additional processing and to the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems PhD Policy and Admissions Committee for a final admission decision. The following materials should be submitted to the department:

  • Letters of recommendation


The statement of purpose should include:

  • Career objectives and reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD;
  • How has the applicant’s academic or professional background prepared them for PhD studies;
  • Reasons for selecting the SDEIS PhD program at LSU;
  • As best as possible, an outline of possible research interests;
  • Any other information that may assist the department in their admission decision

To be considered for admission within the E. J. Ourso College and the department, applicants should have successfully completed coursework equivalent to the MBA or MS in MSA. In general, a minimum GPA of 3.5 should have been maintained on prior graduate work, and a score of 600 or above must have been achieved on the GMAT. Applicants who have graduated from non-U.S. institutions must take the TOEFL examination and receive a minimum score of at least 550; furthermore, applicants should display English language proficiency. Satisfaction of these threshold standards, however, does not guarantee admission. Final admission decisions will reflect consideration of all relevant documents and current department resources.

Application Deadline

The Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems uses a rolling admission process. The application deadline is March 1 for fall admissions.

 

The LSU Ourso Advantage

Active Faculty: Collaborate with and learn from our faculty of world-class researchers, who are continually published in top journals and serve as journal editors.

Selective Enrollment: A limited and selective enrollment that allows students to develop personal and professional ties with faculty and fellow students

Funding Available: Admitted students generally receive a competitive level of funding through departmental research or teaching assistantships. Students are also eligible for fellowships and ​other awards offered by the LSU Graduate School.

Scholarship-First Focus: PhD students have access to all resources of the LSU academic community, allowing you to pursue your interests in related fields, like any business discipline, computer science, experimental statistics, or other areas important to your development.

Team Environment: Our culture of collegiality encourages students to work closely with faculty and fellow PhD students.

Extensive Network: SDEIS faculty are well-connected within the world of academia. They use these connections to help PhD candidates gain visibility with potential employers.

 

 

AJ Burns headshot

Faculty Features

AJ Burns
Assistant Professor - Information Systems

A. J. Burns studies human factors in cyber risk with a specific interest in understanding how organizations can better protect the sensitive information they create, collect, and process. As a cyber risk expert, his research sheds light on diverse topics, from intentional insider attacks to spear phishing and security training. Overall, he has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers on cyber risk, including some in the highest-rated academic journals in the information systems field.

His current research interest includes online information integrity, specifically the emerging issues around false and misleading information on social media that create new cyber risks for individuals, organizations, and society.

Tyge Payne headshot

G. Tyge Payne
Professor - Entrepreneurship 
H. Norman Saurage Jr. and Community Coffee Company Inc. Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship

Tyge Payne's research resides at the intersection of entrepreneurship and strategic management, examining how and why new and existing organizations combine opportunity-and advantage-seeking decisions and behaviors that lead to innovation and value creation. He has over 80 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Family Business Review (FBR), Journal of Management, Journal of Management Studies, Organizational Science, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. Payne is the former editor-in-chief of FBR and is currently a field editor for the Journal of Business Venturing, the top journal dedicated to the study of entrepreneurship.

His current research is focused on understanding how and in what ways entrepreneurs utilize signals and language to motivate and persuade investors and other stakeholders to provide resources or otherwise support a venture.

 

Meet more SDEIS faculty

Doctoral Studies Contacts

Andrew H. Schwarz

Professor of Information Systems
2221 Business Education Complex
225-578-9075
aschwarz@lsu.edu  

Tyge Payne

Professor of Entrepreneurship
2200 Business Education Complex tygepayne@lsu.edu 

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