phd courses after mba marketing

Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

In academia, numerous accomplishments can be achieved. You can earn a dual degree and have expertise in multiple fields, or further your career potential by going back to school . But what about progressing from an MBA to a PhD? 

In regards to higher education, many consider earning a PhD, or doctorate degree, the pinnacle of success. Usually, due to passion for a particular industry or subject, a PhD candidate will spend years of rigorous research to unpack its intricacies and become a leading expert in the field.  At the end of their studies, they are able to finally see their work come to fruition when they receive their doctorate and join alongside other scholars. However, is it typical for an MBA graduate to move onto pursuing their PhD? And is there a specific purpose? Are there different types of PhD programs? What is the difference between a PhD and DBA?

To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. 

What is a PhD, and What is it Used For? 

By definition, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy in a particular discipline, which is why it's also referred to as a doctorate. This focus is typically for individuals highly passionate about a specific subject matter, driven by the pursuit to understand it better through rigorous research. A majority of students seeking their PhD are eager researchers, although there are always exceptions, and each carries out years of highly intensive research to conclude their original thesis and earn their doctorate. 

In terms of translating your education into a career, a doctorate can be used in a plethora of fields, especially if one’s thesis is around a wider subject matter and can be a discipline applied to various industries (take organizational development, for example). For those who are passionate about a career in research, a doctoral degree is a perfect fit. Possibly the most popular field for those with a doctorate is a fruitful career in academia, teaching their subject matter to others interested in the same area. Many graduates become faculty members at business schools upon completing their PhD and provide their expertise to their students. Regardless of which industry you choose, you can be assured that a PhD will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

How Long Does it Take to Progress from an MBA to PhD?

The timeframe for earning your PhD can vary depending on program and location. Many countries have varying timelines of how long the completion of a doctoral program will take. In the United States, the average is around 4-5 years of completion after receiving your Master of Business Administration. 

Do You Need an MBA to Get a PhD?

To be accepted into a doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree. It does not have to be a Master of Business Administration, but it does need to be a master’s of some form. Depending on your area of specialization, it could be advantageous to earn your MBA in pursuit of a PhD if you are planning to embark on a career in business upon completion of your doctorate. Additionally, one important aspect to consider is the program itself. It is important to look into a program’s requirements before applying to meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Difference Between a DBA and a PhD 

For those specifically interested in a career in business, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a highly beneficial doctoral program. A DBA focuses on a broader spectrum of business disciplines, dedicating research toward multiple corporate facets, and practical implementation. On the contrary, a PhD narrows into a specific area of discipline and research, emphasizing theory, and it’s potential implications. While both are heavily centered around research and implementation, a DBA sets business executives and leaders on a path to discover new possibilities for their organizations and businesses. In a way, it allows established business professionals to “trailblaze” the way for new and innovative ideas that can disrupt the market and set a precedent for the future of business.

Get Your MBA or DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

At Pepperdine Graziadio, we proudly offer degrees to accommodate business professionals at any stage of their lives and careers. Our full and part-time MBA programs are designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in values-based business leadership. All of our MBA programs offer a personalized learning approach executed by our world-class faculty. Each program is characterized by its top-ranked business curriculum that can be coupled with an academic concentration. 

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been carefully designed for the tenured business leader looking to drive groundbreaking innovations. This rigorous program allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and finetune their expertise through applied research. Also, executives enjoy learning alongside changemakers in various industries and participating in exclusive opportunities available only to DBA candidates.

Learn more about which programs fit your career aspirations and academic interests.

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with a degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

Help Us Shape the Content You Love:

Blog Topic Feedback Survey.

Pick the topics you love from the dropdown menus below.

Select the topic that most interests you.

Additional Suggested Topic

• Student Life
• Graduate Programs
• Center for Applied Research
• Master's Degree
• Faculty Research
• Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship
• Talent Management
• Part-Time MBA
• MS in Business Analyics

Copyright  ©  2024  Pepperdine University

• Privacy Policy
• GDPR Privacy Notice
• Clery Notice
• Terms of Use
• Title IX
• Web Accessibility

• Open Search box
• Ph.D. Program Home
• Admissions Overview
• Admissions FAQ
• Areas of Study Home
• Accounting Overview
• Meet the Students
• Courses and Seminars
• Behavioral Decision Making Overview
• Decisions, Operations and Technology Management Overview
• Finance Overview
• Global Economics and Management Overview
• Management and Organizations Overview
• Marketing Overview
• Strategy Overview
• Current Job Market Candidates

From the Marketing Chair

"Welcome and thank you for your interest in a Ph.D. in marketing from UCLA Anderson! Marketing is a broad area, and we encourage curious individuals with strong economics, psychology or business training, as well as documented research experience, to apply. Our Ph.D. program is designed to allow students to concentrate in either a behavioral or quantitative marketing track, with training in economics and psychology to complement your coursework within marketing. We foster a collaborative environment and work hard to establish our students as successful researchers with strong publication records prior to graduation. Our excellent track record of placing our students in top research schools around the world speaks to the strength of our approach. To learn more about what our program focuses on, and to clarify the match to your own research interests, we strongly encourage you to read more on these pages about the work done by our faculty and students. "

Hal Hershfield, Ph.D. Marketing Chair

Explore the Program

Milestone publications.

People Who Choose Time over Money Are Happier Hal Hershfield and Cassie Mogilner Holmes

Although thousands of Americans say they prefer money, having more time is associated with greater happiness.  

Read Publication

Effects of Internet Display Advertising in the Purchase Funnel Randy Bucklin

Model-based insights from a randomized field experiment analyzed the value of reallocating display ad impressions across users at different stages.  

The Benefits of Emergency Reserves: Greater Preference and Persistence for Goals That Have Slack with a Cost Suzanne Shu

The exploration of how marketer-based programs designed to help consumers reach goals face dual challenges of consumer signup and motivating consumers to reach desirable goals.  

Alumni Success

Julia Levine (’23)

Dissertation: State Dependence in Brand, Category and Store Choice

Sherry He (’23)

Dissertation: Essays on Platform Policies, Ratings and Innovation

Kate Christensen (’21)

Dissertation: Moving Through Time: How Past and Future Connections Impact Consumer Decisions

Marissa Sharif (’17)

Dissertation: The Emergency Reserve: Benefits of Providing Slack with a Cost

Wayne Taylor (’17)

Dissertation: Modeling Customer Behavior in Loyalty Programs

Elizabeth Webb (’14)

Dissertation: Understanding Risk Preference and Perception in Sequential Choice

Claudia Townsend (’10)

Dissertation: The Impact of Product Aesthetics in Consumer Choice

Oliver Rutz (’07)

First academic placement: Yale University Dissertation: Essays in Cooperative Game Theory

• About UCLA Anderson
• Our Character
• Our Strategic Plan
• Our Leadership
• Our History
• Office of Development Home
• Impact Stories
• The Anderson Fund
• Student Fellowships
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Centers@Anderson
• Faculty Research
• Dean’s Society Leadership Giving
• Reunion Giving
• Anderson Affiliates
• Ways to Give
• Contact Development
• Our Centers Home
• Center for Global Management Home
• For Students Overview
• Specialize In Global Management
• On-Campus and/or Hybrid Global Management Courses
• Global Immersion Courses
• Global Nonprofit Capstone Projects
• MBA Research Assistants
• Career and Personal Development
• UCLA-NUS Executive MBA
• F/EMBA International Exchange
• EMBA International Business Residency
• Global Management Seminars
• International Exchange
• Events and Discussions Overview
• Global Conferences
• Greater China and LatAm Series
• Global Management Speaker Series
• Global Management Lecture Series
• Global Business & Policy Forums
• World Today Discussion Series
• Robertson Lecture Series on Global Business Leadership
• Lunch and Dinner Series
• External Collaborative Partnerships
• Upcoming Events
• Past Center Sponsored Events
• Other UCLA Events
• Faculty & Global Research
• Video Gallery
• Support The Center
• Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports Home
• Events Overview
• Pulse Conference Home
• Entertainment Case Competition
• Game Day Sports Case Competition
• Global Sports Business Forum
• INSIGHTS - Big Data Conference
• Real Madrid Global Sports Leadership
• Research & Insights
• Corporate Partnership
• Student Experience Overview
• Industry Network
• Undergraduate Summer Institute Overview
• Howard University Initiative
• High School Summer Discovery
• About The Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports
• Board of Directors
• Easton Technology Management Center
• Innovation Challenge Home
• Sustainability Track
• Healthcare Track
• Generative AI Track
• Mentors & Advisors
• Competition Details
• Past Events
• Easton Courses
• Specialization
• Innovate Conference
• Tech + Society Conference
• The Embracing AI Summit
• Easton Instructors
• Get Involved
• About The Easton Technology Management Center
• Board of Advisors
• Faculty Advisory Board
• Fink Center for Finance & Investments Home
• Career Impact
• Student Fellowships Overview
• Investment Banking Fellowship
• Kayne Investment Management Fellowship
• Brown Private Equity and Alternatives Fellowship
• Quantitative Finance Fellowship
• News and Events Overview
• Conference on Financial Markets
• Fink Investing Conference Home
• Private Equity Roundtable
• Fink Credit Pitch Competition
• Faculty & Research
• Meet Our Board
• Meet Our Team
• Center for Impact Home
• Academics Overview
• Specializations and Certificates
• Impact Investing
• Social Impact Consulting
• Open For Good Transparency Index
• Environmental Metrics
• Social Metrics
• Governance Metrics
• Our Methodology
• State of Corporate Sustainability Disclosure
• 2023 Report
• 2022 Report
• Sustainability Workshops
• Corporate Partnership Program
• Faculty and Research
• Research and Seminars
• Research in Energy
• Research in Sustainability
• Research in Social Responsibility
• Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability ARCS
• Impact Week
• Morrison Center for Marketing & Data Analytics Home
• Gilbert Symposium
• Research Overview
• Funded Research
• Student Programs Overview
• Affiliated Student Organizations
• Case Competitions
• Ph.D. Students
• Morrison Center Advisory Board
• Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Home
• Fellowships
• Undergraduate Minor in Entrepreneurship
• Student Investment Fund
• For Professionals Overview
• Health Care Executive Program
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
• UCLA Head Start Management Fellows Program
• Steinbeck Family Business Seminar
• Management Development for Entrepreneurs
• UCLA Health Care Institute
• Anderson Venture Accelerator Home
• Our Programs
• Our Companies
• Mentors and Advisors
• Showcase 2023
• Showcase 2022
• Showcase 2021
• Showcase 2020
• Knapp Venture Competition
• Entrepreneur Association (EA)
• Past Winners
• Hire an Anderson Intern
• UCLA Anderson Forecast Home
• Research and Reports Overview
• Forecast Direct Podcast
• Projects and Partnerships Overview
• Forecast Fellows Program
• Allen Matkins
• Cathay Bank
• City Human Capital Index
• Los Angeles City Employment
• Engage with Us Overview
• Become A Member
• Become A Sponsor
• Speaking Engagements
• Member Login
• Renew Membership
• Join Email List
• UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate
• Howard and Irene Levine Fellows
• Peter Bren Fellows in Entrepreneurial Real Estate
• Corporate Concierge Recruiting
• Howard and Irene Levine Affordable Housing Development Program
• Alumni (UCLA REAG)
• UCLA Ziman Center Symposium
• Howard J. Levine Distinguished Lecture on Business Ethics & Social Responsibility
• UCLA Distinguished Speaker Series in Affordable Housing
• Faculty & Research Overview
• UCLA Gilbert Program in Real Estate, Finance and Urban Economics
• UCLA Economic Letter
• UCLA Affordable Housing Policy Brief
• Working Papers
• Eviction Moratoria and Other Rental Market COVID-19 Policy Interventions
• Mortgage Default Risk Index (MDRI)
• CRSP/Ziman REIT Data Series
• Conference on Low-Income Housing Supply and Housing Affordability
• Impact on Our Community Overview
• Housing as Health Care Initiative
• Howard and Irene Levine Program in Housing and Social Responsibility
• Board Leadership
• Ziman Campaign
• Clubs & Associations Home
• Anderson Student Association (ASA)
• Think in the Next Innovation Challenge
• Innovation & Design Case Competition
• Strategy and Operations Case Competition
• Health Care Business Case Competition
• Challenges in Energy Case Competition
• Professional Clubs
• Association of Veterans at Anderson (AVA)
• Association for Real Estate at Anderson (AREA)
• Energy and Cleantech Association (ECA) Home
• Energy Innovation Conference
• Entertainment Management Association (EMA) Home
• International Film Festival
• Food & Beverage Association (FABA)
• Healthcare Business Association (HBA) Home
• HBA VITALS Conference
• Innovation & Design at Anderson (IDeA) Home
• Innovation and Design Case Competition
• Investment Finance Association (IFA)
• Management Consulting Association (MCA)
• Marketing Association (MA)
• Net Impact (NI) Home
• High Impact Tea
• Retail Business Association (RBA) Home
• Evolve Conference
• Sports Business Association (SBA)
• Strategy & Operations Management Association (SOMA) Home
• Tech Business Association at Anderson (AnderTech) Home
• Unchained: Blockchain Business Forum
• Women’s Business Connection (WBC)
• Identity Clubs
• The Alliance for Latinx Management at Anderson (ALMA)
• Asian Management Student Association (AMSA)
• Black Business Students Association (BBSA) Home
• BHM Events - Better Together
• Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)
• European Business Association (EBA)
• Greater China Business Association (GCBA)
• Japan America Business Association (JABA)
• Jewish Business Students Association (JBSA)
• Joint Ventures (JV)
• Korean Business Student Association (KBSA)
• Latin American Business Association (LABA)
• Middle East & Africa Club
• Muslim Business Student Association (MBSA)
• Out@Anderson (O@A) Home
• LGBTQ Awareness Week
• South Asian Business Association (SABA)
• Southeast Asian Business Association (SEABA)
• Taiwanese Student Business Association (TSBA)
• Institutions Clubs
• Anderson Onboarding Committee (AOC)
• Admissions Ambassador Corps (AAC)
• Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
• Challenge for Charity
• Interest Overview
• A Comedy Club (ACC)
• Adam Smith Society (SmithSoc)
• Craft Beer Club
• Creatives at Anderson (AnderCreative)
• Eats (AnderEats)
• Public Speaking Club at Anderson (PSC)
• Spirits @ Anderson
• Travel and Hospitality Association (THA)
• Wine Club at Anderson (WCA)
• Athletics Overview
• Basketball Club at Anderson (Anderball)
• John Anderson Golf Club
• Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC)
• Soccer Club (SC)
• Tennis Club at Anderson (TCA)
• Wellness Club
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Events and Spotlights
• Embracing Diversity Series
• Hear to Include
• Student EDI Council
• Key EDI Activities
• What You Can Do
• Pathway Guidance Program Overview
• Inclusive Ethics Initiative
• Asian@Anderson
• Black@Anderson
• Latinx@Anderson
• LGBTQ@Anderson
• Veterans@Anderson
• Women@Anderson
• Information & Technology Home
• New Faculty Information
• New PhD Information
• New Student Information
• Anderson Computing & Information Services (Intranet Portal)
• Rosenfeld Library Home
• Databases Overview
• Business Databases by Name
• Business Databases by Category Overview
• Analyst Reports
• Company Information
• Industry Information
• International Information
• Market Research
• Taxation & Accounting
• Books & Other Sources
• Anderson Proxy Server / Off-Campus Access
• Database Alerts (Under Revision)
• Discipline eSources Overview
• Decisions, Operations and Technology Management
• Global Economics and Management
• Information Systems
• Management and Organizations
• Working Papers, Cases
• Business Topics
• Government Information
• Search & Find
• Electronic Journals at UCLA
• New "Management" Titles at Rosenfeld and Other UCLA Libraries
• Citation Linker for Articles in (or Not in) UCLA-Licensed Online Content
• Career Management
• Company Ratios
• Industry Ratios
• Internet Search
• Special Collections
• UCLA Library Catalog
• Melvyl (UC Libraries)
• Citing Business Sources
• Assessing Global Issues
• Career Research in the Rosenfeld Library
• Competitive Intelligence
• Research Toolkit
• Services Overview
• Faculty Course Support
• Media & Technology Industry Information
• Ph.D. Research Support
• Consult a Business Research Librarian
• Borrowing Privileges
• Document Delivery
• Field Study Research Support: AMR/BCO/GAP/SMR/UCLA-NUS EMBA
• Course Reserves Overview
• Find Reserve Items
• Info for Faculty
• Hours of Operation
• Conduct in the UCLA Libraries
• External (Non-Anderson) Users of Rosenfeld Library
• New "Management" Titles RSS Feed
• UCLA Library
• User Rights and Responsibilities
• Degrees Home
• Full-Time MBA Home
• Admissions Home
• Request Information
• Requirements
• Admissions Events
• Class Profile
• International Applicants
• Concurrent Degrees
• Admission Policies
• Consortium Candidates
• Academics Home
• Customizable Schedule
• Flexibility & Specializations
• Capstone Project
• Business Creation Program
• Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM) Home
• Annual Report
• Fund Strategies and Resources
• Academic Centers
• Global Options
• Academic Calendar
• Consulting Career Path
• Marketing Career Path
• Entertainment Career Path
• Technology Career Path
• Finance Career Path
• Social Impact Career Path
• Health Care Career Path
• Entrepreneurship Career Path
• Real Estate Career Path
• Operations Career Path
• Energy Career Path
• Retail Career Path
• Sports Career Path
• Living in L.A.
• Family Life
• Clubs & Associations
• Embracing Diversity
• Financing Overview
• Financing Opportunities
• Financing Requirements
• Connect With Our Students
• Getting Here
• Admit Central
• Why UCLA Anderson
• Timeline & Email Archive
• Student Life Home
• Clubs & Extracurriculars
• Getting Settled Home
• Housing and Utilities
• Transportation and Parking
• Campus Resources
• Student Health
• International Students Home
• Student Visas
• Your Academic Experience
• Your Career Considerations
• International Students Onboarding Sessions
• Tips for International Students
• Anderson Onboarding Home
• Anderson Onboarding FAQ
• Curriculum & Academics Home
• Course Schedule
• Academic Preparation
• Career Services Home
• Career Preparation
• Industry Camps
• Paying for School
• Financing Your MBA Home
• Meet the Team Home
• Fully Employed MBA Home
• Assistant Dean's Advice
• Connect with a Student
• UC Transfers
• Exam Waiver
• Military and Veterans
• Admissions Policies
• Specializations
• Global Experience
• Flexible Options
• Drive Time Podcast
• Student Perspectives
• Costs & Financing
• Meet our Team
• Admit Central Home
• Why UCLA Anderson?
• Accepting Admission
• Important Items & Official Onboarding
• Build Your Network
• Executive MBA Home
• Requirements and Deadlines
• Connect with an EMBAssador
• U.S. Military, Reservist, & Veterans
• Flexible Schedules
• Electives & Specializations
• Capstone Overview
• For Companies
• Culture Overview
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
• Conferences and Special Events
• Clubs and Associations
• Meet the Team Overview
• EMBA Admit Central Home
• Finalizing Admission
• Pre-EMBA Academic Preparation
• Important Dates and Events
• Cost and Financing
• Career Services
• Directions and Accommodations
• Curriculum & Schedule
• Admissions Requirements
• UCLA NUS Alumni Connect
• Fees and Financing
• Meet the Team
• Visit UCLA-NUS Full Site
• Master of Financial Engineering
• Admissions Ambassadors
• Career Impact Overview
• Career Paths Overview
• Quant Trading and Sales Trading
• Data Science
• Quantitative Research and Analysis
• Strats and Modeling
• Portfolio Management
• Risk Management
• Consulting and Valuation
• Employment Report
• Alumni Coaches
• Advisory Board
• Student Life
• For Companies Overview
• Recruit An MFE
• Meet our Team Overview
• MFE Admit Central Home
• Admit Checklist
• Career Support
• Curriculum and Academics
• For International Students
• Prep Before You Start
• Program Calendar and Fees
• Master of Science in Business Analytics
• Prerequisites
• Holistic Career Services
• Constant Industry Infusion
• Student Outcomes & Placement
• Career Services FAQ
• Student Life Overview
• Meet Our Students
• Recruit MSBAs
• Capstone: Applied Analytics Project
• Class of 2018
• Class of 2019
• Class of 2020
• Class of 2021
• Class of 2022
• Class of 2023
• Class of 2024
• Meet Our Team Overview
• Executive Education Home
• Open Enrollment Overview
• Executive Program
• Corporate Governance
• Women's Leadership Institute
• Women In Governance Overview
• Board Ready Candidates
• Inclusive Leadership Program
• Strategic HR Program
• Leading High Performing Teams
• Customized Solutions
• Partner Programs Overview
• Accounting Minor Program Home
• Accounting Minor Admissions Requirements
• Enrolling In Classes
• Courses Overview
• Management 195
• Course Syllabus
• Useful Links
• Graduating Seniors
• Leaders in Sustainability Certificate Program
• Riordan Programs Home
• Riordan Scholars Program Overview
• Saturday Business Institute
• Riordan MBA Fellows Program Overview
• Riordan College to Career Program Overview
• Alumni Association
• Our Purpose
• Get Involved Overview
• Donor Honor Roll
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Spark Campaign
• Who We Are Overview
• Volunteers and Mentors
• Riordan Podcast
• Media Entertainment & Sports Summer Institute
• Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson Home
• HealthCare@Anderson
• Health Care and Behavioral Economics
• Women and Healthcare
• Research and Development
• Health Care Operations
• Healthcare Pricing and Financing
• Other Research
• Sector-Focused Programs for Professionals
• Faculty and Research Home
• Accounting Home
• Seminars and Events
• Ph.D. Program
• Behavioral Decision Making Home
• Decisions, Operations & Technology Management Home
• Meet The Ph.D. Students
• DOTM Supply Chain Blog
• Finance Home
• Global Economics and Management Home
• Meet the Ph.D. Students
• University of California GEM-BPP Research Workshop
• Management And Organizations Home
• Anderson Behavioral Lab
• HARRT at UCLA
• Marketing Home
• Strategy Home
• Information Systems Research Program Home
• Connections
• IS History Home
• Faculty Directory
• Faculty Awards
• Faculty Expertise Guide
• Open Positions
• Emeriti Faculty
• For Companies Home
• Hire an MBA
• Hire an MFE
• Hire an MSBA
• Engage a Student Consulting Team
• Applied Management Research Program Home
• Requirements & Schedule
• Benefits To Companies
• Application
• Student Experience
• Faculty Advisors
• Global Access Program Home
• Global Partner Network
• Meet the Advisors
• Past GAP Companies
• Executive Portal Home
• Key Dates and Schedules
• Event Registration
• Hotels and Directions
• Visa Information
• Explore Los Angeles
• Post-GAP Consulting Providers
• Strategic Management Research Program
• Applied Finance Project
• Applied Analytics Project
• Early-Stage Investment Fund
• Field Experiments in Strategy
• Management Practicum
• News and Events Home
• News Archive
• News Archive 2022-2023
• News Archive 2018-2021
• Virtual Events Archive
• Signature Events Overview
• Gerald Loeb Awards Home
• 2024 Loeb Awards Open Call For Entries
• Banquet and Ceremony
• Submit Entry
• Competition Categories
• Historical Winners
• Career Achievement Categories
• Eligibility and Rules Home
• Administration of Awards
• Final Judges
• Embracing Diversity Week
• Commencement Overview
• MBA, EMBA, FEMBA, Ph.D. Commencement Overview
• Commencement Speaker
• FAQ Students
• UCLA-NUS Commencement
• MFE Commencement Overview
• Parking & Directions
• MSBA Commencement Overview
• Hotel Information
• Video Archives
• John Wooden Global Leadership Awards Overview
• Fellowship Application
• John Wooden
• Anderson Speaker Series
• Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series
• Velocity Women's Summit
• 'Palooza
• Anderson Student Kickoff
• Alumni Home
• Alumni Directory
• All Chapters and Groups
• International
• Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2023
• Alumni Weekend 2024
• Friday Faculty Chats
• Alumni Weekend
• Alumni Weekend 2022
• Alumni Weekend 2021
• Alumni Weekend 2019
• Alumni Weekend 2018
• Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2022
• Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2021
• Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2018
• Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2017
• Career Re-LAUNCH
• UCLA Campus
• Career Services Overview
• Career Resources
• Stay Connected Overview
• Alumni Community
• Email Lists
• Class Notes
• News@Anderson
• Alumni Awards
• Board of Directors Overview
• Letter from the President

Smart. Open. Grounded. Inventive. Read our Ideas Made to Matter.

Which program is right for you?

Through intellectual rigor and experiential learning, this full-time, two-year MBA program develops leaders who make a difference in the world.

A rigorous, hands-on program that prepares adaptive problem solvers for premier finance careers.

A 12-month program focused on applying the tools of modern data science, optimization and machine learning to solve real-world business problems.

Earn your MBA and SM in engineering with this transformative two-year program.

Combine an international MBA with a deep dive into management science. A special opportunity for partner and affiliate schools only.

A doctoral program that produces outstanding scholars who are leading in their fields of research.

Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.

A joint program for mid-career professionals that integrates engineering and systems thinking. Earn your master’s degree in engineering and management.

An interdisciplinary program that combines engineering, management, and design, leading to a master’s degree in engineering and management.

Executive Programs

A full-time MBA program for mid-career leaders eager to dedicate one year of discovery for a lifetime of impact.

This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.

Non-degree programs for senior executives and high-potential managers.

A non-degree, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

PhD Program

Program overview.

Now Reading 1 of 4

Rigorous, discipline-based research is the hallmark of the MIT Sloan PhD Program. The program is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their fields of research—those with outstanding intellectual skills who will carry forward productive research on the complex organizational, financial, and technological issues that characterize an increasingly competitive and challenging business world.

Start here.

Learn more about the program, how to apply, and find answers to common questions.

Admissions Events

Check out our event schedule, and learn when you can chat with us in person or online.

Start Your Application

Visit this section to find important admissions deadlines, along with a link to our application.

Click here for answers to many of the most frequently asked questions.

PhD studies at MIT Sloan are intense and individual in nature, demanding a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. But the rewards of such rigor are tremendous:  MIT Sloan PhD graduates go on to teach and conduct research at the world's most prestigious universities.

PhD Program curriculum at MIT Sloan is organized under the following three academic areas: Behavior & Policy Sciences; Economics, Finance & Accounting; and Management Science. Our nine research groups correspond with one of the academic areas, as noted below.

MIT Sloan PhD Research Groups

Behavioral & policy sciences.

Economic Sociology

Institute for Work & Employment Research

Organization Studies

Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management

Economics, Finance & Accounting

Accounting  

Management Science

Information Technology

System Dynamics  

Those interested in a PhD in Operations Research should visit the Operations Research Center .  

PhD Program Structure

Additional information including coursework and thesis requirements.

MIT Sloan Predoctoral Opportunities

MIT Sloan is eager to provide a diverse group of talented students with early-career exposure to research techniques as well as support in considering research career paths.

Rising Scholars Conference

The fourth annual Rising Scholars Conference on October 25 and 26 gathers diverse PhD students from across the country to present their research.

Now Reading 2 of 4

The goal of the MIT Sloan PhD Program's admissions process is to select a small number of people who are most likely to successfully complete our rigorous and demanding program and then thrive in academic research careers. The admission selection process is highly competitive; we aim for a class size of nineteen students, admitted from a pool of hundreds of applicants.

What We Seek

• Outstanding intellectual ability
• Excellent academic records
• Previous work in disciplines related to the intended area of concentration
• Strong commitment to a career in research

MIT Sloan PhD Program Admissions Requirements Common Questions

Dates and Deadlines

Admissions for 2024 is closed. The next opportunity to apply will be for 2025 admission. The 2025 application will open in September 2024. 

More information on program requirements and application components

Students in good academic standing in our program receive a funding package that includes tuition, medical insurance, and a fellowship stipend and/or TA/RA salary. We also provide a new laptop computer and a conference travel/research budget.

Funding Information

Throughout the year, we organize events that give you a chance to learn more about the program and determine if a PhD in Management is right for you.

PhD Program Events

May phd program overview.

During this webinar, you will hear from the PhD Program team and have the chance to ask questions about the application and admissions process.

June PhD Program Overview

July phd program overview, august phd program overview.

Complete PhD Admissions Event Calendar

Unlike formulaic approaches to training scholars, the PhD Program at MIT Sloan allows students to choose their own adventure and develop a unique scholarly identity. This can be daunting, but students are given a wide range of support along the way - most notably having access to world class faculty and coursework both at MIT and in the broader academic community around Boston.

Now Reading 3 of 4

Profiles of our current students

MIT Sloan produces top-notch PhDs in management. Immersed in MIT Sloan's distinctive culture, upcoming graduates are poised to innovate in management research and education. Here are the academic placements for our PhDs graduating in May and September 2024. Our 2024-2025 job market candidates will be posted in early June 2024.

Academic Job Market

Doctoral candidates on the current academic market

Academic Placements

Graduates of the MIT Sloan PhD Program are researching and teaching at top schools around the world.

view recent placements 

MIT Sloan Experience

Now Reading 4 of 4

The PhD Program is integral to the research of MIT Sloan's world-class faculty. With a reputation as risk-takers who are unafraid to embrace the unconventional, they are engaged in exciting disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that often includes PhD students as key team members.

Research centers across MIT Sloan and MIT provide a rich setting for collaboration and exploration. In addition to exposure to the faculty, PhD students also learn from one another in a creative, supportive research community.

Throughout MIT Sloan's history, our professors have devised theories and fields of study that have had a profound impact on management theory and practice.

From Douglas McGregor's Theory X/Theory Y distinction to Nobel-recognized breakthroughs in finance by Franco Modigliani and in option pricing by Robert Merton and Myron Scholes, MIT Sloan's faculty have been unmatched innovators.

This legacy of innovative thinking and dedication to research impacts every faculty member and filters down to the students who work beside them.

Faculty Links

• Accounting Faculty
• Economic Sociology Faculty
• Finance Faculty
• Information Technology Faculty
• Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER) Faculty
• Marketing Faculty
• Organization Studies Faculty
• System Dynamics Faculty
• Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management (TIES) Faculty

Student Research

“MIT Sloan PhD training is a transformative experience. The heart of the process is the student’s transition from being a consumer of knowledge to being a producer of knowledge. This involves learning to ask precise, tractable questions and addressing them with creativity and rigor. Hard work is required, but the reward is the incomparable exhilaration one feels from having solved a puzzle that had bedeviled the sharpest minds in the world!” -Ezra Zuckerman Sivan Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship

Sample Dissertation Abstracts - These sample Dissertation Abstracts provide examples of the work that our students have chosen to study while in the MIT Sloan PhD Program.

We believe that our doctoral program is the heart of MIT Sloan's research community and that it develops some of the best management researchers in the world. At our annual Doctoral Research Forum, we celebrate the great research that our doctoral students do, and the research community that supports that development process.

The videos of their presentations below showcase the work of our students and will give you insight into the topics they choose to research in the program.

Attention To Retention: The Informativeness of Insiders’ Decision to Retain Shares

2024 PhD Doctoral Research Forum Winner - Gabriel Voelcker

Watch more MIT Sloan PhD Program  Doctoral Forum Videos

• [email protected]

Keep Exploring

Ask a question or register your interest

Faculty Directory

Meet our faculty.

Doctoral Programs

• Harvard Business School →
• Doctoral Programs →

New Ideas for a Changing World New Ideas for a Changing World    

Phd programs  , accounting & management, business economics (includes finance), health policy (management), organizational behavior, technology & operations management, admissions  , unlock your phd journey with full financial aid  , placement  , research community  .

Hila Lifshitz-Assaf

Filippo Mezzanotti

Sarah Wolfolds

Patricia Satterstrom

Anastassia Fedyk

Alexandra C. Feldberg

Rohan Kekre

Do Yoon Kim

Talia Gillis

Erica Moszkowski

Sagar Saxena

Aurora Turek

A Jay Holmgren

Evan DeFilippis

Kala Viswanathan

Ahmmad Brown

Ximena Garcia-Rada

Patrick Ferguson

Byungyeon Kim

Ta-Wei "David" Huang

Mengjie "Magie" Cheng

Omar Olivarez

Dafna Bearson

Justine Murray

Celia Stafford

Olivia Zhao

Rowan Clarke

Jaylon Sherrell

Elliot Tobin

Fanele Mashwama

Maria Roche

Charles Wang

Student Research  

Production complementarity and information transmission across industries.

• 01 MAY 2024
• Journal of Financial Economics

Human-Computer Interactions in Demand Forecasting and Labor Scheduling Decisions

• 15 APR 2024
• Faculty Research

Differences in Care Team Response to Patient Portal Messages by Patient Race and Ethnicity

• 01 MAR 2024
• JAMA Network Open

Find a Current Student

• Online MBA Program Curriculum
• Online Student Experience
• College of Business Faculty
• Explore MBA Careers
• How to Apply
• International Applicants
• Online Community
• About The College of Business
• Career Resources

Get Program Details

Mba to phd: what is the recommended path.

Dr. Nick Dahan, Professor and Director, Online MBA California State University at Monterey Bay College of Business

As you are planning out your education and career, you may be considering furthering your education beyond an MBA with a doctorate degree in a business-related field. This is a big decision, given that it is likely a three- to six-year commitment that would affect your career and your family, both emotionally and financially. Be sure to make this decision after taking some time for careful consideration.

Here are a few key questions to ask in order to help with the MBA to PhD decision process.

Why Do You Need a Doctorate?

This is the most important question.

If you have substantial executive experience and you are interested in teaching in higher education, you may be eligible for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’ (AACSB) “bridge” program , which helps executives become effective instructors. This program is designed for highly seasoned business leaders who are only interested in teaching, not pursuing research. They can teach in business schools either part-time or full-time in a contractual teaching-focused position (called non-tenure track, or clinical, or professor of teaching). In that case, a doctorate is not needed at all.

If the only reason to pursue a doctorate is to study a business discipline or to deepen your quantitative skills beyond what is possible in an MBA (even one with a concentration), you may want to consider a graduate certificate or a master of science (MSc). They offer the opportunity to take three to 12 courses with a narrower focus, such as data analytics, human resources management, project management, digital marketing, etc. A certificate or MSc is a great complement to an MBA, especially if your MBA consisted of, say, 10 courses covering 10 different business disciplines, with little opportunity to go deeper on any particular subject.

It must also be stressed that boosting earnings is rarely a strong reason to pursue a doctorate in business if you already hold an MBA or MSc in a business subject. As careers in the private sector are more lucrative and typically do not require a doctorate (other than a few corporate economist and financial positions where a PhD is a must), the financial return on the investment into a business PhD may actually be negative if you plan to go into academia compared to a private-sector career with an MBA. As an example, through a successful career in the private sector, a business executive may well earn more than $200K annually five or 10 years after completing their master’s degree in business, whereas it is highly unlikely that a business academic with a PhD will ever reach that salary level. However, while significantly increasing your earnings may not be the main reason, there are obviously plenty of other valid reasons for pursuing a doctorate.

Valid reasons to go from an MBA to a PhD include:

• Ensuring you achieve the deepest level of expertise on a subject matter, which can then be leveraged in the private sector, public sector, and consulting. Sometimes a graduate certificate or even an MSc is not enough for the kind of career you seek out
• Getting the opportunity to teach in higher education, either part-time as an adjunct while keeping your full-time job in business, or full-time by switching from a business career to academia. If the latter, the choice is often motivated by seeking a second career that allows more freedom and flexibility (stable employment and great benefits are important perks).
• For marginalized populations , it may be an important way to be given the respect they deserve. And business doctorate programs face a serious underrepresentation of minorities, in part because many programs do not offer scholarships and assistantships (instead, they are money-making programs for the universities), which decreases the likelihood of minority enrollment . Fortunately, there are initiatives to redress the situation and grow a pipeline of minority PhDs that can ultimately join academia, such as McNair fellowships in business , and The PhD Project .

Which Kind of Doctorate?

Not all doctorates are created equal. You have to choose one that matches your career goals:

Doctorate in Education (EdD)

This is not a doctorate in business per se. As such, it is very unlikely to lead to a full-time position at a four-year college nowadays. However, it can be useful in consulting, in specialized areas of Human Resource Management (adult education/training), or to pursue a leadership career in education (high school and school district, or on the administrative side of higher education such as Dean of students, Vice-Provost, etc.).

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

In business fields, there are DBA and Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) (EDBA/DBA) programs.

DBA programs are more practically oriented, focusing on conducting applied research. For example, a project the DBA student investigates in their professional context, as “action-research” that can be implemented quickly and deliver concrete benefits to their organization. Because the focus is on research that can be implemented in organizations, rather than published in academic journals to promote knowledge in the discipline, the DBA is well-suited for a career as a consultant. It could also be used to land a full-time position as an academic or a leader at a community college, where there is no expectation of conducting and publishing academic research.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD programs are more academic in content, typically providing even deeper training in research skills and subject matter, which often implies that they take longer to complete. A PhD first and foremost prepares students for a career in academia, specifically to be a professor or an academic leader, such as executive director, academic dean, provost, or president.

PhD programs focus on unique, theory-based research and publication of the findings of that research in academic journals and scientific books. If you are interested in a full-time academic career at a four-year college or university, a PhD is the degree for you. Of course, a PhD can also be leveraged in other careers such as consulting.

What Kind of Program?

Residential or online? Full-time or part-time? Every option exists.

If you aspire to mostly focus on teaching and therefore want to work at a college with a teaching emphasis, your PhD program options are broader than if you want to ultimately work at a business school where research expectations are more central. You have to select a doctoral program that will prepare you for the kind of academic career you aspire to: mostly teaching? A mix of teaching and research? Mostly research? Typically, the more prestigious the business school, the more emphasis is placed on research in its doctoral program.

If you want to be an academic, the more traditional route is to join a full-time residential PhD program where you can focus entirely on your studies and priming your research pipeline in order to prepare for a full-time academic position. Typically, seats are scarce at these PhD programs as it is extremely costly for universities to run these programs; they have to pay their most experienced professors to teach doctoral seminars to a very small number of students (often five to 10) who often have their tuition fully covered and get a scholarship or assistantship on top of that (often earning around $20K annually). If you are aiming to be hired as a faculty at a premier accredited school (AACSB-accredited for North America 1 , while in Europe EQUIS is another accreditation that is also prestigious), earning a PhD from a similarly accredited business school would be helpful (although outside of the USA there are quite a few prestigious business schools that are not AACSB or EQUIS accredited).

Some PhD and almost all DBA programs are part-time, offering students the option to keep working in parallel to their studies, but in that case, students have to pay tuition, which can add up to very substantial amounts over three to six years.

Finally, some programs are online rather than in person. In that category, a lot of DBA programs are either hybrid (each course has both an online and an in-person component) or mostly online with a small residency requirement (e.g., one weekend every semester). While it is not impossible to get a full-time academic position at a four-year college with a doctorate from a non-AACSB accredited business school, it is significantly harder, at least in North America. So, it is important to note that so far only one AACSB-accredited business school offers a fully online PhD program—University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Start with Your Online MBA

Many roads lead to a doctorate in business, and upon completion it paves the way to a variety of careers. Therefore, this must be a personal decision based on your professional aspirations and work/life constraints. It is highly advisable to get in touch with professionals who successfully leveraged their doctorate in their careers, such as consultants or academics, in order to better understand the risks, challenges, and rewards of pursuing a doctorate, and the latest trends in their field.

Before moving on for a doctorate, however, you will want to pursue your MBA. Create the career and the life you want with the Responsible Business Online MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay. Keep advancing your career work as you earn your MBA with our 100% online curriculum which focuses on the increasing role and importance of responsible business .

About the Author

Dr. Nicolas (Nick) Dahan is a Full Professor of International Business and Strategy, and Director of the MBA program at CSUMB, College of Business.

He has worked as a full-time faculty at a number of institutions, both in the USA (most recently prior to CSUMB at Temple University-Fox School of Business) and France. He also has extensive adjunct teaching experience with American institutions, including George Washington University, Tulane University, Baruch College-CUNY, as well as top French business schools (ESSEC, ESCP Europe, Sciences Po), and executive education.

His scholarly work has been published in journals such as Business & Society, International Business Review, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Business Research, Human Relations, Long Range Planning, and Strategic Organization.

He has worked at several French firms, and has acted occasionally as a consultant for multinational enterprises as well as trade associations in either public affairs or international entrepreneurship/marketing.

Return to Blog

California State University, Monterey Bay has engaged Everspring , a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

Why a Doctorate in Business Administration Is Becoming More Valuable

Sponsor content from upGrad.

At the turn of the 20th century, the world was industrializing at a rapid pace. Businesses were growing larger and more complex, with more employees working in more diversified divisions spread across more geographical boundaries.

As a result, demand grew for people who had special training in managing the general operations of a business, which led to the creation and proliferation of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

More than 100 years later, MBAs have become a commodity that no longer serve organizations’ core needs.

In today’s age of data and information, knowledge has become the most valuable resource. Companies don’t necessarily need more general managers who can assess broad patterns across multiple industries—they need people with deep expertise in specific domains who can analyze data and generate unique insights that lead to better business decisions.

That’s why Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) holders are becoming increasingly valuable in the modern workplace.

DBA is a professional degree representing the highest level of qualification in management. In contrast to an MBA, it takes students on a different path toward acquiring and using business knowledge.

For an MBA, students spend two years taking a broad range of practical courses to learn about several pillars of business—such as accounting, finance, marketing, leadership, operations, strategy, and ethics—to help them become effective leaders across many industries.

By contrast, DBAs spend up to two years studying academic literature across several domains and up to two additional years designing and executing an original research project: a dissertation focused on one domain. The primary goal of a DBA is to produce scholarly individuals who have deep expertise in a field of management.

When seeking executive-level positions, DBAs’ “Dr.” titles are likely to help them stand out from their peers. DBAs can also pursue high-level positions in areas such as consulting by becoming subject-matter experts—or maintain ties with academia as full-time or adjunct professors.

DBAs’ training gives them diverse career options. The academic literature they read gives them expertise in understanding management theories that can help them analyze real-world situations and differentiate the signal from the noise. A DBA specializing in innovation can assess whether newcomers to a market pose a credible threat as a disruptive innovation to an existing company.

Students then learn advanced scientific techniques in quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies, which trains them in analyzing data to generate valid inferences that their organizations can use for decision-making purposes. Rather than relying on gut feel and graphs, DBAs can use powerful techniques such as sampling data to reduce bias, using statistical regressions to identify the strongest factors that influence an outcome, or designing an experiment to gain 100% certainty over the causal relationship between variables.

Finally, DBAs combine their business knowledge with analytical skills to design and execute original research studies, making them the world’s leading experts in particular domains.

DBAs also stand out because they represent only 2% of all people who hold higher degrees in business. In 2021, more than 250,000 students graduated with MBAs or specialist degrees in business; only 5,000 graduated with doctorates.

While a DBA may represent an attractive option that can be highly valuable to organizations today, they are not necessarily recommended for everyone.

To help you determine whether a DBA is right for you, the most important question to ask yourself centers on whether you’re satisfied with the tools and frameworks you use to analyze data and information to make important business decisions. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where these frameworks come from—or whether there might be a better way to make decisions—consider applying to a DBA program. These programs are designed to channel deep intellectual interests and passions toward producing business knowledge that’s both theoretically novel and practically relevant.

DBA training may help you develop deeper knowledge than an MBA program will while opening doors to more ambitious careers in industry or academia. While MBA degrees are designed to meet the needs of 20th-century businesses, DBAs can help meet the needs of organizations today—and well into the future.

Learn more about how earning a DBA can help you step up your career.

• Joint Degrees

MBA/PhD with the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The joint-degree program offers an MBA in combination with a PhD in the sciences or humanities from the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

An MBA may be pursued in combination with a PhD in one of a wide array of  areas of study , in the biological sciences, engineering and applied sciences, the humanities, the physical sciences, and social sciences. An MBA/PhD is not available in the  management disciplines .

Students typically complete both degrees in approximately seven years, rather than the eight or more that would be required if the degrees were pursued separately. Programs are highly customized to fit each student's individual course of study, and are generally determined at the time of admission. Students must complete one full year at Yale SOM, during which they complete the integrated MBA curriculum, and one year taking courses at both schools. Students typically begin their full year at Yale SOM after PhD qualifying exams have been passed.

Students receive financial support from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences during the semesters in which they are enrolled there. They pay tuition during the three semesters during which they are enrolled at Yale SOM.

Learn more about admission to the Yale School of Management. Learn more about admission to the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

30,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Doing A PhD After MBA: Universities, Programs, Benefits

• Updated on  
• Jan 17, 2024

Higher studies often encompass the decision of pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s and then, if you feel like delving deeper into your chosen field, a doctorate degree. When it comes to the vast domain of commerce, a PhD is commonly chosen by those wanting to explore the academic arena. Working professionals don’t usually opt for a PhD given the extensive amount of time it demands and also because it has more academic use. So, if you have recently completed your Master of Business Administration, choosing a PhD might require some thinking to finally arrive at the right decision. This blog aims to elaborate on what a PhD after MBA entails and how it can advance you further in your career journey.

This Blog Includes:

Phd after mba in india, benefits of phd after mba, top phd programs after mba, eligibility, phd after mba abroad – admission process & entrance exams , phd after distance mba, phd after mba in finance, top universities for phd after mba abroad, top countries to study phd after mba, career scope & employment sectors.

Want to pursue PhD after MBA in India? There are colossal benefits of PhD after an MBA that can equip you with a competitive edge in the management and business world as well as the research and professional exposure you need to aim for high-salary managerial profiles in India and abroad. Here’s what you need to know about PhD after MBA in India:

• Eligibility : You must have completed a 2-year MBA degree to apply for PhD in India along with qualifying for UGC-NET or GATE exam to gain admission at top business schools and universities in India.
• Duration : In India, you can complete your PhD after MBA in 3-5 years depending upon the program and university.
• Requirements : For PhD after MBA in India, you must have GATE/ UGC-NET / CSIR-NET scores, a research proposal ready along with letters of recommendation and optional work experience to increase your chances of admission.
• PhD in Management
• PhD in Organizational Behaviour/Management
• PhD in Behavioural Finance
• PhD in Applied Statistics
• PhD in Information Technology/Data Analytics
• PhD in Market Analysis and Research
• Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi
• Benaras Hindu University
• Indian Institutes of Management Studies (IIMs)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• National Institute of Management, Calcutta

Also Read: PhD Scholarships in India

As the highest academic degree in theoretical disciplines, a PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is perfect for those seeking a greater depth of knowledge in a specific area of interest. Going for a PhD after MBA can be beneficial for a plethora of reasons, some of which are given in a rundown below:

• Get a Competitive Edge over MBA
• Master Research Skills and Methodologies
• Inclination Towards Academic Arena
• Chance to Become a Professor
• Become an Academician at Business School

Get a Competitive Edge over MBA with a PhD Though many would tell you that with a PhD after MBA you can only ground yourself in the academic world, this is not the case in reality. If you don’t see yourself fitting the position of a lecturer or a professor, you can explore varied prospects in the corporate sector. A doctoral degree in a business or management specialisation imparts you with a deep-embedded and insightful knowledge of the commercial world. An MBA also gives you a unique and practical glimpse of this domain. The combination of these two can be potentially utilised by opting for the role of a consultant or analyst for entrepreneurial ventures, business giants or even hedge funds and investment-related firms.

Master Research Skills and Methodologies To begin with, a PhD is research-extensive by nature and demands individuals to submit their original thesis to conclude this degree. It challenges scholars to break away from the limited amount of knowledge of their field and delve deeper into whichever specialization they have chosen to study. So, a PhD after an MBA would importantly require you to be passionate about research, have an innate curiosity towards your field and be ready to devote yourself for a longer period of time to your thesis.

Inclination Towards Academic Arena Another reason why many graduates aspire for a PhD after MBA is when they are planning to make a career as an academician . Since one needs to exhaust many years to this degree, you can pursue the profile of an assistant professor at the university itself while getting mentored for your research thesis. Further, by completing a PhD, you would be deemed eligible for the position of a professor at an academic institution though some universities or colleges might demand you to qualify for a teaching exam.

The average duration of PhD after MBA is approximately 5-7 years where the 1st year is more theoretical but from the beginning of the second year, you can pick specializations as per your choice. In Business and Management, there is an array of specialised PhD courses that one can choose from. Here are the top specialisations to pursue PhD after MBA:

• PhD in Entrepreneurship
• PhD in Commerce
• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Commercial Law
• PhD in Human Resource Management
• PhD in Operational Research
• PhD in Marketing
• PhD in Healthcare and Management
• PhD in Organizational Behaviour
• PhD in Finance
• PhD in Chemistry
• PhD in Computer Science
• PhD in Engineering
• PhD in Political Science
• PhD in Education
• PhD in Statistics
• PhD in Psychology

Though the specific prerequisites might vary from one university to another, there are some general criteria for PhD after MBA or any other postgraduate program that every candidate needs to fulfil. The primary requirement is that of a master’s degree in the related discipline (from a recognised institution) in which one is applying for a doctoral degree, if you are applying for a PhD in Business Administration, you need to have completed a postgraduate course like, MBA, MIM, amongst others. Along with these, you will be required to submit the following documents:

• GATE/CSIR-NET/UGC-NET Scores for Indian universities
• Research Proposal
• Letters of Recommendation (Academic and/or Professional)
• GRE, English proficiency test scores such as IELTS , TOEFL , etc. and SOP and LOR s to apply for PhD after MBA abroad
• An Updated Resume or CV
• Academic Transcripts

If you are planning to pursue PhD after MBA from abroad then the following points will guide you through the application process and entrance exams: 

• The application process for global universities is very different from Indian universities. You don’t have to give any entrance exam to pursue a PhD after MBA from abroad, rather, you need to submit a GMAT / GRE score. 
• LORs, SOPs and previous projects and research work matter a lot when you are looking to pursue PhD abroad. They make your profile strong and increase the chances of getting selected. 
• Most universities have a 3-5% acceptance rate for PhD programs. Thus, it is essential to make your application strong, if you need any help regarding the same, get in touch with Leverage Edu experts.
• The PhD curriculum more or less remains the same, you need to work on your thesis and submit it in the provided duration to complete your PhD after MBA.

Also Read: How to Get PhD Funding?

Yes, it is possible to apply for PhD after distance MBA but if you are aiming for a doctoral course, you must pursue your MBA from a UGC-accredited university or college. To apply for a PhD after a Distance MBA, you must be able to provide valid transcripts as well as mark sheets from your MBA thus it is essential to check the certification of the institution before studying for an MBA.

MBA in Finance professionals often opts for a PhD to pursue a career in research or academia. Finance is one of the most popular specialisations for PhD after MBA and students can choose from various subjects like Financial Management, Financial Analysis, Financial Modelling, etc. To pursue PhD in Finance in India, you will have to qualify for UGC NET , NMIMS or NIPER JEE while you will have to qualify GRE for universities abroad. Let’s take a look at the universities for PhD after MBA in Finance:

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade , New Delhi
• National Institute of Technology, Silchar
• Department of Management Studies-IIT Madras
• Alliance School of Business, Bangalore
• Ahmedabad University
• Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management

Here are the major careers for PhD after MBA in Finance:

• Statistician
• Financial Analyst
• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Stock Broker
• Budget Analyst
• Financial Researcher

Numerous renowned business schools and universities across the globe offer specialised PhD programs in varied fields of Business, Commerce and Management. To help you further in your research, we have listed down some of the major academic institutions that are internationally popular for their offered specialised courses for those aspiring to pursue a PhD after MBA:

Many study destinations like the UK, USA, Australia and Canada are renowned for their research doctoral courses so selecting the right country to study PhD is an important decision you must carefully take. Let’s take a look at the top countries to study PhD after MBA and their popular research universities:

PhD after MBA in the UK

Here are the major universities to study PhD in the UK:

• University of Bradford
• SOAS University of London
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• University of Birmingham
• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Kent
• Hult International Business School

Also Read: PhD Scholarships in the UK

PhD after MBA in the USA

Popular for its STEM courses as well as top-ranked business schools, the top universities for PhD in the USA are:

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of Columbia
• University of Wisconsin
• Cornell University
• Kellogg School of Management

PhD after MBA in Canada

Canada is another renowned destination for PhD programs and offers a plethora of specialisations in business and management. Here are the popular universities for PhD in Canada :

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• University of Montreal
• University of Alberta
• University of Ottawa
• University of Calgary

Also Read: PhD in Canada with Scholarship

PhD after MBA in Australia

The land of Kiwis is internationally lauded for its focus on research education and high-ranked entrepreneurial programs. Check out the top universities for PhD in Australia :

• The University of Queensland  
• The University of Western Australia  
• University of Wollongong 
• Queensland University of Technology  
• Swinburne University of Technology  
• University of Tasmania 
• University of Sydney

PhD after MBA in New Zealand

If you are looking for affordable PhD courses after completing MBA, New Zealand is the best place for you. Take a look at the popular universities for PhD in New Zealand :

• The University of Otago
• University of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• The University of Auckland
• Victoria University of Wellington

Adding the renowned academic degree of PhD to your list of qualifications, there are a plethora of career opportunities awaiting you. Since a doctoral degree in business-related disciplines provides you with an insightful acumen into the commercial arena, you will be equipped with the knowledge of data analysis and business trends and organisational problems. Further, you will be skilled with research methods such as econometrics, experimental methods, field studies, modelling etc. So, with a PhD after MBA, you will not only be a perfect candidate for academic profiles but you can also explore plentiful prospects in the corporate world.

Here are the top job profiles you can explore after pursuing PhD after MBA:

• Research Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Business Development Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Professor /Lecturer
• Academician
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The salary of PhD after MBA in India is somewhere between INR 7 Lakhs to 17 Lakhs per annum depending upon whether you work in the corporate sector or explore the academic domain working as a lecturer or academician.

We have elucidated upon the major employment sector for graduates with a PhD in Management and Commerce-related specialisations below:

Teaching The most popular career path post a PhD is that of becoming a professor. Most PhDs in business or management pursue it in the first place to pursue a career in academics. Further, most of the research universities prefer to hire PhDs as business school professors. If you are aiming to become a part of a prestigious academic institution or especially Ivy League school, you should definitely go for a PhD after MBA because this striking combination coupled with a few years of professional experience can make you an ideal candidate for the position of a university professor or lecturer at a business school. To give a rough statistical description, nearly 80% of business ‘PhD after MBA’ graduates become faculty members at business schools, and roughly 20% take jobs in the industry.

Research A PhD is quite a data-driven degree and involves extensive analysis and in-depth assessment as it constitutes submission of a research thesis as its incremental element. If you have been planning to pursue a career in research , an MBA is more of a professional route to take but combining it with a PhD might give you knowledge of both corporate as well as the research world. Getting a taste of both these areas, you can further enter the research sector with a versatile skill set which will prove extremely useful in carrying out path-breaking case studies and contributions with the potential of bringing the commercial industry in a newer light.

Corporate Sector As a common myth, you might be told that a doctorate degree is of no use in the professional world, but it is quite the opposite as a PhD after MBA can furnish you with the quintessential business acumen to fit the role of business consultant and analyst. As many doctoral scholars move further to become professors or researchers, only a small proportion of their heads towards the industry. As this degree provides aspirants with the understanding of employing PhDs to derive wisdom from their theoretical and unique methodologies for analysis, which when combined with the pragmatic training obtained during the MBA, marks for a marvellous body of knowledge. You can explore varied prospects in entrepreneurship ventures as well as companies like SEC, JP Morgan Chase, McKinsey and Morgan Stanley which are known to hire PhDs frequently.

Anyone with an MBA degree can pursue a PhD. In fact, it’s a good idea to do PhD after MBA if you are interested in exploring the arena of academics or research and you can also pursue opportunities in consulting firms in the corporate sector. Also, the top B-Schools such as Columbia University, Yale University, Harvard University, INSEAD, and London Business School have most professors with a PhD degree. So, if you aim to teach at top business schools in the world, pursuing PhD after MBA is indeed a good decision.

The exact duration of PhD depends on the specialization as well as the university, the fact whether it’s part-time or full-time, and other factors. Doing a PhD after MBA usually takes 4-5 years but relying upon varied factors, be it your chosen course or institution, it can take less than 3 years and as long as 7-8 years to complete.

Yes. You can do a PhD in Psychology after MBA. However, you will need 55% marks in your MBA discipline to qualify for a PhD in Psychology after MBA.

A PhD in Business is often referred to as a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) which is usually considered as the sequel of the MBA and is the highest form of management degree. Pursuing a doctorate in Business or its related specializations would provide you with an enhanced insight into the commercial arena after which you can target higher-level career profiles ranging from a business analyst to a consultant or you can pursue academic positions which is another beneficial route to take.

The essential prerequisite for a PhD is to have a master’s degree along with the minimum marks specified by the academic institution you are applying for. With an MBA, you are eligible to pursue a PhD in commerce-related disciplines while opting for a doctorate in other domains might depend on the criteria provided by the particular university.

The answer to this question is explained well in the points given below: 1. Yes, you can do PhD after a distance MBA 2. Your degree must be from a UGC-recognized institution 3. The application process remains the same as for the regular degree holders 4. Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements 5. Some universities prefer candidates with regular MBA degrees.

Going for a PhD after MBA will equip you with one of the best educational combinations in the world. It might not be the easiest of programs to pursue but the benefits are going to be fruitful for your professional journey. If you are planning to pursue a doctoral degree and don’t know how to go about it, sign up for a 30-minute career counselling session with our experienced team of mentors and experts at Leverage Edu and we’ll guide through the process of choosing the right PhD program and university that fits your interests and aspirations and can provide you with extensive exposure and opportunities to soar ahead in your career.Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

14 comments

I like your article great content. Thank you

Hi Akash, we are glad to know that you liked our blog. If you need any further assistance regarding the admission process to any PhD course abroad, get in touch with our experts and we will help you build an awesome career.

Great post.

We are glad to know that you liked our work! Don’t forget to share it with your friends who are looking for PhD courses after MBA.

I have done MBA. My specialization is marketing (major) & human resource(minor).I want to know which specialization should I choose for PhD or Can I choose other specialization like social work, political science,etc.

Hi Abhishek, to know which PhD specialization would suit you the best, reach out to our experts at – 88262 00293. You can also register for a free career counselling here – https://leverageedu.com/admissions/study-abroad-admission/ .

Nice blog thanks for sharing.

Hi Thomas, thanks for your feedback! Check out our blog on PhD entrance exams to know more about the ways for pursuing this course – https://leverageedu.com/blog/phd-entrance-exams/ .

Very good article. In my opinion, having a PhD will make you more likely to earn a higher salary over someone with just a Master’s degree. Nowadays more professionals are doing PhD research programs for a better career.

Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your opinion, Rohan!

Thank you very much for your elaboration on Ph.D. after MBA. I would like to know which specializations are available here in the USA.. Thank you.

Hi George, To know about the specializations of your choice, get in contact with our experts at 1800572000.

Hello I’m Amir I done MBA 3.5year and I want to study PhD directly after MBA can u guide me forther I continue which subjects

Hi Amir, To get our profile evaluated for pursuing a PhD after MBA, give us a call on 1800572000 and our experts will guide you about the same.

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

30,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• Top Colleges
• Top Courses
• Entrance Exams
• Admission 2024
• Study Abroad
• Study in Canada
• Study in UK
• Study in USA
• Study in Australia
• Study in Germany
• IELTS Material
• Scholarships
• Sarkari Exam
• Visual Stories
• College Compare
• Write a review
• Login/ Register
• Login / Register

Courses after MBA Marketing

Archana S ,

Mar 4, 2024

Share it on:

Some of the popular courses after MBA Marketing include digital marketing, media planning, six sigma, retail certification courses, and many more.

MBA Marketing is one of the most sought-after MBA specializations. MBA in Marketing provides students with a strong foundation in marketing concepts, increases work skills, instils business principles, and aids in personality development. In India, many b-schools offer various certificate and degree courses after MBA Marketing.

Pursuing a post-MBA course will be beneficial for the students to develop professionally and personally, giving them an edge in the job market. The top courses after MBA Marketing are described in the article below. 

List Of Courses After MBA Marketing

Courses after MBA Marketing, like PhD in Business Administration, Digital Marketing Courses, Product Manager Courses, PhD in Finance, Risk Management Courses etc., are an asset that will distinguish your cv and make you stand out.

With a marketing MBA under one's belt, the educational possibilities for the future are wide open. Students can learn more about marketing topics like digital marketing or global marketing, or they can learn more about business in general. So check out the best degree and certificate courses after MBA Marketing you can pursue.

Top Degree Courses After MBA Marketing

Top certificate courses after mba marketing.

Also Read  on  MBA vs PGDM

Check out the following degree courses after MBA Marketing and other important information about the courses.

PhD in Business Administration

Phd in finance, phd in marketing, masters in data science.

The doctoral degree in business administration is one of the courses after MBA Marketing that gives students a deep analytical understanding of business foundations and the topics like KPIs, management, quantitative and qualitative procedures, etc.

• Course duration is 3 to 5 years
• The average salary can be 7 to 18 lakh per annum
• Job profile includes assistant manager, events executive, administrative manager, etc

Eligibility 

Check out the eligibility criteria to be satisfied to join PhD in Business Administration.

• Completion of 17 years or 18 years of full-time study from a recognised board or university
• Completion of a master's degree in a relevant discipline like MBA, MPhil or any other with a minimum of 55 % marks
• Pass the entrance tests such as UGC-NET and ICAR NET with acceptable cut-off marks

Read More : PhD in Business Administration

PhD in Finance is one of the doctorate courses after MBA Marketing, focusing on advanced topics such as share valuation, privatisation and globalisation, cost and management accounting and many more. This research-oriented is meant for students who want to pursue a career in academia or research.

• Course duration is three years
• The average salary can be 5 to 14 lakh per annum
• Job profile includes stockbroker, statistician, finance manager, etc

Eligibility

Check out the eligibility criteria to be satisfied to join PhD in Finance

• Completion of a post-graduate degree in accounting, economics or any other relevant topics
• Minimum 55% in PG course
• Participation in the admission process which includes a written entrance exam and a personal interview

Read More : PhD in Finance

This PhD degree is one of the courses after MBA Marketing mainly focuses on theoretical aspects of marketing. Students will spend time researching design, scaling, data measurement, and many other topics.

• The average salary can be 2 to 10 lakh per annum
• Job profile includes e-marketing manager, internet marketing manager, marketing communications leader, etc

Check out the eligibility criteria to be satisfied to join PhD in Marketing

• Completion of a master's degree or MPhil in Marketing with at least 60% marks from a recognised university
• Qualify for the entrance examination with the required cut-off scores and also in the personal interview

Read More : PhD in Marketing

Earning a master's degree in data science is considered one of the top courses after MBA Marketing. Even the course is nicknamed the best job of the twenty-first century due to its high demand.

• Course duration span from 6 months to 2 years
• Full-time or part-time course
• Payscale of about 6 to 7 lakh per annum
• Job profiles include scientist, architect, administrator, business intelligence manager, etc

Check out the eligibility criteria to be satisfied to join Masters in Data Science

• Completion of a bachelor's degree
• Qualification in the entrance exams conducted by the different institutes for the final selection

Continue reading to know more about the certification courses after MBA Marketing listed below with details such as the course duration, focus topics, etc.

Digital Marketing Courses

Media planning courses, product manager courses, retail courses, six sigma courses, risk management courses.

By taking a professional digital marketing certificate, you can understand and master the whole terrain of digital marketing and get started on a successful career path.

Digital marketing courses after MBA Marketing will help if you delve into studying and researching the new trends in the industry.

• The duration of the certification course is about 3 to 6 months
• The average salary expected after completing this course range from 3 to 6 lakh per annum
• The job profiles include market research analyst, content marketer/manager, digital marketing consultant, SEO manager and PPC search manager

In the media planning certification course, the student studies maximising the client's earnings through advertising using social media, emails, display advertising, etc. Media planners are usually employed in advertising companies to take up media planning.

• The job profiles include media planner, media buyer, PPC analyst, campaign manager and advertising manager
• The duration of the course is 2 to 5 months
• The average salary can be 6 to 10 lakh per annum

The product manager courses after MBA Marketing are available on many online websites. The students enrolled in the course are taught about product planning, organisation, forecasting, development and marketing.

• The duration of the course is about 3 to 10 months
• A product manager can work in the job profiles such as product analyst, associate product manager, product designer, product owner and head
• The average salary expectation is 4 to 8 lakh per annum

Retail Courses is one of the courses after MBA Marketing that gives students a practical grasp of the retail industry, including various topics like retail buying, category management, retail store operations, and customer marketing.

• The course duration is six months
• The average salary can be about 2 lakh to 9 lakh per annum
• The job profiles after completing this course are retail manager, customer care executive, marketing executive, merchandiser, store manager

Some online and offline venues, such as Coursera, Alison, Management, and Statistical institutions, offer these certification courses after MBA Marketing. It provides an overview of the six sigma methodology followed to reduce or eliminate the faults and difficulties related to a company's products or services.

• The course duration may vary from one website to another, from a few hours to months
• Depending on the expertise and certification level, the average salary range from 2 lakh to 22 lakh per annum
• The job roles to pursue after course completion are business optimisation specialist, supply chain manager, data analyst, etc

The online and offline risk management course covers the discovery, addressing and threat controlling an organisation's capital and earnings. These risk management courses after MBA Marketing  is provided in India at various levels, including diploma, certificate, UG, PG and PhD.

• Websites offering the course include Coursera, Udemy and edX
• The course duration depends on the choice of specialisation ranging from 6 months to 5 years
• The average salary expectation is 2 lakh to 15 lakh per annum
• Job profiles to join after the course completion are risk governance, risk modelling enterprise, risk management consultant, etc

Courses after MBA Marketing provide a sound theoretical foundation which students can apply in practical marketing scenarios. The above courses after MBA Marketing equip students with the ability to critically analyse marketing problems and suggest innovative solutions. These also allow students to network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into the latest marketing trends.

POST YOUR COMMENT

Related articles.

List of MBA colleges accepting 80 to 90 percentile in CMAT 2024

List of MBA Colleges Accepting 60 to 70 Percentile in CMAT 2024

What is a Good Score in CMAT?

How to Calculate CMAT Percentile?

Is Calculator Allowed in CMAT Exam 2024?

How To Score 99 Percentile in CMAT?

CMAT Score vs Percentile: Marking Scheme, Ranks, Cutoff

Get Free Scholarship worth 25000 INR

PhD after MBA

Education is a five-course meal with PhD as the ultimate dessert at the end of it all. Having said that, not all fields of study have had a long history of crowning a doctorate degree. It has traditionally been the highest degree in the sciences, and social sciences.

Somewhere in the middle of the previous century, though, business schools began to switch their focus from a purely vocational bend towards research oriented training, leading to what we now know as PhD in business, or management.

However, if you were to compare the share of Management PhDs in the US, for instance, with PhDs from other fields, the number is far from stellar, though marginally growing with each year. The picture below summarizes the rising number of Business Doctorate recipients between the years 1986 – 2016, as per NSF.gov . The corresponding percentages reflect the share of doctorate holders with respect to the total number of doctoral graduates. (Updated table from 2021 is available here )

For instance, in 2016, 22.9% of the total 54,904 doctoral recipients graduated with a PhD in Life Sciences, while Business Management PhDs accounted for only 2.8% of the entire body of Dr. XYZs graduating that year. In 2021, this percentage for Business Management majors was 1.3% and for Life Sciences was 22.6%.

So, clearly, this is a road less traveled as compared to your streamlined PhD, after MS, route.

The natural question, that follows, is what eludes PhD, in Business, from your everyday household fame?One of the possible reasons being that most business degrees have a lot more commercial capacity as compared to an academic one. Individuals who have an aptitude for business and have secured an MBA from any of the top few tiers of B-schools, generally follow the blazing path of success marked by their predecessors.

The most cited reason, for avoiding the path of business research is the ROI for the years invested, and the cost of opportunity lost while pursuing a semi-decade long journey towards the degree.

With the MBA degree taking a couple of years with average starting salaries north of $90,000, it is not a shocker to realize why some people would rather continue gaining work experience, and the fat paychecks, sans the PhD and its associated delayed gratification, if any (read Average MBA Starting Salary ).

That being the obvious reason, there is clearly another significant factor keeping most business graduates away from a doctoral path – research is not their calling.

This brings us to the next question.  

Why PhD after MBA?

What makes a PhD after MBA an attractive option? The thrill of research. The PhD program offers an opportunity to conduct independent study, scholarly research, and obtain an in-depth knowledge of a specialized field, which would be otherwise only superficially available to the more practical, commercially useful MBA degree.

The research training provides an awareness of the cutting-edge developments and the ability to evolve new insights at solving business problems. Doctoral graduates have years of experience in data analysis and data driven decision making, they are practiced with various research methodologies such as modeling, experimental methods, econometrics, field studies, and more.

As long as the individual has an aptitude for research, the real-world experiences of an MBA degree can motivate him to study relevant business problems.

The most common career path, offered after a PhD post MBA, is teaching. Faculties involved in active research, being an attractive indicator of b-school excellence, prompts a lot of well-known MBA, or other business programs, to hire PhDs as b-school professors.

QS Business School Rankings, for instance, takes in academic reputation and research paper citations into consideration for overall ranking. So does Financial Times MBA, EMBA and Online MBA Rankings. UT Dallas has a business school ranking list based solely on publication statistics in 24 leading business research journals.

Clearly, there is a competitive advantage afforded to PhD job applicants compared to MBAs, when it comes to protecting the interests of business schools. Success, in teaching and research, can lead to some very lucrative compensations.

Salaries, for some of the top b-school faculties, can be in the millions. (Read How much do top business school professors get paid? )

Other golden opportunities may even lead MBA+PhDs into consulting work in either well-known firms, or their own entrepreneurial ventures. PhDs derive wisdom from their theoretical, and uniquely devised methodologies for analysis, which when combined with the experiential training obtained during MBA, makes for a tremendous body of knowledge.

Hedge Funds are extremely selective about their recruits. While a lot of hedge funds believe in practical expertise more than academic experience, they are still known to hire PhDs to fill their analyst positions. Besides CFAs, MBAs, and other Master’s candidates, nearly 3% of hedge fund employees have a PhD.  

What kind of specializations are available to PhDs in Business?

PhD in Business Management, or its close kin Doctor in Business Administration (Harvard HBS), follows a variety of areas of study, often in collaboration with other departments. Some of those specializations are listed below (gathered from various b-school curricula, viz. Stanford GSB , Wharton , HBS ).

• Accounting: Research focuses on solving issues, related to accounting, using economics, decision theory, and statistical inference.
• Business Economics: This specialization combines economic analysis with business. The areas of focus may range from Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Urban Economics, Risk Management, Economic Analysis & Policy, Organizations & Markets, Corporate Governance, and more.
• Finance: Research focus, such as in Wharton, is set on Asset Pricing, and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Macroeconomics, etc.
• Marketing: Research focus lies on solving marketing management issues faced by companies. Areas of study usually involve behavioral decision making, economics, industrial organization, statistics, management science, and more.
• Operations, Information & Technology: This area of research, such as in Stanford GSB, studies management of systems, processes, and networks. They include health care systems, product design, manufacturing, information systems, decision-making, operations management, etc.
• Organizational Behavior: Research on concepts of psychology and sociology and their impact on behavior within complex organizations.
• Management: The specialization deals with management and leadership challenges.
• Strategy: Research studies the heart of what sustains and develops industries with competitive advantage.

The above list is not exhaustive and every b-school tailor their research target to set their competitive edge, so to speak. The other common specializations include, Ethics & Legal Studies, Health Care Management, Applied Economics, Decision Sciences, Human Resource Management, and more.  

Employment Options of Business PhD Graduates

While a majority of doctoral graduates find positions as faculties in reputable business schools, a fraction of them carry on in post-doctoral studies or head towards industry positions. Firms like McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, SEC, and more, are known to hire PhDs regularly.

Nearly 80% of graduating doctoral students are employed as faculty members in various business schools over the world, with the rest 20% employed in various industry positions. We have compiled the following table to reflect the employers of past PhD candidates from reputed business schools, mainly Wharton, HEC Paris, and Chicago Booth.  

Business School with Popular Research Programs

UT Dallas’ Naveen Jindal School of Management has created a business school ranking based on publications in 24 leading business journals, mentioned here . Some of the top research schools, assessed between 2012-2016, based on the ranking, are listed below.  

  The two related degrees of a Business PhD, in addition to an MBA, provide a set of well-rounded skills that are quite unique. These skills are not just desirable in mentors of the future business leaders, but also play a significant rolein gaining a thorough insight of the world of business management.

Recommended reading for the curious reader:

• PhD in Management Abroad
• Fully funded PhD, with stipend in Europe
• Is a PhD worth it?
• PhD in USA for international students
• How to choose your PhD topics?

  Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

Mini-MBA | Start here | Success stories | Reality check | Knowledgebase | Scholarships | Services Serious about higher ed? Follow us:                

16 thoughts on “PhD after MBA”

Hi I have done BCA+MCA from IGNOU. I got 92 percentage in BCA and 84 percentage in MCA. I have also worked as Software developer while doing my MCA for 3.5 years in a small start- up firm. I want to do MS in Computer Engineering. My question do top and middle tier American universities accept degrees from IGNOU (although it is a distance education IGNOU is recognised by government of India under act of parliament ) So Is my degrees from ignou valid for admission for MS in top american universities

Hi, I am pursuing PhD in India on the topic Organisational behaviour. But i am interested to do in USA. please tell me the ways if i can apply in some of the university’s. I am in US at present. kindly help me

Hello, I am name is Ankita, I have completed my Masters in Microbiology (Pune University). And I have been working in CSIR-URDIP as a patent analyst for the last 2 years now. As the place I am working at doesn’t give any kind of security in future, I have been off lately thinking about either apply for PhD abroad or MBA or do some courses regarding patent analysis abroad. Can you please give me any suggestion regarding what to do at this stage ?

@Dheeraj: There are some universities who consider IGNOU degrees. But it depends on which course you’re applying for. So best to check with them directly. We have some inputs for the MBA degree here: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2014/02/17/mba-after-correspondence-courses-distance-education/

@Sanam: You’d probably have to reset the call and start afresh. Specially if your current work has little or no overlap with what you plan to do in the US.

@Ankita: The decision would hinge on what you want to do after the degree. For a business oriented role, an MBA works best. For academic roles, a PhD works better.

Hello.. I have done MBA(HR & MK)in 2018.. I wanna take admission for phd in IIT’s.. Plz suggest me how can apply for this Thnks

Hi, I have done MBA ( management and leadership) in 2018 from Keiser university, Fl . I want to start PhD in supply chain. Please suggest me how can I apply for this. Thanks

Hi myself Rupak Debnath I have done MBA in MARKETING and HR and now I want to pursue PhD degree from IGNOU. My question is will it be right enough to opt a higher degree from open University and how much can I be benefited from the decision I have taken?? Please reply without any hesitation……….. waiting for your valuable reply………. Thanks

hi, I have done my MBA in HR and now i want to pursue phd in economics in hyderabad central university. am i eligable to apply and if yes , how to do that. kindly please let me know. regards, bindu yamini.

Could you please guide which PHD Programm will be approraite post “MBA in Consultancy Management”

hi i have completed my B.tech in mechanical engineering+ now i completed my MBA in Marketing& finance now i want to do phd in the operational manger field pls suggest something…

Pros and cons of doing PhD in Business Management after M.Com

Hi I had completed my mba in marketing in 2005 now i want to do p.hd from Canada.. Pls suggest…

Am Naveen an International Business Marketing Consultant having completed PGDM in Marketing + IT and hold BBM in International Business and seek a PHD in similar field. Alternatively, am working a Managing Partner for a Jewel Store too. As am traveling on a daily basis I want to complete my PHD to teach full-time at universities or colleges worldwide. Thanks

Assalam o Alakom I have don my MBA 3.5 year and HR Now to pursue PHD .am i eligable to apply for PHD..how to do that. kindly pleas i want to brief me in detail explain trough whatsaf way +923428966603 regards, Muhammad Hanzala

Sir,Can I eligible for phd program(Europe countries).After completion of mba(open degree) program in india.

Hi, I am Ankit from India, I did complete my MBA with Finance in 2016 and I have 4 year experience in same profile. Now I am looking Phd program in Finance in USA.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

About Stanford GSB

• The Leadership
• Dean’s Updates
• School News & History
• Commencement
• Business, Government & Society
• Centers & Institutes
• Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
• Center for Social Innovation
• Stanford Seed

About the Experience

• Learning at Stanford GSB
• Experiential Learning
• Guest Speakers
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Innovation
• Communication
• Life at Stanford GSB
• Collaborative Environment
• Activities & Organizations
• Student Services
• Housing Options
• International Students

Full-Time Degree Programs

• Why Stanford MBA
• Academic Experience
• Financial Aid
• Why Stanford MSx
• Research Fellows Program
• See All Programs

Non-Degree & Certificate Programs

• Executive Education
• Stanford Executive Program
• Programs for Organizations
• The Difference
• Online Programs
• Stanford LEAD
• Seed Transformation Program
• Aspire Program
• Seed Spark Program
• Faculty Profiles
• Academic Areas
• Awards & Honors
• Conferences

Faculty Research

• Publications
• Working Papers
• Case Studies

Research Hub

• Research Labs & Initiatives
• Business Library
• Data, Analytics & Research Computing
• Behavioral Lab

Research Labs

• Cities, Housing & Society Lab
• Golub Capital Social Impact Lab

Research Initiatives

• Corporate Governance Research Initiative
• Corporations and Society Initiative
• Policy and Innovation Initiative
• Rapid Decarbonization Initiative
• Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative
• Value Chain Innovation Initiative
• Venture Capital Initiative
• Career & Success
• Climate & Sustainability
• Corporate Governance
• Culture & Society
• Finance & Investing
• Government & Politics
• Leadership & Management
• Markets & Trade
• Operations & Logistics
• Opportunity & Access
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy
• Social Impact
• Technology & AI
• Opinion & Analysis
• Email Newsletter

Welcome, Alumni

• Communities
• Digital Communities & Tools
• Regional Chapters
• Women’s Programs
• Identity Chapters
• Find Your Reunion
• Career Resources
• Job Search Resources
• Career & Life Transitions
• Programs & Services
• Career Video Library
• Alumni Education
• Research Resources
• Volunteering
• Alumni News
• Class Notes
• Alumni Voices
• Contact Alumni Relations
• Upcoming Events

Admission Events & Information Sessions

• MBA Program
• MSx Program
• PhD Program
• Alumni Events
• All Other Events
• Second Year
• Global Experiences
• JD/MBA Joint Degree
• MA Education/MBA Joint Degree
• MD/MBA Dual Degree
• MPP/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Computer Science/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Electrical Engineering/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA Joint Degree
• Academic Calendar
• Clubs & Activities
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Military Veterans
• Minorities & People of Color
• Partners & Families
• Students with Disabilities
• Student Support
• Residential Life
• Student Voices
• MBA Alumni Voices
• A Week in the Life
• Career Support
• Employment Outcomes
• Cost of Attendance
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• BOLD Fellows Fund
• Application Process
• Loan Forgiveness
• Contact the Financial Aid Office
• Evaluation Criteria
• GMAT & GRE
• English Language Proficiency
• Personal Information, Activities & Awards
• Professional Experience
• Letters of Recommendation
• Optional Short Answer Questions
• Application Fee
• Reapplication
• Deferred Enrollment
• Entering Class Profile
• Event Schedule
• Ambassadors
• New & Noteworthy
• Ask a Question
• Student Life & Community
• Career Impact
• Tuition & Aid

Stanford MBA Program

We believe a great idea can change lives, change organizations, change the world. And great ideas start here .

Change starts here. 

Change lives, change organizations, change the world. Our motto is more than words — ideas started here have fundamentally changed how the world works, connects, and lives. But there is another change a little less quantifiable — an internal change that occurs as students become leaders by challenging themselves intellectually, engaging and collaborating with their equally driven peers, and gaining global exposure.

The Stanford MBA Program Is Designed to Help You

No matter the end goal, our two-year master’s in business administration program will help you become a stronger leader and a better person. Find out more about how your time at Stanford can change you.

An Experience Unlike Any Other

Stanford GSB, with our campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a one-of-a-kind MBA program that has redefined the business school experience. Here, you’ll be pushed and challenged by best-in-class faculty and supported by your classmates in an environment unlike anywhere else. Collaboration, not competition, is key in a Stanford classroom. You’ll work closely with students from all around the world and of all different backgrounds. Against the backdrop of beautiful California days, many of these students will become life-long collaborators, mentors, and friends.

Learn more about what it means to be part of the Stanford community, or explore more in the links below.

Admissions: Taking the First Step

A master’s degree from Stanford will take you wherever you want to go, but you have to take the first step. A great place to start your Stanford story is at an admissions event . These virtual or in-person events will show you in more detail how Stanford GSB can transform your life and career. Admissions events include MBA information sessions, panels, small group chats, and other chances to engage with students, alumni, and admissions staff around the world.

Tens of thousands of Stanford GSB alumni from around the world are hard at work, right now, changing lives, changing organizations, and changing the world. You can join them in making that change.

It all starts at Stanford. It all starts with your application.

Personalize Your Admissions Journey at MyStanfordGSB

Create or update your MBA Profile! Head to the MyStanfordGSB.Info page to see a personalized dashboard for your MBA journey. The MyStanfordGSB prospect portal helps you track your application progress, register for upcoming events, and engage with stories and content relevant to you.

Financial Aid: We’ll Help You Get Here

Finances can be a sensitive topic, but we’ll address it plainly: your financial situation should not hold you back from applying. Obtaining an MBA is a significant investment in you and your future. We want to make sure that investment is a reasonable one.

We believe in accessible and attainable higher education for all and our Financial Aid Office will work with you to find the right programs for your needs. Whatever your citizenship status, whatever your financial status, once admitted, we want you here. We can help you fund your MBA through a combination of fellowship awards, student loans, summer stipends, nonprofit/public service loan forgiveness programs, and other types of financial aid .

Millions in Financial Aid Awarded Each Year

Jamille Jamison

Ragav Manimaran

• Priorities for the GSB's Future
• See the Current DEI Report
• Supporting Data
• Research & Insights
• Share Your Thoughts
• Search Fund Primer
• Teaching & Curriculum
• Affiliated Faculty
• Faculty Advisors
• Louis W. Foster Resource Center
• Defining Social Innovation
• Impact Compass
• Global Health Innovation Insights
• Faculty Affiliates
• Student Awards & Certificates
• Changemakers
• Dean Jonathan Levin
• Dean Garth Saloner
• Dean Robert Joss
• Dean Michael Spence
• Dean Robert Jaedicke
• Dean Rene McPherson
• Dean Arjay Miller
• Dean Ernest Arbuckle
• Dean Jacob Hugh Jackson
• Dean Willard Hotchkiss
• Faculty in Memoriam
• Stanford GSB Firsts
• Certificate & Award Recipients
• Teaching Approach
• Analysis and Measurement of Impact
• The Corporate Entrepreneur: Startup in a Grown-Up Enterprise
• Data-Driven Impact
• Designing Experiments for Impact
• Digital Business Transformation
• The Founder’s Right Hand
• Marketing for Measurable Change
• Product Management
• Public Policy Lab: Financial Challenges Facing US Cities
• Public Policy Lab: Homelessness in California
• Lab Features
• Curricular Integration
• View From The Top
• Formation of New Ventures
• Managing Growing Enterprises
• Startup Garage
• Explore Beyond the Classroom
• Stanford Venture Studio
• Summer Program
• Workshops & Events
• The Five Lenses of Entrepreneurship
• Leadership Labs
• Executive Challenge
• Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program
• Selection Process
• Training Schedule
• Time Commitment
• Learning Expectations
• Post-Training Opportunities
• Who Should Apply
• Introductory T-Groups
• Leadership for Society Program
• Certificate
• 2023 Awardees
• 2022 Awardees
• 2021 Awardees
• 2020 Awardees
• 2019 Awardees
• 2018 Awardees
• Social Management Immersion Fund
• Stanford Impact Founder Fellowships and Prizes
• Stanford Impact Leader Prizes
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Stanford GSB Impact Fund
• Economic Development
• Energy & Environment
• Stanford GSB Residences
• Environmental Leadership
• Stanford GSB Artwork
• A Closer Look
• California & the Bay Area
• Voices of Stanford GSB
• Business & Beneficial Technology
• Business & Sustainability
• Business & Free Markets
• Business, Government, and Society Forum
• Get Involved
• Joint & Dual Degrees
• See Why Stanford MSx
• Is MSx Right for You?
• MSx Stories
• Leadership Development
• Career Advancement
• Career Change
• How You Will Learn
• Admission Events
• Personal Information
• Information for Recommenders
• GMAT, GRE & EA
• English Proficiency Tests
• After You’re Admitted
• Daycare, Schools & Camps
• U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
• Requirements
• Requirements: Behavioral
• Requirements: Quantitative
• Requirements: Macro
• Requirements: Micro
• Annual Evaluations
• Field Examination
• Research Activities
• Research Papers
• Dissertation
• Oral Examination
• Current Students
• Education & CV
• International Applicants
• Statement of Purpose
• Reapplicants
• Application Fee Waiver
• Deadline & Decisions
• Job Market Candidates
• Academic Placements
• Stay in Touch
• Faculty Mentors
• Current Fellows
• Standard Track
• Fellowship & Benefits
• Group Enrollment
• Program Formats
• Developing a Program
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Strategic Transformation
• Program Experience
• Contact Client Services
• Campus Experience
• Live Online Experience
• Silicon Valley & Bay Area
• Digital Credentials
• Faculty Spotlights
• Participant Spotlights
• Eligibility
• International Participants
• Stanford Ignite
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Operations, Information & Technology
• Classical Liberalism
• The Eddie Lunch
• Accounting Summer Camp
• Videos, Code & Data
• California Econometrics Conference
• California Quantitative Marketing PhD Conference
• California School Conference
• China India Insights Conference
• Homo economicus, Evolving
• Political Economics (2023–24)
• Scaling Geologic Storage of CO2 (2023–24)
• A Resilient Pacific: Building Connections, Envisioning Solutions
• Adaptation and Innovation
• Changing Climate
• Civil Society
• Climate Impact Summit
• Climate Science
• Corporate Carbon Disclosures
• Earth’s Seafloor
• Environmental Justice
• Operations and Information Technology
• Organizations
• Sustainability Reporting and Control
• Taking the Pulse of the Planet
• Urban Infrastructure
• Watershed Restoration
• Junior Faculty Workshop on Financial Regulation and Banking
• Ken Singleton Celebration
• Marketing Camp
• Quantitative Marketing PhD Alumni Conference
• Presentations
• Theory and Inference in Accounting Research
• Stanford Closer Look Series
• Quick Guides
• Core Concepts
• Journal Articles
• Glossary of Terms
• Faculty & Staff
• Researchers & Students
• Research Approach
• Charitable Giving
• Financial Health
• Government Services
• Workers & Careers
• Short Course
• Adaptive & Iterative Experimentation
• Incentive Design
• Social Sciences & Behavioral Nudges
• Bandit Experiment Application
• Conferences & Events
• Reading Materials
• Energy Entrepreneurship
• Faculty & Affiliates
• SOLE Report
• Responsible Supply Chains
• Current Study Usage
• Pre-Registration Information
• Participate in a Study
• Founding Donors
• Location Information
• Participant Profile
• Network Membership
• Program Impact
• Collaborators
• Entrepreneur Profiles
• Company Spotlights
• Seed Transformation Network
• Responsibilities
• Current Coaches
• How to Apply
• Meet the Consultants
• Meet the Interns
• Intern Profiles
• Collaborate
• Research Library
• News & Insights
• Program Contacts
• Databases & Datasets
• Research Guides
• Consultations
• Research Workshops
• Career Research
• Research Data Services
• Course Reserves
• Course Research Guides
• Material Loan Periods
• Fines & Other Charges
• Document Delivery
• Interlibrary Loan
• Equipment Checkout
• Print & Scan
• MBA & MSx Students
• PhD Students
• Other Stanford Students
• Faculty Assistants
• Research Assistants
• Stanford GSB Alumni
• Telling Our Story
• Staff Directory
• Site Registration
• Alumni Directory
• Alumni Email
• Privacy Settings & My Profile
• Success Stories
• The Story of Circles
• Support Women’s Circles
• Stanford Women on Boards Initiative
• Alumnae Spotlights
• Insights & Research
• Industry & Professional
• Entrepreneurial Commitment Group
• Recent Alumni
• Half-Century Club
• Fall Reunions
• Spring Reunions
• MBA 25th Reunion
• Half-Century Club Reunion
• Faculty Lectures
• Ernest C. Arbuckle Award
• Alison Elliott Exceptional Achievement Award
• ENCORE Award
• Excellence in Leadership Award
• John W. Gardner Volunteer Leadership Award
• Robert K. Jaedicke Faculty Award
• Jack McDonald Military Service Appreciation Award
• Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award
• Tapestry Award
• Student & Alumni Events
• Executive Recruiters
• Interviewing
• Land the Perfect Job with LinkedIn
• Negotiating
• Elevator Pitch
• Email Best Practices
• Resumes & Cover Letters
• Self-Assessment
• Whitney Birdwell Ball
• Margaret Brooks
• Bryn Panee Burkhart
• Margaret Chan
• Ricki Frankel
• Peter Gandolfo
• Cindy W. Greig
• Natalie Guillen
• Carly Janson
• Sloan Klein
• Sherri Appel Lassila
• Stuart Meyer
• Tanisha Parrish
• Virginia Roberson
• Philippe Taieb
• Michael Takagawa
• Terra Winston
• Johanna Wise
• Debbie Wolter
• Rebecca Zucker
• Complimentary Coaching
• Changing Careers
• Work-Life Integration
• Career Breaks
• Flexible Work
• Encore Careers
• Join a Board
• D&B Hoovers
• Data Axle (ReferenceUSA)
• EBSCO Business Source
• Global Newsstream
• Market Share Reporter
• ProQuest One Business
• Student Clubs
• Entrepreneurial Students
• Stanford GSB Trust
• Alumni Community
• How to Volunteer
• Springboard Sessions
• Consulting Projects
• 2020 – 2029
• 2010 – 2019
• 2000 – 2009
• 1990 – 1999
• 1980 – 1989
• 1970 – 1979
• 1960 – 1969
• 1950 – 1959
• 1940 – 1949
• Service Areas
• ACT History
• ACT Awards Celebration
• ACT Governance Structure
• Building Leadership for ACT
• Individual Leadership Positions
• Leadership Role Overview
• Purpose of the ACT Management Board
• Contact ACT
• Business & Nonprofit Communities
• Reunion Volunteers
• Ways to Give
• Fiscal Year Report
• Business School Fund Leadership Council
• Planned Giving Options
• Planned Giving Benefits
• Planned Gifts and Reunions
• Legacy Partners
• Giving News & Stories
• Giving Deadlines
• Development Staff
• Submit Class Notes
• Class Secretaries
• Board of Directors
• Health Care
• Sustainability
• Class Takeaways
• All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions
• If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society
• Grit & Growth
• Think Fast, Talk Smart
• Spring 2022
• Spring 2021
• Autumn 2020
• Summer 2020
• Winter 2020
• In the Media
• For Journalists
• DCI Fellows
• Other Auditors
• Academic Calendar & Deadlines
• Course Materials
• Entrepreneurial Resources
• Campus Drive Grove
• Campus Drive Lawn
• CEMEX Auditorium
• King Community Court
• Seawell Family Boardroom
• Stanford GSB Bowl
• Stanford Investors Common
• Town Square
• Vidalakis Courtyard
• Vidalakis Dining Hall
• Catering Services
• Policies & Guidelines
• Reservations
• Contact Faculty Recruiting
• Lecturer Positions
• Postdoctoral Positions
• Accommodations
• CMC-Managed Interviews
• Recruiter-Managed Interviews
• Virtual Interviews
• Campus & Virtual
• Search for Candidates
• Think Globally
• Recruiting Calendar
• Recruiting Policies
• Full-Time Employment
• Summer Employment
• Entrepreneurial Summer Program
• Global Management Immersion Experience
• Social-Purpose Summer Internships
• Process Overview
• Project Types
• Client Eligibility Criteria
• Client Screening
• ACT Leadership
• Social Innovation & Nonprofit Management Resources
• Develop Your Organization’s Talent
• Centers & Initiatives
• Student Fellowships

• Enrollment Details
• Tuition & Financial Aid
• General Track
• Hospitality and Tourism
• International Business
• International Field Study
• Testimonials
• MBA Graduate Certificates
• Leadership Conference
• WSU EMBA: Strength in Numbers
• Military Students
• Support Staff

Post-MBA Certifications and Courses

Take Your Next Step

Connect with an advisor to discuss career outcomes, curriculum, and get your questions answered.

Step 1 of 2

How MBA Concentrations Can Help You Advance Your Career

Many MBA graduates enter the world of business only to realize that they could use more preparation in their chosen field of expertise. These people often decide to supplement their education with post-graduate courses and certifications that boost their skills — and their hireability.

Washington State University’s Online Master of Business Administration is one program that offers post-graduate coursework, including four MBA concentrations that allow students to focus their educational experience on their career-specific interests and goals.

To give students even more flexibility, each of these four concentrations can be taken as part of our online MBA program or as a standalone 9-credit MBA certificate that can be taken outside of the formal MBA program.

Marketing. Students will take an in-depth look at consumer behavior — and the psychology behind it — as they learn to analyze and react to consumer trends, examine the differences between foreign and domestic markets, and discover strategies to help navigate those differences. See Marketing Concentration Details

Finance . Students study financial practices and principles from an international perspective; learn about financial management of multinational corporations and international investments; and explore critical topics, such as asset management, investment analysis, interest rates, and financial futures. See Finance Concentration Details

International Business . Students explore the ethical, economic, and societal challenges associated with doing business in a foreign marketplace while coming to understand how risk management applies in the context of the international marketplace. See International Business Concentration Details

Hospitality Business Management . Students looking to pursue a career in this growing, fascinating industry will gain a thorough and modern understanding of business and practices operations across the hospitality landscape. See Hospitality Business Management Concentration Details

The 8 Most Popular and Respected Post-MBA Certifications

In the past, earning post-MBA certification often meant quitting work to attend a program full-time. Today, however, the path to specialty study has been greatly simplified thanks to the proliferation of accredited online programs. Hundreds of programs offer 100 percent online coursework, allowing students to earn an advanced education on their own schedule—even while working full time.

In short, there are few barriers to earning the exact certifications that will further your knowledge and career, and the following list features the most popular post-MBA offerings. These are the eight certifications that are highly respected and recognized while offering useful information that candidates can apply immediately in their careers.

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Offered by: CFA Institute

The CFA certification is a good option for anyone interested in a career in corporate finance, investment banking, portfolio management, equity research, and other areas of finance. The certification has three levels, and the exam for each level requires at least 300 hours of preparation. Because only 40%-50% of people pass all three, this remains a somewhat exclusive — and desirable — certification to receive.

CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance) Offered by: Institute of Internal Auditors

Designed for internal auditors and risk management professionals, CRMA designation may be a great fit if your career objective is to become a trusted advisor to the audit committee and handle management in the critical areas of risk assurance, governance processes, quality assurance, or control self-assessment.

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) Offered by: Information Systems Audit and Control Association

The internationally recognized CISA certification provides core auditing competencies and has sprung from the growing demand for professionals with the skills to monitor the IT, business systems, and processes of any organization

FRM (Financial Risk Manager) Offered by: Global Association of Risk Professionals

FRM certification provides expertise in the specialized area of financial risk management and is very helpful for anyone pursuing a career in traditional areas of financial services (such as investment banks, asset management firms, or insurance companies) or the finance and treasury department of any corporation.

CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) Offered by: American Production and Inventory Control Society

CPIM certification is a globally recognized certification for those who wish to pursue a career in supply chain management and provides a thorough understanding and knowledge of the production planning and inventory management of any company.

PMP (Project Management Professional) Offered by: Project Management Institute (PMI)

The globally recognized PMP certification gives professionals in project management the expertise and competence they need to be recruited. Because it requires a significant commitment — with an investment of time, money, and effort — those who earn a PMP can expect a higher salary compared to others in this field.

SHRM-CP & SHRM-SCP Offered by: Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM)

Certification from this organization shows employers that fresh graduates have acquired some basic knowledge in the human resources area.

SAP Certification Offered by: SAP

SAP is a recognized name in business solutions and software. It offers a wide range of certifications with international acceptance. Most popular among them are SAP Business Intelligence (SAP BI), SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (SAP BPC), SAP FI (for financial accounting), SAP HR Human Capital Management (SAP HR HCM), SAP Material Management (SAP MM), and SAP Sales and Distribution (SAP SD) certifications.

Additional Options

These are some of the most popular offerings available, but they only scratch the surface of a graduate’s possibilities. MBA grads can seek certification in practically any skill or sub-specialty they desire. Earning certifications can be valuable in any job search process and can also just be satisfying. For the lifelong student, there is no reason to ever stop learning and improving.

About WSU’s Online Master of Business Administration Program

Washington State University’s Carson College of Business delivers one of the top-ranked MBA programs in the nation. WSU offers an Online MBA course curriculum designed to equip students with the tactics, knowledge, skills, strategies, and other resources utilized by today’s high-profile business leaders.

WSU’s Online MBA degree program offers several MBA concentrations—marketing, finance, hospitality business management, international business, and general MBA. For more information, visit WSU’s  Online MBA website .

Recommended Reading:

Work to School: Changes to Expect and How to Manage Them

Five Fast-Growing Industries for Executives

Benefits of Flexible Online Learning Environments for Professionals

Most popular certifications –    MBA Crystal Ball

MBA concentrations –  WSU MBA

Learn more about our Online MBA programs

Question and Answer forum for K12 Students

Doing a Ph.D. After MBA | Eligibility Criteria, Career Scope, Employment And Salary

Doing A Ph.D. After MBA: The ‘road less taken’ can be simply called for Ph.D. after MBA. Not many people is seen to pursue a Ph.D. in Commerce; as it is a field that does not attract and relatively unknown many pursuers.

In the academic field, Ph.D. after MBA is more useful than a professional one. initially; The ROI and opportunity cost for this course are also not up to par, however, by saying that, it does not mean that the course is not worth it or useless. If a Ph.D. is done right then it can be quite rewarding.

Ph.D. after MBA or Management

• Ph.D. Course Duration after MBA

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. After MBA

Can one do a ph.d. after mba, after mba available top ph.d. courses, how to do a ph.d. after mba, ph.d. after mba in india, can i actually do a ph.d. after distance mba, ph.d. after mba – in distance education.

• Ph.D. After MBA Abroad – Entrance Exams & Admission Process
• Top-Most Abroad Universities for Pursuing PhD after MBA
• Best Countries to Study PhD after MBA Abroad
• Ph.D. After MBA in USA

Ph.D. After MBA in Australia

Ph.d. after mba in germany, ph.d. after mba finance.

• Scope Of Ph.D. after MBA in Finance

Ph.D. in Management

• Career Scope, Employment, and Salary for Doing a Ph.D. after MBA
• FAQ’s on Doing A Ph.D. after MBA

As one may expect it to be, Ph.D. after MBA may not be as advantageous. After getting done with an MBA, rather than pursue a Ph.D., many prefer to increase their work experience, but if you are interested in doing research in the field of your interest, a Ph.D. may be the perfect course for a person to take up.

Ph.D. researchers or individuals also get a chance to do individual research and study, apart from the extensive knowledge which the course provides, which puts them quite apart from other managers.

• The course requires a lot of dedication and rigorous hard work in Ph.D.
• A lot of time needs to be invested by someone with a Ph.D., which can be tedious.
• The Ph.D. course combines practical application with theoretical knowledge.
• There are many practical methods and approaches like field studies, econometrics, experimental methods, etc., which are mostly used during Ph. D.s.
• For those who want to teach Management, Ph.D. is for them.
• The profession of the Professor is most sought after and reputable.
• Ph.D. researchers also work as consultants in top firms.
• Ph.D. increases their analytical skills and trains researchers.
• Because of their skillset, positions in analytics are offered commonly to Ph.D. researchers.
• One may not quite earn much before getting tenure, and the growth is considerably slow.

Do Refer: Career Objective for MBA

Ph.D. Course Duration After MBA

Depending on the research topic, methodologies, and time and labor investment, the duration for Ph.D. after MBA may vary.

On average, it may take 4 to 5 years for the completion of a Ph.D.. Depending on the country and institution, the duration may also vary.

Country Duration (Average)

• India –  3 years
• USA – 5-7 years
• UK – 3-4 years
• Australia – 4-6 years
• Germany – 3-5 Years

Eligibility Criteria for a Ph.D. after an MBA must be an MBA degree, as one may assume. But that’s not so.

There are many other criteria for eligibility, as well. To pursue a Ph.D. after MBA, one must fulfill being eligible for a Ph.D. after MBA, and the following are the criteria.

• One must have an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS exam score to prove their proficiency in the English language.
• One must also have a respectable, which may vary as per the university of GRE/GMAT score.
• Students must also submit their essays, transcript and SOP.
• Letters of Recommendation are required. At least 2 to 3 times to be submitted by the aspiring student.
• Oftentimes, an interview is conducted either online via video call or physically to test student’s eligibility and knowledge.
• Students must have a thesis statement or an idea and a dissertation ready.
• It is crucial that the students are well versed to have a clear idea and what they want to do about their objectives.
• The acceptance rate at top-rated Business Schools is around 3 to 5%.

Yes, one actually can do a Ph.D. after MBA. There are various business schools worldwide that offer Ph.D. programs after an MBA, which can be pursued.

For the MBA itself, some years of work experience is required by many schools. The Student may already have the direction they want to take in their life by choosing to pursue an MBA.

A Ph.D. after an MBA is not quite a popular choice, but many students still decide to pursue the research either for better opportunities or out of interest. To pursue a Ph.D., the criteria for eligibility include more than 50% or more marks in your post-graduation, and students are also required to take up an entrance exam. The field of Ph.D. is open for the Student or for anyone who has done an MBA.

A student may choose from several Ph.D. courses after MBA. Due to its vast scope, there is no dearth of specialization in the field of management.

As the Ph.D. in Management is an unexplored field, each research in each area is equally important.

There are several available courses one may take, like:

• Entrepreneurship
• Human Resource Management
• Commercial Law
• Operational Research
• Healthcare and Management
• Organizational Behaviour
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Political Science

For students who actually want to do a Ph.D. after their MBA is done, there are many options. It is important that for the duration of 2 years, the MBA course the candidate has done.

The students must choose their work and field of interest in that direction and also most important.

Students always have the choice to pursue a Ph.D. in abroad or India. The application process for both remains more or less the same. To do a Ph.D. after an MBA abroad, one has to additionally give language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL and exams like GMAT or GRE.

For India, exams like CAT are applicable.

• One must have a good score in their CAT exam and a two-year MBA degree.
• For admission in their Ph.D. courses, GATE or even UGC NET may be required at some top IIMs.
• A Ph.D. may actually vary from 3 to 5 years on average, and it is important to note that the duration.
• In the first year of Ph.D., the candidates are trained in research methodologies and subjects, etc. and are mostly dedicated to the coursework.
• In the second year, one may choose the area in which they will be conduction research and their specialization.
• It is often advisable that students actually choose the area for research in which they have specialized during their MBA. It is, however, not quite compulsory.
• A Ph.D. thesis is the most essential part of any Ph.D., and during their second year only, it is important that students start developing it.
• In the third year, after they have researched and collected data, a student is asked to present their thesis statement.
• After the first six months of the third year, students are free to write their research papers and Ph.D. and do their research.
• The whole process can be quite time-consuming, but the only trick here is to be very resilient.
• Yes, you can obviously do a Ph.D. after a distance MBA.
• The institute must be recognized by the UGC.
• Universities are not allowed to differentiate between the degrees.
• The degree earned and mentioned in the eligibility criteria must be in tandem.
• As the process for regular courses, the application process is as same.
• Candidates must submit their essays, SOPs, mark sheets, documents, etc., like any other regular candidate.
• Mostly on entrance exams and interviews, the admission in a Ph.D. program is based.
• Over the ones who did pursue their degrees via distance education mode, Some institutes may prefer regular students.
•  The decision is solely based on the discretion of the university to select a candidate or not.

In Distance Education, one can definitely do a Ph.D. after MBA, but few things actually need to be taken into consideration.

It is important and mandatory that the institution from where the candidate has pursued their MBA in Distance education form is recognized by any other supreme commission as relevant to the country or by the UGC.

Also, for the Ph.D. program, one is applying to, the degree must match the eligibility criteria as well.

Ph.D. After MBA Abroad – Entrance Exams & Admission Process:

If you are actually planning to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA, especially from abroad, then the following points will help and guide you through the application process and entrance exams:

• For global universities, the application process is very different from the universities of India. You actually don’t have to give any entrance exam to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA from abroad; rather, the GMAT / GRE score is needed to submit.
• Previous project and research work matter, LORs, SOPs, and a lot when you are actually looking to pursue a Ph.D. abroad. They increase the chances of getting selected by making your profile strong.
• For Ph.D. programs, most of the universities have a 3-5% acceptance rate. Thus, it is vital to make your application strong; get in touch with experts if you need any help regarding the same.
• You need to work on your specific thesis, submit it in the provided duration as the curriculum more or less remains the same in Ph.D., and complete your Ph.D. after MBA.

Top-Most Abroad Universities for Pursuing Ph.D. after MBA

For better assistance at the time of your research on Ph.D. Courses after completion of MBA, we have enlisted some of the significant academic universities that are globally famous for their advanced specialized courses on Ph.D. after MBA:

Best Countries to Study Ph.D. after MBA Abroad

Most of the popular abroad destinations for Ph.D. studies are UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and Canada. These countries are notable for their research doctoral courses so choosing the best country to study Ph.D. is a crucial decision. So, decide carefully by doing deeper research about the course and universities in all countries. Let’s have a glance at the top countries to study Ph.D. after MBA and their popular research universities below for some idea:

Ph.D. After MBA in the USA

Ph.D. after MBA in the USA is the most popular place; because of a highly research-friendly environment, it especially is a great place to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA.

The USA offers students unlimited data and resources to facilitate their research as it is home to the top business schools. The amenities are quite good here, which are provided to Ph.D. researchers.

• University of Pennsylvania
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• The University of California
• Columbia University
• Kellogg School of Management
• The University of Chicago
• Washington University
• Cornell University
• University of Michigan

Ph.D. after MBA in Australia is also home to many great universities, and it is a very pleasant place to be at.

Ph.D. programs after MBA are offered by many great B-schools present. For applying practical methods, there is a lot of scopes and here because of the way corporates and businesses are run here.

Students will be provided with quite a lot of opportunities to collect primary as well as secondary data and conduct researches.

• Australian National University
• UNSW Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• University of Sydney
• University of Melbourne
• University of Queensland
• Monash University
• University of Adelaide
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Canberra

Probably the best place to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA in Germany because of the varieties of facilities like the grant which are made available for students studying.

Germany has the best management programs and boasts of some of the best universities in the world as well. Many universities in Germany offer great guidance to students to help them in their research work and Ph.D. in management.

• University of Berlin
• University of Hamburg
• Technical University of Munich
• Heidelberg University
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• RWTH Aachen University
• University of Freiburg
• Bielefeld University

One of the topmost and popular specializations is a Ph.D. after MBA in Finance. The scope is vast, and the opportunities are quite endless.

Though the subject for those interested may seem challenging, it has a plethora of research ideas and opportunities.

Expertise in subjects like Mathematics and Economics is required by Ph.D. in Finance.

The top universities which are offering this program are:

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
• The Centurion University of Technology and Management
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science
• Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

Scope Of Ph.D. After MBA in Finance

Opportunities after opportunities are present in Ph.D. after MBA in Finance. There is a wide and deep scope of opportunities, and many companies to hire because of their skill and both practical and theoretical knowledge do look out for such candidates. Top companies seek to recruit candidates who have completed their  Ph.D. in Finance and  like the ones mentioned below .

• TATA Consultancy
• Genpact Technologies Ltd

One of the highest degrees of academic awarded in the study of management is a Ph.D. in management. For those seeking teaching careers and academic research as professors or faculty in the field of management at business schools worldwide, a Ph.D. in Management degree was designed.

Following are some Benefits of PhD after MBA

• Helps you become a better thinker:  More than just consume what has been taught in the classes, a good Ph.D. in Management program encourages you to do more – it teaches you to become a good thinker and create more. One will achieve newer levels of critical thinking by moving past passive learning, which you can apply in new ways in your field of interest as well as your career.
• To gain an edge:  A Ph.D. in Management is essential and immediately marketable, especially in today’s workforce, provide an asset that will give you a competitive advantage. A Ph.D. in Management proves the expertise in your field of study; you have an impressive level of credibility and a lifelong commitment to learning which will help you fulfill your professional goals.
• Become a competitive scholar-practitioner:  A Ph.D. in Management will give you the confidence and knowledge but present at them instead of just attending academic conferences. You’ll discover your write a dissertation, may find yourself authoring peer-reviewed articles published in your field’s leading journals, and may have a scholarly voice.
• Skills enhancement:  A Ph.D. in Management can actually help you enhance valuable skills and gain that are universally applicable to any kind of field. They are empowering you to make more of an impact in your current role by giving you expertise outside of your organization by the degree, which in turn helps people around you as well. You may find colleagues turning to you for guidance, Once you begin your studies.

Career Scope, Employment, and Salary for Doing a Ph.D. After MBA

Somewhere between 8 Lakhs to 18 Lakhs per annum, Ph.D. after MBA salary in India is depending upon whether you explore the academic domain working as a lecturer or academician or working in a corporate sector.

For graduates with a Ph.D. in Commerce-related specializations and Management below, we have elucidated upon the major employment sector:

• Teaching: A Ph.D.’s most popular career path post is that of becoming a professor or teacher. Most Ph. D.s in management or business pursue it in the first place to pursue a career in particular academics. Further, to hire Ph.D.’s like business school professors, most of the research universities prefer. Suppose you aim to become a part of Ivy League schools or other prestigious academic institutions because of this striking combination coupled with a few years of professional experience. In that case, you should definitely go for a Ph.D. degree after MBA. It can make you an ideal candidate for the position of lecturer or university professor at a business school. Nearly 75% of business ‘Ph.D. after MBA’ graduates at business schools become faculty members, to give a rough statistical description, and roughly 25% take jobs in the industry.
• Research: A Ph.D. involves extensive analysis and is quite a data-driven degree and in-depth assessment as it constitutes various submissions of a multiple research thesis as its incremental element. If you have planned to pursue a career in research, but combining it with a Ph.D. might give you the knowledge and expertise of both the research world as well as corporate, and an MBA is more of a route of professional to take. You can further enter various research sectors with a versatile skill set by getting the taste of both these areas, which will prove extremely useful in carrying out path-breaking contributions and case studies with the potential of bringing a newer light to the commercial industry.
• Corporate Sector: As a common myth, you might be told that in the professional world, a doctorate degree is of no use, but it is quite the opposite as a Ph.D. after an MBA can furnish you with the outstanding business acumen to fit the role of business consultants and analysts. As many of the doctoral scholars move further to become professors or researchers, only a small proportion of them head towards the industry. As this degree provides aspirants with the understanding of employing Ph.D. s derive wisdom from their theoretical and unique methodologies for analysis, which, when combined with the pragmatic training obtained during MBA, marks for a marvelous body of knowledge. You can explore varied prospects in entrepreneurship ventures as well as companies like SEC, JP Morgan Chase, McKinsey, and Morgan Stanley, which are known to hire Ph. D.s frequently.

FAQ’s on Doing A Ph.D. After MBA

Question 1. What Ph.D. should I get after my MBA?

Answer: For students who want to do a Ph.D. after their MBA is done, there are many options. The MBA course the candidate has done must be for the duration of 2 years, and it is important. The most common career path after that is chosen is teaching.

Question 2. Is an MBA higher than a Ph.D.?

Answer: Compared to a Ph.D. that takes 4-6 years, you can complete your MBA in 1- 2 years. It allows them to start their career far sooner for the student, so the MBA is considered advantageous.

Question 3. Can I do a Ph.D. while working?

Answer: Yes, you can do a Ph.D. while working, but this can only happen if you are keen to work. Working full time and doing a Ph.D. is not easy; you won’t make progress without constant effort.

Question 4. Can I do a Ph.D. at 40?

Answer: Yes, you can do a Ph.D. at the age of 40; most of the person who does this are mostly in the education sector. The only problem that comes up is that not all programs will be open for you.

PhD After MBA – Step by Step Guide 2022

Written by   piyush bhartiya , mba.

PhD after MBA can simply be called the ‘road less taken.’ Not many people pursue a PhD in Commerce , it is a field that is relatively unknown and does not attract many pursuers.

PhD after MBA is more useful in the academic field than a professional one. The ROI and opportunity cost for this course are also not up to the par initially, however, it does not mean that the course is not worth it, a PhD can be quite rewarding if done right.

Table of Contents

PhD After MBA

PhD after MBA may not be as advantageous as one may expect it to be. After getting done with an MBA, many prefer to increase their work experience rather than pursue a PhD; but if you are interested in doing research in the field of your interest, PhD may be the perfect course for you to take up.

Apart from the extensive knowledge which the course provides, PhD researchers also get a chance to do individual research and study which puts them apart from other managers. 

• PhD is a rigorous course that requires a lot of dedication and hard work.
• It can be tedious as there is a lot of time one needs to invest in a PhD
• The PhD course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.
• There are many practical approaches and methods like field studies , experimental methods , econometrics , etc. which are used during PhDs. 
• It is a course for those who want to teach Management . 
• The profession of the Professor is most reputable and sought after.
• PhD researchers also work as consultants in the top firms.
• PhD trains researchers and increases their analytical skills.
• Positions in analytics are offered commonly to PhD researchers because of their skillset.
• The growth is considerably slow and one may not earn much before getting tenure.

Benefits of phd after mba

While we’re in the specifics of each PhD after MBA school, let’s have a look at the benefits of PhD after MBA and why it’s such a good career choice:

• PhD after MBA allows students to undertake research and perform in-field studies of ideas and specialities that you couldn’t do during your MBA.
• MBA degrees give profitable employment opportunities in and of itself, but after obtaining a PhD, MBA degrees become considerably more useful.
• The research conducted during a PhD following an MBA helps to raise knowledge of new business insights and trends throughout the world, which aids in more effective company management.
• Having an MBA degree, a person with a PhD can earn a lot of money. A top MBA College lecturer earns millions more than someone with an MBA degree.
• PhD after MBA permits them to work in the field of management, finance, or business research, setting them distinct from other managers who have just completed an MBA.

PhD Courses after MBA

Phd finance.

• PhD Finance is a research-based programme that prepares students for a successful academic career.
• After earning an MBA in Finance, students pursue a PhD in Finance.
• PhD finance focuses on advanced topics such as share valuation, privatisation and globalisation, cost and management accounting, and so on.

PhD Marketing

• PhD Marketing is a three-year doctoral degree that prepares students to teach and do research in the disciplines of marketing and allied fields.
• The entrance test and personal interview are used to determine admission to this programme. After completing an MBA in Marketing, any applicant with a postgraduate degree in a related field is entitled to apply for a PhD.
• PhD Marketing is a highly competitive field, with jobs such as Market Research Analyst, Marketing Communications Leader, Marketing Executive, and others paying between INR 2,00,000 and INR 10,00,000.

PhD Organization Behaviour

• PhD Organization Behaviour is a three- to five-year doctoral programme that studies human behaviour in organisations.
• A candidate for a PhD following an MBA in Organization Behaviour must have a Master’s degree or an M.Phil. in the relevant subject of study with a minimum aggregate of 55%.
• Candidates can get work in organisations such as Academic Institutions, Colleges, Finance, Marketing, Information Technology, and others after successfully completing the Ph.D. Organization Behaviour programme, with an average pay of INR 4,00,000 – INR 8,00,000.

PhD Business Management

• PhD Business Management is a three-year doctoral degree that focuses on actions such as leading, monitoring, coordinating, and planning that are involved in operating a business.
• A master’s degree in related fields with a minimum aggregate of 50% or higher qualifies a student for a PhD after completing an MBA in Business Management.
• PhD in Business Management graduates can find work in areas such as colleges and universities, finance, information technology, banking, management, operations, supply chain management, MNCs, product development, human resources, and more, with average salaries ranging from INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000.
• PhD in Management

PhD in management is one of the highest academic degrees awarded in the study of management. A PhD in Management degree was designed for those seeking academic research and teaching careers as faculty or professors in the field of management at business schools worldwide.

Following are the advantages of doing PhD in Management :

• To gain a competitive edge: A PhD in Management is an immediately marketable asset that will give you a competitive edge in today’s workforce. A PhD in Management proves that you have an impressive level of credibility, proving expertise in your field of study and a lifelong commitment to learning which will help you fulfill your professional goals.
• Helps you become a better thinker: A good PhD in Management program encourages you to do more than just consume what has been taught in the classes – it teaches you to create it and become a good thinker. By moving past passive learning, you’ll achieve newer levels of critical thinking that you can apply in new ways in your career and field of interest.
• Skills enhancement: A PhD in Management can help you gain and enhance valuable skills that are universally applicable to any field. The degree can also empower you to make more of an impact in your current role by giving you expertise outside of your organization, which in turn which helps people around you as well. Once you begin your studies, you may find colleagues turning to you for guidance.
• Become a scholar-practitioner: A PhD in Management will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to not only attend academic conferences but present at them. You’ll discover your scholarly voice, write a dissertation, and may find yourself authoring peer-reviewed articles published in your field’s leading journals.

PhD Course Duration After MBA        

The duration for PhD after MBA may vary depending on the research topic , methodologies, and investment of time and labour .

On average, the completion of PhD may take 4 to 5 years . The duration may also vary depending on the country and institution.

Eligibility For PhD After MBA

Though particular requirements differ by university, there are some fundamental requirements for a PhD following an MBA or any other postgraduate study that every applicant must meet. The fundamental qualification for a doctorate degree is a master’s degree in the corresponding subject (from a recognised institution). If you want to apply for a PhD in Business Administration, for example, you must have completed a postgraduate course like an MBA or MIM. In addition to this, you will be required to submit the following papers:

• One must have a good IELTS or TOEFL exam score to prove their English language proficiency . 
• One must also have a respectable GRE / GMAT score, it may vary as per the university.
• Students must also submit their essays, SOP , and transcript.
• At least 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation are required to be submitted by the student. 
• Often times, an interview is conducted either physically or online via video call to test student’s knowledge and eligibility.
• Students must have a dissertation ready and a thesis statement or an idea.
• It is important that the students are well versed with what they want to do and have a clear idea about their objectives.
• At top-rated Business Schools, the acceptance rate is around 3 to 5%

Can I do a PhD after MBA?

Yes , one can do a PhD after MBA . There are Various Business Schools all over the world that offer PhD programs that can be pursued after an MBA.

For the MBA itself, many schools require some years of work experience. By the time a student may choose to pursue an MBA, they may already have the direction they want to take in their life.

A PhD after an MBA is not a popular choice but many students still decide to pursue the research either out of interest or for better opportunities. To pursue a PhD, the eligibility criteria include 50% or more marks in the post-graduation, and students are also required to take up an entrance exam. For anyone who has done an MBA, the field of PhD is open for them.

Also Read: MBA Study Material

After MBA PhD Courses

There are several PhD courses after MBA which a student may choose. There is no dearth of specialization in the field of management due to its vast scope.

Each research in each area is equally important as the PhD in Management is quite an unexplored field.

There are several courses one may take, like:

• Entrepreneurship
• Decision Sciences 
• Human Resource Management
• Organizational behaviour

How to do PhD after MBA?

There are many options for students who want to do a PhD after their MBA is done. It is important that the MBA course the candidate has done is for the duration of 2 years . Along with these basic requirements and minimum qualifying scores, letters of recommendation, research proposal and work experience aids in increasing the chances of getting admission into top universities. In India, it could take between 3 t o 5 years to complete PhD after MBA while abroad, it can take anywhere between 4 to 7 years.

It is also most important that the students must choose their field of interest and work in that direction only.

Students have the choice to pursue a PhD in India or abroad . The application for both remains more or less the same. To do a PhD after MBA abroad , one has to additionally give exams like GMAT or GRE and language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL .

For India, exams like CAT are applicable.

PhD After MBA in India

There are several advantages to pursuing a PhD after an MBA, including gaining a competitive advantage in the management and business worlds, as well as the research and professional experience required to pursue high-paying managerial positions in India and overseas.

What you should know about pursuing a PhD in India after completing an MBA:

• Duration : In India, depending on the curriculum and university, you can earn your PhD after an MBA in 3-5 years.
• Eligibility :To apply for a PhD in India, you must have finished a two-year MBA programme and passed the UGC-NET or GATE test, as well as qualify for admission to India’s top business schools and universities.
• Requirements : To boost your chances of getting a PhD after an MBA in India, you’ll need GATE / UGC – NET / CSIR – NET scores, a research proposal, letters of recommendation, and optional job experience.
• Indian Institutes of Management Studies (IIMs)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• National Institute of Management, Calcutta
• Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi
• Benaras Hindu University
• PhD in Organizational Behaviour/Management
• PhD in Behavioural Finance
• PhD in Applied Statistics
• PhD in Information Technology/Data Analytics
• PhD in Market Analysis and Research

NOTE: It is often advisable that students choose the area for research in which they have specialised during their MBA. It is however not compulsory.

PhD After MBA In Distance Education

One can do a PhD after MBA in Distance Education but few things need to be taken into consideration.

It is important that the institution from where the candidate has pursued their MBA in Distance education form is recognised by the UGC or any other supreme commission, as relevant to the country.

Also, the degree must match the eligibility criteria as well for the PhD program one is applying to.

Can I do a PhD after Distance MBA?

• Yes, one can do a PhD after a distance MBA.
• The institute must be recognised by UGC.
• Universities cannot differentiate between the degrees.
• The degree earned must be in tandem with the degree mentioned in the eligibility criteria. 
• The application process is as same as the process for regular courses.
• Candidates must submit their mark sheets, documents, essays, SOP s, etc. like any other regular candidate.
• The admission in a PhD program is based mostly on entrance exams and interviews. 
• Some institutes may prefer regular students over the ones who pursue their degrees via distance education mode.
•  The decision to select a candidate or not is solely based on the discretion of the university.

Best College to Study PhD After MBA

There is a lot of scope for pursuing PhD after MBA abroad . There is also a greater advantage of its scope and recognition in countries abroad.

Some of the top business schools around the world that offers PhD after MBA are as follows:

PhD After MBA in USA

PhD after MBA in USA is the most popular place, it especially is a great place to pursue a PhD after MBA because of a highly research-friendly environment.

The USA is home to the top business schools and offers students with unlimited data and resources to facilitate their research. The amenities provided to PhD researchers are quite good here as well.

• University of Pennsylvania
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• The University of California
• Columbia University
• Kellogg School of Management 
• The University of Chicago
• Washington University 
• Cornell University
• University of Michigan

Also Read: PhD in USA

PhD after MBA in Australia is a very pleasant place to be at and it is also home to many great universities.

PhD After MBA in Australia

There are many great B-schools that offer PhD programs after MBA . There is a lot of scope for applying practical methods here because of the way businesses and cor[orates are run here.

Students will have a lot of opportunities to conduct researches and collect primary as well as secondary data.

• University of Sydney
• University of Melbourne
• University of Queensland
• Australian National University
• UNSW Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Canberra
• Monash University
• University of Adelaide

PhD After MBA in Germany

PhD after MBA in Germany is probably the best place because of the many facilities like the grant which is available for students.

Germany boasts of some of the best universities in the world and has the best management programs as well. Many universities in Germany offer PhD in management and great guidance to students to help them in their research work.

• Technical University of Munich
• Heidelberg University
• University of Berlin
• University of Hamburg
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• University of Freiburg
• Bielefeld University
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• RWTH Aachen University

PhD After MBA In UK

UK is the home to many of the top business schools in the world the following are some of the top universities in UK that offer PhD after MBA:

• University of Warwick: Warwick Business School
• Durham University Business School
• University of Nottingham: Business School
• The University of Edinburgh: Business School
• Cranfield School of Management
• Leeds University: Business School
• University of Exeter: Business School
• Lancaster University Management School
• University of Birmingham: Business School
• University of Glasgow: Business School

PhD After MBA In Canada

Canada is one of the top sought after countries for pursuing higher studies and the following are some of the top Business schools in Canada offering PhD after MBA:

• McGill University – Desautels Faculty of Management
• University of Toronto Joseph L. Rotman School of Management
• University Of British Columbia Sauder School Of Business
• Western University – Ivey Business School
• HEC Montréal
• York University Schulich School Of Business
• Smith School of Business – Queen’s University

PhD After MBA In Finance

PhD in Finance gives students an excellent academic career as it is a research-oriented course 3 year course . Students usually pursue PhD in Finance after graduating with an MBA degree in Finance.

PhD in Finance deals with the advanced study of Management Accounting, Valuation of Shares, Cost, Privatization and Globalization, etc.

The minimum academic requirement for applying for a PhD in Finance is Post Graduation in courses with a minimum aggregate of 55% in Accountancy, Economics or Mathematics 

Students are also required to obtain the minimum qualifying marks in entrance exams such as UGC NET, RMAT, JNUEE, GTU PhD Entrance Exam.

PhD in Finance requires expertise in subjects like Mathematics and Economics .

The top universities offering this program are:

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
• Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
• The Centurion University of Technology and Management
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science

Scope Of PhD After MBA in Finance

PhD after MBA in Finance has opportunities after opportunities. There is a wide scope of opportunities and many companies look out for such candidates to hire because of their skill and both theoretical and practical knowledge.

Students once graduated with a PhD in Finance after MBA often find work as Stockbroker , Statistician , Finance Manager, Corporate Banking Executive , etc.

Top companies like the ones mentioned below seek to recruit the candidates who have completed their PhD in Finance.

• TATA Consultancy
• Genpact Technologies Ltd

PhD After MBA In HR

PhD in Human Resource Manage ment is a doctorate program spread over 3 to 5 years and deals with the policies and teaching processes that organisations follow to maximise efficiency and productivity. It also teaches the candidates the necessary skills required to become an efficient human resource manager.

The minimum academic requirement for applying for a PhD in HR is Post Graduation in courses with a minimum aggregate of 55% from an Indian institute or a recognised foreign institute.

Students are also required to obtain the minimum qualifying marks in entrance exams such as UGC NET, CSIR NET, JNUEE

Scope Of PhD After MBA in HR

Students once graduated with a PhD in HR after MBA often find work as Human Resource Manager. HR Executive, HR Consultant, Training Coordinator, Training Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Personnel Manager, HR Director, etc.

PhD After MBA In Marketing

PhD in Marketing is a doctorate program spread over 3 years to prepare students to perform research in marketing fields and also a career in the academic field.

The minimum academic requirement for applying for a PhD in Marketing is Post Graduation in courses with a minimum aggregate of 55% from an Indian institute or a recognised foreign institute along with a follow up interview as required by the institute.

Students are also required to obtain the minimum qualifying marks in entrance exams such as  UGC NET, CSIR NET, ICMR JRF

Scope Of PhD After MBA in Marketing

Students once graduated with a PhD in Marketing after MBA often find work as Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager, New Product Manager, Teacher & Lecturer, Tell Caller/Tele sales, etc

PhD After MBA Salary

Obtaining a PhD after MBA also aids increasing a person’s salary and it can be anywhere between an average salary of INR 2,00,000 to- INR 14,00,000. Graduates can also opt to work in corporate firms or as Professors in MBA universities.

Scope Of PhD After MBA

PhD after MBA opens up doors to many opportunities such as research in various fields such as f inance, management or business. Along with that, graduates can also opt to work in corporate firms or as Professors in MBA universities

Ans. There are many options for students who want to do a PhD after their MBA is done. It is important that the MBA course the candidate has done is for the duration of 2 years . The most common career path that is chosen is teaching.

Ans. You can complete your MBA in 1- 2 years as compared to PhD which takes 4-6 years. So MBA is considered advantageous as it allows the student to start their career far sooner.

Ans. Yes, you can do PhD while working, but this can only happen if you are keen to work. Working full time and doing PhD is not easy, you won’t  make progress without constant effort.

Ans. Yes, you can do PhD at the age of 40, most of the person who do this are mostly in education sector. The only problem that comes up is that not all programs will be open for you.

Ans: Yes, one can do a PhD after MBA. There are Various Business Schools all over the world that offer PhD programs that can be pursued after an MBA. For the MBA itself, many schools require some years of work experience.

About the Author & Expert

Piyush Bhartiya

Piyush values education and has studied from the top institutes of iit roorkee, iim bangalore, kth sweden and tsinghua university in china. post completing his mba, he has worked with the world's # 1 consulting firm, the boston consulting group and focused on building sales and marketing verticals for top mncs and indian business houses., related posts.

Comments ( 0 )

What makes CV different? Social Experiment by CV

#ChunoWahiJoHaiSahi

Explore Programs

Top Universities

Get Best University at Affordable Fee

Real Time Data of Universities to help you to decide

Dedicated Assistance from our Certified Experts

Compare & Select from 100+ Best University for your Ph.D. After MBA Course

• No-Cost EMI From  ₹4,999/-
• 100% Placement Assistance

Updated at : May 7, 2024

Ph.D. After MBA

Watch Video

Listen Podcast

No. of Universities

Course Duration

3 - 5 Years

Eligibility

Graduation or Equivalent

Learning Mode

EMI Facility

• Program Overview
• Key Highlights
• Subjects/Syllabus
• Eligibility & Duration
• Program Fees
• Admission Procedure
• Education Loan/EMIs
• Career Scope

Ph.D. After MBA Program Overview

PhD after MBA might sound new to you but its impact on a professional’s life has already created a history. After completing an MBA program in any domain in regular or online mode, you can apply for a PhD program. However, to become eligible for this course, you need to have a good score in some national-level entrance exams of GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET. For a PhD abroad , you need to score well on the English level proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS and the entrance exam of GRE. In India, it takes around 5 years to complete a PhD program while abroad it ranges between 4 to 7 years.

Among the top management universities in India, FMS New Delhi, IIMs, BHU, and IITs are some renowned ones offering PhD after MBA. They provide learners with a list of top specializations in the business field including PhD Finance, PhD Operation Management, PhD Marketing, PhD Human Resource Management, and many others.

Here are some key aspects that you must know about PhD after MBA: 

Making it easy for PhD after MBA aspirants, some foreign universities have launched an online version of it in the name of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) online which also adds a “Dr.” title to your name in just 3 years and is equally credible as a regular PhD program in India. An online DBA is not offered by Indian universities as it is yet not approved by UGC but on completing it from an accredited foreign university, it will be completely recognized in the global industry.

Why Opt for a Ph.D. After MBA?

Completing an MBA will help you explore senior management positions in your functional domain but doing a PhD after MBA will bring new opportunities for you! It will help you climb up the organizational ladder and become a suitable fit for CXO positions. Based on the specialization you choose in your PhD program, you will have a variety of options not only in the business sector but also in the research and teaching fields. Above all, a PhD after MBA will increase your earning potential by multiple times which otherwise would take several years to achieve.

All of the above-mentioned benefits can also be explored with an online DBA program which is a more accessible and affordable version of PhD. Its entrance-free admission procedure and short duration of 3 years encourage a large number of candidates to opt for it.

Who Should Do a Ph.D. After MBA?

All fresh MBA graduates and working professionals serving any business domain can apply for a PhD program. The only restriction that is there is they need to clear the entrance exams with the minimum cut-off score to get admission to their desired university and specialization.

With an online DBA program, you have the liberty to apply for it after your graduation, and the best part about it is that you do not have to appear for any entrance exam. 

When To Do a Ph.D. After MBA?

If you are concerned about the age limit to apply for a PhD program, you must go through the age restrictions put on the entrance exams for it. For instance, for a UGC-NET exam (JRF), the maximum age limit is 30 years and on the other hand, a GATE exam has no specific age limit.

With an entrance-free admission process, an online DBA program makes all interested graduates apply for it at any age. This feature of the program has made even senior professionals apply for it.

Key Highlights of Ph.D. After MBA In India

• Get recognized for your management expertise with a PhD after MBA program.
• Opt for your choice of specialization in PhD after completing an MBA in online, regular, or distance mode.
• Qualify for the UGC-NET or GATE Exam to take part in a reputed institute’s PhD program.
• Choose your major from a long list of PhD specializations including Finance, Operation Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management, etc.
• Develop a research-focused understanding of the business concepts and launch new methodologies for the betterment of the industries.
• Earn a “Dr.” title with the completion of PhD from top management institutes like FMS New Delhi, IIMs, BHU, IITs, and others.
• Jumpstart your career as a CEO, COO, and board of director upon completion of PhD after MBA.
• Enjoy the benefit of completing your PhD at any age with no age capping.
• Widen up your career chances in the research and teaching domain other than the business world with a PhD after MBA.

Admission Closing Soon

Compare & Enroll NOW

• To avoid paying 25% Late Fees on all the online courses
• To secure a seat in your dream university
• To avail of some amazing Early Benefits

Ph.D. After MBA Course Subjects/Syllabus

The course structure of a PhD program is research-oriented and focused on the industrial aspects of the business. The syllabus of PhD offered at IIM Ahmedabad is provided here to help you get an overview of the program. 

Top Specializations of Ph.D. After MBA

There is a long list of specializations available in PhD programs based on the domain you choose. Here is a list of top specializations that you can opt for in PhD after MBA.

All of the above-mentioned specializations are available in online DBA programs allowing you to opt for a domain of your choice.

Ph.D. After MBA Eligibility & Duration

The eligibility criteria to apply for a PhD after MBA include the following points:

• A master’s degree in the related field from a UGC-recognized university or institution
• A minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grades in the master’s degree
• A good score in the entrance exams conducted for PhD program like NET, GATE, or any other university-specific exam
• For PhD abroad, candidates need to pass English Proficiency Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• A statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR), academic transcripts, and an updated resume are also needed for  PhD abroad
• A good score on the GRE is needed for PhD abroad other than a master’s degree

To read the updated guidelines of UGC for undergraduate students, click here .

In case you want to skip these complications of understanding whether you are eligible for a PhD or not, go for an online DBA program that only demands a credible master’s or bachelor’s degree + work experience from an accredited university. 

The duration of a PhD after MBA in India takes around 5 years. However, if you are planning to do it from foreign, you will be able to complete it in 4-7 years. To complete it in an even shorter period of 3 years, you can opt for an Online DBA program.

Benefits of learning from us

• Join CV Community for peer interaction
• Get placement support via webinars & networking sessions
• Dedicated CV Buddy for your queries
• One-on-One career mentorship sessions
• Ensures timely delivery of LMS & degree
• A career advisor for life

Program Fees for Ph.D. After MBA

Starting at ₹ 6,776/month

Program Fee: ₹60,000 - ₹2,50,000

Low Cost EMI Available

Recommended

The fee package of the PhD program ranges between INR 15,000 and INR 5,00,00. This figure varies from university to university. If you have qualified for a PhD from a government institution like IGNOU or DU, your course will be completed under 1 lakhs. However, on going to a private institution, the cost of the program increases.

Online DBA programs are more expensive than regular PhD courses in India as these are offered by accredited international universities. It generally starts at INR 7 lakhs.

Ph.D. After MBA Admission Procedure

The admission process for a PhD program begins with filling out the application form for the national-level research entrance exams like UGC-NET, GATE, etc., or university-specific ones. After cracking these exams, candidates will have to appear for an interview wherein they will present their research proposal to the mentors of the university they have been selected for. On completing the paperwork and other documentation formalities for grants or stipends, candidates will be allowed to start with their research work.

With an online DBA, you will have a simple admission process that will not involve any entrance exam or interview. 

Trusted Information

We provide only authentic information from verified universities to save you from fraud.

Hassle-Free Admission Process

Enroll in your program via a simplified process guided by our expert counselors.

Pay Directly to the University

The guidance & support offered by us is completely free, so you can trust us & pay directly to the university.

CV Community at the Center

Join our telegram community to share your thoughts with other learners & alumni.

Growth of Online Education in India

• Online education in India is set to grow at a CAGR of 19.9% by 2030.
• Skill development and employment are the major driving forces for this growth.
• Higher education is gaining popularity in this online medium.
• Financially affordability is a significant contributor to this boom.
• The increased adoption of technologies, i.e., the Internet and smartphones, has increased accessibility significantly.
• The advantage of flexibility in terms of time and location is the key highlight.

Education Loan/EMI Facilities for Ph.D. After MBA

In general, the universities offering PhD programs do not have an EMI option in their fee payment method. However, to help students financially, some of them have developed an installment-based fee structure through which they can pay their fees in part. Moreover, you can avail of a debit card or credit card EMI facility if applicable at your chosen university.

In an online DBA course, you will have the option of an education loan which adds to the accessibility of this program by making you pay the fee in easy EMIs.

Apply For No Cost EMI

Is Ph.D. After MBA Worth it?

If you wish to retire from a respected designation in your career, a PhD after MBA is something you should think about! After an MBA, you become eligible for the senior management positions but with a PhD, you get the chance to take charge of the business strategies and model as a CEO or COO of the organization. 

The research-focused learnings of the management concepts make you develop an innovative approach toward business issues. The choice of specialization in this highest degree program in the management field gives you the freedom to choose your domain. Upon completion of the PhD after the MBA, both your designation and the salary package increase by many folds. All of these offerings are also obtained after completing an online DBA after MBA. Thus, for a long-term and successful career, a PhD after MBA or an an online DBA after MBA is worth giving a shot!

• CV Advantages

College Vidya Advantages

Job Opportunity after Ph.D. After MBA

Upon completing PhD after MBA, you not only earn a “Dr.” title but unlock some premium job designations that were not in your reach before. The career prospects that you have after a PhD will be the same after you complete an online DBA. Some of these job titles are listed below along with their annual package to give you an overview of the career prospects after a PhD/an online DBA.

Top Recruiters for Ph.D. After MBA

Top organizations in the business sector hire PhD candidates actively. These organizations admire the innovative way these PhD graduates use to tackle business issues. Their “out of the box” thinking puts them in the limelight for top recruiters globally. Online DBA holders also have a special place for top recruiters as their knowledge of global business trends adds significant value to their organizations.

Our students work at

Let's clear up some doubts about Ph.D. After MBA

1 is phd after mba a good option.

Yes, getting a PhD after MBA adds new career opportunities to your list. It makes you climb up the organizational ladder to CXO positions and improves your salary package at the same time.

2 Which specializations can I choose in PhD after MBA?

There are numerous specializations available in the management domain of PhD for MBA graduates which include Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Operation Management, and many more.

3 Which entrance exams are considered for PhD after MBA?

To qualify as a PhD candidate, you need to score well in UGC-NET, GATE, GRE, or other research-oriented entrance exams.

4 How long does a PhD after MBA take to complete?

In India, it takes around 5 years to complete a PhD but abroad, this period ranges between 4-7 years depending on your chosen university.

5 Can I do PhD after MBA without a master's?

As per the earlier UGC guidelines, online master’s degree holders with a minimum of 55% marks were eligible to apply for PhD but with the updated guidelines 4-year graduates with 75% marks can also apply for it.

Every query is essential.

Our team of experts, or experienced individuals, will answer it within 24 hours.

By clicking, you agree to our Privacy Policy , & Our Trust

The intend of College Vidya is to provide unbiased precise information & comparative guidance on Universities and its Programs of Study to the Admission Aspirants. The contents of the College vidya Site, such as Texts, Graphics, Images, Blogs, Videos, University Logos, and other materials contained on College vidya Site (collectively, “Content”) are for information purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for in any form on offerings of its Academia Partner. Infringing on intellectual property or associated rights is not intended or deliberately acted upon. The information provided by College Vidya on www.collegevidya.com or any of its mobile or any other applications is for general information purposes only. All information on the site and our mobile application is provided in good faith with accuracy and to the best of our knowledge, however, we make nor representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, completeness of any information on the Site or our mobile application. College vidya & its fraternity will not be liable for any errors or omissions and damages or losses resultant if any from the usage of its information.

Build with . Made in India.

Top 10 Courses to pursue after MBA Marketing in India

• Vinayak Kashyap

Win Rs 15,000 Worth of Digital Marketing E-Books to land your First Job for Free!

-> are you looking for a job in digital marketing, -> do you want to learn the ins and outs of the industry so you can land your dream job, -> if so, then this e-book is for you, >>participate now for free>>, share this post.

MBA in Marketing is a management programme that focuses on marketing’s role and significance in the business world. Its goal is to prepare gifted and enthusiastic students to confront the many challenges that the Indian and global markets provide.

This programme provides students with a strong foundation in marketing concepts and abilities, allowing them to make better decisions and solve problems. Furthermore, students seeking a Master of Business Administration in Marketing can choose from a range of career pathways, each of which is distinctive and exciting in its own right.

A specialisation increases work skills, instils business principles, and aids in personality development, so adding one to your profile is always a good idea. These courses have a wide range of applications in the workplace and will help you develop professionally and personally.

Apart from that, post-MBA courses in India offer the option to study abroad and obtain further knowledge of international business ethics. For some motivated individuals, continuing their education through Diploma or Certificate Courses in India is beneficial because it gives them an edge in the job market.

So, are you prepared to pursue a course after completing your MBA? If yes, then scroll down to the top 10 best post-MBA courses in India and choose the one that best suits you😃✨….

Table of Contents

List of Best Courses[Certificate and Degree] to pursue after MBA Marketing in India

Top certification courses after mba marketing :, 1. digital marketing certification.

Because digital marketing is a new field, it is still developing. As a result, merely degrees and certificates aren’t enough to be a great Digital Marketer. You must have a strong desire to study, research, and find new trends in the industry and in the digital realm.

A Digital Marketing Certificate can help you get started on your path to a successful career in the field. You may understand and master the whole terrain of digital marketing and digital channels by taking professional certification courses in digital marketing.

The duration of this certification course is 3 months to 6 months.

Job Profile:

• Market Research Analyst
• Content Marketer/Manager
• Digital Marketing Consultant
• SEO Manager/Professional
• PPC Search Manager

Average Salary:

The average salary after completing this certification is 3 lakh per annum to 6 lakh per annum.

2. Media Planning Certification Course

Media planning is both an art and a science when it comes to maximising a client’s earnings across a variety of networks, including search, social, email, and display advertising. The more visible your website is, the more trustworthy your brand is.

Media planners at advertising companies are the most common people who undertake media planning. To maximise ROI on media spend, media planners must collaborate with media buyers and the client organisation to design a strategy. Media planners must be well-versed with the organization’s brand and target audience, as well as numerous media outlets and emerging media trends.

The duration of this certification course is 2 months to 5 months.

Job Profiles  in Media Planning:

• Media Planner
• Media Buyer
• PPC Analyst
• Campaign Manager
• Advertising Manager

The average salary after completing this certification is 6 lakh per annum to 10 lakh per annum.

3. Product Manager Courses

Product management is a course offered by numerous online websites.  The student will learn about product planning, organisation, forecasting, development, and, finally, marketing. They will become accustomed to this procedure as they will be required to use it for the remainder of their employment. The development of new items will be familiar to the students. Throughout the course, they will receive everything necessary and appropriate instruction from their lecturers as well as working professionals with years of experience to assist them build their knowledge. The course assists students in learning and applying skills that are essential in a difficult professional circumstance.

The duration of this certification is around 3 to 10 months.

• Product Analyst
• Associate Product Manager
• Product Designer
• Product Owners and Heads

The average salary after completing this certification is 4 lakh per annum to 8 lakh per annum according to payscale data.

4. Retail Certification Course

The complete certificate programme in retail management provides students with a practical grasp of the retail industry, including topics such as retail buying, category management, retail store operations, and customer marketing. The certificate programme provides participants with a practical understanding of the whole retail industry and prepares them for a successful career in the industry. The courses also provide learners with the tools and terminologies they’ll need to survive and thrive in this rapidly expanding industry.

The duration of this certification programme is 6 months

• Retail Manager
• Customer Care Executives
• Marketing Executive
• Merchandiser
• Store Manager

The average salary after completing this certification is 2 lakh per annum to 9 lakh per annum.

5. Six Sigma Certification Courses

Six Sigma is a statistics-based data-driven improvement strategy that aids in the reduction or elimination of faults or difficulties related to a company’s products or services in order to develop an effective and efficient business. Six Sigma processes is a methodology that aims to improve corporate performance and efficiency. As a result, other businesses are clamouring for a better knowledge of the process.

Coursera, Alison, Management, and Statistical institutions are some of the online and offline venues that provide an overview of the Six Sigma process through an integrated module or a distinct course. The length of time it takes for different institutions to complete the certification courses and for different charges, fluctuates.

The duration of the certification course alters from one website to another ( Few hours to months)

• Business Optimization Specialist
• Supply Chain Manager
• Business Process Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Project Manager

The average salary of an individual after receiving a specialization certificate for these courses is 2 lakh per annum to 22 lakh per annum and it depends on expertise and level of certification.

6. Risk Management Courses

The process of discovering, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization’s capital and earnings is covered in the risk management course. Risk management courses are provided in India at several levels, including diploma, certificate, UG, PG, and PhD. These courses are available in both online and offline formats.

Many online websites, such as Coursera, offer certificates for free, while others, such as Udemy and edX, charge a small cost for these certifications.

The duration of these courses depends on the choice of specialization spanning from 6 months and to 5 years.

• Risk Governance
• Risk Modeling Enterprise
• Risk Management Consultant
• Head of Market Risk
• Investment Risk Analyst

The average salary after completing the respective courses is 2 lakh per annum to 15 lakh per annum and it depends on degree of specialization.

Top Degree Courses to pursue after MBA Marketing:

7. p.hd. in business administration.

A Ph.D. in Business Administration is a research-based degree that lasts three to five years. The course’s purpose is to produce students with a deep analytical understanding of business foundations. It includes topics like KPIs, management, quantitative and qualitative procedures, and more.

The primary objectives of the course are to apply scientific methodology concepts to business inquiry, as well as to develop analytical skills and undertake business research. Understanding and improving measurement, scaling, and sampling procedures, which are critical business tools, is also a top goal.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must have completed 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4+2 years of full-time study at a recognized university or board.
• Candidates must have completed a master’s degree programme in the relevant discipline, such as an MBA, MPhil, or any other master’s degree programme.
• In master’s degree programmes, they should have received a minimum of 55 percent.
• UGC-NET and ICAR NET are two entrance tests that are taken into consideration for admission to Ph.D. Business Administration programmes.

The duration of this doctorate programme is 3-5 years.

• Assistant Manager
• Events Executive
• Administration Manager
• Business Administrative Executive

The average salary of an individual after completing this doctorate programme is 7 lakh per annum to 18 lakh per annum.

8. Ph.D. in Finance

Ph.D. Finance is a finance doctorate programme. It is a research-based course that prepares students for a successful academic career. Ph.D. Finance focuses on advanced topics such as share valuation, privatisation and globalization, business environment meaning and definition, cost and management accounting, industrial growth and structural changes, and so on.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in finance are educated in areas such as statistics, investments, economics, and corporate finance theory. In addition, as part of their course curriculum, students will be exposed to a variety of markets and financial products. Ph.D. in Finance is a research-oriented programme designed for those who want to pursue a career in academia or research.

• Students must complete their post-graduate studies in topics such as accounting, economics, and other relevant topics.
• In addition, the student must have a minimum of 55 percent in their post-graduate course. Candidates who are SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD are given a 5% mark reduction.
• Candidates must participate in the admissions process, which includes a written entrance exam and a personal interview.

The duration of this doctorate course is 3 years.

• Stockbroker
• Statistician
• Credit Control Manager
• Finance Manager
• Corporate Banking Executive

The average salary of an individual after completing this doctorate programme is 5 lakh per annum to 14 lakh per annum.

9. Ph.D. in Marketing

A Ph.D. in Marketing is a three to five year full-time doctorate programme. This is a professional degree that intends to prepare students to teach and do research using a variety of courses that focus on theoretical aspects of marketing. Students will explore quantitative models in marketing literature and learn how to analyse and assess current models in this course. Students spend a lot of time thinking about challenges like research design, measurement and scaling, and data gathering.

Marketing models, statistics, research techniques, marketing, and public policy marketing theory, and other topics are covered in this discipline.

• A Master’s degree or MPhil in Marketing is required of the student.
• He or she must receive at least 60% of the total grades from any accredited university.
• The primary prerequisite for admission to this programme is that you must pass the entrance examination with the required cut-off scores.
• In addition, the students must do well in the Personal Interview round.

The duration of this doctorate course is 3 to 5 years.

•  E-Marketing Manager
• Internet Marketing Manager
• Marketing Communications Leader
• Resident Marketing Executive

The average salary of an individual after completing this doctorate programme is 2 lakh per annum to 10 lakh per annum.

10. Masters in Data Science

After graduation, a master’s degree in data science is one of the top options. Because, in a world where 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are produced every day, a professional who can arrange this data to deliver business solutions will be in high demand, data science has acquired the nickname “the best job of the twenty-first century.”

With the Big Data craze showing no signs of abating, worldwide organizations are scrambling to hire Data Scientists to help them manage their mission-critical data.

• Because this is a Master’s programme, having a Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Various entrance exams for different institutes might be conducted for final selection.

The duration of this course varies between 6 months to 2 years as it is present as a full-time as well as a part-time course.

• Administrator
• Business Intelligence Manager.

The average salary of a master’s graduate in Data Science is 6-7 lakh per annum according to Payscale.com.

Conclusion:

The above is a list of some of the excellent courses to pursue after MBA Marketing in India. We hope that we provided the best information regarding your query and helped you to pursue your interest in a given programme.😊🌈

Share this:

Subscribe to our newsletter, get updates and learn from the best, more to explore.

Fitness Training Courses in Delhi: Your Path to a Fun and Rewarding Career

Spread the loveOnce upon a time, in the bustling city of Delhi, there were many people who wanted to help others become strong and healthy.

Email Writing Format for Students: A Complete Format Guide for Students

Spread the love 58 / 100 Powered by Rank Math SEO As a student, you’ll need to write a lot of emails, whether it’s to

Still Confused which Course to pick