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Best Ph.D. in Business Ad­min­is­tra­tion Top Consensus Ranked Ph.D. in Business Ad­min­is­tra­tion Programs

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Updated: January 15, 2024

This Best Ph.D. in Business Administration ranking lists the most prestigious and highest academic degrees from around the country focused on business and management research. A Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D., in Business Administration is a postgraduate degree offered by business schools and business faculties at colleges and universities across the nation. Professionals who complete a Ph.D. can enjoy an array of significantly superior career prospects. Graduate students and professionals interested in leadership research, administration, academia, consulting, and entrepreneurship will find that a Ph.D. in Business Administration is the exciting finish line.

Ph.D. in Business Administration

Many universities around the nation offer Ph.D. programs. It is common for doctoral students to specialize in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Sustainability, Humanities, and the Arts. Like in all other areas of concentration, Ph.D. in Business Administration holders are considered to be experts in their field. If you are interested in this type of doctoral degree, this ranking contains some of the best you will find in the nation.

Methodology

This is a consensus ranking of the best Ph.D. programs in business administration. What makes this ranking a great tool for prospective students is that we use data from five prestigious ranking systems. This means that students get a broad view of the best programs available, separate from any one particular organization’s priorities. These are not the best according to one person. They are the best according to everyone.

This list shows the most prestigious programs across the board. Ranking scores were weighted equally, averaged, and converted to a score on a 100-point scale to reveal the degree’s Consensus Score.

Data for our ranking order was collected from:

• The Financial Times ,
• Fortune , 
• Bloomberg Businessweek , 
• U.S. News and World Report ,  and

There was a significant change in the ranking order from the 2020 ranking. We used our consensus methodology from our MBA program rankings, giving us a comprehensive view of business schools with the best brands. This methodology change only kept five business schools from our previous ranking. But you will see that this ranking lists the most prestigious Ph.D. programs from around the country.

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Stanford University Graduate School of Business

One of the nation’s best Ph.D. in business administration programs is offered at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. Enrolled students discover a focus and intensity more significant than they have thought possible. Stanford Graduate School of Business Ph.D. students are inspired and challenged to explore complex questions and novel ideas.

Stanford’s Ph.D. program develops outstanding scholars for careers in teaching and research at leading academic institutions worldwide. Doctoral students embark on a meaningful and challenging experience. Students focus their academic study in one of seven fields within the Ph.D. program. Solid Ph.D. candidates are full of curiosity and ideas, with an aptitude and passion for research. Candidates preparing to embark on a rigorous career in research and develop their full potential are invited to explore the possibilities of a Ph.D. in business administration. Accepted applicants receive full fellowships for their doctoral studies. There is a lot to love about this Ph.D. in business administration.

Admissions Email: [email protected] Admissions Phone: 650-723-2831

AACSB Accredited:  YES

Ph.D. Website

Harvard University Harvard Business School

Harvard University delivers an excellent Ph.D. in Business Administration through the Harvard Business School. The doctoral program in Accounting and Management falls under the Ph.D. in Business Administration. It focuses on the role of information systems in allocating resources among organizations and between individual departments. This degree also deals with monitoring and rewarding managers’ performance, formulating and executing strategy by managers, and understanding the profitability of business units, suppliers, products, customers, and distribution channels.

Prospective candidates apply to the Ph.D. in Business Administration and select Accounting as their field of study. Ph.D. students work closely with professors in the Accounting and Management Unit. Research there encompasses Management Accounting and Financial Reporting and Analysis. Harvard’s programs are full-time degrees which officially begin each August. Students are expected to complete their doctoral program in five years. The first two years are for coursework, at the end of which postgraduate students take a field exam. The final three years are spent on dissertation research and writing.

Admissions Email: [email protected] Admissions Phone:  617-495-6101

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago provides a Ph.D. in business administration. The Stevens Doctoral Program at Chicago Booth is the elite destination for intellectually curious and analytical individuals wanting to earn a doctorate in business from one of the world’s best business Ph.D. programs. Chicago Booth Ph.D. students explore and cultivate their research interests from day one—wherever they lead them. In partnership with a distinguished faculty, doctoral students develop their ability to conduct groundbreaking research.

Program finishers graduate with a business Ph.D. and the tools to succeed academically and professionally. The Stevens Program is competitive and highly rewarding. Approximately 20–25 Ph.D. students enroll each fall from an applicant pool of over 1,000. Graduates are highly sought after at the world’s top institutions of higher learning, at leading global businesses, and in government. This full-time program takes five years to complete. This Ph.D. in business administration is worth a second look.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone: 773-702-3760

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Northwestern university kellogg school of management.

A Ph.D. in business administration program is available at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Program designers understand undergraduate students are introduced to a field and become aware of its unexpected complexities and nuances. They believe students acquire an intellectual framework that allows them to embrace and accommodate complexities as they strive to make sense of the world at the doctoral level. As business leaders progress, their novel insights help others make sense of the world. This Ph.D. in business administration allows leaders to contribute to knowledge. Northwestern’s doctorate is rigorous, immersive, and rewarding.

Enrolled students in the Kellogg Ph.D. program master an academic discipline—data science, economics, psychology, sociology, or operations research. They apply that mastery to real-world issues facing policymakers and managers. This discipline-based approach prepares Ph.D. students to challenge conventional wisdom with fresh ideas, models, and empirical findings. These business leaders foster an enduring impact on organizations and communities.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  847-491-5279

Columbia University Columbia Business School

Columbia University’s Business School features a Ph.D. in business administration program. Management Doctoral students learn to apply basic social science knowledge and research methods to organizations, their members, and their environments. The program prepares doctoral students for careers in scholarly research. Graduates take jobs primarily in academic and research institutions worldwide. The Management Division at Columbia Business School trains scholars to become academics at the world’s most prestigious institutions. The business school’s placement success is due to the close working relationship students develop with the instructors in the division.

The school keeps the Ph.D. program small so students can find faculty collaborators and thrive. Columbia Business School’s doctoral community includes 125 students across six programs. The program attracts learners from across the globe looking to develop research skills under the tutelage of industry experts. Students come to Columbia for the exceptional training. They value the creativity, entrepreneurship, diversity, and social tolerance that NYC features. Ph.D. students enrolled in this excellent business administration degree love it.

Admissions Email:  212-854-6729 Admissions Phone:  [email protected]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management features a Ph.D. in business administration. The hallmark of the MIT Sloan Ph.D. Program is rigorous, discipline-based research. The doctorate program is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their research fields. Doctoral students with outstanding intellectual skills who conduct productive research on organizational, financial, and technological issues thrive in this program.

Program designers understand today’s economic environment is characterized by an increasingly challenging and competitive business world. Ph.D. studies at MIT Sloan are intent on business leadership. This Ph.D. in business demands a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from all candidates. The rewards of such hard work are tremendous. MIT Sloan Ph.D. graduates teach and conduct research at the world’s best universities. This Ph.D. program’s curriculum is organized under three academic areas. Students gain exposure to Management Science, Behavior and Policy Sciences, and Economics, Finance & Accounting.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  617-253-3400

Yale University School of Management

Yale University’s Yale School of Management offers a Ph.D. in business administration. This Doctoral Program is a selective course of study for advanced students planning to pursue scholarly careers in management. It matches scholars with some of the most renowned instructors in their fields. Only a select handful of students are admitted each year. This small on-campus program encourages close interaction between Ph.D. candidates and staff. Students and faculty members collaborate on scholarly papers and research projects.

This Ph.D. in business administration program takes three to five years for a candidate to complete. Most students satisfy all program requirements in four to five years. The initial study focuses on the core underlying disciplines. This content is followed by a course developed in consultation with senior instructors and the Director of Graduate Studies. The curriculum includes coursework at Yale SOM with research and preparation for the qualifying exam in a student’s specialization. Yale School of Management is tightly integrated with Yale University. Ph.D. students study across the university, providing essential skills and different perspectives. This Ph.D. is one of the nation’s best.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  203-432-2771

University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business

The University of California, Berkeley delivers one of the country’s best Ph.D. in Business Administration programs at the Haas School of Business. This Ph.D. program offers six fields of academic study for a curriculum of unique richness and depth. Since the program enrolls less than 20 new Ph.D. students each year, doctoral students get the opportunity to work very closely with instructors and experts in their chosen specialties. The close partnership, coupled with the diverse cultural and academic backgrounds of Haas’ Ph.D. students, fosters an environment of intellectual curiosity and close collaboration.

Berkeley’s Haas Ph.D. is strongly oriented toward research and discipline. Emphasis is placed on preparing doctoral students to evaluate the state of knowledge in their particular fields and advance them by applying theory from statistics, the social sciences, and mathematics. After applying to the program, business school candidates must choose a field of study, which will determine coursework and focus on future employment opportunities. Students may choose from the areas of Accounting, Business and Public Policy, Finance, Marketing, Management of Organizations, and Real Estate.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone: 510-642-7405

Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business

Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business offers a top Ph.D. A Ph.D. in Management is where advanced education and business research intersect. Doctoral students enrolled in the program become industry thought leaders while preparing tomorrow’s business leaders. Cornell’s fully funded Ph.D. in Management is perfect for ambitious students and professionals wanting careers in university teaching and research.

This is a residential program. It is based at Ithaca, New York’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. This doctorate combines Ivy League rigor and real-world relevance to prepare students for successful academic careers. There is a solid focus on management science and applied research. The doctoral degree is perfect for anyone looking to teach at the university level and contribute to the body of industry knowledge. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Management is an ideal next step for senior managers and executives wanting to transition to academia or enhance research skills for successful consulting careers.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone: 607-255-5820

University of Virginia Darden School of Business

The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia features a Ph.D. in business management. It offers an intellectually demanding advanced program for a select group of high-potential applicants. This degree is distinguished by its top-ranked instructors and world-class research centers. The doctoral program trains students as academic researchers capable of contributing to cutting-edge research in business and management. Program leaders give students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed as professors.

The Ph.D. program features a deliberately small size. Darden’s open-door research ecosystem fosters high emotional and intellectual engagement with the world’s leading business leaders and thinkers. There are many unmatched benefits to this program. Doctoral students focus on ethics, scientific freedom, and friendly and productive relationships with instructors. The business school offers an individual approach to Ph.D. students with unconditional support and a diverse student cohort. Darden faculty are always willing to collaborate on research projects with Ph.D. students.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  434-924-3900

University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan offers a Ph.D. in business administration. This advanced degree prepares students for scholarly positions at top global universities. Enrolled students generate impactful research as they seek new solutions to business’s most complex issues. You can immerse yourself in one of seven doctoral areas of study based on academic career goals and research interests. All Ross Ph.D. graduates were offered positions over the past few years. Most program graduates received tenure-track assistant professor positions.

Over the five-year Ph.D. in business administration, doctoral students acquire the advanced knowledge and research skills needed to achieve academic and professional success. As admitted postgraduate students, learners receive five years of merit-based financial aid. This support includes a full tuition waiver, health insurance for themselves and their dependents, and stipend packages. This advanced degree has a lot to offer.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  734-764-8129

Duke University Fuqua School of Business

The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University offers a Ph.D. in Business Administration. This program prepares candidates for teaching and research careers at leading educational institutions and expert careers where advanced analytical and research capabilities are needed. At Fuqua, doctoral students develop close working relationships with leading scholars in their fields in a collaborative and stimulating learning environment. Business school leaders encourage strong collaborations between faculty and students, both within their academic area and across various disciplines, to better foster the groundbreaking interdisciplinary research Duke University is known for.

The Ph.D. program focuses on three critical development areas to prepare doctoral students for their careers: independent inquiry, competence in research methodology, and communication of research results. From the start, postgraduate students will be introduced to rigorous coursework and Fuqua faculty’s research activities. In this Ph.D. degree program, students work with our world-renowned instructors who are recognized for excellence in teaching and research.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  919-660-7862

New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business

The Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University offers a Ph.D. in business administration. Many business schools can boast of adequate Ph.D. programs. However, many lack the collaborative culture that the Stern School cultivates. The business school develops individual student-to-faculty and student-to-student relationships. NYU Stern nurtures students’ innate curiosities. Program directors teach doctorates to use the research tools required to solve issues they address. By the end of this program, post-graduate students have become faculty colleagues. Program graduates are transformed into trained scholars capable of doing research at the same level as professors.

NYU Stern doctoral students enter a highly motivated community of scholars. These students thrive in an atmosphere of creative collaboration and intellectual rigor. The Ph.D. student body consists of over one hundred full-time students across all departments and stages in the program. The business school employs over 200 full-time research faculty. The Stern Ph.D. program is one you will want to take advantage of.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  212-998-4500

University of California, Los Angeles Anderson School of Management

The University of California, Los Angeles Anderson School of Management offers a Ph.D. in business management. Enrolled students live in a city of innovation. They study within the university’s top-notch research facilities. Program designers have built a program where students cultivate deep and lasting relationships. The best researchers and educators of this generation present a solid curriculum. Post-graduate students gain the skills to solve complex management issues.

UCLA Anderson gives Ph.D.s the support they need to embark on a groundbreaking research career. This program changes how people see business in the future. Instructors help students advance their understanding of business through rigorous research. Where else can you have the chance to train with world-renowned scholars alongside the next generation of researchers? Ph.D. students have UCLA’s resources and attributes as a world-class research institution available to them. If you are ready to work alongside UCLA Anderson’s highly celebrated instructors, this is the Ph.D. for you.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  310-206-3411

University of Southern California Marshall School of Business

The University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business has a Ph.D. in business administration. This is one of the premier business programs in the world. It boasts a diverse and outstanding group of instructors and a student-centered culture. The business school has achieved stellar success in placing graduates in faculty jobs at the nation’s top business schools and abroad. Marshall instructors are top-tier professionals with a passion for research and academia.

Marshall Faculty ranks highly in the world of publication output in the best business journals. Many instructors are thought leaders in their profession. Their experience conducting innovative and influential research is a benefit to Ph.D. students. During recent years, Marshall has engaged in a successful and aggressive strategy to recruit top researchers in business. Enrolled students explore their research interests and take advantage of the programs, classes, and centers offered within and outside of Marshall. This Ph.D. in business administration is ripe with opportunity.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  213-740–1111

Emory University Goizueta Business School

The Goizueta Business School at Emory University features a Ph.D. in business administration. Leaders at Goizueta believe that hands-on discussion, research, and collaboration between faculty and students create the solid faculty of tomorrow’s top business schools. Students come from everywhere to attend the highly competitive program. Ph.D. candidates push business thinking and theory forward to make their impact on the business world. Goizueta seeks applicants with superior intelligence and a healthy work ethic.

Emory’s business school is among the best business programs in the country, with programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Doctoral program graduates fill faculty positions at elite business schools. Goizueta leaders have access to the resources of Emory University, a major world-class research school. Business school leaders believe that hands-on research, collaboration, and discussion between students and faculty create tomorrow’s best business school leaders. Many international students attend this highly competitive program. Ph.D. students looking for one of the best programs in the world will find it at Emory University.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  404-727-6036

Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business

The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University offers a Ph.D. in business administration. Doctoral graduates and instructors at the Tepper School share an impressive legacy of groundbreaking research and global recognition. The staff includes nine Nobel laureates. This Ph.D. is a small, serious-minded program. Post-graduate students benefit from close working academic and social relationships with students, faculty, and advisors.

There are eight focused fields of study within this doctoral program. The business school also offers joint Ph.D. degrees with world-class schools and colleges across the university campus. This well-designed Ph.D. trains tomorrow’s business thinkers and leaders. Enrolled students learn to anticipate and address future business needs. They learn to think boldly, challenge preconceived notions, and do the needed work. Tepper’s doctoral program hosts next-generation researchers. Program graduates transform society’s collective intelligence into The Intelligent Future of Business.

Admissions Email: [email protected] Admissions Phone:  412-268-1319

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School

The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill features a Ph.D. in business administration. This rigorous, five-year program excels at training scholars to produce high-quality research as instructors at top universities. The Ph.D. program is intentionally small-sized. Program designers’ essential focus is close student-to-faculty collaboration and mentoring. Enrolled students reward their initiative and tenacity with a top-ranked doctoral program that prepares them for a rewarding and successful academic career.

If you are looking for options, you can develop into a research expert in one of six areas of study. Each specialization positions Ph.D. students with career options they may never have thought possible. Enrolled students benefit from the business school’s international reputation as one of the world’s best academic centers of innovative tax and accounting research. The idea of conducting high-impact research that advances our understanding of business may excite you.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  919-962-7772

University of Washington Michael G. Foster School of Business

The University of Washington has a Ph.D. in business management at the Michael G. Foster School of Business. This elite Ph.D. Program in Business Administration is a research-based degree. Program architects train scholars to be knowledgeable about developments on the frontiers of their discipline. The curriculum encourages students to contribute to advancing knowledge needed in business education and practice. Well-equipped business leaders can skillfully convey information to students and practitioners.

Washington created the program for students interested in academic careers. The training is also helpful for students seeking research positions in government, business, and consulting firms. The Ph.D. program in Business Administration at the University of Washington is perfect for those wishing to pursue academic careers. The program provides postgraduates with the tools to conduct top-quality research in their areas of expertise. The program’s first two years are coursework-based. Foster’s Ph.D. in Business Administration is an elite program.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  206-685-2630

University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Ph.D. in business administration. Program leaders understand that the path ahead is long and challenging for many professionals, with twists and a detour or two. Postgraduate students who are ready to dedicate their time and energy to pursuing this academic degree will appreciate this program. A Ph.D.’s four to six years are exciting, exhausting, and demanding. When students see the next step of their academic career come into view – it is immensely gratifying.

Texas McCombs is one of the nation’s most distinguished business schools at a world-renowned public research university. The business school features five acclaimed Ph.D. programs and over two dozen specializations that support interests and goals. Program leaders are uncompromisingly committed to a PhD’s academic career. This business administration’s renowned faculty, impeccable resources, and exceptional mentoring combine to produce sought-after graduates. This Ph.D. will set you up for a career’s worth of success.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  512-475-7391

Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business delivers a Ph.D. in business administration. This Ph.D. program is for those who aspire to be elite business school professors. Rice’s doctoral program in business is perfect for those aspiring to become faculty members at prestigious business schools and research universities. Students engage in coursework and research as part of their training. As graduation approaches, Ph.D. students interview for professor positions, hoping to start careers as assistant instructors at business schools worldwide.

Assistant professor careers include conducting research that gets published in well-respected, peer-reviewed academic journals. Professors impart management wisdom informed by research in the classroom. This well-rounded Ph.D. would be an asset to anyone’s resume. The program’s strategic management content reinforces coursework in the base theories of strategic management. The field of management studies big-picture issues managers deal with, like deciding what industries to enter.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  713-348-4002

University of Pennsylvania The Wharton School

The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School features a Ph.D. in business administration. Enrolled students experience innovation, leadership, and collaboration in business education. There are many reasons to pursue this PhD. The curriculum gives students access to world-renowned instructors whose expertise spans business knowledge and disciplines. Wharton faculty encourages doctoral students to explore ideas and cross disciplinary boundaries. Ph.D. students share their research interests and their pursuit to create understanding.

Completing a doctorate at Wharton requires five years of full-time study. It consists of two years of classes followed by research. The first few years in the program are for taking courses and exams and starting research projects to prepare students for admission to candidacy. The program in each discipline has individual requirements. Students wrapping up their degrees conduct research full-time. They write and defend their doctoral dissertation. This Ph.D. is rigorous, but students emerge as leaders in their field.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  215-898-4877

Georgia Institute of Technology Scheller College of Business

You can join one of the nation’s top-ranked Ph.D. programs at the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech. Enrolled students gain the confidence they need to create groundbreaking work. Ph.D.s conduct research, educate others, and direct the business world forward within this full-time, five-year program. Georgia Tech’s Scheller Ph.D. program gives postgraduates the tools to think and work independently. These students conduct groundbreaking research while finding innovative solutions to business issues.

From business administration to organizational behavior, doctoral students choose from seven concentrations to match their interests and goals. You can demonstrate your abilities to conduct high-quality work by hitting milestones throughout the completion of the degree. Successful completion of a Ph.D. program demonstrates high-quality, independent academic work. Ph.D. program milestones guide students in their training to determine the continuity of the program. Georgia Tech trains tomorrow’s business leaders.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  404-894-1610

Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School

Washington University in St. Louis delivers an excellent Ph.D. in Business Administration at the Olin Business School. The University’s business school is one of the nation’s leading research universities, with a faculty whose research work consistently ranks among the highest in the business school realm. Olin faculty members are recognized worldwide for their essential contributions to the discovery of new knowledge. The business school also takes great pride in its commitment to excellence in teaching.

Olin’s Ph.D. in Business students are guided by highly prolific researchers who are among the U.S.’s top scholars. Instructors work closely with doctoral students to develop their research skills, often nurturing one-on-one mentoring relationships that may include co-authoring research papers and projects. The development of strong problem-solving abilities equips Washington University in St. Louis students to strategically address complex business problems. This results in new ideas and innovative thinking for research that adds value to the academic community and business world.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  314-935-7301

University of Rochester Simon Business School

One of the nation’s best Ph.D. in business administration programs is featured at the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. The Simon Business School has a solid track record of mentoring Ph.D. students to become leaders in their fields. These highly sought-after graduates are known for their robust analytical skills and research performance. Ph.D. students at the business school form a strong foundation in statistics and economics to deepen their understanding of state-of-the-art tools and concepts and tools.

Doctoral students in business administration collaborate with the world-renowned faculty to explore the process of modern business and economic research. This work fuels their successful independent research. Students take Operations Management, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Marketing coursework. Students can customize their degrees depending on their skills and goals. Program leaders are known for excellence in innovation, research, and instruction. Instructors guide Ph.D. students to master mathematics, statistics, economics, and data science. If you are ready to dive into business administration, this program might be for you.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  585-275-2959

University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business

The Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame provides a top Ph.D. in business administration. Everyone knows a Notre Dame education includes unparalleled opportunities to refine your business skills and acumen and put them into practice, solving real-world business issues. This Notre Dame graduate business degree is grounded in analytics. Ph.D. students understand how to use the data to make better business decisions. Instructors guide learners in amplifying their strengths and emerging with the skills needed to accelerate business careers. Doctoral students learn to make ethical decisions and impact their world for the better.

Notre Dame believes that building careers in business means understanding how organizations and industries can serve the greater good. Ph.D. students are given the keys to act with the moral courage to make it happen. The business school’s approach to building business knowledge is unique among elite graduate business schools. The process begins with a curriculum based on ethical decision-making and the core values.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  574-631-7706

Indiana University Kelley School of Business

A Ph.D. in business administration program is at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Enrolled students become experts in their fields. PhDs can design, conduct, and defend their research. Areas of study within the business administration program include:

• Accounting,
• Business economics and public policy,
• Entrepreneurship,
• Information systems,
• Operations management, and
• Strategic management.

Program leaders know that planning and preparing for a meaningful academic career requires time and support from professionals who understand what it takes. Kelley School of Business faculty inspires Ph.D. students to turn thought-provoking scientific research into knowledge that drives business practice and develops the academic discipline. Doctoral students work with faculty and peers after entering the program. These professionals learn to communicate complex ideas as instructors. All PhDs work to become experts in their field as they design, conduct, and defend their research. This doctoral in business administration degree has it all.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  812-855-8853

University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management

The University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management features a top Ph.D. program. The business school grants a Ph.D. in Management Science degree. Doctoral students use economics, statistics, behavioral science, and mathematics to conduct rigorous scientific research. The terminal program encompasses theory and empirical analysis. It is characterized by a high ratio of research instructors to students. The program’s environment fosters close working relationships that produce excellent results.

The Management Science Ph.D. degree program allows students to choose a study concentration. Doctoral students dive deep into Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or Operations Management. The program’s core and elective courses give students an understanding of management principles. Coursework includes a study of business theory and practice. Ph.D. seminars expose students to traditional and emerging research issues. Early in their graduate work, learners are encouraged to join faculty research projects with experienced professors. This Ph.D. in business administration at UT Dallas is worth its weight in gold.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  972-883-2270

University of Maryland, College Park Robert H. Smith School of Business

The University of Maryland, College Park’s Robert H. Smith School of Business features a Ph.D. in business administration. Today’s international economy is driven by accelerating change. The business world needs cutting-edge scholarship that challenges the marketplace and gives thinkers, practitioners, and policymakers evidence-based tools and strategies. This Ph.D. in business administration transforms our models for leading, managing, innovating, and succeeding. The Smith School of Business Ph.D. is a collaborative, research-oriented community of academics. Enrolled students enjoy its breadth of business knowledge.

Program leaders help students launch their careers as academic leaders. The curriculum inspires contributions to discovering and distributing scientific knowledge through research and teaching careers at top universities worldwide. All Ph.D. students benefit from the diverse, world-class experience. They collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking, relevant research long after graduation. Students typically complete the full-time program in five years. Learners spend two years on coursework and three years on a dissertation. This Ph.D. in business administration will set you up for future success.

Admissions Email:  [email protected] Admissions Phone:  301-405-3644

Texas A&M University Mays Business School

The Mays Business School at Texas A&M University offers one of the nation’s best Ph.D. in Business Administration programs. Admission to this Ph.D. program is open to all qualified individuals who hold an undergraduate or a graduate degree. The review process includes assessing factors including an accredited academic degree and a GMAT or GRE score, and more. Business school candidates can elect to center their studies in a specific area. Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management. This specialization focuses on the analysis of human behavior within complex social systems and organizations. Strategic Management deals with the roles and issues of top management groups and strategy formulation and implementation.

This Ph.D. at the Mays Business School has a five-year limit for completion, with 64 semester hours required after a master’s degree and 96 hours required beyond an undergraduate program. Doctoral students and their advisory committees may schedule coursework beyond these minimums. Texas A&M University’s Ph.D. in Business Administration’s management curriculum contains five different research focuses: Accounting, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Finance, and Management.

Are you interested in becoming a business professor or pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration? There are several reasons why this is an excellent idea, including job security, intellectual stimulation, a lucrative income , flexible work conditions, and more. Given the current shortage of individuals holding a doctoral degree in business administration and the increasing demand for their services, now is an excellent time to consider pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration.

What is the Current Demand for Professionals with a Ph.D. in Business Administration?

In today’s business, the number of new doctorates is less than the average of positions available. This tendency is due to three current realities:

• Many senior faculty members are retiring or will soon retire,
• There is an increase in the number of graduate students seeking business degrees (a trend likely to continue), and finally,
• There remains an insufficient number of doctoral students enrolling in and completing doctoral business programs.

According to a survey conducted by AACSB International , demand for Ph.D.s in business schools rose slightly in 2006 while the overall vacancy rate rose to 6.8 percent. At the same time, the estimated growth in business faculty positions for 2007 was 4.7 percent. Overall, the shortage of business faculty staff members is predicted to reach 2,400 in the coming years.

The staff shortage has resulted in more attractive salaries for faculty at business schools. Combined with additional payment for activities such as summer teaching and research, consulting, sponsored papers, executive program teaching, textbook writing, and presentations, business administrators enjoy healthy incomes.

What Kind of Lifestyle Can a Ph.D. in Business Administration Expect?

Professionals with this type of degree can become economists, C-level executives, financial managers, and educators. Professionals working in traditional areas of executive business leadership will often experience more high-pressure roles within their organizations. University professors, however, enjoy many lifestyle and work privileges that are not typically found in other professions.

Significant intellectual and professional autonomy allows for an atypical degree of freedom in defining workflow and developing academic activity areas. Nine-month contracts in higher education allow professors the freedom to travel and experience alternative teaching, consulting, and research assignments. Tenured faculty in higher education have employment that provides unprecedented job security.

The opportunity to teach high capacity students, undertake research, and develop professional relations with colleagues across the nation and world is unrivaled in most other professions. Being a professor also means searching for knowledge that will make a mark on society and business practice. Through research and teaching, a Ph.D. in Business Administration can significantly affect the industry by influencing organizations to become more efficient, innovative, and profitable. They can also contribute by creating jobs and economic prosperity at the national level.

What Careers Can I Qualify for After Completing a PhD in Business Administration?

Ph.D. programs prepare students to conduct specialized scholarly research. Most Ph.D. in business administration graduates enter careers as university professors, senior researchers, or consultants in business or government. 

Business School Professor

A business professor teaches college students various subjects that help them manage or start a business. Business professors give their students the specific knowledge required to earn degrees offered by business programs at institutions of higher learning. Good business professors are naturally analytical, curious, outgoing, patient, and resourceful.

Business Analysts

Business analysts are also called business systems analysts, enterprise analysts, business architects, and functional analysts. These professionals use data to suggest ways that organizations can operate efficiently. They gather and analyze information to develop and investigate potential solutions and system improvements. Business analysts use data modeling techniques to help businesses improve their processes.

What are the Different Types of Doctoral Programs in Business Administration?

The two main degree designations offered by business programs are the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) . In an earlier business education era, the DBA was regarded as providing broad exposure to business subjects geared towards practice. Simultaneously, the Ph.D. was thought to focus more on research in a given business realm. Over the years, the distinction between these two degrees has become blurred at many business schools.

Today, the Ph.D. is more widely available at business schools than the DBA, particularly in the United States. Most Ph.D. programs require full-time enrollment, while it is more common for DBA students to complete the degree on a part-time basis.

Will I need a Graduate Degree and Business Experience to Qualify for a Ph.D. in Business Administration?

While requirements vary among programs, many do not require that doctoral students have a graduate degree in business. There is no specific requirement to have business work experience either. However, students lacking a business background or degree will likely have to take foundational business courses.

What are the Application Requirements for a PhD in Business Administration?

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree or MBA, you point your academic career to a Ph.D. in business administration. But how do you get started? What are business schools looking for? And what can you be doing to prepare yourself for the application process?

Application Process

Step #1: Submit a Graduate Application found on your favorite B-school’s website. After perusing the program that excites you, it’s time to start the application process. Applications have never been easier to find and complete online. Business schools have different prerequisites, but all are looking for the same thing – a quality match between student and program. There might be an application fee, but  many doctoral programs waive the requirement .

Step #2: Request your  official transcripts  be mailed electronically to an email the B-school gives you. Admissions directors want to see who they are dealing with. Those transcripts will reveal your past academic performance, showing that you have made the grade while taking relevant courses to ensure your academic success. Transcripts also show if you need to brush up on any foundational courses that Ph.D. in business administration students have benefited by taking in the past. 

Step #3: Look for specific admission requirements and courses. Business schools provide general requirements and some specific needs based on the degree you are pursuing. Rest assured, your favorite program lets you view its admission requirements and courses from a current graduate catalog.

Application Requirements

To be admitted to a top Ph.D. program, applicants must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to the university and the other requirements listed. Ph.D. requirements typically include the following needs:

• You must earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International students must have graduated from a recognized equivalent in a similar or related field.
• Undergrads must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their last 60 semester credit hours.
• A minimum GMAT exam score is required unless placement scores are waived.
• Submit three recommendation letters from academic or professional sources.
• Complete a personal statement including goals, experiences, scholarly accomplishments, and reasons for pursuing the Ph.D. You may include possible research questions or topics of interest.
• A current resume or  curriculum vitae .

Admission decisions for Ph.D. programs are made by college-level admissions committees in consultation with the respective faculty in each area of concentration. Committee members make determinations concerning the probability of a student’s projected success. Ph.D. applicants need to provide materials that will help make those decisions.

Affordability of Top Ph.D. in Business Administration Programs

Most of the top programs in our ranking offer tuition waivers that cover all or most of the Ph.D. program. These Ph.D.s are full-time, residential programs with strict guidelines on no outside employment. Because of this, many schools additionally offer yearly stipends to offset their students’ living expenses while in the program.

If you are not enrolled in a program with a tuition waiver and stipend, you might be wondering about how to pay for your program. Here are some factors to consider in making a Ph.D. in business administration and comparing costs:

• Tuition Cost -Tuition costs for Ph.D. degrees run the spectrum. Some students get funding from employers, scholarships, and other sources of support. Tuition varies depending on whether students choose on-campus programs or online Ph.D. programs, public or private institutions, and whether the student qualifies as a resident.
• Program Fees -Aside from tuition rates, Ph.D. students pay fees for books and other course-related items. Extra expenses associated with a graduate program can include computers, technical support, high-speed Internet, and other resources. Read all of the tuition information a business school gives. Some business schools offer programs to cover fees and some even hand out free devices to their students.
• Accommodation -Housing for Ph.D. students can be expensive. The cost of living ranges based on where you attend business school.  Factor in the costs of living ranging from $20,000 to more per year .
• Study materials and resources -Take note that there will be some extra costs for study materials. Since many Ph.D.s divide the experience between two years of initial coursework and three years of dissertation. Your expenses will fluctuate annually. 
• Parking -On-campus students must take paying for parking into consideration. An on-campus parking permit can cost Ph.D.  students between $50 and $2,500 annually .

How do I Know What Doctoral Program to Select?

Personal considerations, including geographical location and educational preferences in a specialized field of interest, are criteria that will help narrow the range of possibilities. One primary concern is whether a particular business school has staff who specialize in the prospective student’s study area.

Students may assume that all schools offer similar types of emphases and pay relatively no attention to the faculty’s specific research interests. This may cause unfortunate surprises once a student enrolls in a doctoral program.

Even among leading postgraduate programs at the nation’s top research universities, there are significant differences in what areas schools have national and international recognition for teaching and research. Potential students should research faculty interest areas at all schools being considered.

What Role do Accreditations and Rankings Play in Considering a Ph.D.?

Publications that offer rankings of business schools should be viewed with an understanding of their goals and priorities. All rankings are subjective to each entity’s priorities and goals. Some focus on cost, some on college support, some on peer review, and some on student reviews. Ranking exposure should never substitute a student’s own research and investigation, but only to aid as a tool.

A crucial selection factor to consider is accreditation. Accreditation is a viable measure indicating that knowledgeable peers from a neutral institution have determined that a school’s program meets accreditation standards for:

• Faculty composition,
• Intellectual contributions,
• Curriculum content, and
• Instructional resources.

Most non-profit colleges and universities in the nation hold institutional accreditation conferred by regional accrediting agencies. Within the field of business, separate specialized accrediting agencies grant business accreditation to business schools or individual business programs. Among the top is AACSB . Selecting a business school accredited by AACSB is an assurance that the institution provides a high-quality education.

What is the Experience of Pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration Like?

Unlike bachelor’s or master’s-level work, where highly structured learning and individual courses with many different instructors are the norms, doctoral education places a higher premium on self-directed learning and closer relationships with fewer faculty members in a particular area of specialization. On average, Ph.D. programs will take five to six years to complete and involve the intense study of academic journal articles and original research writings. Doctoral students often forge close friendships with faculty mentors. These mentors work closely with students to:

• Define a course of study,
• Prepare for qualifying exams,
• Provide guidance in the dissertation process, and
• Help with pursuing their first faculty position.

How Can I Be Successful in Business School While Pursuing My Degree?

Returning to school to study business administration is a fantastic investment in your career. All business-minded professionals know you can’t make an investment and check out. To be successful at a Ph.D. in business administration requires hard work, persistence, and grit to ensure it pays off. Here are some ways doctoral students can make the most of their degree and time as business students.

• Keep the Goal in Mind -Remember why you are there. Keep your professional goals at the forefront and let them guide your decisions. 
• Get Organized -Find ways to learn quality time management. Getting organized also means scheduling all of life’s demands to get the job done.
• Stay Flexible -Learn how to bend to keep you from breaking. Your expectations during business school will only sometimes get met. Roll with the punches and keep a cool head when things heat up.
• Make Connections – Business school is a time to build your network . The relationships you make with instructors and fellow students will last a lifetime. 
• Develop Study Skills -When you learn how you study best, you learn how to use time wisely. Work smarter, not harder, and get the most out of your Ph.D. experience.

Why Pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration?

People pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration for various reasons, as it offers unique benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Many individuals pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration to engage in rigorous research and contribute to the academic field. They aspire to become professors or researchers, conducting in-depth studies and publishing their work in academic journals.

Pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration is a journey of personal and intellectual growth. It offers an opportunity to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, expand knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. A Ph.D. program allows individuals to specialize in a specific area of business administration. This specialization enables them to develop deep knowledge and expertise in their chosen field, such as finance, marketing, organizational behavior, or strategy. This level of specialization can make them highly sought-after experts in industries, consulting firms, or think tanks. Some individuals pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration to enhance their leadership and consulting skills.

For many, obtaining a Ph.D. in Business Administration is a personal achievement and a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and intellectual rigor. It is a significant milestone that brings a sense of personal fulfillment and sets individuals apart as experts in their field.

A degree like a Ph.D. in Business Administration is an opportunity that has much to offer in terms of intellectual stimulation, future income, lifestyle, and many other attractive characteristics. It is a challenging and rewarding journey that opens doors to a wide range of opportunities in academia, research, consulting, and leadership roles.

Related Rankings:

Best Undergraduate Business Programs Best Online DBA Programs Best Online Doctorate in Leadership Programs

• The Best Universities for PhDs in Business & Management in the USA (2024)

Written by FAU Bot

This article was written with the assistance of generative AI. All AI content on our site is guided and vetted for accuracy by humans, and data referenced is collected from reliable, authoritative sources.

Why Study Business & Management in the USA

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Business & Management at a university in the USA . Here are just a few:

• The USA is renowned for its top-rate business schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. These institutions offer rigorous PhD programmes in Business and Management that provide students with a strong foundation in these subjects and position them for leadership roles in academia or industry.
• American universities are at the forefront of business research, offering students access to cutting-edge technology, vast resources, potential funding and an environment that encourages innovative thinking.
• The curriculum of these doctoral programmes incorporates both theoretical understanding as well as practical application of intricate business concepts covering areas such as operations management, organisational behavior, marketing strategies or financial analysis.
• A PhD from a US institution holds high prestige due to the country's rigorous academic standards and emphasis on research-based learning. This can lend increased credibility to your professional profile internationally.

The Best Universities for Business & Management in the USA

The following tables give the 10 top universities in the USA for Business & Management , according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which American universities are amongst the best in the world - and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education , QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) .

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

Our guide has more information on how to use international rankings to decide on the best research universities for PhD study .

What should I know about the Times Higher Education rankings?

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

What should I know about the QS rankings?

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.

What should I know about the ARWU rankings?

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

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• Best Online Ph.D. In Business Administration Programs

Best Online Ph.D. In Business Administration Programs Of 2024

Updated: Mar 21, 2024, 1:55pm

If you want to create and advance cutting-edge theories in the business world, a Ph.D. in business administration might be the right fit for you. And for maximum flexibility and minimal interruption to your life, you can earn your Ph.D. in business administration online.

This terminal doctoral degree typically requires between three and five years to complete and provides expert-level knowledge in both business and research. Graduates often go on to work as business researchers and academics.

We’ve researched the best online colleges in the U.S. and found four schools that meet our ranking criteria and deliver online Ph.D.s in business administration. Read on to learn more about each program and about how to finance your education.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
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• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked four accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online business administration Ph.D. programs in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of student experience, credibility, student outcomes and affordability. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of February 2024. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate

We listed all four schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best Online Ph.D. in Business Administration Options

Should you enroll in a ph.d. in business administration online, accreditation for online ph.d.s in business administration, how to find the right online ph.d. in business administration for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online ph.d. in business administration programs, university of north carolina at greensboro, hampton university, national university, liberty university.

Graduate Tuition

$532/credit (in-state)

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

Based out of the Piedmont Triad city of Greensboro, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro features an online Ph.D. in business administration that takes five years to complete. Distance learners can remain in their current jobs and locations throughout the program.

Students spend the first three and a half years of the program on coursework and the final 18 months on their dissertations. The 54-credit curriculum covers academic research and publishing, organizational theory and behavior, and management.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $65
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Doctoral research methods, seminar in academic writing and publishing
• Concentrations Available: Strategy, international business, organizational behavior
• In-Person Requirements: No

$695/credit

Located in Hampton, Virginia, Hampton University is an HBCU that offers several online-friendly programs, including a hybrid Ph.D. in business administration. The program requires 61 credits and usually takes around three and a half years to complete. The curriculum includes a dissertation requirement, and students must complete two four-week summer residencies during their first and second years in the program.

The university prefers applicants who already hold master’s degrees in business. Prospective students must also submit GMAT scores.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on a set schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 61 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Managerial economics, empirical research methods
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for online coursework and in-person residencies

$442/credit

Based out of San Diego, California, National University focuses primarily on distance learning and features an online Ph.D. in business administration that students can complete in 40 months. The 60-credit curriculum includes 10 specialization options, including project management, organizational leadership, strategic marketing and global business management.

No matter their specialization, all students must complete an original dissertation before they can graduate. NU offers a new start date for the program each Monday.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: The business environment, business financial systems
• Concentrations Available: Project management; organizational leadership; industrial/organizational psychology; homeland security: leadership and policy; health services; financial management; advanced accounting; global business management; information technology; strategic marketing

$595/credit

Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University enrolls more than 135,000 students worldwide thanks in large part to its online programs. Liberty’s online Ph.D. in business administration requires 60 credits and delivers all coursework asynchronously for maximum flexibility. Students can choose from four specialization options: entrepreneurship, leadership, executive coaching, and supply chain and logistics.

Students can complete this program without ever visiting campus in Lynchburg. Military students and their spouses receive a significant tuition discount.

• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Foundations of applied research methods, strategic allocation of financial resources
• Concentrations Available: Entrepreneurship; executive coaching; leadership; supply chain and logistics

An online Ph.D. in business administration is the right fit for a specific type of learner. To determine whether you should pursue a doctoral degree in business administration , ask yourself a few key questions:

• What’s your budget? Distance learners generally save on expenses related to on-campus housing and transportation. Moreover, some public universities allow out-of-state students who exclusively enroll in online programs to pay in-state or otherwise discounted tuition rates. If you’re looking to save money, online learning could help.
• How much flexibility do you need? Flexibility is among the best features of distance learning. If you’re a parent or plan to work full time, you might seek an asynchronous online program, which won’t include scheduled class times.
• How do you best learn? Online learning requires a great deal of organization, discipline and time management skills. If you crave more structure or prefer closer interaction with peers and faculty, on-campus or hybrid learning might offer a better fit.

There are two key types of college accreditation : institutional and programmatic.

Institutional accreditation is the more essential of the two. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education oversee the agencies that handle institutional accreditation, which involves vetting the quality of each school’s faculty, student services and finances.

You should enroll only at institutionally accredited schools. Otherwise, you will be ineligible for federal student aid, and employers may not recognize your degree.

Programmatic accreditation provides quality assurance for specific degree programs and departments. For an online business administration degree , you should keep an eye out for programmatic accreditation from one of three organizations:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

Once you’re sure about pursuing an online Ph.D. in business administration, here’s what to do next.

Consider Your Future Goals

A Ph.D. in business administration suits students who want to eventually become professors or pursue other academic or research-related roles in business. A Ph.D. in business is more theory-focused than a Doctor of Business Administration , which is comparatively practice-focused and includes an applied research component.

Most academic jobs in business do not require licensure or certification. However, you may need a demonstrated history of academic writing and publishing. A Ph.D. program with a dissertation can help you satisfy those criteria.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Per-credit tuition rates for the four programs in our guide range from $442 to $695. Over the course of a typical 60-credit Ph.D. program, this translates to approximately $26,000 to $42,00 in total tuition.

Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to see if you qualify for any federal grant, loan or scholarship opportunities. You can also pursue aid through third parties such as nonprofit organizations or your prospective university.

Doctoral programs often offer graduate assistantships to help offset the cost of tuition. Some Ph.D. programs even provide students with stipends or housing allowances in exchange for them teaching undergraduate courses or assisting professors with research. However, these opportunities are often reserved for on-campus students.

What is a Ph.D. in business administration?

A Ph.D. in business administration is a terminal academic degree for students who want to become business professors or work in other academic or research-focused roles in the field.

How many years is a Ph.D. in business administration?

The best online Ph.D. programs in business administration require between three and a half and five years to complete.

Is a doctorate in business administration worth it?

It depends on your goals. If you want to advance academic scholarship and research in business or work as a professor, a doctoral business administration degree can help you reach your goals.

Which is better, a Ph.D. or a D.B.A.?

It depends on your goals. A D.B.A. focuses more on applied research, while a Ph.D. advances theory in the field.

Mikeie Reiland is a writer who has written features for Oxford American, Bitter Southerner, Gravy, and SB Nation, among other publications. He received a James Beard nomination for a feature he wrote in 2023.

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Discover a focus and intensity greater than you may have thought possible. As a PhD student at Stanford Graduate School of Business, you will be inspired and challenged to explore novel ideas and complex questions.

Fall 2025 applications  are now open. The application deadline is December 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM PST.

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Strong PhD candidates are full of ideas and curiosity, with a passion and aptitude for research. If you’re prepared to embark on a rigorous career in research and develop your full potential, we invite you to explore the possibilities of a PhD in business. Admitted students receive full fellowships for their doctoral studies.

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Gain valuable research experience and training in a two-year, pre-doctoral opportunity at Stanford University.

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PhD The Stevens Doctoral Program

Join a community of bold thinkers.

The Stevens Doctoral Program at Chicago Booth is the top destination for analytical, intellectually curious individuals who want to earn a doctorate in business from one of the best business PhD programs in the world.

As a PhD student at Chicago Booth, you will explore and cultivate your research interests from day one—wherever they lead you. In partnership with our distinguished faculty , you will develop your ability to conduct groundbreaking research. You’ll graduate with a business PhD and the tools to achieve academic and professional success.

Video Transcript

Baris Ata (00:00): When I came here, it felt like, "Now I'm in the major leagues." I realized how high the standards are.

Jane L. Risen (00:09): We're the oldest PhD program within a business school, which is pretty extraordinary to think of sort of how long ago the recognition was there that we wanted to be training not just business leaders in practice, but to be training the future leaders of academic discipline.

Ray Ball (00:26): So I arrived in 1966. Oh, it was marvelous. The place just crackled with ideas and open discussion, and I ended up throwing out all the ideas I came with.

Ann L. McGill (00:35): What I especially liked about learning things here is this is an interdisciplinary school, so you didn't have to dive in a silo. You can wrap your arms around huge areas.

Marianne Bertrand (00:46): What is special is that we are part of a business school, training PhD students across a range of disciplines, not just economics or finance, which we deploy in the Economics Department, but also students are doing psychology, operation research.

Ray Ball (00:59): At Chicago, the ideas were the authorities, not the people, and they were all up for grabs.

Amir Sufi (01:06): What we're trying to create here is people who produce knowledge, not just consume it. And that's the real challenge I think of PhD education.

Ana-Maria Tenekedjieva (01:15): I was never told at any point that, "Oh, this is not real finance. This question is too outside of the box." On the contrary, it was always, "You should do what you want to do, and we're going to think about placement once the paper is ready."

Jane L. Risen (01:32): You don't make any assumptions. You question everything.

Pradeep K. Chintagunta (01:35): It's not enough just to know what other people have done. It's also important to know what needs to be done next. To be able to do that, you need to be able to ask questions beyond the questions that have been asked in the previous literature or in the previous knowledge that's already out there.

Jeffrey R. Russell (01:53): When you're going to seminars here, or watching my colleagues talk in the hallways, you'll often see them in what look like very contentious battles. But really, they're just after, "What's the right answer?" When PhD students come here, they are able to sort of bring that into their own souls, and I think that really pushes them then to sort of be the best possible researcher that they can.

Ana-Maria Tenekedjieva (02:12): Chicago Booth is known for its quite aggressive questioning style. I think that we get a little bit of a bad rap. There is a point to the aggressive questioning, and it is to clarify the idea. In Chicago Booth the spirit is be tough on the idea, not on the person.

Amir Sufi (02:30): Throughout the world, we're appreciating more and more how influential research can be. I think our PhD students going forward will increasingly be placed in positions, both in scholarship and in government and in business, where they can have major influence.

Ray Ball (02:48): So the fact that this is the oldest doctoral program in business, that it has been going for 100 years, gives some indication of the commitment of this school to training people. We still have those same values, and so it's always going to generate people who change the world, who change the way we think. I can't tell you at this point how that will happen. That's exactly the idea. New people come in with new ideas, and they learn how to implement them in the school, and they change the way we think about the world. And that's going to keep going.

PhD in Business at a Glance

The Stevens Program is highly competitive—and highly rewarding. Approximately 20–25 new PhD students matriculate each fall from an applicant pool of more than 1,000, and our graduates are highly sought after at the world's most elite institutions of higher learning, in government, and at leading global businesses.

Our program is a full-time program that typically takes about five years to complete. PhD students can apply for one of our seven dissertation areas  or three joint PhD programs.

Explore Our Dissertation Areas and Joint PhD Programs

Our program gives you the flexibility to meet your intellectual and academic goals. We have seven doctoral dissertation areas, as well as three joint PhD programs.

Join Our Research Community

In collaboration with faculty and fellow students, you’ll conduct innovative research and prepare for a successful career.

How to Apply for and Fund Your PhD in Business

Explore phd admissions.

Earn your PhD in one of the best business PhD programs in the world. Here’s how to join our community of bold thinkers.

Attend a PhD Admissions Event

Join us at an information session or recruiting forum to learn more about the Stevens Doctoral Program at Chicago Booth.

Explore Financial Aid

At Chicago Booth, PhD students receive a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel funding.

Meet Our Alumni and Job Market Candidates

Discover our alumni success.

For 100 years, Chicago Booth has been a proven training ground for the next generation of leading professionals in academia, government, and industry.

See Our PhD Job Market Candidates

See the Stevens Doctoral Program's current job market candidates—the next generation of researchers who will shape theory and practice in business and beyond.

Discover UChicago

Discover UChicago is a two-day program that introduces third-year undergraduates to the prospect of pursuing a graduate degree at UChicago and other institutions alike. At the event, Stevens Doctoral Program representatives will shed light on the program and application process, as well as navigating academic life at Chicago Booth.

Celebrating 100 Years of Pioneering Research

Since 1920, our faculty, alumni, and students have been driving the evolution of modern research in a wide range of disciplines.

On April 11, 2024, scholars in financial economics gathered to share ongoing research in a series of alumni and student presentations as part of a commemorative event dedicated to our late colleague, Yiran Fan.

Stories from Our Community

Measuring preferences for privacy.

Current PhD student Tesary Lin’s passion for economics and behavioral science has led her to develop a new incentive framework for businesses that want to use consumer data to inform managerial decisions, while respecting consumers’ privacy preferences.

A PhD for Social Impact

A passion for travel, social impact, and wanting to "dig deeper" inspired current student Gülin Tuzcuoğlu to pursue a PhD in operations research.

Hyde Park Campus

Take a Virtual Tour

If you still have questions after reviewing our doctorate in business FAQ , please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Phone: 773.702.7298 Email Us

PhD in Management Program

A phd in management: where business research and education intersect.

Become an industry thought leader while preparing tomorrow’s business leaders.

Our fully funded PhD in Management is designed for ambitious students and professionals interested in a career in university teaching and research.

This residential program, based at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management in Ithaca, NY, combines Ivy League rigor and real-world relevance to prepare you for successful careers in academia.

Why Get a PhD in Management?

With a strong focus on management science and applied research, this doctoral degree is ideal for someone looking to teach at the university level and contribute to the greater body of industry knowledge. Pursuing a PhD in Management is also an ideal next step for executives and senior managers who want to make a transition to academia or enhance their research skills for a successful consulting career.

Fully Funded, Highly Flexible: What Makes Cornell’s Management PhD Different?

As you explore PhD programs’ degree requirements, faculty engagement, and campus experience, Cornell stands alone.

In Cornell’s highly flexible program, you’ll choose a specific area of study and build your own dissertation committee. Our program faculty are genuinely interested and invested in your intellectual development. In this small and highly selective program, you will get to know the faculty and your peers well.

The SC Johnson Graduate School of Management is home to leading research centers and a high-impact academic journal; these open you up to unique learning and mentorship opportunities.

Business Simulation Lab

The Debra Paget and Jeffrey Berg Business Simulation Lab facilitates in-person and online behavioral research related to decision-making and problem-solving.

Discover More About BSL

Our Three-Pronged Approach to a PhD in Management

The Johnson School’s doctoral degree in management combines the best of theory and practice, building on a three-pronged foundation:

Hands-on Experience

Develop your research and analytical skills. You’ll work with classmates to examine existing literature and theories for class deliverables, which will often include your own original research.

Customizable Curriculum

Design your own academic pathway. You’ll choose one of six primary areas of study and create your own dissertation committee.

University-Wide Coursework

Draw on the expertise from across Cornell. You’ll get to select graduate-level courses from schools and colleges devoted to law , hospitality , engineering , labor relations , and other fields.

At a Glance: Cornell’s Fully Funded PhD in Management

The fully residential, fully funded PhD in Management program includes a tuition waiver and a stipend for living expenses. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:

Degree Awarded

PhD in Management

Program Location

Ithaca, NY, with options in New York City

Program Format

Foundational coursework, original research, and six potential areas of study

Hear from Our Community

“PhD is a marathon, not a sprint, and collaborating with great people is paramount. At Cornell, I’ve found a place where amazing people come together, supporting my research and personal growth. Choosing Cornell means joining a community that knows how important it is to work with exceptional people to excel in the program.” – Elina Hur PhD ’23

Customize Your Path: Our Areas of Study

When you apply to the Johnson School’s PhD in Management, you will select a primary area of study. Choosing a concentration allows you to gain specialized skills and knowledge while growing a portfolio of original research.

Examine the role of accounting information in firms and financial markets. PhD-level research at Cornell explores topics such as how firms report information to investors, how accounting information is used to manage firms, and the nature of auditing.

Strategy & Business Economics

Use modern tools and methodologies to gain a better understanding of the world. PhD students in this area explore many aspects of economics including industrial, behavioral, labor, and organizational.

Dive deep into the financial structure and issues of organizations. Your research might look at how conflicts of interest affect corporate policy, how investor psychology affects asset pricing, or how to detect price bubbles.

Learn how theories from operations research, economics, psychology, and sociology intersect to inform corporate and consumer decisions. Your PhD studies will explore both quantitative and behavioral perspectives of marketing.

Management & Organizations

Prepare for a research-focused career in academia or industry. This versatile concentration develops skilled, innovative, analytical researchers through a broad curriculum and close faculty collaboration.

Operations, Technology, & Information Management

Develop the technical skills and behavioral analysis knowledge you need to address high-impact managerial decisions. This focus area also offers an option to complete coursework at Cornell Tech in New York City.

Idea Generation to Publication: A Career in Teaching and Research

The majority of our PhD in Management students pursue careers in academia. After graduation, many land tenure-track teaching positions at top-tier business schools and continue to advance knowledge through original research. Johnson School PhD students often field multiple offers and see starting salaries range from $150,000 to $250,000.

Finding Your Place at Cornell: Meet Our Current PhDs

Students from around the United States and across the globe arrive at the Johnson School to earn their PhD in Management—and their diverse research interests, educational backgrounds, and professional experiences make for a vibrant, enriching learning environment.

MEET CURRENT PHD STUDENTS

Research and Placements: Making an Impact in the Management Field

After earning the PhD in Management, our alumni go on to teach and inspire future leaders at top-tier institutions. Not only do they teach and conduct research alongside some of the most brilliant minds in business, but they also advance the field through publishing in leading journals and presenting their work at industry conferences.

Recent PhD in Management Placements

• Piyush Anand, PhD ’21, assistant professor of marketing, Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University
• Guarav Kankanhalli, PhD ’20, assistant professor, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh
• Eunjee Kim, PhD ’21, assistant professor, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University
• Sarah Lim, PhD ’21, assistant professor, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Xuege Lu, PhD ’22, assistant professor, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
• Subrina Shen, PhD ’21, assistant professor, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

Recent Research Publications

• “ Do Real Estate Values Boost Corporate Borrowing? Evidence from Contract-Level Data ” in the Journal of Financial Economics (2022) — Gaurav Kankanhalli, PhD ’20, with Murillo Campello, Robert A. Connolly, and Eva Steiner
• “ Converging Tides Lift All Boats: Consensus in Evaluation Criteria Boosts Investments in Firms in Nascent Technology Sectors ” in Organization Science (2021) — Xirong (Subrina) Shen, PhD ’21, with Huisi (Jessica) Li, PhD ’20, and Pamela S. Tolbert 
• “ Initial and Longer-Term Change in Unit-Level Turnover Following Leader Succession: Contingent Effects of Outgoing and Incoming Leader Characteristics ” in Organization Science (2020)— Huisi (Jessica) Li, PhD ’20, with John Hausknecht and Lisa Dragoni

“ Does Regulatory Jurisdiction Affect the Quality of Investment-Adviser Regulation? ” in American Economic Review (2019) — Alan Kwan, PhD ’17, with Ben Charoenwong and Tarik Umar

Our Faculty: Accomplished Researchers, Dedicated Teachers

When you join the PhD in Management program at the Johnson School, you’ll be part of a learning community comprising more than 100 accomplished academics and thought leaders. 

Not only will you take courses with renowned professors from across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, but you also will have the opportunity to build your own faculty committee—a group that will become instrumental as you select your dissertation topic and embark on your original research.

Faculty Spotlight: Learn from Leading Thought Leaders

Throughout the PhD program—from foundational coursework to your dissertation—you’ll work closely with dedicated teacher-scholars like these:

Kristina Rennekamp

Dr. Rennekamp’s research focuses on financial accounting from a behavioral perspective. She’s widely published, with work appearing in leading academic journals such as The Accounting Review , Contemporary Accounting Research , and The Journal of Financial Reporting .

Karan Girotra

Dr. Girotra studies the digital transformation of companies, whether it’s looking at emerging tools and practices or exploring new business models. He’s frequently interviewed in an array of mainstream business media outlets, including Bloomberg BusinessWeek , Fortune , and Forbes .

Kaitlin Woolley

Dr. Woolley studies the psychological processes behind consumer motivation. She’s an award-winning educator and researcher with work published in academic journals and national media outlets including the Journal of Consumer Research , Journal of Marketing Research , and The Wall Street Journal .

EXPLORE JOHNSON SCHOOL FACULTY

What You’ll Learn: Curriculum Overview

As you pursue your PhD in business management, you’ll begin with a set of foundation courses and progress into advanced coursework in your area of interest. Through it all, your faculty committee will help make sure you’re on the right track.

Foundational Management Coursework

Early in your doctoral program, you will complete foundational coursework in management and other fields. Many of these will focus on the research process and prepare you for your dissertation.

Advanced Coursework in Your Concentration Area

As you progress in the PhD in Management program, you’ll take electives and advanced courses that align with your research area of interest; these classes can be in the Johnson School and across Cornell.

Your Dissertation: Creating Original Research

During the final part of the program, you begin work on your dissertation—the culmination of your original research. You choose the topic of research in conjunction with your committee.

VIEW PROGRAM SPECIFICS

Beyond Business: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Dialogue

Tap into the experience and expertise of faculty members from across Cornell University.

Management is a broad science. Business leaders serve in a variety of roles in industries of all kinds: healthcare, consumer goods, agriculture, biotechnology, media, and consulting to name just a few. At Cornell, you can enrich your education and expand your research opportunities by taking courses and finding mentors beyond the college of business.

Explore fields like computer science, psychology, sociology, communication, engineering, and data science—and then connect the dots back to your management research.

Interact with peers and professors from other disciplines by participating in student organizations and special interest groups or by attending public lectures, workshops, and networking events.

Admissions Overview: How to Apply to the Management PhD Program

The ideal candidate for the Johnson School’s doctorate degree in management will have a strong record of academic excellence, a solid understanding of the research process, and an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. An MBA or master’s degree is not a requirement for admission. 

Our admissions page offers more details about program prerequisites, selection criteria, requirements, deadline information, and a checklist of materials you need to submit with your application.

Connect With Cornell Admissions

The Johnson School admissions team is available to answer your questions about the program and the application process. Stop in or reach out by phone or email today.

253-D Sage Hall Johnson Graduate School of Management Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853-6201

Phone: 607-255-5340 Email: Graduate Research Programs Office

The Cornell Campus: Where You Will Learn, Grow, and Thrive

Learn, grow, and thrive on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. As a PhD student, you’ll spend a lot of time in Sage Hall, a Gothic-style building dating back to 1875. You’ll find more high-tech learning spaces just off campus at the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education. You’ll also have access to the innovative campus of Cornell Tech in New York City—particularly relevant to students focused on technology and information management. 

Attending Cornell also means you’ll call Ithaca, NY, home for about five years. Our eclectic downtown is full of eateries, shops, activities, and all of the amenities you’d need for everyday life. When you’re not in class or studying, you can explore all that the Finger Lakes region has to offer.

PhD in Management FAQ: What You Need to Know

Before you apply to a research-focused graduate program, you’re likely to want to do some deep research of your own. For instance, how does a fully funded PhD in Management work? What’s the typical completion time?

We have a robust Frequently Asked Questions section to help you learn more about our program, the admissions process, and dissertation requirements. For our international applicants, you’ll also find specific details about earning your PhD in Management.

May I speak to someone about my interest in the program and visit?

You are welcome to reach out to any professor with whom you see a good research fit. Our website also has a wealth of information about the program.

Is an interview part of the process?

We offer interviews only to a few applicants after their first screening.

May I talk to a professor or advisor?

You are welcome to contact any professor with whom you see a research match. Faculty are more likely to respond to specific research queries.

I have questions; may I write to this program email address?

Yes. Our response time will vary. We are not able to answer detailed questions that are better assessed by faculty during the application process.

May I schedule a campus tour?

Admissions does not offer campus tours for PhD program applicants. However, you may arrange an appointment with a faculty member.

Fraud alert – beware of third-party post-doc scams.

Cornell University recently has been made aware of fraudulent activity targeting overseas students and researchers, including at least one third party website falsely stating that it is offering a postdoctoral or visiting scholar program in association with Cornell. These scams, which may seek to obtain money and/or personal details from interested applicants, are fraudulent. 

Cornell wishes to warn the public about these fraudulent activities being perpetrated purportedly in the name of Cornell, and/or its officials. Please be advised that: 

• Cornell does not, nor has it, worked in collaboration with third-party companies or organizations to offer postdoctoral or research certificate programs.
• Third parties do not collect tuition or fees on behalf of Cornell.
• Cornell does not work with or endorse such organizations including, but not limited to, Shanghai Lufei Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 上海璐斐教育科技有限公司) and Shenzhen Guoyan Era Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 深圳市国研时代教育科技有限公司).

Cornell’s postdoctoral positions are listed on the Academic Career Opportunities website and postdoctoral fellowship programs are available for viewing. If you suspect a third party of falsely advertising a Cornell program, please notify [email protected]. Victims of such scams may also report them to their local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

Start the Application Process Today

Ready to apply to our highly selective, fully funded PhD in Management? We look forward to learning more about you and your research goals. Start the application process today at the Cornell Graduate Admissions website. [You’ll first need to register for an account or log in to an existing one.]

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Doctorates in Business: How to Find The Best Program For You

The MBA has long been considered the standard for business professionals at the management or executive level. But as more and more leaders hold MBAs, they aren’t the differentiator they used to be. As business challenges grow more complex, technology rapidly advances and consumer behaviors change, a doctorate in business is an investment many business leaders are making to elevate their skills.

If you have C-suite aspirations, want to increase your salary, and gain research skills that can deliver a competitive advantage for your organization, a doctorate degree in business can help you achieve your goals.   But how do you find the right business doctorate program for you? First, you need to understand there are two major types of doctoral programs in business—academic, theoretical Ph.D. programs and professional, applied doctorate programs. And, to make it more complex, there are multiple degrees for business professionals within each category. That’s why we want to make your options clear.   Let’s explore in more detail so you can confidently make a decision on which doctorate in business program is right for you.

Should You Earn A Theoretical Doctorate or Professional Doctorate?

The answer to this question really lies in your professional aspirations. In short, it boils down to a simple question: Do you want to spend your career teaching business leaders or leading businesses to grow?   Why Earn a Theoretical Doctorate In Business?   Theoretical doctorates are Ph.D.’s. If you want to spend your career as a business professor, or in a research capacity to support businesses, a Ph.D. in business is likely the best choice. Ph.D programs focus heavily on academic research.

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.

Why Earn a Professional Doctorate In Business?   These are sometimes called an Applied Doctorate. This type of business doctorate focuses on applying research and business theory to solve real-world business challenges. If you want to spend your career leading a business, or consulting businesses, this is likely the direction for you.     It should be noted that both programs are very research-intensive. After all, a doctorate is the highest level of educational achievement you can receive. The difference is the focus of that research.   “A doctorate is not like another master’s degree,” comments Dr. Tim Reymann, Program Chair, Doctor of Business Administration at Franklin University , “It requires even more reading, writing and research than any other degree you’ve earned. Make sure you do a significant amount of reflection on what you need to be successful. I tell students to look for a degree you’re passionate about, knowledgeable and engaged faculty and an institution that builds a support system for it’s doctoral students.”

Which Doctoral Degree Path Should You Choose?

Here are many doctoral programs aimed at helping business leaders succeed. Here are three of the leading choices—and who is the ideal fit for each.   Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)   This is a professional doctorate designed to help leaders create transformational change through advanced research, analytical, and leadership skills.   “DBA degrees are geared toward working professionals who want to practically apply their degree,” says Dr. Reymann, “They usually work in the corporate sector and want to advance in management at their organization, or want to teach applied business theory at a university.”   Through earning a DBA, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of key business dynamics like global economics, government regulation, technological advancements and an increasingly dynamic workforce. With these research skills and new knowledge, you will be able to recognize business opportunities, generate innovative solutions, and confidently lead a team or organization, or pursue a role as a faculty member teaching these subjects.   Ph.D. in Business Administration   This is a theoretical degree designed to prepare individuals to provide unique research to the business field or teach within an academic setting.   “Most individuals looking to get a Ph.D. are looking for a faculty position at a tier-one or tier-two university where they can teach on a full-time basis and perform original research,” says Dr. Reymann.   Rapid advancement of technology and evolution of business environments presents many opportunities for the rigorous research that a Ph.D. in Business Administration can provide.   Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Ed.D)   An Ed.D. is an applied doctorate designed to prepare individuals for administration and management within the education field.   “Ed.D. programs apply management principles to the education field,” says Dr. Reymann. “These programs are a great fit for individuals who want to hold a management or leadership position in education—like principals, superintendents, and university administrators.”   Through earning an Ed.D., you’ll learn how to apply cutting-edge educational theories and apply them to the challenges within an educational system to create real change—whether improving schools or increasing access to educational opportunities.

5 Questions To Determine Which Doctoral Degree Is Right For You

Choosing the right type of degree is a highly personal and significantly important decision. It will have an impact on your education experience and your career opportunities. As you research degrees and institutions, make sure you are choosing the right degree to empower your future.   Here are five key questions to help you find the program that works best for you:

• What is my desired career?
• What type of research am I most interested in conducting?
• What type of organization do I want to work for?
• What value do I want to contribute to an organization or the world?
• What’s my ideal type of work setting?

3 Key Questions To Ask When Deciding Where You’ll Earn Your Doctoral Degree

So, you’ve chosen a degree. Great! Earning that doctoral degree will be an intensive process. When choosing a doctoral business program, you should find a student-centered program that will offer you support through the entire process. Here’s what to ask to find a program that works best for you:   What type of educational experience am I looking for?

There are three instruction methods in doctoral programs: in-person, online and hybrid, which is a combination of in-person and online. When choosing the right one for you, flexibility is usually the determining factor. Most in-person programs are full-time, which limits your ability to keep your job while getting your degree. Online programs allow you to complete a degree on your schedule, so you don’t have to put your career on pause. Hybrid programs, on the other hand, may be right for professionals who choose an online program with a local campus.   What type of support will I need to be successful?

Some doctoral programs can feel like solitary experiences, especially if they’re completed online. But if you’re looking for high-levels of support, the right online program will deliver. From faculty advisors to personal librarians and collaborative learning experiences, a supportive program will put you in touch with the right people and resources at every step of your doctoral degree.   How much flexibility will I need to balance my personal, professional, and educational pursuits?

Make sure you choose a program that offers the right balance of flexibility and structured learning . You want flexibility in the number of courses you take, when you complete coursework and how you conduct research. Structure should come in how courses are taught and a step-by-step dissertation process that removes roadblocks and sets you up for success.   “At Franklin University, every doctoral student receives a faculty advisor,” comments Dr. Reymann. “They check in with students at least once a month to talk about their progress, answer questions, and help clear roadblocks. Even with an online program, we believe in being highly engaged and creating one-on-one relationships with students.”

Get Started On Your Doctoral Degree Path

Only 2% of professionals complete a doctoral degree, so pursuing a terminal degree is inherently challenging and extremely rewarding. Explore Franklin University's Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Ed.D.) to see how our flexible, student-centered programs can help you successfully achieve a doctoral business degree that gives you the skills you need to lead.

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PhD Program in Business Administration

Welcome to the Berkeley Haas PhD Program! Partner with world-class faculty for a rigorous academic program in one of eight fields of study. Join a premier business school and a leading research university with a Nobel Prize-winning tradition – where you can seek new ideas and make an impact on global business and education.

The application for fall 2025 will open on September 12, 2024, and close on December 2, 2024.

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San francisco bay university’s graduate programs nurture the holistic development of students in preparation for senior-level and managerial positions. you gain access to a network of peers, professors and industry leaders who view these connections not as self-serving currency to trade, but as community-enriching bridges to treasure.  .

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA program equips aspiring leaders with a foundation of industry-proven interdisciplinary business concepts to advance your professional and personal goals. To further their expertise in a particular discipline, students have the option to choose one of three concentrations: Marketing Management, Management or Business Analytics.   

Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)

The master’s in business analytics program enables aspiring analysts, modelers, operational managers and expert advisors to master data-driven decision-making and forecasting. Successful students will use a combination of probability-based methods, high-speed computational processing, and visual analytics in conjunction with modern business strategies.

Graduate Certificate in Business Management

The business management certificate equips aspiring leaders with a basic foundation of business principles and industry-aligned competencies to help boost your career.   

Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS)

The MSDS program prepares students to process and analyze large-scale data sources to support decision making and improve efficiency in a range of industries. Graduates will be able to combine theoretical data concepts with their practical applications in data mining, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, among others.  

Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS)

The MSCS program equips students with advanced theory and extensive hands-on training to solidify their expertise in modern CS applications and challenges. To further their expertise in a particular discipline, students have the option to choose one of three concentrations: Cybersecurity, Data Science or Network Engineering.

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The MSEE program provides students with advanced knowledge and hands-on training in electronics and embedded system engineering with an emphasis on the Internet of Things (IoT). Graduates will also have experience in designing, simulating, and integrating the technology they learned.  

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Curriculum & Capstone

Program curriculum themes.

Product Development

Business and Leadership

Engineering Skills

Capstone Design

• MDD401: Introduction to Product Development | 3 Units | Fall Provides an overview of the product development process and design controls embedded within. Emphasizes clinical/customer needs finding and screening using principles of the Biodesign process together with clinical exposure. Introduces elements of establishing a business case through market analysis, intellectual property, and reimbursement considerations. Case studies of medical devices and drug/device combination products illustrate the product life-cycle.
• MDD402: Advanced Product Development | 3 Units | Winter Builds on the Introduction to Product Development course and focuses 1) concept selection, 2) design, 3) prototype manufacturing, 4) initial testing, 5) iteration, and 6) product and process verification and validation activities. Introduces intellectual property considerations such as patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.  Covers US and OUS regulatory options and the design of clinical trials including treatment groups, control groups, and sample sizes.
• MDD403: Manufacturing Market Readiness | 3 Units | Spring Continues the Product Development Lifecycle and provides an overview of manufacturing readiness strategies employed in the medical device and life science industries including contract manufacturing.  Provides an overview of the tools utilized to reduce manufacturing waste and variation including Lean Six Sigma.  Describes the regulatory requirements for quality assurance through quality management systems.  Describes post market activities including complaint investigation and reporting, FMEA impacts, clinical trial support and closure, and product obsolescence.  

Business Leadership

• MDD411: Introduction to Business Development and Planning | 3 Units | Fall Introductory overview of business planning philosophies. Introduces business ethics from consumer to corporate responsibility/integrity, market analysis through target consumers and demand, fundraising needs for financial backing, business finance principles and legal consideration (licensing, liability, patents). The focus is on taking an initial product introduction through an industry approach and the phases to start a product launch.
• MDD412: Business Management | 3 Units | Winter Broad overview of industry operations, engagement strategies, product marketing, project management and leadership. Introduces concepts on manufacturability, marketing to targeted clients/partners, developing project management tools and resources, and beginning team leadership principles. This focus is on the beginning design for manufacturing and usability for consistent manufacturability, managing risk and the people/resources needed.
• MDD413: Business Leadership | 3 Units | Spring Builds further depth in business management through advanced leadership and management principles: understanding and managing stakeholders, defining a leadership style, managing conflict, building trust and setting expectations. The focus is on managing a real project from beginning to end, influencing stakeholders, building and managing a team and building brand trust and loyalty.
• MDD421: Engineering Skills 1 | 3 Units | Fall Develops essential engineering skills driven by modern computing including computer aided design (CAD) and numerical simulation.  Emphasis is to develop fluency and practical skills in how to utilize CAD as well as finite element methods (FEM) to implement and test engineering design concepts. Students will be able to simulate and test physical phenomena in medical devices such as transport phenomena, mechanics, and reaction kinetics using the latest FEM and CAD software in an integrated fashion.
• MDD422: Engineering Skills 2 | 3 Units | Winter Develops conceptual understanding as well as essential skills in design and prototyping medical devices.  Skills include 3D printing, soft lithography, laser cutting and etching, 3D scanning, Medical Modeling (Deriving 3D data from DICOM). Students will leverage CAD and FEM skills from the Engineering Skills I course by completing a design and then creating the prototype.
• Technical Elective | 3 Units | Spring

Capstone Design and Commercialization

• MDD431: Capstone Design: Clinical Operations | 3 Units | Fall Students will be introduced to hospital and clinical operations and gain hospital privileges.  The course will begin developing a needs assessment in accordance with medical device development based on real-world unmet need for final capstone commercialization plan.  Students will be divided into their respective 4-5 person teams for the capstone project, and the teams will utilize access to the hospital settings and their Faculty Advisor to secure topic for their capstone project.
• MDD432: Capstone Design: Commercialization 1 | 3 Units | Winter This team-based design course will provide graduate students with a major practicum design experience in which student teams will apply product development, business leadership and engineering content to propose, implement, and validate a unique solution.  The first capstone course will focus on application of engineering principles and design theory to deliver a functional prototype that meets client needs and necessary constraints. 
• MDD433: Capstone Design: Commercialization 2 | 3 Units | Spring The second course in the capstone sequence will focus on the development of a commercialization plan, in which regulatory strategy, reimbursement and intellectual property feasibility will be addressed.  Packaging, labeling and sterilization considerations will also be integrated. Written and oral communication, along with relevant professional and ethical responsibilities will be emphasized throughout the capstone course.

Capstone Design Project

A key component of our graduate program in medical device development is the capstone engineering design project that provides students with hands-on, practical experience delivering a functional prototype.

Learning outcomes include:

• Hands-on Experience : Students will gain insights through clinical projects, focusing on the product development pipeline.
• Biodesign Process : Students follow the “identify”, “invent” and “implement” sequence across fall, winter and spring quarters.
• Hospital Integration : Students will access hospital operations, develop needs assessments and work in teams with faculty advisors.
• Practicum Design Experience : Students will apply product development, business leadership and engineering principles to propose, implement and validate solutions.
• Functional Prototype : Students will deliver a prototype that meets client needs and constraints.
• Regulatory Strategy : Students will explore and address regulatory, reimbursement and intellectual property feasibility.
• Communication Skills : Students will demonstrate written and oral communication, professional and ethical responsibilities.

Industry partners are invited to sponsor a capstone design project. For more information, please contact [email protected] .

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• Tuesday, November 19

Graduate Business Programs Open House

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5:30pm to 8pm

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5250 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Join the Graduate Business Programs Enrollment Team and Miami Herbert Business School Faculty for our Fall Open House on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Sample Itinerary

4:30pm: Check-In Opens* 

5:30pm: Welcome & Miami Herbert Business School Admissions Overview

6:00pm: MHBS Faculty Panel

6:45pm: Current Student/Alumni Panel

7:30pm: Academic Program & Resource Fair

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*Light refreshments will be provided

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• Program Requirements

Students in the program are expected to master graduate-level microeconomic theory and econometrics. In addition, they are expected to devote substantial time to mastering one additional complementary discipline, such as psychology, sociology, or political science, and developing expertise in research methodologies suited to their particular interests, such as qualitative analysis, designing effective fieldwork, and analysis of survey data.

Students in the Strategy doctoral program work closely with faculty in the Strategy Unit. In addition to the doctoral program in Strategy, the Strategy unit offers a program in Business Economics , which is designed to attract students interested in pursuing research using a purely economics-based methodology.

Curriculum & Coursework

Our programs are full-time degree programs which officially begin in August. Students are expected to complete their program in five years. Typically, the first two years are spent on coursework, at the end of which students take a field exam, and then another three years on dissertation research and writing.

The program requires a minimum of 13 semester long doctoral courses. Students in the Strategy program complete courses in the areas of business management theory, economic theory, quantitative research methods, academic field seminars, and two MBA elective curriculum courses. In addition to HBS courses, students may take courses at other Harvard Schools and MIT.

Research & Dissertation

Students in strategy begin research in their first year typically by working with a faculty member. By their third and fourth years, most students are launched on a solid research and publication stream. The dissertation may take the form of three publishable papers or one longer dissertation.

Examples of thesis research include: the relationship between non-market experience and the use and outcome of patent strategies by pharmaceutical firms; the antecedents and consequences of corporate strategy decision-making, specifically focusing on divestitures and governance; the impact of religion on individual financial choices and institutional structures; innovation in emerging markets; and the causal effect of incentive policy reform, expatriates and social relationships on innovation.

Dafna Bearson

Rowan Clarke

Professor Maria Roche

“ Students in the program come from diverse backgrounds ranging from computer science to psychology. It's really fascinating how different our worlds views are! ”

Current HBS Faculty

• Juan Alcacer
• Laura Alfaro
• Bharat N. Anand
• Brian K. Baik
• Julie Battilana
• Ethan S. Bernstein
• Jeffrey J. Bussgang
• Ramon Casadesus-Masanell
• Alberto F. Cavallo
• Prithwiraj Choudhury
• David J. Collis
• Leemore S. Dafny
• Mattias E. Fibiger
• Carolyn J. Fu
• Stuart C. Gilson
• Shane M. Greenstein
• Boris Groysberg
• Jonas Heese
• Rebecca M. Henderson
• Ebehi Iyoha
• William R. Kerr
• Tarun Khanna
• Hyunjin Kim
• Raymond P. Kluender
• Nancy F. Koehn
• Scott Duke Kominers
• Rembrand M. Koning
• Karim R. Lakhani
• Himabindu Lakkaraju
• Josh Lerner
• Michael Lingzhi Li
• Deepak Malhotra
• Edward McFowland III
• Cynthia A. Montgomery
• John C. Mulliken
• Kyle R. Myers
• Frank Nagle
• Felix Oberholzer-Gee
• Joseph Pacelli
• Lynn S. Paine
• Elisabeth C. Paulson
• Sophus A. Reinert
• Meg Rithmire
• Jan W. Rivkin
• Charlotte L. Robertson
• Maria P. Roche
• Clayton S. Rose
• Raffaella Sadun
• William A. Sahlman
• George Serafeim
• Willy C. Shih
• Christopher T. Stanton
• Jorge Tamayo
• Sara McKinley Torti
• Isamar Troncoso
• Eric J. Van den Steen
• Jeremy Yang
• Dennis A. Yao
• David B. Yoffie
• Shunyuan Zhang

Current Strategy Students

• Jackson Anderson
• Ana Antolin
• Dafna Bearson
• Liz Calder
• Rowan Clarke
• Leila Doumi
• Aticus Peterson
• Katie Piner
• Joey Ryu
• Kyle Schirmann
• Yifei Wu
• Haiyang Zhang

Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest

Recent placement, innessa colaiacovo, 2024, f. christopher eaglin, 2022, j. yo-jud cheng, 2019, laura katsnelson, 2024, young hou, 2021, do yoon kim, 2019, nataliya langburd wright, 2023, hyunjin kim, 2020.