Program Objectives

The Executive Ph.D. Program in Management is designed for experienced professionals who wish to advance their careers through rigorous research and scholarly engagement. The program aims to strengthen participants’ research, analytical, and critical thinking abilities within an increasingly multidisciplinary environment.

The program empowers working professionals to develop deep expertise in their chosen fields with a strong grounding in research and analytics, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to academic knowledge, industry practice, and policy development.

Eligibility

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent (after completing a three-year undergraduate degree program) with desirable 55% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university/institution.

OR

• A four-year bachelor’s degree with research with a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10 (or 75%).

Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of ten years of experience in business, management, policy analysis, industrial research, or academic engagements.

This program is designed for:

• Working executives
• Senior professionals in industry
• Academics and researchers

Around ten years of professional experience who seek to pursue doctoral-level research while continuing their professional careers.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the program will be based on the following:

• Written Test (for candidates who are not UGC-NET qualified or do not have a valid national/international eligibility test score)
• Admission Interview with an Academic Area Expert

How to Apply

Prospective candidates may visit the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence admissions portal  (Masters & Doctoral Admission | Shiv Nadar University IoE) and complete the online application form including statement of purpose and soft copies of transcripts.

After submission of the application, the PhD Office at SME will invite shortlisted candidates for an online interview.

Key Dates

Last Date for Receiving Applications: 30 June 2026

Entrance Tests & Interviews: By 10 July 2026

Final Offer of Admission: By 20 July 2026

Program Overview

The Executive PhD program is designed to be completed typically within four years.

The program consists of:

Year 1 – Coursework

Participants complete doctoral coursework through short workshop or masterclass formats, making it convenient for working professionals to participate without long breaks from their careers.

Years 2–4 – Dissertation Research

Candidates focus on independent research leading to a doctoral thesis under the guidance of faculty supervisors.

Across the duration of the program, participants will complete approximately 180 days of campus residencies.

Upon successful completion, the university will confer a Doctoral Degree in Management.

Intended Outcomes

The doctoral research may take one of the following forms:

Empirical Research Thesis

Research that identifies, examines, and critically analyses key business challenges and proposes evidence-based solutions with potential implications for industry, policy, or governance.

Theoretical or Conceptual Contribution

Development of theoretical frameworks or conceptual models that expand existing knowledge and generate testable hypotheses for future research.

Program Structure

The program follows a semester-based structure, including coursework, dissertation development, and periodic thesis review meetings.

Semester-wise Program Structure

Semester No.	Planned Activities
	Compulsory Residency Activities	Supported Learning Activities	Dissertation work	Thesis Review Meetings
1	Coursework
2	Coursework	Exam., Projects, etc	Selection of thesis advisor by end of the semester
Summer		Exam., Projects, etc
3		Thesis Committee formation
4		Thesis Proposal preparation	Proposal meeting/CVV	(1)
5	Thesis review with supervisor			(2)
6	Thesis review with supervisor			(3)
7	Thesis review with supervisor			(4)

Coursework (14 Credits)

Course code	Courses Name	Hours/Credits
MGT 8001	Philosophy of Science	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8002	Introduction to Research Inquiry	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8003	Measurements, Scales, and Observations	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT  8004	Academic Writing	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8005	Case writing	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8006	Seminar course	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8007	A Perspective on Management/ Organisational Theory	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8008	Qualitative Research Methods	30 hours/ 2 credits
MGT 8009	Quantitative Research Methods	30 hours/ 2 credits
MGT 8010	Independent Study I	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8011	Independent Study II	15 hours/ 1 credit
MGT 8012	Independent Study III	15 hours/ 1 credit

 

Students must successfully complete coursework requirements within the specified period to continue in the program.

Application Fee: Rs 1200 (payable online)

Contact

Ms. Monika Bansal

Program Manager

School of Management and Entrepreneurship

Shiv Nadar University

Phone: 0120-7170100 (Extn. 6991)

Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]

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