The PhD in Business Information Systems (BIS) at Mississippi State University offers students the opportunity to learn in a challenging and dynamic academic environment. The program prepares students to conduct research and teach in a variety of academic settings, and our graduates have taken jobs at schools such as the University of Alabama, the University of Texas - San Antonio, Creighton University, University of Northern Colorado, Missouri University of Science and Technology, James Madison University, Gonzaga University, Northern Illinois University, University of New Mexico, and the University of Tennessee. Our faculty boasts degrees from a variety of schools that reflect a diversity of academic philosophies including the University of Nebraska, Iowa State University, Florida State University, and Florida International University.
Our doctoral program prepares students for an academic career, focusing on research, teaching and service. As an R1 research institution, we focus on helping our students develop strong research capabilities, including grounding in the theories and research methods necessary for conceiving and implementing research projects leading to manuscripts publishable in top scholarly journals. Students will write papers in their doctoral research seminars and will also work with faculty outside the classroom experiences to conduct research projects leading to manuscripts suitable for submission to academic conferences and scientific journals. During their doctoral studies, several recent PhD students in BIS have co-authored publications in leading journals. Additionally, we work with our students to help them publish their dissertation papers in top journals.
Our doctoral program also emphasizes teaching, and faculty work closely with students to help them learn how to excel in the classroom. The program offers courses about teaching methodologies, and faculty provide students with teaching materials that they can adapt for many of the courses they teach. By the time doctoral students graduate, they are qualified to assume responsibility for the foundational courses that most universities expect new faculty to teach and manage, as well as more specialized or advanced courses such as programming classes, systems analysis and design, database, analytics, artificial intelligence, and business telecommunications.
Because the doctoral program is small (6–8 students at a time), students can expect to receive one-on-one attention. They can also expect an atmosphere of camaraderie and collegiality among their fellow doctoral students—a true Bulldog family that supports one another. This facilitates close relationships not only during the program, but also after it is completed. Many of our students continue to work on research with each other and with our faculty long after they graduate. These opportunities build lasting working relationships and a network of colleagues that is becoming rarer as doctoral programs at many schools become larger and more comprehensive. Thus, the choice to pursue a PhD in Business Information Systems at Mississippi State University provides a complete, high-quality doctoral experience with a personal touch.
Admission Process
Prospective students must submit their applications through Mississippi State University’s Office of the Graduate School. To be considered for admission for the upcoming fall semester, applications should be completed by January 15. Admission to the program is highly selective, as we seek individuals who demonstrate strong academic potential and clear alignment with the program’s research focus.
Admission Considerations
We seek applicants with strong academic records, typically including high undergraduate/master’s GPAs and competitive GMAT/GRE scores (generally above 600 or its GRE equivalent). However, our admissions process is holistic: we carefully evaluate the full range of each applicant’s qualifications, including academic background, professional experience, research interests, and personal motivation.
Given the program’s strong emphasis on research, we strongly recommend prior exposure to statistics, as students will engage in rigorous quantitative coursework during their first year.
We consider a variety of criteria in the evaluation of PhD applicants, including, but not limited to:
- GMAT or GRE scores, including quantitative, verbal, and written components
- Undergraduate and graduate fields of study
- GPA on undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
- Work experience
- Research experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Interviews for finalists
Contact
For specific information about the Business Information Systems PhD program at Mississippi State University, please contact the coordinator, Dr. Merrill Warkentin.
Visit MSU's Office of the Graduate School website for information on admission requirements for US students and International students.