Online Ph.D. in Business

A PhD in Business is the highest academic credential attainable in the field of business. The degree is typically designed to prepare candidates for careers in academia, research, and other roles that require complex problem-solving. To that end, the program focuses on original research and developing new theories to further the body of knowledge in your discipline. Doctoral candidates pursue interdisciplinary coursework to gain a strong professional foundation. They also take courses on research skills in preparation for completing an original dissertation. 

Many students wonder if a PhD in Business is the same as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). While both are doctoral degrees, these programs differ in a few ways—most notably in their approach to research. Because a PhD is traditionally intended for those pursuing careers in academia, this program emphasizes original rather than applied research. PhD candidates focus on making contributions that advance the field of business. DBA programs also require research, but the focus is on applying existing theories to real-world business problems.

PhD and DBA programs may also lead to different professional outcomes. Many students pursue a PhD in Business because they intend to teach in a postsecondary setting or work as researchers. On the other hand, a DBA is designed for business practitioners who hope to attain advanced leadership roles in their organizations. That said, after earning a PhD in Business Management, many graduates pursue a business career outside the realm of academia. With a doctoral degree, you’ll be ready to choose the path that’s right for you.

Earning your PhD in Business online could unlock several management and leadership career paths. Many lucrative fields offer room for growth as you pursue your business leadership aspirations.

After earning an online PhD in Business, you could pursue career paths such as:

• Financial Manager
• Healthcare Administrator
• Project Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Management Analyst

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

Among other things, by the time you complete the PhD in Business online program at Cumberlands, you will be able to:

• Research and attain business discipline-specific knowledge and competencies,
• Develop business-related professional skills—from communication to collaboration, and
• Assess your personal values, connecting them with ethical business and research behaviors.

Each course lasts eight weeks, called a bi-term. There are two bi-terms per semester, and three semesters per year (fall, spring, and summer). Many classes are asynchronous, meaning there is no set login time; you can work on schoolwork whenever you find time. Cumberlands provides free rental textbooks to online students as part of its One Price Promise.