International accreditation IACBE

Our doctoral and research programs are internationally accredited. An accreditation helps to ensure that the business degree is of high-quality. Accredited programs have undergone a rigorous self-evaluation and on-site evaluation by highly-trained reviewers. In addition, the institution and its academic business unit have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in business education and are involved in a continuous quality improvement process based on the assessment of student learning outcomes. 

High quality, intensive supervision, and digital support

From our years of experience running doctoral programs worldwide we know that lots of candidates struggle with the academic process and employing structure in their work. That is why we created our highly structured program combined with intensive support. Our doctoral programs are chopped into three phases and visualized in the 10-step program approach. From the start, enrolled candidates receive a comprehensive rubric showing them on which variables their deliverables are assessed, and we provide templates guiding our candidates through the process. Each doctoral candidate gets a supervisor and a mentor appointed. The supervisor is a highly experienced PhD holder with relevant knowledge and skills, he or she will be appointed based on the initial research proposal. To get a glance of our database of supervisors, you can check this page Who is involved. Your supervisor is the second important individual during your doctoral program. He or she will proactively reach out to you at least once a month to receive a progress report, he will give clear feedback on your work, he can spend a decent number of hours a year helping you, and the will guide you through the coursework.   

Our mentors are dedicated individuals who help our candidates find their way around SSM Research Center. They will be in close communication with the doctoral candidate and his supervisor. The mentor is something like a friend, a supporter, a motivator, an advocate, and a listener. You can use the mentor for non-essential, non-academic aspects of your doctoral journey. 

Blended learning principles as a standard

We embraced blended and online learning principles in our academic offerings. This shows by our high-tech e-learning platform and other integrations of technology and forms of content and support. We try to minimize travel time and expenses for our PhD candidates so they can focus on a healthy work/life/study balance. With our blended and online learning approach, PhD candidates can study when and where they want. All required study material is found on the e-learning platform, we organize regular digital events for candidates to join and interact with professors, and throughout the academic year we host multi-day workshops in various parts of the world. Enrolled candidates get help with accessing multiple digital libraries to find resources for their research.

Partial scholarships available based on research output

At SSM Research Center, we try to make our doctoral programs as inclusive as possible. We offer partial scholarships to PhD candidates that are willing to agree to specific terms and meet our criteria. That scholarship program is called ‘Round Table of Africa 3.0’.  

The Round Table Africa 3.0 (RTA) project is a spin-off of a Dutch government-sponsored project that started in 2007. The overarching goal of RTA 3.0 is to develop initiatives for sustainable business in Africa. RTA terms are clear and strict: Candidates must come from African countries, agree to share their empirical findings with SSM, co-publish their research with SSM, pick a research topic from SSM’s research agenda and agree to a 3-year time–line. Read more on our research agenda here.

More information about The Round Table Africa 3.0 (RTA) can be found here.

No admissions deadlines

At SSM Research Center, enrolled candidates are the center of our business. We thrive on motivated and disciplined candidates and to help the reach the finish line, we must be flexible. One cannot control all things in life, that is why we offer to possibility to our candidates that they can tailor their learning program. There is only one hard deadline; one must finish within two years after enrollment. Applicants can start whenever they want because we do not have admissions deadlines. With this flexibility, our candidates can continue their day job earning while learning. This makes the program more affordable and accessible to those with a highly demanding day job.