The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD degree) program aims to develop participant’s abilities to undertake independent research at an advanced level and make an original and significant contribution to knowledge and professional practice. SMC PhD program students can be mid-career individuals who have already established themselves as business leaders or are on track to being appointed to executive positions and are supported in their academic ambition by their employing organization. PhD candidates can also be students in their late 20s who excelled in their bachelor’s and master’s degrees and are ready for the next step in academic research. The degree is intended for both senior practitioners in their field, who are used to identifying and dealing with various “real life” issues, as well as researchers whose main strength lies in theoretical knowledge.
Academic doctorates are awarded for original research and scholarship in a given research area. They prepare research candidates for various careers through their main focus of broadening theoretical understanding of a subject.
This doctoral research field prepares students for advanced research and teaching careers in business and management.
The PhD in Political Economy prepares students for careers in academia, policy-making, consulting, journalism, and civil society organizations.
Students typically choose a subfield of political science, such as comparative politics, int. relations, political theory, and public policy.
Advanced research in the field of public management and policy to improve the performance of public organizations and programs.
Research focus on micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, int. economics, development economics, labor economics, industrial organization, public economics, and behavioral economics.
This field focuses on the study of financial markets, institutions, and decision-making. It prepares students for careers in academia, research, or policy-making in the fields of finance, economics, or business.
Students focus on the research and application of IT in various domains, where they can apply their skills and expertise to solve complex problems, create innovative solutions, and lead teams or projects.
This research field aims to advance the state of the art in the field of protecting information systems and networks from various threats. Theoretical, experimental, or applied aspects of cybersecurity.
PhD students can be mid-career individuals who have already established themselves as business leaders or are on track to being appointed to executive positions and are supported in their academic ambition by their employing organisation. PhD candidates can also be students in their late 20s who excelled in their bachelor’s and master’s degrees and are ready for the next step in academic research. The degree is intended for both senior practitioners in their field, who are used to identifying and dealing with various “real life” issues, as well as researchers whose main strength lies in theoretical knowledge. The Doctor of Philosophy degree can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings from lecturing at Universities or Higher Education Institutions, to top management positions, to consulting or even further entrepreneurship.
This Doctor of Philosophy degree program has a clear milestone system made up of eight successive phases. Students are initially registered as MPhil. Students. The enrollment status is upgraded to Ph.D. status after at least 24 months of part-time study once the candidate passes the Transfer Interview. Transfer is allowed on clear evidence of progress in their work (Phase Five). The applied milestone system provides a rigorous quality assurance system making sure that only those who reach the expected level of scholarship are allowed to move on.
Students who are accepted for the course work closely with the assigned supervisors to go through the Eight Phases of the course as explained in detail above. Research Candidates are to write a thesis that clearly demonstrates competence in the subject area at an advanced level and contribute towards new knowledge. The length of a thesis is of around 100,000 words. At the end of each term, the researcher and their supervisors must each submit a progress report to the SMC Doctorate Committee. When the supervisors are satisfied that the work is ready for examination, the thesis is submitted to an appointed Board of Examiners. After examination, the Chairperson may give approval for the oral defense or ask for resubmission with corrections. This PhD is a part-time program of 6 years. The SMC Doctoral Committee may grant candidates an extension of up to two years in order to enable them to complete their studies within 8 years. In exceptional cases and pending approval, the thesis may be submitted in 4 years.
Upon completion of the program, learners will have acquired the following competences, knowledge, and skills (click on each heading to see the details):
Tuition is paid throughout the span of enrollment and amounts to 275 Euro per month. Discounted advance payment options are available on request. SMC does not provide scholarships for the PhD program. Doctoral candidates are expected to be at an advanced stage of their career, having achieved a financial position to be able to fund their Tuition. If necessary, we encourage applicants to seek financial support from external sources. SMC provides reductions to SMC Alumni.
Students are initially registered as MPhil. Students. The course of studies is upgraded to PhD status after at least 24 months of part-time study once the candidate passes the Transfer Interview (see Program Structure above). Transfer is allowed on clear evidence of progress in the student’s work (Phase Five). To apply for Admission, please follow the steps below.
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