phd project management in usa

Where To Earn A Ph.D. In Project Management Online In 2024

Published: Feb 22, 2024, 1:47pm

Whether you’re looking to teach at the university level or advance to the highest position available in your business or industry, a Ph.D. in project management can help get you there. Advanced project management skills equip you to plan, lead and deliver successful projects of varying sizes.

Ph.D. programs typically focus on research and lead to academia. Because online project management degrees are relatively rare at the Ph.D. level, it’s uncommon for universities to offer Ph.D.s in project management online. We found one accredited, nonprofit university that offers this degree and meets our ranking criteria.

Keep reading to discover where you can earn an online Ph.D. in project management and how to decide whether online learning is right for you.

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Capitol Technology University

At Capitol Technology University , you can choose from more than 40 online doctoral programs, including an online Ph.D. in project management. In this program, you’ll learn to oversee projects from conception to completion in industries of all sizes and landscapes. You’ll complete the program asynchronously and 100% online, with no residency requirements at Capitol Tech’s Maryland campus.

The Ph.D. program offers two pathways: a dissertation track and a publication track. Learners in the dissertation track must produce and defend a doctoral dissertation to graduate. The publication track requires students to publish three academic journal articles.

Capitol Tech charges $950 per credit for its doctoral program courses. Retired military service members receive a tuition discount of $50 per credit, and active-duty military receive a $100-per-credit discount.

At a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Project management future demands, strategies for project management
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

Degree Finder

How to find the right online ph.d. in project management for you.

How do you choose an online degree program? Let’s dive in.

Consider Your Future Goals

When deciding on an online doctorate in project management, you should compare schools, programs and degree types. To help guide you, consider how each option contributes to your specific project management career goals.

For example, if you hope to teach or work in research, a Ph.D. in project management would align best with your goals, whereas a D.B.A. in project management may better suit a project manager seeking to advance their career in business and management.

You can also compare how different schools and programs would support your career path. Does one school offer more interesting research opportunities or faculty with more relevant experience? What type of career services, mentorship opportunities and professional networks are available to doctoral students? Find a program that best serves your unique interests.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

A Ph.D. in project management will test not only your commitment and work ethic but also your wallet. Capitol Technology University charges $950 per credit for its 60-credit Ph.D. in project management, bringing the total tuition cost to $57,000. Plus, the university does not offer fellowships or remote teaching assistantships as funding options.

To help fund your graduate education, apply for federal student aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Along with federal loans and grants, the FAFSA may qualify you for national, institutional and third-party scholarships.

Should You Enroll in a Ph.D. of Project Management Online?

Online learning has made doctoral degrees more accessible, with fewer travel and schedule restrictions, but is distance learning right for you? To answer this, you need to think about your preferred learning style.

Many online programs, including Capitol Tech’s online Ph.D. in project management, feature asynchronous delivery, meaning there are no set class times. While this creates more flexibility, it also puts a greater demand on your time management and organization skills. Asynchronous programs also tend to have less interaction and structure than traditional on-campus programs.

If that doesn’t work for you, you may prefer a synchronous online program with scheduled and live classes. You can also look into hybrid programs that combine online and on-campus learning.

Accreditation for Online Ph.D.s in Project Management

Schools and programs may opt to undergo an accreditation process that evaluates their educational quality, processes and outcomes. Accreditation provides students and employers with quality assurance. Plus, you need to attend an accredited higher education institution to qualify for federal student aid.

Institutional accreditation must come from an accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). You can find a list of accredited colleges in CHEA’s database .

Doctoral programs in project management can also apply for programmatic accreditation. Project management programs typically fall under the business umbrella, so business-specific programmatic accreditors—including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education—may accredit project management degrees .

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Our Methodology

We scored one accredited, nonprofit college offering an online project management Ph.D. in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. 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 January 2023.

We scored schools based on the following categories:

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduation student fees
• Alternative tuition plans
• Median federal loan debt
• Percentage of students in loan deferment

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Program being ranked has 100% coursework available online
• Total graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation
• Nonprofit status

We listed the only school in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Ph.D.s in Project Management

Can i do a ph.d. in project management.

Yes, you can earn a Ph.D. in project management. Online project management Ph.D. programs are rare, however.

Are online Ph.D.s respected?

Yes, an online Ph.D. is respected and accepted as long as it comes from a reputable, accredited institution. Distance programs typically cover the same content and award the same degrees as on-campus programs, just through a different delivery format.

What is the fastest online Ph.D. for project management?

The fastest online Ph.D. for project management depends on your course load and how quickly you can complete the thesis or publication requirements. Most Ph.D. programs take about five years to complete. The fastest doctoral program in project management, however, is a D.B.A., which takes about three years to complete.

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For nearly a decade, Doug Wintemute has specialized in helping students and professionals make sound education and career decisions. In addition to Forbes Advisor, his work has been featured on many online publications, including ZDNet, Bankrate and NurseJournal.

2100 accredited US Universities for Graduate Programs. 400+ specializations.

1400 No GRE, GMAT schools for the Master’s program

700+ Graduate scholarships totaling $3.5 mm

Doctoral / PHD Programs in Project Management

12 universities offer graduate PHD program in Project Management

Pepperdine University

By Andrea D. Scott, PhD, Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, MD and Margaret E. Phillips, PhD.

The notion of a virtuous organization is the result of an evolving, but grounded, field of study in leadership and management that is a mash-up of ethics theory.

By Robert Lee, PhD and Abraham Park, PhD.

Business Management, Project and Strategic Management

• GRE Required:  Yes
• Research Assistantships:  12
• Teaching Assistantships:  36
• Financial Aid: Register to view the details

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Introduction to project management: tools and techniques for defining, scheduling, and managing a project. Learn team development and ways to enhance team performance through planning and executing a project.

Sample course topics: organization structure and culture, estimating time and cost, managing risk, agile, outsourcing.

Sample textbook: Larson, E. and Gray, C. F., Project Management: The Managerial Process.

EdD, leadership, University of St. Thomas MA, leadership, Augsburg University BA, computer science business administration, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

• Research Assistantships:  38
• Teaching Assistantships:  180

Liberty University

DBA in Project Management Online Coordinate Projects with Excellence.

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total.

Plan for Success with Our Doctorate in Project Management and Business.

Project Management degree seeks to build on your current knowledge and skills in project management while helping prepare you for success in the top tiers of business. In our online DBA in Project Management, you can learn to integrate marketing strategies and management practices with a biblical worldview.

Our DBA in Project Management degree can teach you to evaluate, strategize, and execute successful projects while also considering the scope of a project, time management, client relations, and quality control. At Liberty University, we can give you the training you need to become a Champion for Christ in the world of business.

OnlineColleges Center For Online Education Best Online Colleges In Virginia.

Online PhD Programs Top Online Doctorates In Business Administration.

Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad Doctoral Degree.

Being able to recognize weaknesses and strengths in a business project is essential.

In our project management doctoral degree program, you can learn how business can be affected by politics, culture, and geographic settings as well as develop a human resources program. Understanding the various components that encompass project management on all levels is critical. Our online project management classes can help you achieve excellence and serve as a valuable asset in your field.

Project Management falls under the School of Business.

View the Doctor of Business Administration Handbook for additional program information.

The Applied Doctoral Research Project (ADRP) in the DBA program relates to a business problem in your specialization.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. and counting.

Admission Information for the DBA in Project Management.

Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Earning a terminal degree sets you apart as a professional. You will be a leader and expert in your field.

The advanced knowledge you will gain in this program can help you contribute to real-world business problems in a practical way.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Labor, at Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment (viewed online September 22, 2020). Cited projections may not reflect local and or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration, which is a terminal degree. By earning a DBA, you will have achieved the highest degree available in your field. This can establish you as an expert and leader in business.

A DBA will focus on business principles that can help you continue in the field as a leader and professional. A PhD is academic-focused and can help prepare you for roles in higher education or academic research.

Additionally, a project management PhD will likely require a dissertation. Our DBA does not require a dissertation. Instead, you will complete a research project that can help you solve a real-world business problem and conduct ground-breaking research.

The typical PhD takes 4 or years to complete.

This program can help you gain the expertise you need as a leader in your field faster than a typical PhD.

Our challenging and rewarding online DBA in Project Management curriculum that can help set you apart from others.

Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management students can complete their DBA degree online in just 60 credit hours.

Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply.

Message and data rates may apply. For additional information, text HELP to 49595 or 49596. You may opt-out at any time by sending STOP to 49595 or 49596.

DBA in Project Management Online

• Research Assistantships:  -
• Teaching Assistantships:  178

327 universities offer the Master's program in Project Management.

Which one best suits your need?

Capitol Technology University

Earn a Doctorate in Project Management and become an asset to any and every organization.

The PhD in Project Management provides a path for the highest mastery of managing business processes in competitive local, national, and global industries. Project management is a multi-disciplinary profession that encompasses the design, process, and goals for your company projects, making you an asset to any employer.

Within the program, students will conduct original research in an approved area of Project Management.

As your PhD progresses, you will move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in research that will lead to the production of a high-quality thesis and or publications, and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you will have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field.

Study at a university that specializes in industry-focused education in cyber and technology-based fields, nationally recognized for our academic excellence in our programs.

Our PhD programs are offered 100% online with no in-person residency required.

Project Management may be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation publication research. Students who are not prepared to defend after completion of the 60 credits will be required to enroll in RSC-899, a one-credit, eight-week continuation course.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DOCTORAL RESEARCH AND WRITING: 30 CREDITS.

Demonstrate knowledge of the historical connections and evolutions in Project Management.

Incorporate the theoretical and practical applications of Project Management to design an original research project.

Apply the Project Management framework to current issues in the world.

Critically compare and contrast theories of Project Management and identify the appropriate connections.

Create research works that bring forward new knowledge in Project Management.

Incorporate the theoretical basis and practical applications of Project Management into their professional work.

Be versed in the science to offer economic solutions to Project Management.

Demonstrate the highest mastery of the needs of Project Management globally.

The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:.

The per-credit charge for doctorate courses is $950. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.

Active duty military receive a $100 per credit hour tuition discount for doctorate level coursework.

Find additional information for 2024-2025 doctorate tuition and fees.

• GRE Required:  Register to view the details
• Research Assistantships:  Register to view the details
• Teaching Assistantships:  Register to view the details

Walden University

Choose a DBA degree program that empowers you to drive positive change at the executive level.

If you start this program on May 8, 2023.

Accredited by the Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Become a Force for Business Success With Our Online DBA Program.

An online DBA program prepares professionals to apply theory and research to practical problems found in all areas of business and management.

Walden is the No. 1 granter of doctoral research degrees in the U.S.1.

Our DBA online program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. information for international applicants.

Earning your online Doctor of Business Administration requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work.

Unravel Complex Business Challenges With Our DBA Program.

Gain advanced skills in research, critical thinking, communication, analysis, and management.

Formulate effective solutions to complex, real-world problems common to the practice of business and management.

Design rigorous research that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and management.

An online DBA program can prepare you to work in settings such as:.

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Dr. Gaytan earned a Bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems from Western Michigan University in 1987. Upon graduation, he accepted a position as a computer programmer. This position eventually turned into a systems analyst job. Four years later, Dr.

Meridith Wentz, PhD, is an Assistant Chancellor in the Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

I enrolled at Walden after researching online programs and determining that Walden was one of only a few accredited online schools to offer doctoral studies in leadership.

The tools I gained from the DBA program have enabled me to analyze and present solutions to complex problems with professionalism and confidence.

We go over the basics of earning a Doctor of Business Administration.

Earning a Doctor of Business Administration can give you the skills you need to be a business leader.

From senior management positions to consulting, a DBA degree can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings. Some of the highest paying career paths for those with a DBA include healthcare management, business planning, procurement, and compliance and regulatory.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the PhD in Management both provide an in-depth understanding of business administration and management. A DBA degree provides practical knowledge that you can apply directly to the workplace, whereas a PhD in Management is designed for those who prefer a academic focus. If you enjoy conducting original research, analyzing data, and evaluating theories, you will likely prefer the academically oriented PhD in Management. If you enjoy applying research to practical problems, formulating solutions to complex issues, and designing effective business practices, the professional orientation of the Doctor of Business Administration may be the best fit for you.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree-seekers have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the program that is best for them. However, five key factors should always be considered before making a decision: accreditation, specializations, flexibility, diversity, and support. First, look for a DBA program that is accredited. As you search for the best degree program, be sure to select one that offers a number of specializations, allowing you to match your education to your career goals. Flexible scheduling can be key for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed.

Think research topics you might wish to consider for your doctoral study. The information you gain in your specialization courses can be leveraged as you complete your research.

1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Database (IPEDS) database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using all classifications of instructional programs (CIP) codes. (Retrieved January 2021 may consist of or include provisional release data.).

Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases transfer credits accepted by Walden program or specialization changes unsuccessful course completion credit load per term part-time vs. full-time enrollment writing, research, and editing skills use of external data for the doctoral study dissertation and individual progress in the program.

Doctor of Business Administration Program

University of mary.

Please Note: A specialization is required for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and optional for the Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) and the Master of Project Management (MPM) programs.

Graduates of the program will play a critical role in advancing the mission and ministry of the Church through professional resource development. Skills learned in the program will help graduates invite people to participate in the mission of the Church through giving.

Gain advanced business leadership skills and examine, in-depth, an understanding of Catholic charities and other nonprofits. When you graduate, you will be prepared to:.

Apply advanced management strategies to improve employee productivity and business results.

Interpret Major Gifts practices through the lens of SelfGift, compare different major gift approaches, and demonstrate mastery of major gifts techniques and presentation.

This course will also fulfill Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) test preparation necessary for the following sections: Donor Research, Volunteer Involvement, Leadership and Management, and Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism.

Catholic Philanthropy Specialization

Capella university.

Capella online PhD in Business Management, Project Management prepares you to strategize and lead projects in a wide range of global and complex business environments. Learn current and emerging project management methodologies, contemporary leadership theories and practices, and communications approaches to help you grow as an effective leader. Become a driving force in the field as you develop high-level research skills, culminating in a dissertation that advances project management as a whole.

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Project Management requires a total of 90 quarter credits.

In this course, learners research literature to identify best practices and evaluate appropriate methodologies leading to successful outcomes for projects and programs ranging from simple to complex. Learners also evaluate expected project outcomes to assure alignment with strategic goals and objectives. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course examine both seminal and current literature, such as complexity theory, to evaluate the successes and failures of projects and programs in complex and ambiguous environments. Learners develop their professional, consultative, and leadership skills for successful project and program outcomes. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners evaluate and synthesize the use of multidisciplinary theories based on the research and practice of project and program risk management. Learners explore emerging trends, concepts, and methods of project and program risk management systems and research. Topics include evaluating integrated approaches to identifying, analyzing, mitigating, and managing project risks, and identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in project risk management research. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course examine emerging trends, concepts, and methods for evaluating and applying program integration and portfolio management techniques and methods used to optimize their overall value. Topics include ethical approaches to program and portfolio management in alignment with business strategic goals and objectives within a global context. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Project Management solidifies your ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close projects in a range of global business settings.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:.

Synthesize multi-disciplinary theories that inform and shape the theory and practice of project management.

Apply ethical leadership strategies in diverse project management settings.

Exhibit proficiency in communication, research, writing, and critical thinking skills for successful project management.

Evaluate functional and cross-functional management approaches for projects, programs and portfolios ranging from operational to strategic, small to complex, and local to global.

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors.

Based on the quarter system 1-2 courses per 10-week quarter.

Coursework phase only includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials.

Tuition and program length are unique to you.

Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:.

Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.

Take 6 or credits per quarter and pay just $5,000.Cost of each residency is included in the $5,000 quarterly tuition maximum books, resource kit, travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses are not included.

$20K toward your doctorateApply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

The PhD in Business Management with a specialization in project management is accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).

The GAC Accredited Program seal is a mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.

The FlexPath option for the project management specializations are not accredited by PMI-GAC.

Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:.

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed counseling sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

5 Ways a Doctoral Degree May Strengthen Your Career.

Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Project Management.

These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Take the first step toward earning your degree and achieving your goals.

PhD in Project Management

Sam houston state university.

A small group of project managers reviewing their firm current project load.

At SHSU Online, we understand that your degree needs to work for you. it signifies your accomplishment and expertise to the world.

You earn a degree from SHSU by accumulating course credit hours.

You earn course credit hours by completing in-person courses and or online courses, or through transferred credits from another institution.

Even if you earn all of your course credit hours online. Your degree will be the same regardless of how you earn your credit hours.

Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees.

Master of Science in Project Management

National university.

Return to Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Technology Management (PhD-TM).

Technology without qualified leadership to oversee its optimal use is just expensive hardware. In this important focus, you will pair your technology coursework with in-depth courses in leadership, risk management and oversight of multiple projects. On graduation, you will be prepared to take on management roles in project management and information technology.

NU offers weekly course starts, no scheduled lecture hours, no group assignments, weekly assignments, and the ability to schedule courses around your personal and professional obligations.

No matter the degree level you pursue, you can rest assured that you will be mentored by doctors in your field of study.

Doctor of Philosophy in Technology and Innovation Management Program Learning Outcomes.

Evaluate theories of ethics and risk management in computers and emerging technologies.

Contribute to the body of theory and practice in technology and innovation management.

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state country.

Program availability varies by state. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and or licensing authority.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

I confirm that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. I also understand that certain degree programs may not be available in all states. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.

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Online PhD in IT Project Management

Colorado technical university-colorado springs.

At Colorado Technical University, you could pursue a doctorate in one of our convenient, fully online doctoral programs that make it possible to take your education to the next level without putting your life on hold. We offer 9 online doctorate degree program options spanning fields in computer science, management, and nursing.

Our online doctoral library provides 24 7 access to valuable research materials, including research journals, magazines, conference proceedings, books, theses, videos, and .

Qualifying students may be eligible to transfer-in up to 75 percent of the program credits required to complete their doctorate degree program2.

Military education benefits could help cover the cost of doctorate courses and textbooks for those who qualify.

Online doctorate degree programs at CTU are designed to be challenging and enriching. All doctoral students are further required to attend two, two-and-a-half day residential symposium events that are held in Denver, Colorado. We offer the following online doctoral programs:.

In the Doctor of Computer Science program, students can explore high-level design issues evaluate methods of maintaining security in distributed systems develop a software process improvement plan for an organization and design and test, implement, and report on the results of an experiment. Core courses include current topics in computer science and IT, qualitative and quantitative research methods, futuring and innovation, research methods and design, and structured courses for your dissertation. The doctorate in computer science is offered as a general track option, or you could choose from concentrations in big data analytics and cybersecurity and information assurance.

This online doctoral program provides an opportunity for students to enhance their strategic-thinking skills and existing management capabilities with the aim of developing a robust leadership style suited to taking on higher levels of responsibility in their fields. Core courses include management theory, ethics, application of action research, strategic thinking and organizational alignment, practice and theory of consulting and intervention, leadership theory and development, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and structured courses on the creation and completion of your dissertation.

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) who already possess a Master of Science in Nursing, and who want to better prepare themselves to take on advanced leadership and administrative roles in the field and work to improve healthcare outcomes through evidence-based processes.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs ACBSP accredited.

In fact, a number of factors might affect program length, including transfer credits, military credits, and qualifying life work experience (through submission of a successful Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP)). You may also have the option to pursue an accelerated doctoral program timeline by taking fewer breaks between courses.

And because fewer courses mean lower online doctoral degree program costs, the same programs that can allow you to graduate faster could also allow you to save money: transferring-in credits from other accredited institutions, submitting successful ELPs, and taking advantage of military education benefits are all great options to help save. We provide helpful tools to help you better anticipate costs, such as our tuition and graduation date calculator which can give you a better idea of estimated tuition and expected graduation date, and our net price calculator can provide you with estimated costs and possible grant aid you may qualify for.

We understand that many adult students in our online doctoral programs have personal and professional obligations and responsibilities that exist alongside their academic duties, and that finding a work life balance can feel challenging, or even impossible, at times.

1 intellipath® is not available for all courses.2 Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer.

CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. REQ1493225 12 19.

I may not know the next exciting opportunity I will have, but I will know be successful in whatever I may do.

Whitney C., Former Student2022 Graduate, Doctor of Management.

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The Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Project Management is designed for advanced graduate students with strong academic credentials who seek to focus on a specific research subject in depth. The program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours and combines advanced-level coursework with a doctoral dissertation. The PhD program is residential. UMD does not offer an online PhD program in Project Management.

Doctoral students will have many opportunities to research relevant theoretical and practical problems in major project-based industries including engineering and construction, real estate planning, government services, and others for use in their dissertations.

Every doctoral student is supervised by a designated professor and benefits from his or her personal guidance. A committee of other professors formed with expertise similar to the student’s topic of study will also be available for support.

The PhD program is designed with a foundation of five core courses and electives as needed to support their dissertation. Core courses and PM electives are shown below.

There is a set of pre-approved graduate elective courses that could be substituted for a project management graduate program elective. Learn more at: Pre-Approved Electives .

Core Courses

• ENCE 627 Project Risk Management
• ENCE 661 Project Cost Accounting & Finance
• ENCE 662 Fundamentals of Project Management
• ENCE 664 Legal Aspects of Engineering Design & Construction
• ENCE 665 Managing Project Teams: Improving Individual and Team Performance

Elective Courses

• ENCE 602 Project Procurement Management
• ENCE 604 Sustainability Fundamentals for Project Managers
• ENCE 606 Graduate Introduction to Project Scheduling
• ENCE 607 Mastering Agile Project Management
• ENCE 622 Construction Automation & Robotics
• ENCE 623 Advanced Project Scheduling
• ENCE 625 Project Administration
• ENCE 666 Cost Engineering and Control

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The GAC and PMI logos are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. For the full list of PMI’s legal marks, please contact the PMI Legal department.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Project Management

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Earn a Doctorate in Project Management and become an asset to any and every organization.

The PhD in Project Management provides a path for the highest mastery of managing business processes in competitive local, national, and global industries. Project management is a multi-disciplinary profession that encompasses the design, process, and goals for your company projects, making you an asset to any employer. As a leader in project management, you will develop the mastery needed to determine scope and feasibility, manage time and resources, tackle deadlines, meet customer expectations, lead teams, effectively use technology, and provide business expertise throughout the many complex phases of project completion.

The PhD in Project Management program is structured for experienced professionals in this field with an appropriate undergraduate degree. Within the program, students will conduct original research in an approved area of Project Management. 

As your PhD progresses, you will move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in research that will lead to the production of a high-quality thesis and/or publications, and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you will have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field. 

Why Capitol?

Expert faculty guidance in doctoral research

Capitol’s doctoral programs are supervised by faculty with extensive experience in chairing doctoral dissertations and mentoring students as they launch their academic careers. You’ll receive the guidance you need to successfully complete your doctoral research project and build credentials in the field.

Proven academic excellence

Study at a university that specializes in industry-focused education in cyber and technology-based fields, nationally recognized for our academic excellence in our programs.

Program is 100% online

Our PhD programs are offered 100% online with no in-person residency required.

Key Faculty

Vice President

Dissertation Chair

Dissertation Chair/Adjunct Professor

Director of Graduate Programs

Career Opportunities

Market demand for Project Management expertise

Graduates will contribute significantly to the creation of new knowledge and ideas, and will be prepared for in-demand roles such as a trusted subject matter expert, researcher, technician, manager, or professor.

Degree Details

This program may be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation/publication research. Students who are not prepared to defend after completion of the 60 credits will be required to enroll in RSC-899, a one-credit, eight-week continuation course. Students are required to be continuously enrolled/registered in the RSC-899 course until they successfully complete their dissertation defense/exegesis.

The student will produce, present, and defend a doctoral dissertation after receiving the required approvals from the student’s Committee and the PhD Review Boards.

Doctor of Philosophy in Project Management Courses  

Total Credits: 60  

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DOCTORAL CORE: 30 CREDITS 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DOCTORAL RESEARCH AND WRITING: 30 CREDITS 

Educational Objectives:  

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical connections and evolutions in Project Management. 

2. Incorporate the theoretical and practical applications of Project Management to design an original research project. 

3. Apply the Project Management framework to current issues in the world. 

4. Critically compare and contrast theories of Project Management and identify the appropriate connections. 

5. Communicate findings, both in a written and oral format, to a variety of audiences. 

6. Create research works that bring forward new knowledge in Project Management. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon graduation, graduates will...  

1. Incorporate the theoretical basis and practical applications of Project Management into their professional work. 

2. Apply research and advance problem-solving skills to their career field. 

3. Be versed in the science to offer economic solutions to Project Management. 

4. Demonstrate the highest mastery of the needs of Project Management globally. 

5. Be ambassadors for research and the advancement of knowledge. 

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:

• The application fee is $100
• The per-credit charge for doctorate courses is $950. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
• Retired military receive a $50 per credit hour tuition discount
• Active duty military receive a $100 per credit hour tuition discount for doctorate level coursework.
• Information technology fee $40 per credit hour.
• High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for doctoral programs.

Find additional information for 2024-2025 doctorate tuition and fees.

Need more info, or ready to apply?

Online Doctorate in Project Management

Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.

Degree Options & Potential Careers

Like any terminal degree, earning a doctorate in project management online qualifies graduates for many of the most senior jobs in the field. Mid-to-late-career project managers — who have at least 5-10 years of experience — can advance into positions like senior executives, business professors, or high-level managers for corporations or nonprofit organizations.

While job requirements vary, most employers — especially those at large corporations and high-profile institutions — prefer to hire  top executives  who hold an advanced degree and possess ample experience in project management or a related area. Many top executives are self-employed or work in professional, scientific, or technical services.

Should I Earn an Online Doctorate in Project Management?

While the decision to pursue a doctorate in project management online requires a strong commitment, students can look forward to a wealth of personal and professional benefits if they put in hard work. Like any field, project management rewards those who possess terminal degrees with exclusive job opportunities and increased salary potential.

Project managers with a doctoral degree are eligible for many of the highest-paying jobs in the field. For example, experienced top executives, like  CEOs and operations managers , can earn an annual salary of more than $200,000.

Graduates of a doctoral program in project management have a broad set of career options available to them. These workers can qualify for roles throughout business, government, and academia.

Project managers with a doctoral degree can also make their own hours. While many project managers work in professional, scientific, and technical services — or for the government — the  largest sector  of project management doctoral degree-holders (23%) is self-employed. For example, consultants typically obtain years of experience in addition to an advanced degree, giving them maximum flexibility in their work schedule and field of expertise.

Earning a doctoral degree in project management online can also save students time and money. Whether a doctoral candidate plans to move up to an executive or academic career, pursuing an online degree enables students to accumulate industry experience while fitting their education into their busy schedule.

What Can I Do With an Online Doctorate in Project Management?

Project managers with a doctorate and years of experience can pursue their choice of career. Equipped with highly adaptable skills, managers with a doctorate may possess the qualifications needed for employment within public and private institutions, government agencies, and academia.

Nearly every sector of the workforce requires project managers. A  large percentage  of project managers provide professional services for private businesses, large corporations, and startup companies. Many senior project managers in their late career work in fields such as IT, construction, and manufacturing. Others work as self-employed consultants or management and leadership specialists. While specific requirements vary, employers often prefer candidates who also hold the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Project managers may also pursue a more specialized career path at a government agency, working as a scholar or a research scientist. Doctoral degree-holders can also qualify for jobs in the public sector such as mayors or governors.

Professionals may qualify for different types of positions depending on what kind of degree they earn. For instance, a doctorate in business administration (DBA) is typically reserved for professionals interested in jobs in the business world. These graduates pursue careers as top executives within global corporations. They may also work as independent consultants.

Alternatively, a Ph.D. usually leads to a more research-oriented degree path. Graduates with this degree usually fill scholarly positions, such as college professors, or serve as research experts for private institutions. While some community colleges and vocational schools accept instructors with only a master’s degree, graduates with an online doctorate in project management may qualify for postsecondary education positions at national and international universities, including Ivy League institutions with world-renowned business schools.

Project Management Doctoral Program Overview

Students interested in achieving a doctoral education in project management have multiple options from which to choose. The field offers different terminal degrees, each with their own set of characteristics and each leading to different career paths for graduates. The sections below outline the application instructions, sample curricula, and potential careers for these doctoral degrees in project management.

Types of Doctoral Degrees in Project Management

Prospective doctorate in project management students can choose a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in project management, a doctorate in management (DM) with a concentration in project management, a doctor of business administration (DBA) with a concentration in project management, or a similar non-Ph.D. doctorate in the subject. Students should carefully consider which degree serves their individual career goals and interests the best.

Ph.D. and DBA tracks share much of the same core curricula but emphasize different themes. The research-oriented Ph.D. typically culminates in a dissertation, while the DBA stresses pragmatic business and management skills; a DBA may require a capstone experience in lieu of a formal dissertation process. Alternatively, a DM combines distinct characteristics of both the theoretical Ph.D. and the applied DBA degrees.

Along with different graduation requirements, each degree has its own timeline for completion; program length also depends on whether a student enrolls on a full-time or part-time basis. For instance, a traditional Ph.D. can last 4-8 years, while some DMs or DBAs promote career advancement for graduates through accelerated programs. Not all schools offer online doctoral degrees in project management, but many that do let full-time students complete their doctorate in 3-5 years online.

In most cases, students aspiring to careers in postsecondary education, academia, or research in project management choose a Ph.D. Conversely, candidates looking to become self-employed consultants, corporate executive, or government leader may prefer the business and management skills earned during a DM or DBA track.

Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

While admission requirements vary from one school to another, applicants must meet the same general criteria to qualify for most project management doctoral programs. For instance, students must possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution — typically in any subject for a DBA and in project management or a closely related concentration for a Ph.D. program. Most programs require a minimum GPA, usually ranging from 3.0-3.5.

Experience requirements also vary. As a terminal degree, schools may expect applicants to be currently employed in the field or hold several years of experience at the time of application. Each program specifies the nature and length of its experience requirements for doctoral applicants; some Ph.D. programs accept a broader range of academic experience, while DBAs tend to prefer applicants with varied experiences in management and business.

While programs vary, many doctoral programs in project management follow the same structure and format. A doctorate in this subject splits coursework between core and specialization courses and usually culminates in a dissertation or capstone experience. In some cases, programs also require a practicum or field experience, as well as elective course options.

Doctoral programs often differ in the amount of credits required to graduate. A Ph.D. in project management is roughly 48-60 credits, while a DBA or DM may require around 100 credits. A school that offers a doctorate in project management online may also require brief on-campus residencies, such as an orientation/workshop or a dissertation seminar. However, most online programs give learners ample flexibility, such as multiple start dates and/or accelerated completion times.

Some programs require a multifaceted final project experience. A critical element of a doctoral degree, students should expect to conclude any Ph.D., DBA, or DM track with a dissertation or capstone; however, some programs also require a comprehensive doctoral exam or evaluation as a final requirement. The list below describes some of the courses students can expect to complete.

Program Outcomes

Earning a doctoral degree can help experienced project managers elevate their careers to new heights. While students with lower-level degrees in project management qualify for entry-level jobs in business and management, doctoral degree-holders qualify for executive-level positions that require strong leadership skills.

Graduates of a project management doctoral program pursue advanced positions that require strong writing, research, and strategic management skills. In addition to core business and leadership concepts, doctoral programs in project management build soft skills for the workforce. Doctoral programs emphasize decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills to produce successful and effective project managers.

Accreditation for Online Project Management Doctoral Programs

Students should ensure that any prospective schools hold regional or national accreditation through an agency approved by the  U.S. Department of Education  or the  Council for Higher Education Accreditation .

Additionally, many of the best programs feature programmatic accreditation, which is specific to a particular discipline or field of study. For project management, students should look for programs that hold accreditation from the  Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs  (ACBSP). This organization accredits project management programs and specializations that meet the council’s rigorous standards, which are related to factors such as quality, academic support, and faculty credentials. ACBSP was the first organization in the U.S. to award accreditation specifically for college business programs at all levels of study.

Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2024

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Top 10 PhD in Project Management Online Degree Programs 2024

Find your perfect school.

Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson / Reading Level: Grade 10 / First Covered: January 2020

Key Takeaways:

• Coming in at #1 in our ranking of the top PhD in project management programs is Liberty University , followed by Saint Leo University .
• Pursuing a PhD in project management can open doors to advanced career opportunities in academia, research, and high-level consulting or executive roles in various industries.
• Project management graduates can find work in fields like architecture, engineering, marketing, and software development .
• With a PhD in project management, you can earn an average salary of $173,670 , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics..

In this ranking, we profile the top 10 PhD in project management online programs. With few online doctorate in project management programs available, choosing a reputable one can be challenging. It is important to look for schools and programs with:

Featured Programs

• accreditation
• solid curriculum

These important points will lead to a project management PhD online. If project management doesn’t feel like a good fit check out our online phd in organizational leadership degrees . Our research team found a list of reputable programs. They are suited for those seeking online doctorate in project management or closely related degrees. Our methodology is explained below.

Top 10 PhD in Project Management Degree Online Methodology

We reviewed 39 colleges and universities listed by the NCES College Navigator. These schools offer PhD in project management online degree (or closely related) programs. We narrowed our original pool of schools to the 10 top online programs by applying the following criteria:

• accreditation by a reputable governing body
• online pathways to the project management online PhD
• institution rankings with at least one major publication like U.S. News and World Report

Below are the results of our list of top 10 online PhD in project management programs.

#10 – Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, florida.

Graduation Tuition : $16,293

Jacksonville University has an online DBA. It is recognized as the only AACSB-accredited DBA program in Northeast Florida. It might appeal to those seeking project management program PhD online options. Jacksonville University does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission. It takes a minimum of three years to complete. While classes are delivered online, some courses require campus visits and are delivered in a hybrid format. During the first phase of the program or the first two years, students complete a series of core courses. After the completion of the first phase, students take a:

• comprehensive exam
• oral presentation
• dissertation proposal

The final phase of the DBA program requires students to focus on their dissertation. Jacksonville University ranks #28 among the best regional universities in the South and #36 in best value schools.

• Top regional university
• Smaller class sizes
• More diverse
• Limited tech support

#9 – Colorado Technical University

Online doctor of management in project management, colorado springs, colorado.

Graduation Tuition : $13,937

Colorado Tech has a doctorate in project management program. The online Doctor of Management in Project Management is accredited and ranked. The program is offered entirely online. It consists of 100 credits and offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Also, students move through the program at a quick and rigorous pace. They may earn their doctorate in three years. The program’s focus is project management, and classes emphasize topics in the discipline. These courses cover topics like:

• advanced career strategies for the scholar-practitioner
• life-cycle and performance management
• portfolio and project management
• risk and quality management
• special topics in project management

According to U.S. News and World Report, Colorado Tech is recognized among the top national universities in the country.

• Nationally ranked graduate business programs
• 24/7 tech support
• Low graduation rate
• Larger class sizes

#8 – Baker College

Flint, michigan.

Graduate Tuition : $12,510

An online DBA is one alternative to a doctorate in project management program online. Baker College offers an online DBA that covers various business and management topics, such as:

• project management
• organizational leadership

Students complete a total of 60 credit hours. This includes the dissertation proposal and dissertation defense. Courses are delivered online and taught by Baker College’s experienced faculty. These courses cover topics like:

• corporate and personal ethics
• doctoral writing and literature review
• introduction to research methods and designs
• knowledge management and information systems
• leading the 21st-century organizations
• managing in a worldwide context

While a private institution, Baker College offers rankings and accreditation. In fact, Baker College has received multiple rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report.

• Small class sizes
• Nationally ranked regional university
• Less diverse

#7 – Hampton University

Online phd in business administration, hampton, virginia.

Graduate Tuition : $13,099

Hampton University offers a DBA for those seeking online doctorate in project management programs. Coursework covers many of the topics found in project management graduate programs. Students may tailor the broader business administration degree. This means taking electives that meet career goals. Some of the online courses include:

• advanced topics in research
• behavioral research methods
• organizational behavior
• organization theory and practice
• strategy and business policy
• teaching methodology

The courses are delivered online, but two summer residencies that run four weeks are required. To successfully apply to the program, you must hold a master’s degree from an approved program and have received at least a 400 GMAT score. Hampton University ranks #280 among best national universities, according to U.S. News.

• More competitive
• Significant time on campus required

#6 – Bellevue University

Online phd in human capital management, bellevue, nebraska.

Graduate Tuition : $11,340

Bellevue University’s offers a human capital management PhD. It is a doctoral degree designed for working individuals who are seeking online doctorate in project management programs. Curriculum focuses on leadership, management, and organizational behavior. Classes cover topics like:

• economics of human capital valuation
• human learning and decision making
• introduction to human capital modeling and research
• research in organizations
• seminar in leadership theory

The school and program are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. Also, Bellevue ranks with U.S. News as a best regional university in the Midwest.

#5 – Grand Canyon University

Online dba in management, phoenix, arizona.

Graduate Tuition : $10,655

Grand Canyon University has an online DBA in project management program. It emphasizes professional management within organizations and businesses. GCU, a private and faith-based institution, encourages study through the lens of a Christian worldview. However, the online DBA covers similar topics as highly ranked secular programs. The courses are delivered online and taught by GCU’s esteemed faculty. These courses cover topics like:

• economics for business decisions
• emerging issues in financial management
• management theory in a global economy
• the sustainable future
• using business analytics for competitive advantage

Grand Canyon University has received rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks GCU #395-#435 among the best national universities.

• Top-rated national university
• Affordability
• Lower graduation rate

#4 – Wilmington University

New castle, delaware.

Graduate Tuition : $9,216

Wilmington University offers an alternative to a doctorate in project management degree online. It is an online DBA. This leadership doctoral degree is IACBE-accredited and available 100 percent online. The program takes as little as three years to complete and consists of 54 total credits. Courses cover topics such as:

• advanced organizational behavior
• business intelligence
• ethics in business and management
• executive decision-making
• managing innovation and change
• organizational strategy and policy
• a seminar on research in management

There are several admission requirements that must be met for a successful application. These include:

three letters of recommendation

• a carefully written statement of goals and objectives
• a current resumé
• official transcripts

Wilmington ranks with U.S. News and World Report as a top national university and offers one of the most affordable online PhD programs on our list.

• IACBE-accredited program

#3 – University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, maryland.

Graduate Tuition : $9,252

University of Maryland Global Campus offers an alternative to the online doctorate in project management program. With the DBA from the University of Maryland, students become equipped to work in all areas of business and management. This includes project management. The online DBA is open to executive-level working professionals with business and management experience. Courses are delivered online and the program requires a total of 48 credits. Courses include topics like:

• data analytics in practice
• designing evidence-based management solutions
• evidence-based research methods
• interpreting and translating management theory in practice
• research as a tool for management decision-making

The University of Maryland ranks #55-58 among the best public schools by U.S. News and World Report.

• Top-ranked public school
• Very low graduation rate

#2 – Saint Leo University

Saint leo, florida.

Graduate Tuition/Fees : $18,436

Individuals seeking doctorate in project management online programs might also consider the versatile online DBA such as the one offered by Saint Leo University. This fully accredited and online degree provides graduates with skills in:

• critical analysis
• business application

The program is highly flexible, offering courses entirely online. Some of the courses offered include:

• analytics for decision making
• global leadership and ethics
• global perspectives in human resource
• organizational behavior and social responsibility
• research methods and quantitative research foundation
• strategic management in global organizations

Saint Leo is ranked and accredited. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #25 in the best regional universities in the South and #5 in best value institutions.

• Nationally ranked online business programs

#1 – Liberty University

Online dba in project management, lynchburg, virginia.

Graduate Tuition : $7,893

Instead of a doctorate in project management online, Liberty University offers an online DBA in project management. This versatile and entirely online doctoral degree consists of 60 credit hours and takes three years on average to earn. Courses run eight weeks in length and move at a rigorous pace. Project management courses cover topics like:

• global project management
• human resource development
• operations management
• quality management and productivity

To apply to the program, you’ll need official transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. Also, applicants must hold a master’s degree in business or business-related discipline and a 3.0 GPA. In addition to accreditation, Liberty has received rankings with U.S. News and World Report. In fact, Liberty ranks #395-435 in best national universities.

• 99% acceptance rate
• Nationally ranked online graduate business programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can i do with a doctorate project management degree.

With an online doctorate in project management, you will be qualified to work in various leadership roles. Graduates of these programs are eligible to oversee all sizes of projects. The following include possible career options for project managers:

Architecture project managers :

Architecture project managers oversee design projects within architectural firms. They ensure materials and methods uphold safety and structural standards and meet regulations. Those with advanced project management degrees are ready to lead architecture teams or manage their own firms.

Engineering project managers :

Engineering project managers hold advanced project management and/or engineering degrees. They must have at least seven years of experience. They are responsible for leading engineering teams and adhering to project schedules. They also ensure safety standards are met.

Marketing project managers :

A marketing project manager oversees the development and implementation of strategic marketing campaigns. They work with clients and manage tight deadlines, ensuring client relations are favorable.

Software development project managers :

Software development project managers are highly trained professionals. They facilitate the development and implementation of new software programs. They lead teams of programmers and are well-versed in multiple programming languages.

How long does it take to earn an online project management PhD?

A traditional PhD program takes anywhere between four and six years to complete. Online programs fall somewhere in between the average but generally take four to five years to complete. However, several factors impact completion time.

Enrollment status impacts completion time. What is the enrollment status? Whether you are enrolled on a part-time or full-time basis. As expected, when enrolled full-time, students take heavier course loads than part-time students. Full-time students usually complete program requirements quicker than part-time students. This means a full-time student may earn their degree faster than part-time students. The average completion time for a full-time student enrolled in an online PhD in project management is four to six years. The average completion time for a part-time student enrolled in the same type of program is five to seven years.

While full-time enrollment shortens completion time, full-time programs require more time and effort. On the flip side, part-time programs offer flexibility. Part-time programs are beneficial to students who work and have outside obligations, such as family responsibilities.

While there are benefits to both enrollment types, it is important to determine your needs before choosing an online program and embarking on your online doctorate in project management journey.

What is the job outlook for individuals with a project management online PhD?

Employment of management occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is projected to grow faster than average through 2032. This growth rate will result in over 1.1 million jobs each year. Project management jobs, a niche of the management sector, will also see an increase in new jobs.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), an internationally recognized certification organization, the field will see job growth of 33 percent through 2027. Not all of these jobs will be created in the United States, but the overall job outlook will be favorable within the next seven to eight years.

Recent college graduates with an online doctorate in project management should see favorable job prospects. In fact, project managers with advanced education will be needed to fill positions in academic institutions as well as private businesses and corporations. Employment growth for project managers and other management positions is expected to be driven by the creation of new organizations and businesses. Also, growth is anticipated due to the expansion of existing organizations. As businesses grow and expand their services, project managers will be needed to lead new projects and oversee existing ones. Individuals with advanced degrees, such as the online PhD in project management, should see plentiful job prospects.

Are there professional organizations for individuals with an online PhD in project management to join?

Students earning an online PhD in project management have access to joining professional organizations. These organizations benefit students by providing access to opportunities and resources. Opportunities may include additional training programs, seminars, or access to certifications. Below are the most popular and reputable professional organizations for project management students.

American Management Association :

The American Management Association or AMA offers access to publications, webinars, and webcasts. Students may visit hundreds of online training seminars within twenty-four areas of business management, including project management. AMA also offers access to project management courses put out by the association. These courses cover both basic and advanced concepts in project management.

International Project Management Association :

The International Project Management Association is joined by sixty membership countries. The IPMA hosts events for students and project management professionals, such as training courses and certification opportunities. One of the biggest benefits of joining the IPMA is access to ongoing education opportunities.

Project Management Institute :

One of the most well-known project management organizations is the Project Management Institute or PMI. PMI offers access to professional development opportunities and plentiful resources. Only members of PMI gain access to these resources and development opportunities. Members may also take online courses and seminars through PMI. In addition to the internationally recognized certification program opportunities, PMI offers access to a global job board that advertises employment openings.

What classes will I have to take for an PhD in project management online degree?

Online PhD in project management programs offer the same courses as traditional, on-campus doctoral project management programs. Coursework is designed to build skills and knowledge in project and strategic management while improving research and writing skills.

According to the programs on our list, courses cover a wide range of topics. However, courses build on a similar business and management acumen.

Some of the courses seen on PhD in project management online programs include management principles and practice, management theory, organizational leadership, project management, qualitative research methods, and strategic thinking for decision-making. Many of these courses are taught during the first two years of the doctoral program. Advanced courses build on the foundation set in the formative years. Once the foundation courses have been completed, students begin work on their research projects or thesis.

Some project management doctoral degree programs offer concentration opportunities. Degree specializations allow students to tailor their courses to align with career goals. Coursework emphasizes specific areas of project management like organizational performance or risk management. Some of the most common project management specializations include life-cycle and performance management, program and portfolio management, project-based strategic leadership, and risk and quality management. These specializations allow students to pad their resumé with niche knowledge and skills.

• National Center for Education Statistics
• PayScale.com
• Project Management Institute
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• US News & World Report

Related Resources

• PhD in Public Administration Online
• PhD Human Resources Management Online
• Online PhD Programs in Management Information Systems
• Highest Paying PhD

This concludes our list of top 10 PhD project management online programs.

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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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD-BA), Project Management

100% online phd-ba.

Complete your studies on your own time.

NEW START DATE EVERY MONDAY

Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.

40 MONTHS TO YOUR PhD-BA

Finish your PhD-BA in just 20 courses.

PhD-BA in Project Management

Modern business projects are complex and challenging, requiring a fine balance between meeting user needs, sticking to allocated budgets, optimizing resources, staying within scope, maintaining quality, and completing tasks on time. The right techniques and methods can reduce costs, improve efficiencies, enhance customer and stakeholder satisfaction, and create a competitive advantage for your business. For these reasons, project management is now one of the fastest growing professional disciplines in business.

Why Earn Your PhD in Project Management with National University?

This PhD specialization is designed for management professionals who want to become proficient project managers. You’ll focus on applying principles, tools, and techniques for improving project performance and organizational success. The coursework provides both strategies and training in areas of planning, procurement, budgets, risk management, performance control and reporting, and managing multiple projects.

Admission Requirements 

A conferred master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. In addition to this general requirement, applicants have two options for entering the doctoral program in the School of Business:

1. Direct Entry – You may immediately begin the doctoral program through the DBA or PhD track with a previously completed master’s degree in one of the following:

• A generalized business area, such as business management or business administration
• A specialized business area (Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management, etc.) AND an undergraduate degree in business
• A master’s in any field AND an undergraduate degree in business

2. Evaluation Track – If you don’t meet the direct entry requirements, you’re required to take SKS-7001 – Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies as part of your degree program.

Course Details

For the PhD in Business Administration, Project Management, you must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours (20 courses), including a minimum of five core courses, five specialization courses, two statistical courses, five research courses, and one doctoral elective. The estimated time needed to complete this certificate is 73 months.

Course Listing

This course serves as an introduction to the PhD–BA and as the foundation for further doctoral-level study in business. The PhD–BA degree is designed to encourage you to become a scholar-practitioner, using business theory to inform further scholarly inquiry and positively impact business practices. You will examine requirements for the degree—including each milestone and deliverable—and will develop a plan for achieving your academic and research goals. This preparation will be done in the context of an examination of modern trends in business theory and in beginning the transition from being consumers of knowledge to being producers of knowledge.

Students will analyze and apply knowledge in 12 business areas necessary to address a wide variety of business-related situations. The focus of the course is demonstrating core proficiencies in the following business areas: Marketing, Business Finance, Accounting, Management, Legal Environment of Business, Economics, Business Ethics, Global Dimensions of Business, Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques and Statistics, Leadership, and Business Applications. The intent is not to introduce these core business concepts, but rather to verify a graduate-level threshold competency within each. The course includes a comprehensive case study that will allow students to demonstrate their competency within all 12 professional component areas.

It is important for scholar-practitioners to understand both the internal and external influences on business—the business environment. In this course, students will examine theories related to those environmental factors including business ethics, international business, and marketing. Internal environmental factors include management and organizational behavior.

The allied fields of economics, accounting, and finance are key areas where a highly knowledgeable leader can greatly contribute to the success of a business. Financial professionals secure and manage the money needed to run a business; economists determine how markets will react in certain situations; and accountants provide analysis and accountability to the entire process. In this course, scholar-practitioners will work towards information fluency in theories related to these critical knowledge areas.

Good plans aligned against clear strategic goals can help business leaders achieve those goals. This course is an overview of the theories involved in strategic planning to aid business. Students will explore the difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning, how to choose a strategy that is right for each business, and how to design a strategic plan. This course will investigate how to analyze customers and the competition and ask key questions that help design the most effective strategic plan for each business.

In this course, you will engage in the process of scholarly literature reviews and academic writing. With an emphasis on how to (a) conduct effective literature searches, specifically in preparation for the dissertation, (b) develop a plan for writing comprehensive, critical, and synthesized reviews of research literature, and (c) critically review and write about underlying theory/conceptual frameworks, you will develop a foundation for future research. The overarching goal of this course is for you to conduct an exhaustive search of the peer-reviewed research literature in your topic area and identify potential areas of inquiry for your dissertation.

In this course, you will cultivate a statistical mindset through learning and nurturing skills needed to perform and interpret univariate inferential statistics. The course will facilitate building your statistical confidence in assessing and performing statistics. The course will cover univariate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, interpretation of statistical output, and introduce skills needed to select statistical tests based on quantitative research questions.

In this course, you will learn advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research in the study of organizations. You will be provided an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analysis. Advanced computations will be performed using commonly used statistical software. The focus involves helping you build independent scholarly skills with an emphasis on understanding multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts, and presentation of statistical results.

During this course, as a scholar-practitioner, you will build the skills essential for designing quantitative studies; analyzing the data collected in these studies, and interpreting the results of data analyses. You will explore designs and statistical techniques to use with their envisioned dissertation research.

During this course, you will examine qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. You will explore designs and methodologies to use with your envisioned research.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline prior to candidacy status and demonstrated the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer-reviewed research to support all assignments in this course. The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is completed only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter 1.

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.

Specialization Courses

Specialization course listings.

An examination of strategies and materials necessary for project teams to manage procurement processes and issues. The course covers procurement and contracting for products, services, and personnel, as well as legal and ethical implications of procurement and contracting. You should be able to apply procurement management principles and PMBOK (5th ed) processes to actual contracts and procurement contexts, and to apply organizational theories to project procurement research.

This course examines project risk management planning strategies by teaching you to identify, analyze, and suggest responses to processes regarding monitoring and control. You’ll be evaluated on your response to discussion questions, subject matter related to course activities, and written research papers.

In this course, you’ll explore project monitoring and control components to identify variances from the project plan. You’ll assess project monitoring and the controls to be applied from a theoretical viewpoint by researching key theorists and implementers in the field. The course concludes with a final assessment project in which you formulate corrective actions to bring a project back on plan.

This course provides strategies from industries responsible for management of multiple projects. You’ll utilize multi-project management tools, techniques, and methods needed to successfully manage allocated resources across various projects. At the conclusion, you’ll be evaluated on your response to discussion questions, subject matter related to course activities, and written research papers.

Budgets can provide a measurement of the authorized work physically accomplished, as well a status of the work completed. This course explores an effective tool for both managing budgets and measuring project process: The Earned Value Management technique.

Learning Outcomes

Students earning the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Project Management specialization will learn to:

• Develop business knowledge  based on a synthesis of current theory
• Defend theories, applications, and perspectives related to business to diverse audiences
• Evaluate business practices that positively impact society
• Evaluate the relationship  between the global environment and business decisions
• Formulate solutions to problems identified in extant business research

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10 Best Online Doctorate in Project Management [PhD & DBA Guide]

If you’re looking to play a direct role in managing the scope, budget, and timeline of a project, then an online doctorate in project management may be a good fit for you.

This degree may lead you to an exciting career path that offers flexibility coupled with the potential to work in several different sectors.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

With an online PhD in Project Management, you may be well suited to pursue rewarding career options in teaching, research, or business. You may have the opportunity to work on projects that allow you to utilize advanced management, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Project Management Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Bellevue University

Bellevue University’s PhD in Human Capital Management program is divided into four distinct categories imperative for students’ understanding of the field.

These include measuring, analyzing, and assessing human capital effectiveness, human capital leadership, and introduction to measurement, linking human capital to organizational outcomes and strategic human capital management and productivity.

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Capella University

Capella University’s PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management is an ACBSP accredited program. The program has 11 core courses and allows a maximum of 12 transfer credits.

Students learn about contemporary leadership theories and practices, complexity theories for improving projects, risk management techniques, and current and emerging methodologies.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Colorado Technical University

Students enrolled in Colorado Technical University’s Doctor of Management program have five concentration options from which to choose, or they can remain in the general track. Students will benefit from in-person symposium experiences and dissertation courses that are built into the curriculum. Most students complete the program in 3 years.

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

4. George Fox University

There are three concentration choices in George Fox University’s Doctor of Business Administration program: accounting, marketing, and management.

Students who pursue management will take a mixture of core business, education and teaching, and management-specific courses and complete a dissertation. They’ll also be required to come to campus a total of six times.

George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

5. Grand Canyon University

Students in the Doctor of Business Administration program at Grand Canyon University can select the management emphasis to learn about the complexities of management, law in business management, proposing organizational restructuring, and how to address complex issues in management.

Courses include business literature, designing organizational structures, and business economics.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Liberty University

The 60 credit Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management program at Liberty University can be completed entirely online in about 3 years.

The program is accredited by the ACBSP and features a Christian-centric curriculum. There are no standardized test scores required for admission, and a dissertation isn’t required to graduate.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

7. National University

National University’s Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management program puts heavy emphasis on leadership, team building, and the processes involved in overseeing projects.

The curriculum covers a lot of management-related material, such as bid negotiation and contracts, cost control, budget management, risk assessment, cost estimates, and performance reporting.

National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

8. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University’s Doctor of Business Administration in Management program requires 57 total credits for completion.

Graduates should be able to provide original, intellectual contributions to business management fields, synthesize the global implications of research, and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in written, oral presentation, and critical thinking skills.

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

Students enrolled in the online Doctor of Business Administration program at University of Maryland Global Campus will receive advanced training in the fields of organizational leadership, change and sustainability, and management theory and strategic thinking.

The program utilizes the cohort method of instruction and requires 48 total credits for completion.

University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Walden University

Walden University’s Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management program is a comprehensive program that combines foundational, core business and business strategy courses with specialization and research methods courses.

There are also required courses in doctoral writing and doctoral mentoring. Two face-to-face academic residencies must also be completed before graduation.

Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Online Doctorate in Project Management Programs

With an online doctorate in project management, you may find yourself with oversight and control of full project management responsibilities. These responsibilities may include project scope, budgeting, time management, and quality control.

At times, your responsibilities may extend to managing and supervising other teams or individuals who are contributing to a project. Other contributing roles include construction managers, operations managers, and logistics support personnel.

In many cases, the final degree you obtain may be granted as a doctorate of business administration in project management. This depends, though, on the school and program you choose to attend when pursuing a PhD in Project Management online.

The curriculum in an online project management PhD program may cover advanced project management principles, quality control, and human resource management practices.

Courses may also include an in-depth review of qualitative and qualitative research design and analysis methodologies. With a Ph.D., you may be well prepared to pursue a career as a professor or teacher, researcher, top-level executive, project manager, or consultant.

These positions may exist in various industries, such as academia, pharmaceuticals, engineering, marketing, software, and government. Depending on your previous work experience and education, you may qualify for positions like architectural and engineering manager, construction manager, or industrial production manager.

While these positions can benefit from the expertise you may gain in a project management PhD program, they may also require previous work experience or education in a relevant field.

For example, previous work experience as an engineer coupled with a PhD in Project Management may prove to be a valuable combination for architectural and engineering managers.

Project Management Careers & Salaries

Becoming a Doctor of Project Management may provide you the opportunity to pursue a variety of career paths and enjoy flexibility in your professional life. Project management is a skill set that can benefit all types of industries, including those in business, nonprofit, and government.

With your online project management degree, you may find positions in education, science, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, engineering, marketing, and software development. Other industries that may value your expertise could include federal, state, and municipal governments as well as nonprofits and NGOs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , not only are there a number of different career paths available with a Ph.D. in Project Management, but many careers also boast a higher than average annual salary.

Many positions in the realm of project management are predicted to experience job growth for the decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this includes positions like top executive (4% growth), general and operations managers (6%), business operations specialists (6%), and postsecondary business teachers (12%).

Other positions like management analysts and operations research analysts are poised to experience significant growth at 11% and 25% respectively.

PhD in Project Management Curriculum

The curriculum offered in many project management PhD programs aims to build on intermediate project management principles and provide you with a new level of expertise, all while developing advanced research skills. Some courses may be similar to those of an online graduate certificate in project management and are listed here.

• Advanced Concepts of Project Management : This course is an in-depth look at various project management methodologies for overseeing a variety of project types, from simple to complex and from local to global.
• Projects as Complex Adaptive Systems : You’ll examine practices to ensure the success of complex and challenging projects, including a look at executing and monitoring projects as well as quality assurance.
• Advanced Risk Management : You’ll explore potential risks that can be faced during the project management process and discuss methods to mitigate the impact risks have on the final outcome of a project.
• Program and Portfolio Management : This course evaluates various portfolio management practices to improve the execution of complete projects from beginning to end, including alignment with business values through to effective quality control mechanisms.
• Qualitative Research Design : This course takes a look at qualitative research design best practices as it relates to project management.
• Quantitative Research Techniques : You’ll examine quantitative research techniques utilized in project management research initiatives, including best practices and ethical considerations.
• Operations Management : This course reviews methods that are commonly used in the management of operations personnel and business processes within private organizations and nonprofits.
• Global Project Management : You’ll take a look at project management from a global perspective, including cultural and political implications, global distribution, and the role of geography in the management process.
• Human Resource Management : You’ll examine key human resource management practices and discuss the use of training, development, and performance management as it relates to project management.
• Quality Management and Control : This course explores methods to evaluate and improve the quality of processes, production, and products, including an understanding of the impact that quality has on customer relations.

In addition to required coursework, most project management doctorate programs culminate in either a dissertation or capstone project that is a requirement of graduation.

Admissions Requirements

Depending on the school you’re applying to, some admission criteria may include those listed below.

• Masters degree from an accredited institution
• Reference letters that speak to your professional and academic experience
• Proof of funding for your PhD education
• GRE or GMAT scores, if required

In some cases, schools may prefer that your masters degree is completed in a specific educational area to accept you into their program.

Additionally, a growing number of schools now no longer require GRE or GMAT scores as part of the application process. This is true for both doctorate programs but also for online masters in project management no GMAT programs. So, you may want to double check the specific requirements of the institutions you’re interested in attending.

Accreditation

When an academic program is accredited, its curriculum has undergone extensive review and has met a certain level of academic quality.

The accreditation status of a program can impact your ability to qualify for financial aid, obtain employment, and register as a member of relevant professional associations. So, the accreditation status of an academic program is of particular importance when applying to PhD programs in project management.

You can find more information about the accreditation status of programs you’re interested in attending via the US Department of Education ‘s website.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

There are various financial aid options that can help qualifying students reduce the financial aspect of a graduate degree.

Federal and state grant and loan programs are aid options that may work for you, and scholarships are another avenue of funding that may help with your tuition costs. You can find more information and apply for financial aid through the US Department of Education ‘s website.

Many postsecondary schools that offer PhD programs in project management may also offer their own funding packages to students. While packages vary from one school to the next, they often include financial support to cover tuition costs and living expenses while completing your degree.

What Can You Do with a Doctorate in Project Management?

There is a range of positions and career paths available to you with a doctorate in project management, including positions in leadership, project management, teaching, and research.

With your PhD, you may be able to find a position with an employer or branch out and start your own business. Some common career options may include chief executive positions in manufacturing, healthcare, social assistance, or government.

Other career opportunities with a degree in project management include operations specialties manager, industrial production manager, general and operations manager, postsecondary teacher, management analyst, operations research analyst, and business operations specialist.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctorate in Project Management Online?

Traditionally, PhD programs take approximately 3 to 5 years to complete if you’re attending on a full-time basis. This time frame includes the completion of coursework and your research-based dissertation.

In some cases, you may be able to complete your PhD in less time. This may depend on the structure and sequencing of the program you choose to attend as well as your ability to transfer credits or count professional experience towards credit hours.

What Is the Difference Between Construction Management vs. Project Management?

While construction management and project management may seem similar, the scope of project management is much wider than that of construction management. Construction managers have a more specific area of expertise and are highly knowledgeable in various areas of construction.

Project managers generally approach projects from a wider lens with a more generalized skillset. In many cases, a project manager will oversee and supervise a construction manager.

What Is the Difference Between Product Management vs. Project Management?

Product management focuses on the development of products, which may include the creation of new product ideas and plans to fit within an existing product line. Project management operates more broadly and will work from product management concepts to execute the development and release of a product.

This may include sourcing and importing materials, overseeing the actual development of the product, and implementing quality control measures. Project management would also ensure that the product is developed on time, on budget, and within scope.

What Is the Difference Between Operations Management vs. Project Management?

The main difference between operations management and project management is duration and scope.

Project management covers a set, temporary amount of time required to get a project completed. Operations management, on the other hand, is ongoing and deals with the continuous operations of a business, plant, or organization.

Some of the duties may appear similar, such as budgeting, managing direct reports and teams, and resolving problems. The difference is that project management deals with these issues on a project-by-project, short-term basis while operations management is ongoing.

Is a Doctorate in Project Management Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Project Management is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Common project management careers in this field include chief executive, operations specialties manager, postsecondary teacher, management analyst, and business operations specialist.

Since nearly all sectors of the economy can benefit from project management expertise, your degree may provide you with the chance to experience a broad selection of industries and business models.

Getting Your Doctorate in Project Management Online

If you like managing, coordinating, and having oversight of large scale projects while helping others work together towards a common goal, then an online PhD program in project management may be a good fit for you.

A career in project management may allow you to work in a variety of industries, from academia to pharmaceuticals, engineering, marketing, software, and government. Positions in the nonprofit sector may also be available.

With high-paying positions and a positive job outlook over the next decade, pursuing an online accredited doctoral degree in project management may offer you a beneficial return on your investment.

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Courses Project Management

Doctor of philosophy in business management.

• PhD in Business Management
• Project Management

PhD in Business Management, Project Management

School of business, technology, and health care administration.

The PhD in Business Management specialization in Project Management is designed for learners with a working knowledge of project management, for example those with a Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification or at least one master’s-level project management course. The specialization focuses on current and emerging methodologies and frameworks; contemporary leadership theories and practices; communications approaches; social networking theories; and complexity theories for improving project and program results. Learners investigate and acquire the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques necessary to effectively lead projects and programs in a variety of settings, and to conduct appropriate research to improve project management practices. Topics include advanced project and program management methodologies, risk management, portfolio optimization, and leadership. Successful completion of this specialization prepares learners to lead, consult, perform research, or teach in the field of project management from an informed, strategic perspective.

Core courses:

In addition, choose one of the following two categories:

For quantitative research:

For qualitative research:

Specialization courses:

Upon completion of all required coursework:

Learners must register for GBUS9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements.

One Elective Course

At least 4 quarter credits

Choose any business management (BMGT) course(s).

At least 90 quarter credits

* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

What Can I Expect?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions, and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Assignments are due on Sundays, though not every course requires an assignment each week.

In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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Doctoral Programs

Doctoral programs in accounting, financial economics, marketing, operations, and organizations and management.

The Doctoral Program gives students unparalleled expertise in management. Candidates work under Yale SOM's distinguished faculty, learning side by side with diverse and accomplished scholars.

Deadline: December 15

The application deadline is December 15 of the year in which admission is sought.

Specializations

Students focus in one of the core disciplines of management, developing in-depth knowledge and pursuing their own research interests: Accounting , Finance , Marketing , Operations , or Organizations and Management .

Application for admission to the Doctoral Program in Management is made through the Yale Graduate School.

Students take foundational PhD-level courses in their areas of specialization, and then choose from a course list that spans the university, drawing from some of the best academic departments in the world.

The program's small size allows senior faculty to take an active role in preparing each student for the job search.

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UCLA Anderson Ph.D. program

Where Brilliant Minds Break Through

Professor Chris Tang, prolific researcher in Management and Operations, with Rob Richmond, researcher in foreign currency investment.

Welcome to UCLA Anderson’s Doctoral Program — the first step in pursuing an academic career in management.

From the dean of our program.

"On behalf of our faculty, thank you for visiting the UCLA Anderson Ph.D. program! If you're serious about advancing our understanding of business disciplines through rigorous research, I invite you to explore everything our Ph.D. program has to offer. You'll have the opportunity to train with world-renowned scholars and alongside the next generation of researchers. In that pursuit, you will have UCLA's resources and strengths as a world-class research institution available to you."

Join us as we expand the boundaries of business knowledge. Apply to become one of tomorrow's leading scholars today.

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Kevin Huang ('22) Assistant Professor, CUHK-Shenzhen

Noncompliance with SEC Regulations: Evidence from Timely Loan Disclosures

Jon Bogard ('22) Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis

Target, distance, and valence: Unpacking the effects of normative feedback

Nur Kaynar Keles ('22) Assistant Professor, Cornell

Discovering Causal Models with Optimization: Confounders, Cycles, and Feature Selection

Geoff Zheng ('20) Assistant Professor NYU Shanghai

Growth Options, Incentives, and Pay for Performance: Theory and Evidence

Sebastian Ottinger ('21) Assistant Professor CERGE-EI

The Political Economy of Propaganda: Evidence from US Newspapers

Daniel Walters  ('17) Assistant Professor INSEAD

Investor memory of past performance is positively biased and predicts overconfidence

Marissa Sharif (’17) Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School

The Effect of Categorization on Goal Progress Perceptions and Motivation

Marco Testoni  ('19) Assistant Professor Tilburg University

The market value spillovers of technological acquisitions: Evidence from patent-text analysis

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PhD in Management

Master the field of management today. And help shape its tomorrow.

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With its outstanding faculty and leading research labs and centers, the doctoral program in management puts you on the path to a bright future in research and academics.

Admitting just a few PhD students each year, we ensure you’ll have every opportunity to work with management and organizational behavior faculty and develop the essential research and publication skills you need.

The Program

Program essentials.

This full-time doctoral program is interdisciplinary and draws heavily from the fields of psychology, sociology, management and behavioral sciences. You’ll develop a true mastery of each topic within your area of study and build a foundation in theory, research design and methodology. And you’ll gain the teaching skills to succeed in your future academic career.

Explore the program

Plan of Study

You’ll earn 36 units in your major field, 12 units in your minor field and 18 units of dissertation credit over the course of your program. A master’s project will fall in years one and two, with comprehensive exams generally taking place after year two or three. You’ll also teach one full semester-long course to undergraduate students.

Explore the Plan of Study

This program has given me pause to think about what type of leader I am. My classes are challenging me to stop thinking myopically about issues and to start looking for bigger trends in why certain problems arise or exist. Looking back on my career now, I am ready to stop being the leader I think an organization needs and to start being the leader that is true to my personal strengths.

Jeff Larson '23 PhD (Management)

Six Questions with Tamar Kugler Associate Professor of Management and Organizations

Human decision making is not only interesting, but also quite non-intuitive. I therefore spend less time talking in class, and more time engaging the student in decision tasks that demonstrate their own tendencies for decision biases.

Read Profile

Doctoral Admissions Process

Applicants need to complete an online application and should fulfill minimum requirements including a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher, a bachelor’s degree, solid math proficiency and a GRE or GMAT score in the upper 85th percentile.

View Admissions PRocess

Management PhD students receive funding to cover the cost of tuition. Students also typically receive a research assistantship stipend which starts around $20,000 per year.

View Funding Information

Application Deadline

December 15: Application Deadline (Domestic and International)

Doctoral students are admitted only in the fall semester, and all application materials must be submitted online.

By focusing on research during your time in our doctoral program, you’ll be able to successfully compete in the academic job marketplace upon graduation. Our supportive faculty are known for their exceptional research productivity, and facilities like the Organizational Behavior Laboratory will be available for your research use.

Explore Research

Our faculty work hard to prepare each doctoral candidate to thrive in their academic careers, and the collaboration pays off. Our doctoral alumni have landed exciting jobs around the world, including teaching and research positions at top academic institutions such as Hofstra University, the University of Washington and University of North Carolina.

Explore Placement

Management Faculty

The Management and Organizations Department is proud to be the home of some of the nation’s leading management faculty and researchers. Our 1:2 student-to-faculty ratio means each doctoral student has the support and mentorship to thrive and push themselves academically. Get to know our exceptional faculty and read their recent publications.

Explore Faculty

Start Your Journey to the Top of Your Field

Small class sizes. A great faculty-to-doctoral-student ratio. Incredible research resources. A stellar track record. And you.

Contact us with any questions , or if you're ready to apply to the Eller Doctoral Program in Management, just click below. We look forward to making breakthroughs together.

DBA in Project Management Online Coordinate Projects with Excellence

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Plan for Success with Our Doctorate in Project Management and Business

Our 100% online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – Project Management degree seeks to build on your current knowledge and skills in project management while helping prepare you for success in the top tiers of business. In our online DBA in Project Management, you can learn to integrate marketing strategies and management practices with a biblical worldview.

Our DBA in Project Management degree can teach you to evaluate, strategize, and execute successful projects while also considering the scope of a project, time management, client relations, and quality control. At Liberty University, we can give you the training you need to become a Champion for Christ in the world of business.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty University’s Doctor of Project Management Online?

Our mission is to help you lead in your field with integrity and excellence. That means providing you with the best education possible. Our professors are not only experienced educators, but they also have real-world experience in the business field. Their experience allows them to teach you practical skills that you can directly apply to your career.

In addition to offering you an academically excellent education, we also offer you flexibility that’s built into our DBA degree program format. Our online project management classes are 100% online and have no set login times — which is just one of the ways we aim to support you as both a student and professional.

What Will You Study in Our Online Doctorate Degree in Project Management?

Being able to recognize weaknesses and strengths in a business project is essential. Liberty’s online DBA in Project Management can train you to see each of these while teaching you the best practices necessary to be successful in the corporate world.

In our project management doctoral degree program, you can learn how business can be affected by politics, culture, and geographic settings as well as how to develop a human resources program. Understanding the various components that encompass project management on all levels is critical. Our online project management classes can help you achieve excellence and serve as a valuable asset in your field.

Our online Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management offers you the opportunity to take courses that promote connections with both peers and professors. These invaluable interactions are great opportunities to establish personal and business relationships and contacts.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Business marketing consultant
• Project scheduler
• Senior project manager

Featured Courses

• BUSI 650 – Operations Management
• BUSI 682 – Global Project Management
• BUSI 750 – Human Resource Development
• BUSI 760 – Quality Management and Productivity

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Business .
• View the Graduate Business Course Guides (login required) .
• View the Doctor of Business Administration Handbook for additional program information.
• The Applied Doctoral Research Project (ADRP) in the DBA program relates to a business problem in your specialization.

Degree Completion Plan

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for the DBA in Project Management

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). At least 30 semester hours of graduate business credit, as well as a regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree in business or a business-related field with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to get a dba bls data.

A doctoral program is a serious commitment, so before you make the decision, you need to know if it’s worth your time, effort, and money. At Liberty, we believe a DBA is worth it. Here are some reasons why:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with a doctorate can make more than their counterparts – learn more here .
• Earning a terminal degree sets you apart as a professional. You will be a leader and expert in your field.
• The advanced knowledge you will gain in this program can help you contribute to real-world business problems in a practical way.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment (viewed online September 22, 2020). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

What kind of degree is a DBA?

DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration, which is a terminal degree. By earning a DBA, you will have achieved the highest degree available in your field. This can establish you as an expert and leader in business.

What’s the difference between a DBA and PhD?

If you’re considering a DBA or PhD in project management online, you may be wondering what the difference is. A DBA will focus on business principles that can help you continue in the field as a leader and professional. A PhD is more academic-focused and can help prepare you for roles in higher education or academic research.

Additionally, a project management PhD will likely require a dissertation. Our DBA does not require a dissertation. Instead, you will complete a research project that can help you solve a real-world business problem and conduct ground-breaking research.

Can you complete a PhD in 1 year?

Deciding to pursue an online PhD in project management is a big commitment, so it’s important to find out how long it will take to complete your program. The typical PhD takes 4 or more years to complete.

However, you can earn Liberty’s DBA in Project Management in just 60 credit hours. This program can help you gain the expertise you need as a leader in your field faster than a typical PhD.

Who is Liberty University’s accrediting body?

Liberty University’s Doctor of Business Administration is accredited by ACBSP , the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Our School of Business is among only 3% of business schools worldwide to earn ACBSP accreditation.

What will the DBA in Project Management set you up for?

Our challenging and rewarding online DBA in Project Management curriculum that can help set you apart from others.

What resources will you have access to?

You will be granted access to a wide variety of online resources through Liberty University’s library portal throughout your DBA program.

How long will it take to complete this degree?

Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management students can complete their DBA degree online in just 60 credit hours.

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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PhD in Management

Explore and expand the frontiers of human knowledge in a diverse and supportive environment.

Join an intellectual community where leading researchers and award-winning teachers encourage a rich mixture of thoughts, ideas, camaraderie and discipline. 

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Phd in management disciplines.

Employers of Recent Graduates

Engage in research that drives change.

UB’s passion for rigorous research is matched only by a deep commitment to positive change. We bring together unconventional thinkers—researchers, scholars and artists—who collaborate across disciplines to push the boundaries of knowledge and creative expression, and consistently endeavor to lead a new way forward. Learn more about our research and economic development .

UB’s ​PhD in Management qualifies as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program, which provides an additional 24 months Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa holders. For more information, visit the Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States website or UB's International Student Services Office.

The PhD Project

The UB School of Management is an active participant in  The PhD Project , a national organization whose mission is to expand workplace diversity by increasing the diversity of business school faculty. Today, The PhD Project's expansive network of supporters, sponsors and universities helps Black/African Americans, Latinx/Hispanic Americans and Native Americans attain their business PhD and become the business professors who will mentor the next generation of leaders.

UB’s PhD Excellence Initiative

UB’s PhD Excellence Initiative seeks to ensure that our programs remain among the strongest in the world by recruiting the best PhD students, providing exceptional educational and research training, improving retention of students, reducing time-to-degree and more.

E. Han Kim, PhD ’75

• Everett E. Berg Professor in Business Administration, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

Sara Melendy, PhD ’05

• Professor of Accounting, Gonzaga University School of Business Administration; Founder, Justice for Fraud Victims Project

Niam Yaraghi, PhD ’14

• Associate Professor of Business Technology at Miami Herbert Business School; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation

Marty Spitzer, PhD ’92

• Senior Director of Climate and Renewable Energy, World Wildlife Fund

Jasmina Tacheva, PhD ’19

• Assistant Professor, Syracuse University School of Information Studies

Hamed Ghahremani, PhD '19

• Assistant Professor, Department of Management and Marketing, University of New Orleans

Lemma Senbet, PhD ’76

• William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance, University of Maryland

The School of Management uses a test-optional admissions process for our PhD program. You have the option to submit GMAT or GRE scores in support of your application, but are not required to do so.

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Our faculty members are uncompromisingly committed to student success

Students pursue an intensely focused, highly energized academic experience in their chosen discipline

Recognized experts in their fields, our faculty continually publish groundbreaking research

Our collaborative culture enables students to support one another, and most students live on campus

Learn more about our application materials and what we look for in a candidate

Our graduates pursue tenure-track academic placements at top institutions around the world

Stanford GSB PhD Program

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.

Applications for Fall 2025 will be available in September 2024.

Become an Outstanding Scholar

Our PhD Program is designed to develop outstanding scholars for careers in research and teaching at leading academic institutions throughout the world. You will embark on a challenging and meaningful experience, focusing your academic study in one of seven distinct fields within the PhD degree program.

Is a PhD Right for You?

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.

Faculty Publications

Monetary tightening and u.s. bank fragility in 2023: mark-to-market losses and uninsured depositor runs, organizational culture archetypes and firm performance, solar flare up: systemic organizational risk in the residential solar industry, phd student voices, school news, stanford economist guido imbens wins nobel in economic sciences, susan athey named president of american economic association, teaching through a pandemic: students recognize two faculty members for their efforts, diversifying the pool of phd students will require systemic change.

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

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Phd-Study-In-Usa

• Applying for a PhD in the USA

Written by Taru Medha

Applying to a PhD degree in the USA can be quite an extensive and competitive process. Universities want to make sure students end up on the right graduate programmes and therefore put a lot of time and effort into their admissions process. They expect you to do the same with your application.

This doesn't mean that it's harder to get a place on a US PhD degree. But you will need to provide more material and more detail about your existing qualifications than you might be asked for elsewhere.

On this page

When should i apply for a phd in the usa.

US graduate programmes will have specific application deadlines. It’s common for application windows to open between August and December for admission to a PhD in the autumn (or ‘fall’) of the following year.

How should I apply for a PhD in the USA?

Applications for US PhD programmes are made directly to graduate schools. But bear in mind that US graduate schools will often ask for a lot of supplementary material with your application. Most will also charge an admission fee (usually between $50 and $100 ).

Do I need a Masters to apply for a PhD in the USA?

You won’t necessarily need a Masters to apply for a PhD in the USA. American graduate programmes effectively combine Masters and PhD study. Some students actually receive a Masters at the end of their coursework stage.

If you do already have a Masters , you may be able to receive credit for it and spend less time on the coursework stage of your programme. This decision is made by your graduate school, who will decide how relevant your existing degree is.

To apply for a PhD at an American university, you’ll need to submit a list of documents which include:

• academic transcripts;
• personal statement ;
• letters of recommendation;
• research statements – A research statement is different from a research proposal (required if you’re applying for a PhD in most other countries). You’ll only need to give a general sense of your research interests and possible directions you might like to pursue. The specific details for your project will be developed later in your programme and put forward as part of your research prospectus;
• graduate admission tests – They are a more common requirement in the US education system than they are in other countries. They allow your university to assess general skills such as abstract reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking. A number of tests are in use, but the two most common are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) . Some PhD subjects may use other graduate entry tests in place of (or in addition to) the GRE such as the LSAT for Law programmes . You must check with your university to know which test it requires;
• English academic language test - If English is not your first language you may need to submit a score from a recognised body such as TOEFL or IELTS. Your prospective university will be able to tell you which test it prefers (many will accept more than one), and the minimum score, or scores, it requires.

Decision on your PhD application

There are three potential outcomes for a US PhD application. You may be successful , waitlisted or unsuccessful . If you’re successful or unsuccessful, your university will let you know straight away. However, you may also be waitlisted as a second-choice candidate. If the first-choice candidate declines their offer or isn’t able to enrol on the programme, you’ll be offered their place.

Once you’ve heard back from your university and you have a confirmed place, you’re all set to start applying for your student visa! Read our comprehensive guides to know more how a PhD looks like in the US and the funding options at your disposal.

Search for a PhD in the USA

Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse and compare PhD programmes in the USA on FindAPhD.com.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

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