Earn a PhD in Business from the Harbert College

Ready to begin your career in academia? Academic careers are best suited for those who are intellectually curious, like to solve problems, enjoy learning, are curious about the world, and enjoy mentoring and teaching. Successful academics typically establish a reputation as scholars soon after graduation. They'll conduct, present, and publish the results of their research at national and international conferences. In addition, they'll teach in a university setting. 

As an academic, you'll be a member of a community of scholars. It includes the Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, and the other members of your field world-wide. Regardless of your area of interest, an academic career will offer many exciting opportunities. You will get to collaborate with colleagues and satisfy your intellectual curiosity. 

Harbert’s PhD in Business offers several interesting areas of study. Find your program by identifying your area of interest and matching it to one of our specialty areas.

PhD in Business

Faculty Mentoring

You'll work closely with internationally-known faculty from your first day on campus. You'll learn to develop skills and knowledge to conduct high quality, academically rigorous research. This research will impact practice and future research development. Oftentimes, your collaboration with faculty leads to your first academic publication. In the first couple of years of the program, you can submit your first research article.

PhD Project

The Harbert College has a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship with the PhD Project. We are proud to continue this partnership to support current and future students by enhancing student recruiting and success. This partnership benefits student members of the PhD Project. It allows them to explore Harbert’s PhD program offerings. At the same time, it benefits our PhD programs by recruiting high-quality students from diverse backgrounds. 

Visit the PhD Project Website

Contact us

Contact us with your interest in a PhD in Business. Please contact the Associate Dean of Research or any of the Graduate Programs Officers listed below.

• Associate Dean Duane Brandon, all programs
• Professor Kang Bok Lee, Information Systems Management and Business Analytics
• Professor Jimmy Hilliard, Corporate Finance, Financial Institutions and Markets, Investments 
• Professor Jack Walker, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management/Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management
• Professor Shashank Rao, Supply Chain Management