Program Overview

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Online Ph.D. in Business

Gain the skills needed to make an impact through research, teaching, and leadership in the global business landscape.

Types

Doctoral

Location

Online

Credits

66 hours

Cost

$549/credit hour

Overview

Nobody makes it as far in the business world as you have without drive and determination. An online PhD in Business degree couples that tenacity with advanced business knowledge and skills, giving you a chance to push beyond your career's current boundaries and create brand-new expectations for yourself and your organization.

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 PhD in Business online program at Cumberlands focuses on original research and developing new theories to further the body of knowledge in your discipline.

By the Numbers

$189,520

Average Salary

5%

Industry Growth

$10.4K

Average Financial Aid

5

National Distinctions

Programs & Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Business

The online PhD in Business from University of the Cumberlands will impart the skills you need to stay at the cutting edge of innovations in business, along with the tools you need to teach at postsecondary institutions. You’ll learn the business philosophy, critical thinking skills, and evidence-based practices necessary to excel in teaching, research, or business roles.

Our PhD in Business online program builds on your undergraduate and graduate work, as well as your practical, real-world business experience. In addition to professional research courses, you’ll take core business courses in areas ranging from comparative economics and corporate finance to managerial ethics and social responsibility.

The curriculum for this online PhD in Business program—including all coursework and field and clinical experiences—will engage you in the theories, strategies, and tactics you need to:

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

Course Requirements

Core Courses (18 hours)

• BACC 731 - Advanced Managerial Accounting
• BADM 733 - Strategic Marketing: Research and Practice
• BADM 734 - Corporate Finance: Fiscal Management in a Global Climate
• BADM 735 - Comparative Economics
• BADM 737 - Managerial Ethics and Social Responsibility
• BADM 838 - Strategic Thinking, Decision-Making and Innovation

Professional Research (24 hours)

• DSRT 734 - Inferential Statistics in Decision-making
• DSRT 834 - Advanced Statistical Applications
• DSRT 837 - Professional Writing and Proposal Development
• DSRT 850 - Qualitative Research Methods
• DSRT 736 - Dissertation Seminar
• DSRT 839 - Advanced Research Methods
• DSRT 930 - Dissertation
• DSRT 931 - Dissertation

Strategic Focus Courses (24 hours)

A content specialty area of at least twenty-four (24) hours must be earned in one of these disciplines:

• Accounting
• Blockchain
• Business Analytics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Healthcare Administration
• Marketing
• Project Management
• Public Administration
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Plaster Graduate School of Business is to foster academic excellence and student achievement at the graduate level. Our PhD in Business Management prepare you academically to become a productive, competent, and ethical professional.

Evaluate your personal values and connect them to ethical behaviors.

Synthesize and integrate current research and literature to problems found in the areas of accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing.

Construct research-based, strategic, effective, and ethical solutions to optimize organizational performance (both domestic and international).

Develop advanced communication, collaboration, research, and critical thinking skills.

Execute rigorous research and present scholarly work that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and provides linkages to practical business applications.

PhD in Business Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Chief Executive: $122,480

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Advertising Manager: $133,380

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Market Research Analyst: $68,230

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Management Analyst: $93,000

Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.

Personal Financial Advisor: $94,170

Personal financial advisors provide advice to help individuals manage their money and plan for their financial future.

Sales Manager: $127,490

Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.

Common Questions

What is a Ph.D. in business?

A Ph.D. in business is the highest academic degree in business, focusing on advanced research, theoretical knowledge, and problem-solving skills. It prepares candidates for careers in academia, research, and high-level business roles requiring complex analytical capabilities.

How long does a Ph.D. in business take?

A Ph.D. in business typically takes about three to five years to complete. This duration can vary based on the student's pace, research progress, and any additional requirements such as comprehensive exams and dissertation defense.

Can I get a Ph.D. in business online?

Yes, it is possible to earn a Ph.D. in business online. Many universities, including the University of the Cumberlands, offer online Ph.D. programs in business, allowing students to complete their studies remotely while maintaining flexibility with their personal and professional commitments.

Is a Ph.D. in business worth it?

A Ph.D. in business can be highly valuable for those aiming for academic, research, or advanced leadership positions in the business world. It provides in-depth knowledge, research skills, and the credentials needed for top-tier roles, potentially leading to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.

What can I do with a Ph.D. in business?

With a Ph.D. in business, you can pursue careers as a chief executive, advertising manager, market research analyst, management analyst, personal financial advisor, or sales manager. These roles involve high-level strategic planning, research, and leadership within various business contexts.

How to get Ph.D. in business?

To get a Ph.D. in business, you need to apply to a university offering the program, meet the admission criteria, and complete the required coursework and research components. This typically includes core courses, professional research, and strategic focus courses, culminating in a dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the field.

Faculty Experts

Get to know the doctoral business faculty at Cumberlands.

Margaret Combs

Professor

Accounting

Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration

Master's in Strategic Management

MBA - Master Business Administration

PhD Business

Dr. Stephanie Thacker

Associate Professor

Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration

MBA - Master Business Administration

PhD Business

Dr. Vonda Moore

Professor

Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration

MBA - Master Business Administration

PhD Business

Program Accreditation

The Hutton School of Business at University of the Cumberlands has received specialized accreditations for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please refer to our IACBE member status page

Please review our Public Disclosure of Student Achievement.