Fully Funded Business Administration PhD Programs in Virginia
Pursuing a PhD in Business Administration is a significant academic and professional commitment, often accompanied by financial concerns. For prospective students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who are ready to pursue this advanced credential, financial challenges often come into play.
Fortunately, several universities in Virginia offer fully funded PhD programs in Business Administration. These programs provide comprehensive financial support through tuition remission, stipends, and research or teaching assistantships, ensuring students can focus entirely on their studies and research.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting five fully funded business administration PhD programs in Virginia, USA. Each program not only covers tuition and living expenses but also offers students the opportunity to develop advanced expertise in their chosen business fields. Whether you’re aspiring to an academic career or looking to lead in the corporate world, these programs provide robust support and resources to help you achieve your goals.
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1. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech, officially known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is a public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Founded in 1872, it is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, science, business, and agriculture, along with a commitment to research and innovation.
Virginia Tech emphasizes hands-on learning, leadership, and community service, and operates under its motto, Ut Prosim (“That I May Serve”). Known for its vibrant campus life and the Hokie spirit, the university fosters a culture of collaboration and prepares students to tackle global challenges.
Virginia Tech through Pamplin College of Business offers a PhD program in Business. The program is offered on a full-time basis with admission for the Fall semester with financial aid available for qualified PhD students. Students pursuing the PhD. in Business must select one of six concentrations (majors):
- Accounting and Information Systems
- Business Information Technology
- Finance, Insurance, and Business Law
- Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Management
- Marketing
Students admitted to any of these program receive graduate assistantship support and tuition waiver with expectations of 20 hours weekly GA/TA work. Assistantship and tuition waivers continue for four-five years as long as the student makes a satisfactory progress in the Ph.D. program. The typical baseline financial support is around $35,500 per year, with full tuition waivers, for five years and admitted students will also qualify for various competitive scholarships, awards, and grants.
2. Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university located in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 1838, VCU is known for its commitment to diversity, innovation, and community engagement, VCU is also recognized for its strong emphasis on research and the development of students into leaders in their respective fields.
Virginia Commonwealth University offers a Ph.D in Business emphasizing research and teaching opportunities with concentration in accounting, information systems, management, and marketing.
The highly competitive small size doctorate program offers graduate research and teaching assistantships to support full-time students. Accepted students are provided a graduate assistantship which covers all required tuition and fees, and pays an annual stipend of $25,500.
This stipend is compensation for 20 hours per week of teaching and/or research performed for the department. Students making satisfactory progress in the program typically receive tuition and stipend support for up to five years.
3. George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university located in Fairfax, Virginia. Founded in 1949, GMU offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across fields such as business, law, engineering, public policy, and health sciences. Known for its strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community involvement, GMU is recognized for its diverse student body and its proximity to Washington, D.C., providing students with numerous opportunities for internships and professional development.
Costello College of Business at George Mason University offers a Business PhD with concentration in finance, information systems, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, and strategic management. The program is designed to be completed in five years or less by full-time students and fully funded students will be required to teach three courses during that period.
The highly competitive program accepts two to six students yearly for full funding depending on available slots and accepted students are provided with a graduate assistantship which covers full tuition waiver, and pays a stipend of $30,000 split between the academic year and the summer.
4. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a prestigious public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is renowned for its historic campus, academic excellence, and commitment to public service. Known for its rigorous academics and strong research output, UVA fosters a tradition of innovation, leadership, and global engagement while emphasizing a close-knit community and student self-governance.
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business offers an intellectually demanding doctoral program for a select group of high-potential applicants. Distinguished by its top-ranked faculty and world-class research centers, the doctoral program will train you as an academic researcher capable of contributing to the cutting edge research in business and management and provide you with the skills you will need for a successful career as a professor.
Students admitted to the Doctoral Program may also be offered a range of financial support. Admitted students receive a generous scholarship, a tuition waiver, and a stipend. Students who are offered assistance may receive such support for the duration of the program (e.g. typically five years), but such decisions will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis and depend on the students’ Satisfactory Progress within the program and availability of resources.
The small size UVA Ph.D. program also offers two academic research tracks, Darden’s Strategy, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship (SEE) Ph.D which focuses on these 3 fields of study and Darden’s Data Analytics and Decision Sciences Ph.D which focuses on mathematical methodology with business applications.
Darden Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to students showing significant academic promises with accepeted Ph.D. students receiving full tuition and fee support for four years of full-time study, a subsidy to pay for the University’s student health insurance.
5. West Virginia University
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public research university located in Morgantown, West Virginia, with additional campuses throughout the state. Established in 1867, WVU is known for its focus on research, innovation, and community engagement, WVU is also recognized for its vibrant campus life and Mountaineer spirit.
The university emphasizes hands-on learning and preparing students to address global challenges while contributing to the economic and cultural growth of the region. WVU through John Chambers College of Business and Economics offers a Ph.D. in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Management, Finance and Economics.
Virtually every student admitted into the program is offered a graduate assistantship or fellowship. Graduate assistantships include medical insurance coverage for the graduate assistant, a waiver for tuition and most fees, and a $23,000 stipend for the 12-month academic year. Continuation of a Graduate Assistantship is based on a student’s good standing in the Ph.D. program and performance of assistantship duties. Funding is provided for four years, with an option for fifth year funding for qualified students.
Disclaimer:
The term “full funding” refers to a financial aid package designed to cover a graduate student’s educational expenses. This often includes:
- Full tuition remission – The complete cost of tuition is waived.
- Annual stipend or salary – A set amount of money provided to assist with living expenses during the program.
While the package may seem comprehensive, it’s essential to note that its adequacy depends on factors such as the student’s lifestyle, location, and financial needs. Some programs label funding as “fully funded” even if the package requires students to supplement their living expenses through personal savings, part-time work, or income from internships.
Common characteristics of fully funded offers is the expectation to teach or conduct research as part of the funding arrangements. It’s important to note that not all universities offer full funding and exploring financial aid opportunities across institutions, including smaller or international schools, ensures students find programs that meet their financial needs.
