Online Business PhD Programs

Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) Degrees

Online business PhD programs and Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degrees are the highest degrees available within the discipline.

A PhD in business degree offers learners the ability to break into research and academia while a DBA enables students to focus on different aspects of business administration, similar to the very popular MBA programs.

Although traditional colleges and universities have more options for doctoral business programs, more and more institutions of higher learning are offering online doctorates in business as well.

D.B.A vs. PhD in Business: what's the difference?

Essentially the two programs are the same, but the subtle differences are based on the intended purpose or application. A DBA (or Doctor of Business Administration) is geared more towards learners who are aspiring for management/leadership positions in business and apply the research-based knowledge to advance business practices and strategies within a business or organization. Depending on the DBA specialization, some graduates may also teach or do research in academic settings.

A PhD in business on the other hand, is often the degree of choice for those who want to publish research, work as professors in colleges and universities or become business leaders in their field. The focus of a PhD is to develop new research-based knowledge that adds to the field business, based on area of specialization.

Online doctorate in business program - what should you consider?

• There are a number of online universities that offer a PhD in Business Administration. In choosing a program, you should be mindful of the level of accreditation the college or university has achieved to ensure the program and subsequent degree will be respected in the industry.
• Besides a college's regional or national accreditation, most colleges also have specific accreditation for business programs such as Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which is a top and nationally-recognized organization that supports excellence in business education.
• When deciding on an online doctorate program in business, make sure the program meets your needs as far as schedule, cost, career goals, reputation of faculty, concentrations that are available, and programmatic expectations.
• Look at the kind of financing options are available to help offset costs associated with pursuing an advanced degree. It is important to remember, for the next 5 to 6 years, much of your time will be focused on the pursuit of higher education. As such, when considering a program and its offerings, it is essential you consider the time commitments, financial commitments, current and short term responsibilities and willingness to make the necessary sacrifices to bring the goal of a PhD in Business Administration to fruition.
• Some online business doctorate programs have residency requirements. If you enrol in such a program, you'll have to find time within your schedule and program, to travel to specified locations and meet with other students in the program and faculty to learn and network.

Featured Colleges with Online Business PhD and DBA Programs

Northcentral University Online - is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Their online business PhD programs and doctorate in business administration programs are also accredited by accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Northcentral's online doctorate business programs are 100% online with no residency requirements.

• PhD in Business Administration - Applied Computer Science
• PhD in Business Administration - Computer and Information Security
• PhD in Business Administration - Criminal Justice
• PhD in Business Administration - Financial Management
• PhD in Business Administration - Health Care Administration
• PhD in Business Administration - Homeland Security Leadership & Policy
• PhD in Business Administration - Human Resources Management
• PhD in Business Administration - International Business
• PhD in Business Administration - Management
• PhD in Business Administration - Management Information Systems
• PhD in Business Administration - Management of Engineering and Technology
• PhD in Business Administration - Advanced Accounting
• PhD in Business Administration - Organizational Leadership
• PhD in Business Administration - Public Administration
• PhD in Business Administration - Project Management
• PhD in Business Administration - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Business Administration - Marketing
• DBA - Advanced Accounting
• DBA - Applied Computer Science
• DBA - Computer and Information Security
• DBA - Criminal Justice
• DBA - Financial Management
• DBA - General Business
• DBA - Health Care Administration
• DBA - Homeland Security - Leadership & Policy
• DBA - Human Resources Management
• DBA - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• DBA - International Business
• DBA - Management
• DBA - Management Information Systems
• DBA - Management of Engineering and Technology
• DBA - Marketing
• DBA - Organizational Leadership
• DBA - Project Management
• DBA - Public Administration

University of Liverpool is an online UK university that offers 100% online DBA program. To complete your DBA at Liverpool, you will be required to produce an original thesis based on a real project and produce new, actionable, knowledge that you can immediately use in the workplace. University of Liverpool offers the following online doctorate of business administration program:

• Doctorate of Business Administration

Walden University is an accredited online university serving the higher education needs of professionals since 1970. The doctorate in management online degree programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Walden University offers the following online PhD in business management and doctoral degree in business programs:

• Ph.D. in Management - Accounting
• Ph.D. in Management - Engineering Management
• Ph.D. in Management - Finance
• Ph.D. in Management - Finance - Course-based
• Ph.D. in Management - General
• Ph.D. in Management - Human Resource Management - Course-based
• Ph.D. in Management - Information Systems Management
• Ph.D. in Management - Information Systems Management - Course-based
• Ph.D. in Management - Knowledge Management
• Ph.D. in Management - Leadership & Organizational Change
• Ph.D. in Management - Leadership & Organizational Change - Course-based
• Ph.D. in Management - Learning Management
• Ph.D. in Management - Operations Research
• Ph.D. in Management - Self-Designed
• D.B.A. - Accounting
• D.B.A. - Entrepreneurship
• D.B.A. - Finance
• D.B.A. - Global Supply Chain Management
• D.B.A. - Healthcare Management
• D.B.A. - Information Systems Management
• D.B.A. - International Business
• D.B.A. - Leadership
• D.B.A. - Marketing
• D.B.A. - Project Management
• D.B.A. - Self-Designed
• D.B.A. - Technology Entrepreneurship

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. The online doctorate of business administration program is also accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

• Doctor of Business Administration

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). Capella offers the following online doctorate in business programs:

• DBA - Leadership
• DBA - Human Resource Management
• DBA - Business Intelligence
• DBA - Finance
• DBA - Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
• DBA - Marketing
• DBA - Strategy and Innovation
• PhD - Finance
• PhD - General Business Management
• PhD - Marketing
• PhD - Accounting
• PhD - Human Resource Management
• PhD - Information Technology Management
• PhD - Leadership
• PhD - Management Education
• PhD - Project Management
• PhD - Strategy and Innovation

Argosy University - is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges to offer the following online doctorate of business administration degrees:

• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Accounting
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Marketing
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Global Business Sustainability
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Management
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Customized Professional
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - International Business

Colorado Technical University - is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers the following online doctorate program:

• Doctor of Management

Courses and Concentrations in online doctorate in Business program

Although all online PhD programs in business as well as DBA's offer coursework unique to their particular institution, some of the most respected online programs offer the following:

• Business Strategy/Innovation - which focuses on the development of effective business strategies designed to foster a significant competitive edge in the marketplace of past, present and future changes in the discipline.
• Leadership - focusing on social responsibility, creativity and how the culture of an organization impacts individual and group behavior.
• International Business operations - to address issues that businesses face in the global marketplace including decision making, resource and quality management, and effective use of technology.
• Quantitative Methodology and Decision Making - which helps the student, focus on quantitative data analysis, descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and variance and covariance. This course can be very assistive in helping students master the skills necessary for completion of the dissertation, required by most programs for successful matriculation.

A number of specializations are offered as a part of the Doctorate in Business Administration. When considering an area of specialization, as a learner, you should think strategically about the kinds of career options you would like to have upon successfully completed your program. Some specialization options to consider include:

• Management
• Advanced accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• International business
• Computer and information Systems and security

A broad and rewarding career with a doctorate in business administration

Students who consider pursuing an online PhD in Business Administration must be willing to devote the time and attention necessary as online programs, in general, are considered very rigorous. The challenges presented by an online program of study will help prepare successful students in meeting the challenges of an ever changing and competitive market place.

Although a number of careers in business administration do not require a PhD, with a doctor of business administration, you have greater opportunities for advancement in your current career and employment options such as business consultant, professor, chief executive officer both in the public and private sector. You may also pursue a career in research think tanks, non-government organizations or strategic partnership. Many PhD in business or doctorate in business administration graduates end up working for colleges and universities, which offers lower ceilings for compensation but greater amounts of flexibility in work.

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