DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Course Overview

Garissa University Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management programme is intended to provide learners with higher level research and analytical skills for a dynamic political, social and economic environment. Garissa University PhD (BM) fills a knowledge gap in that, it will equip graduates with knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to social, economic and political practices today. The programme will provide progression opportunity to the graduate degree students pursuing Master of Business Administration at GaU. Being the only university in Northern Kenya, the University will offer opportunity to scholars within the counties who may want to pursue advanced degree studies.

Duration and Structure of the Programme

1. The Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management degree will consist of coursework examination, seminar/concept paper presentation, proposal writing, publication and research thesis.
2. The PhD in Business Management programme shall be offered in three academic years. The first academic year will comprise of ten (10) course units. First semester of year one shall comprise of five (5) common units. The second semester of year one shall comprise of four (4) units in the area of specialization and one elective unit. The First semester of second year will have seminar/concept paper presentation seven (7) units and the second semester will have proposal writing seven (7) units. First semester of third year will comprise of research data collection and analysis- seven (7) units and second semester will have thesis writing and defense- seven (7) units.
3. A candidate will be deemed to have passed an academic year after successful completion of all the units offered in that year. In order to proceed to the second and third academic years, a candidate must have passed all the units offered in the first and second academic years respectively. 
4. Courses shall be offered in terms of units; one unit being defined as a series of 45 hours. For this purpose, a one-hour lecture is equivalent to a two-hour tutorial or a three-hour practical period, or an equivalent amount of other assigned study or practical experience or any combination of these that may be approved by the School of Business and Economics.
5. The programme will run for six (6) semesters, equivalent to a minimum of three academic years and up to a maximum of five academic years.
6. To qualify for the award of the degree, a candidate must pass all the required course units including research thesis.
7. A candidate wishing to temporarily suspend his/her studies must apply for academic leave. The academic leave becomes official only after endorsement by the University Senate.  The academic leave cannot extend beyond one academic year and the leave duration will be part of the programme duration. 
8. Unless exempted, a student shall be required to take all the course units required in the three academic years.

Admission Requirement

Common Garissa University regulations for the degree, of Doctor of Philosophy shall apply. Any Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management must:

1. Be a holder of Masters Degree of Garissa University or any other university in any of the following disciplines; Business Management, Human Resource Management, Business Administration and Economics.
2. Be a holder of a Masters degree recognized by Senate as equivalent to status of the qualifications in (i) above. Holders of executive degree programmes do not qualify.