Doctorate

Thinking PhD in Business?

Pursuing a doctorate degree in business requires exceptional effort. It is a commitment of time equal to that of a full-time job (and many times more). PhD programs include extensive coursework, challenging exams, in-depth data collection, research, and analysis, and detailed reporting. Programs require many hours on campus working very close with faculty in your discipline.

Deciding if a PhD is Right for You?

Measure Your Interest in Research
and Academia

Business doctoral candidates are inspired by the process of discovery. Most enjoy solving problems and creating correlations between theories and ideas.

Here are a few questions you might ask yourself if you are considering a doctorate program in business:

—Are you interested in research?
—Do you enjoy learning and innovating?
—Do you want to teach at a university?
—Do you wish to consult at a higher level?
—Are you able to draw conclusions from data?
—Can you solve complex problems?

If you said yes to one or more of these items, a doctorate degree in business could be a challenge you might want to consider.

Is a Master’s Degree Required to Pursue a Doctorate Degree?

In most instances, no. However, if you do not hold a masters you will likely need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a very high grade-point average in your undergraduate coursework, and a high GMAT/GRE score. Therefore, if you are currently an undergraduate student and know you want to pursue a doctorate in business, you may want to explore whether or not a master’s degree is required from your list of preferred schools.

Helpful Resources

Considering a Career as a Business School Professor: An Overview of Job Outlook, Work-Life Balance, and Compensation. Download PDF

AACSB Student Blog Articles

Narrow Down Your List of Potential PhD Programs by Reviewing Academic Journals

AACSB-Accredited DBAs and Executive Doctorates

Salary Expectations for Jobs in Business Schools

Differences Between a DBA and a PhD in Business

Online PhD Programs and AACSB Accreditation

Considering a Doctorate in Business? Here’s What You Can Expect.

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Doctoral Programs
Explore the types of business doctorate degree programs.

Search AACSB-Accredited Doctoral Programs
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Careers for Business Doctorates
Learn more about what you can do and earn with a doctorate degree in business.