The PMA is divided into a coursework stage and a research stage, each of which can be individually designed.
The purpose of the coursework stage is to deepen methodological skills and provide specialised knowledge. Depending on the chosen focus area, two theory-driven compulsory – of which at least one from the own specialization – and two method courses need to be completed. Method courses can be selected either from the course curriculum of the PMA or the Global School in Empirical Research Methods (GSERM). In the first year of your doctorate – and thus in the coursework stage – you must further successfully complete the integration course “10.161 Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability in Management Research”. PhD students finalise the coursework stage by preparing and presenting their research proposal to their thesis committee.
The research stage is focused on the writing of the PhD thesis and accompanied by at least two PhD colloquia in order to discuss the research progress and to get new insights from colleagues and faculty members. The research stage is completed with the submission of the thesis and its oral public defense.
One additional stage-independent PhD colloquium or method course has to be conducted during either the coursework stage or the research stage. In addition, doctoral students may apply to the PMA Programme Committee for crediting up to two external doctoral-level method courses or Ph.D. colloquia as part of their PMA curriculum.
