March 20, 2008

Contact:
Tammy DeMel, 404-413-7078
Office of External Affairs
J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Georgia State launches first doctorate program for senior business executives in Georgia

ATLANTA – The J. Mack Robinson College of Business announced yesterday the launch of the first doctorate program in the state of Georgia for senior business executives. The rigorous, three-year program is designed for business leaders who seek to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the global context of management while having the opportunity to shape the study and practice of business leadership.

According to Robinson Dean Fenwick Huss, despite the demand from companies and business executives, few schools offer this type of rigorous program for working executives.

“Some schools do offer business Ph.D.s but they are full-time programs oriented specifically toward training students for teaching positions,” Huss said. “Our program is uniquely designed for busy executives who have already earned an advanced degree, are holding full-time jobs, and who seek to enhance their effectiveness and careers in senior leadership positions. This program can provide companies, looking to hold on to valued top executives, with a solution to their long-term retention needs,” he said.

The program will be an executive format with six two-day residencies (Friday and Saturday) per semester. Students will take a total of 54 credit hours, including six hours of thesis work. Courses will focus on issues of global business and leadership, with two quantitative methods courses and two qualitative methods courses. Degree requirements will include two applied research projects investigating practical business problems that are of strategic importance and cross-functional in nature.

“The combination of our downtown and Buckhead locations, our faculty’s leadership position in research productivity, our nationally-ranked programs, and close ties to the international and local business communities makes Robinson uniquely equipped to deliver this one-of-a-kind program for executives interested in developing beyond what is normally attainable through work experience alone,” Huss added.

The first class is planned for January 2009.