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Best Doctorates in Business Administration: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

Many professionals are looking for ways to stand out amongst their peers and secure employment in today’s competitive job market. One strategy to make yourself a highly attractive candidate to employers is to advance your education. This article discusses the best PhDs in Business Administration so you can land one of the best business administration jobs.

You’ll discover the ten best programs in the United States to earn a PhD in Business Administration, including online programs accessible anywhere in the world. You’ll also learn about some of the best business administration jobs, their salaries, and job outlooks. Finally, you’ll learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about what it’s like to get a business administration PhD.

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What is a phd in business administration.

A PhD in business administration is a research-based degree that trains doctoral students to contribute to the field of business education by studying and testing business theory. Students in doctorate business administration programs conduct research and use theory to solve problems in the business world. A PhD degree is a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest achievable degree in the field of study. It is typically awarded to a university professor who conducts research that contributes to an institution’s academic resources.

How to Get Into a Business Administration PhD Program: Admission Requirements

The most important requirements for acceptance into a business administration PhD program is usually a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA),or in some cases an undergraduate degree. Professional experience is also sometimes required, depending on the institution. Some programs may have additional admission requirements such as proof of English proficiency for international students.

Doctoral degree in business administration programs require proof of excellence in preceding levels of education. For instance, a minimum 3.0 GPA is necessary for admission to most programs. You’ll also need to provide relevant documentation including transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.

PhD in Business Administration Admission Requirements

• Graduate Application for Admission
• Official transcripts from previous institutions
• GMAT or GRE Scores
• Official proof of degree(s) from previous institution(s)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students

Business Administration PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Business Administration?

It is very hard to get into a PhD program in business administration because most institutions only admit at most 5 candidates per year. These limited slots are dependent on funding and make programs very competitive.

To get into a PhD program, a student should have a high GPA, high scores in standardized tests, a lot of research experience, a business background, and a compelling statement of purpose expressing intent to conduct research that will be beneficial to the university.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

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Best PhDs in Business Administration: In Brief

Best universities for business administration phds: where to get a phd in business administration.

If you’re wondering where to get a PhD in business administration, we have compiled an in-depth list of possibilities. The following list of the best universities for business administration PhDs are known for their high standard of academic excellence as well as their accomplished faculty members and cutting-edge resources. Let’s dive in.

Founded in 1885, Arizona State is a public research institution with one of the largest enrollments in the country. The Graduate College offers over 400 degree options in business, engineering, and technology, among other fields. The world-renowned W.P Carey Business School offers a doctoral business program with many areas of specialization.

PhD in Business Administration 

Arizona State University’s PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in management  is designed to give scholars the tools to assume diverse roles at leading research institutions. There is an emphasis on developing research and teaching skills. It is a two-part program, with a 12 credit hour foundational requirement and a minimum 30 credit hour advanced requirement.

PhD in Business Administration Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: Approximately 5% to 10%
• Tuition and Fees: $32,632/year (in-state); $44,456/year (out-state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, awards, employment, work-study, grants, and scholarships
• 3.0-4.00 grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework 
• Graduate admission application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts 
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers 
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Official degree certificate for some countries 

Drexel University is a private research institution. A large urban university, it currently has over 24,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and more than 120 postgraduate programs. LeBow College of Business offers two PhDs: business and economics.

Doctorate in Business Administration

Drexel’s Doctorate in Business Administration offers senior managers training in scientific methodology that will prepare them to tackle complex industry challenges and academic careers. It makes use of Drexel’s 120 years of experiential learning to provide a solid foundation in applied research and analysis. Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 credits within a period of two and a half years (10 consecutive quarters) for the DBA degree. 

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Overview

• Program Length: 2.5 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $2,000/credit hour
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Assistantships, Fellowships, Awards 

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Admission Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework and minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale for graduate-level coursework
• Official transcripts
• Standardized Tests Score GMAT/GRE 
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers
• Statement of purpose 
• Letters of recommendation 

Duke University is a highly competitive private research institution. It’s ranked among the top universities in the world with an acceptance rate of 5.7 percent and offers one of the best PhDs in Business Administration. Duke’s current enrollment is approximately 17,000 students with around 10,000 postgraduates. 

PhD Program in Business Administration

Duke’s PhD in Business Administration offered by the Fuqua School of Business prepares students for academic careers at leading educational institutions and business careers that require advanced analytical and research skills. 

The program offers various concentration areas including accounting, marketing management, and decision sciences. To graduate, you must complete a minimum of 79 credits or 65 credits for joint degree students. 

PhD Program in Business Administration Overview

• Acceptance Rate: Approximately 2% to 8%
• Tuition and Fees: $17,755/year, typically covered by the university
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Stipends, assistantships, tuition coverage, fee coverage, coverage of health insurance premiums, and fully funded training program appointments.

PhD Program in Business Administration Admission Requirements

• 3 letters of recommendation
• Competitive GMAT or GRE scores 
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores for non-native English speakers
• Undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Statement of purpose

Fordham University is a private Jesuit institution with campuses in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Westchester. It is made up of four undergraduate and six postgraduate colleges with over 15,300 students. The Gabelli School of Business offers a flagship two-year business program in leadership and management for aspiring business leaders.

PhD in Business

Fordham’s doctoral business degree is a full-time study program that prepares students for careers in academia. It offers various fields of study including finance, management, information technology, marketing, and business law. Upon admission, you’ll select one of two interdisciplinary curriculum tracks: capital markets or strategy and decision-making.

PhD in Business Overview

• Tuition and Fees: Funding decisions are part of the admissions process
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition remission, stipends, and healthcare

PhD in Business Admission Requirements

• Master’s in a relevant field such as economics, mathematics, finance, etc 
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale 
• Minimum GMAT score of 700 or minimum GRE scores of 160 for both verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning and minimum score of 5 in analytical writing 
• Minimum TOEFL Score of 105 or minimum IELTS Score of 7.5 for non-native English speakers
• Application fee of $75

George Washington University is the largest post-secondary institution in the District of Columbia. There are currently over 11,000 undergraduate and 15,500 postgraduate students in attendance, with over 70 areas of study. Its postgraduate programs span political studies, arts, law, education, business, health, and engineering. 

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

This program prepares candidates for successful careers as scholars at top research institutions or for careers as contributors to the business community. There is a two-year pre-candidacy stage during which students complete coursework and a comprehensive examination, and one year long a dissertation defense stage. Students must complete 45 credits, 39 in the first two years and six in the final year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration Overview

• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $1,885/credit hour
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waivers, graduate stipends or fellowships

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration Admission Requirements

• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Minimum TOEFL score of 100, minimum IELTS score of 7.0, or minimum Duolingo score of 110 for non-native English speakers
• Application fee of $80

Harvard University is the oldest university in the US and a member of the prestigious Ivy League. It currently enrolls around 20,000 students, with approximately 6,000 undergraduates and 14,000 postgraduates. The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Science offers a variety of graduate programs in a wide range of fields from health and sciences to engineering and computer science. 

PhD in Business Administration

The PhD in Business Administration is offered jointly by the Harvard Business School and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The program has five areas of study: Marketing, Management, Strategy, Accounting and Technology, and Operations management. The coursework consists of a minimum of 13 doctoral-level semester courses and two MBA semester courses.

• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Tuition and Fees: $52,546 full tuition
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Grants, stipends, fellowships, teaching fellowships, traineeships, research assistantships, and research funding
• Exemplary GMAT or GRE scores
• Minimum TOEFL score of 100 or minimum IELTS score of 7.5 for non-native English speakers
• Optional writing sample 
• Application fee of $105

Oregon State University is a large public university with over 32,000 students enrolled in over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The Oregon State Graduate School offers numerous programs for graduate students in disciplines such as agriculture, business, and education. The College of Business offers a business administration PhD designed to prepare students for high-level careers in business.

The College of Business offers a PhD in Business Administration with opportunities for collaborative research. You learn how to conduct research in management and marketing as well as in strategy and entrepreneurship. Students are required to complete at least 18 credits of courses in research methods and statistics, 32 in supporting programs, and 24 in strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

• Program Length: 5.7 years
• Acceptance Rate: Between approximately 13% and 17%
• Tuition and Fees: $498/credit hour (in state); $1,046/credit hour (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Scholarships and fellowships
• Master’s degree
• Minimum GPA of a B average on most recent degree
• Minimum GMAT score of 600 or equivalent GRE score. GMAT preferred. 
• Minimum TOEFL score of 91 with subscores of at least 22 on each section or minimum  IELTS score of 7 for non-native English speakers
• Application fee of $75 domestic students or $85 for international students
• Personal statement 
• Resume 

Syracuse University is a competitive private school located in a mid-size city in New York State. Current enrollment is at over 21,000 students across 13 colleges. There are over 244 professional development programs with around 4,000 masters and 100 doctoral students.

The Whitman School of Management’s PhD in Business Administration is focused on developing teaching and research skills. Candidates learn the foundations of marketing, economics, logistics, information technology, and operations management and complete their degree by writing a dissertation. To graduate, students have to complete 72 credits, 42 in coursework, six in research, 24 earned through work on a dissertation. 

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• Program Length: 5-6 years
• Tuition and Fees: $1,802/credit hour
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waiver for up to 24 credits, stipends, health insurance, research grants, and travel funding 

PhD in Business Administration Admission Requirement

• Personal statement
• Minimum TOEFL score of 100
• Master’s degree preferred 

UMGC is a public university that focuses on online education across all programs and courses. It’s one of the largest distance-learning institutions in the world with an enrollment of over 90,000 online students. It has over 120 undergraduate and postgraduate programs including business administration and management. UMGC was recognized by CEO Magazine as one of the best schools to get a Doctorate of Business Administration in 2022.

Doctor of Business Administration

UMGC’s PhD in Business Administration is designed for executive-level business professionals looking to achieve their career goals. The educational experience emphasizes organizational leadership and strategic thinking that can be applied in the business world. 

Students are required to complete at least 48 credits including three prerequisite course credits, 36 core course credits, and 12 dissertation credits. Students must attain at least a B grade in each course to advance to the next course.

Doctor of Business Administration Overview

• Program Length: Average 4 years, maximum 7 years
• Tuition and Fees: $1,087/credit
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition assistance, scholarships, grants, federal financial aid, and military benefits

Doctor of Business Administration Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Personal Statement
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Minimum TOEFL score of 79, minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or minimum EIKEN grade of Pre-1 for non-native English speakers

University of Washington is one of the flagship public institutions in Washington state. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, it is particularly known for its engineering, medical and scientific research. It enrolls around 50,000 students,12,000 of them in graduate degree programs. 

PhD Program in Business Administration. 

The Foster School of Business offers a doctorate degree designed to empower scholars to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the business field. Prospective students with professional experience who are interested in academic careers will find this program particularly useful. The program is offered on a full-time basis with seven areas of specialization: information systems, finance, and management, marketing. 

• Program Length: Average 4 to 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: Approximately 3%
• Tuition and Fees: N/A
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waivers, teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships
• Undergraduate and master's degrees
• Application fee
• 3 letters of recommendations

Can You Get a PhD in Business Administration Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Business Administration online by attending a high-quality institution that offers online graduate degrees. The best institutions with online business administration degrees include Drexel University, University of Maryland Global Campus, Liberty University, Florida National University, and Temple University. These institutions have the right resources to offer online doctorate degree programs that rival in-person programs.

Best Online PhD Programs in Business Administration

How long does it take to get a phd in business administration.

It usually takes between two and a half and seven years to complete a PhD in Business Administration, depending on the student and the program. Many of the best PhDs in Business Administration require five years of study, the first three years spent on coursework, and the last two dedicated to writing a dissertation.

However, PhDs can be completed in as little as two and a half years, as is the case at Drexel University. It’s really up to you how much time you want to dedicate to earning this advanced degree and how long it takes you to comprehend the advanced coursework.

Is a PhD in Business Administration Hard?

Yes, a PhD in business administration is hard. Because PhDs are designed to prepare students for careers in academia, courses are structured to teach research skills to scholars who then apply these skills when they choose a field of study.

Upon selection of this specialization, students focus on a topic of research that they write a dissertation on. PhD programs not only have rigorous courses, but they require intensive research and defense of this research.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Business Administration?

On average, it costs $12,171 per year to get a PhD in Business Administration at a public university and $25,776 per year at a private university, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The best institutions offering a PhDs in Business Administration typically have costs between approximately $1,000 and $1,500 per credit hour.

Online degrees are often less expensive than on-campus or even low-residency programs. Whatever route you choose for your business administration PhD, there are various financial aid avenues that can help offset the cost of earning a PhD in Business Administration.

How to Pay for a PhD in Business Administration: PhD Funding Options

PhD funding options that students can use to pay for a PhD in Business Administration include tuition waivers, tuition assistance, teaching assistantships, research fellowships, rates and discounts, scholarships, grants, federal financial aid, and military and veterans benefits as well as interest-free monthly payment plans.

If the financial burden of education is prohibitive, you can always seek support from endowment funds available at many institutions. For instance, Harvard, Duke, Drexel, and Syracuse often fund high-achieving students pursuing PhDs.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

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What Is the Difference Between a Business Administration Master’s Degree and PhD?

The difference between a business administration master’s degree and PhD lies in program design and purpose. A master’s degree program provides training for students who want to pursue a successful career as a business leader. PhD programs teach research skills that empower students to study real-world challenges and develop scientific solutions in academic careers.

Therefore, while master’s programs focus on cultivating leadership skills helpful for securing executive positions, PhDs offer research experience necessary for success in academia. Masters programs are also generally shorter than PhD programs. Masters usually require two to three years of study while PhDs take around three to five years to complete, potentially even longer.

Both degrees have minimum credit requirements for graduation, but a Master in Business Administration culminates in a thesis, while a PhD in Business Administration culminates in a dissertation. PhDs programs are also typically somewhat more rigorous as this is the terminal degree in the field.

Master’s vs PhD in Business Administration Job Outlook

The Master’s in Business Administration job outlook is good. There are many potential high-paying and interesting jobs you can get with this degree such as computer and information systems manager, medical and health services manager, and human resources manager. Professions such as management analyst and accountant also require MBAs.

The PhD in Business Administration job outlook is also great. If you want to be an executive, economist, or analyst a PhD can help you achieve your goal. Also, because of the emphasis on research and education, PhD holders are equally prepared to become post-secondary education administrators, training and development managers, and professors.

Difference in Salary for Business Administration Master’s vs PhD

The average salary of a professional with a Master’s in Business Administration is $92,000, while the average salary of a business administration PhD holder is $101,000, according to PayScale. This difference in salary can be attributed to the types of careers graduates of these different degrees are qualified for. A PhD holder is likely to have better job prospects than a master’s degree holder.

Nevertheless, the salary difference is not huge. Many companies consider candidates with master’s degrees for top executive positions in business. Research-based academic institutions prefer to hire PhD holders to spearhead research projects.

Related Business Administration Degrees

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Why You Should Get a PhD in Business Administration

You should get a PhD in business administration because it gives you the opportunity to explore your passion for business at the highest level. With a PhD, you can delve into specific areas of research in business that benefit the field at large and even potentially your own organization.

You will gain the skills and expertise to approach business with a practical mindset rather than a theoretical one. A business management PhD gives you a competitive edge when applying for executive-level corporate leadership positions because it shows you are committed to the advancement of the field.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Business Administration

• Better Job Opportunities. Most jobs in business and management require a degree in business or a related field. Therefore, most people entering the job market today have at least a bachelor’s degree . Master’s degrees are also becoming more common. A PhD sets you apart from other job candidates and improves your career prospects.
• Higher Salaries. According to PayScale, a business administration PhD holder on average earns $9,000 more than a master’s degree holder. Most jobs attainable with a PhD offer higher salaries than those attainable with a master’s degree. If you want to earn more, try pursuing a PhD with a specialization like business management.
• Achieve a rewarding career. You might be interested in an area like business ethics, corporate social responsibility, or nonprofit management. If so, pursuing a PhD in Business and specializing in an area you’re passionate about can lead to a more fulfilling career.
• Hone your skills. A PhD in Business Administration will teach you strategies for leading people in the business world. You’ll gain special skills by tackling research projects and will be empowered to make an impact as a business leader.

Getting a PhD in Business Administration: Business Administration PhD Coursework

Getting a PhD in business administration prepares students to solve complex business challenges. So, it’s no surprise that most of the courses required deal with strategy and research. Core business administration PhD coursework covers research methods in management, strategic management, organizational behavior, business leadership, and data analytics in practice.

Research Methods in Managementment

This core course is the backbone of a business administration PhD because it lays the foundation for effective research. It involves the review and evaluation of the performance of management research strategies. It trains students to interpret both qualitative and quantitative research methods and apply business research tools when advising organizations.

Strategic Management

Strategic management teaches the analysis and implementation of strategy. Students develop strategic and systemic problem-solving skills that will help them excel as strategic leaders at top businesses and organizations. This course prepares anyone who takes it for corporate success in both the public and private sectors.

Organizational Behavior

Organizational behavior is the study of people and groups in organizations, and the role of organizations in shaping the social and economic life of a society. Subtopics you’ll learn about in this course include power and influence, leadership, organizational identity, and negotiation. Essentially, this course helps students understand how to interact with people so they can make businesses operate effectively.

Business Leadership

Business leadership is the ability to manage a company so that it achieves its goals. Being a strong leader requires decisive action when necessary, as well as the ability to inspire others to perform at their highest capacity.

Business leadership as taught in a business administration PhD context prepares students to take charge of business operations, steer employees to work efficiently, and enable organizations to meet their business goals.

Data Analytics in Practice

This course involves the review and refinement of the quantitative methods necessary for effective leadership. Doctoral candidates explore data mining and forecasting and predictive models that enable evidence-based decision-making for senior-level professionals. This course enables business professionals to give recommendations for strengthening business intelligence.

Best Master’s Degrees

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How to Get a PhD in Business Administration: Doctoral Program Requirements

Doctoral program requirements to get a PhD in Business Administration include advancement to candidacy, coursework completion, research requirements, examination excellence, and completion of a dissertation. In addition, unless it’s an online program, scholars might be required to fulfill normal residency. Let’s find out more.

Admission to a business administration PhD program does not guarantee a degree. You must prove to your department that you qualify to work on a dissertation. Most departments require you to pass a preliminary exam before attaining candidacy. This exam is typically conducted at the end of the first or second year of study. 

Doctoral students have to attain a minimum number of credits to graduate with a PhD in Business Administration. Those with master's degrees often have fewer classes than those with Bachelor’s degrees. Also, since PhD candidates often pursue careers in academia, they might be required to teach undergraduate classes.

PhD students start working on research projects with professors within their first two years of study. This educational stage develops research skills that are important during the next educational stage, which focuses on original research and writing. Before candidates start working on their dissertation, a committee of professors must vet their proposal.

Most research-based institutions require PhD students to work closely with university faculty and other students. This cohort model allows for the full benefit of the educational and professional opportunities available through the university. Scholars should attend classes regularly to gain experience with equipment and material, and to network with their colleagues. 

Dissertation defense is usually the final step in the process of getting a PhD. Doctoral students must submit a completed dissertation to a special committee for review. Only if the committee approves the dissertation does the candidate receive their PhD in Business Administration. 

Potential Careers With a Business Administration Degree

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PhD in Business Administration Salary and Job Outlook

PhD in Business Administration salary and job outlook is very good because holders of this PhD are eligible for important jobs with lucrative salaries. For instance, C-level executive jobs pay around $100,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For those who want to pursue careers in academia, salaries of DBA holders are significantly above average.

The job outlook for business administration doctorate holders is above average, which suggests an increase in job opportunities over the course of the next decade. For instance, jobs for information system managers, one of the highest-paid roles for someone with a PhD in Business Administration, will increase by eleven percent. Jobs for top business executives will grow by eight percent over the next 10 years, according to the BLS.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Business Administration?

With one of the best PhDs in Business Administration, you can pursue a career in academia as a professor of business at a leading research university. Alternatively, you can pursue a career in the private sector. If you have a passion for finding solutions to real-world business challenges, you can become an analyst.

The skills acquired through the pursuit of a PhD are applicable in every industry and discipline. So, the job opportunities you can pursue are limitless. Considering your added specialized skills and experience, you will be equipped to successfully manage most businesses. If you choose to start a business, you’ll have the know-how to ensure it thrives. The job market is your oyster.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Business Administration

• C-Level executive
• Research analyst
• Business consultant
• Entrepreneur

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Business Administration?

The average PhD in Business Administration salary is $101,000 per year according to PayScale . On the upper end, information systems managers with PhDs earn around $160,000 per year, while on the lower end, university professors take home around $80,000 per year. The salary of a business administration PhD holder also depends on many other factors including industry, company, experience, and more.

Highest-Paying Business Administration Jobs for PhD Grads

Best business administration jobs with a doctorate.

The best business administration jobs with a doctorate include information systems manager, financial manager, human resources director, business economist, and top executive. All these jobs guarantee a lucrative professional career. These positions also offer an array of challenges and opportunities to learn, ensuring you’ll never be bored at your job.

An information system manager, also known as an IT manager, is the person responsible for the effective operation and security of all computer systems, hardware, and software used by a business. IT managers analyze an entity’s computer needs, recommend upgrades, install and maintain hardware, and ensure the security of a business’ data.

• Salary with a Business Administration PhD: $159,010
• Job Outlook: 11% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 482,000
• Highest-Paying States: New York, California, and New Jersey

Financial managers ensure the financial health of a business or an organization. Primarily, they create financial reports, manage investments, and develop plans for a business to achieve its long-term financial goals. Other duties include monitoring financial details to ensure compliance with legal requirements, supervising staff, and analyzing market trends to find expansion opportunities. 

• Salary with a Business Administration PhD: $131,710
• Job Outlook: 17% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 681,700
• Highest-Paying States: New York, Delaware, and New Jersey

A human resource director is a senior HR professional responsible for executive decisions pertaining to policies, strategies, and practices. Primarily, they direct administrative functions in a business or organization. Other duties include acting as the link between management and employees and overseeing recruitment. 

• Salary with a Business Administration PhD: $126,230
• Job Outlook: 9% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 161,700
• Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, and District of Columbia

Business economists provide analysis for businesses, organizations, and governments to make optimal financial decisions. They collect and analyze data and evaluate economic issues to stay informed. Their other responsibilities include presenting research data, recommending solutions to economic problems, and writing articles for journals and publications.

• Salary with a Business Administration PhD: $105,630
• Job Outlook: 13% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 18,600
• Highest-Paying States: New York, District of Columbia, and California

Top executives are also known as C-level executives. They are responsible for making major decisions that impact the growth and success of a business or organization. They include the CEO (Chief Executive Office), CFO (Chief Financial Officer), COO (Chief Operating Office), and CIO (Chief Information Officer). Top executives execute departmental goals, procedures, and policies and oversee an organization’s activities and negotiate contracts. 

• Salary with a Business Administration PhD: $98,980 
• Job Outlook: 8% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 2,704,400
• Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Washington

Is a PhD in Business Administration Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Business Administration is worth it. It can make a significant improvement in your salary potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PhD professionals across all industries make on average $110,160 annually while master’s graduates earn $76,800 and bachelor’s graduates make $78,020. This means a PhD can add $32,000 to your salary annually.

Secondly, a PhD in Business Administration gives you the opportunity to pursue more than just a career. As a PhD program graduate, you will become instrumental in finding solutions to business problems. Because of this advanced skill, you will be able to pursue a fulfilling career and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.

Additional Reading About Business Administration

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PhD in Business Administration FAQ

No, a Doctor of Business Administration is not the same as a PhD, but they are only slightly different. A Doctor of Business Administration is more focused on theory, and is aimed toward teaching skills most relevant in practice of business. A PhD is a more research-oriented program. There are slight differences between a doctorate degree vs a PhD .

A PhD is best for you if your goal is to pursue a career in higher education or as a research expert in business. On the other hand, a DBA is appropriate for those who want to focus on business and organizational challenges that require research to find solutions. Either way, both doctoral degrees improve your chances in the job market.

Yes, a master’s degree is not an admission requirement for most PhD programs in the United States. However, you cannot be admitted immediately after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need a few years of professional experience and a compelling explanation of your reason for pursuing a PhD. Keep in mind that certain institutions do only admit students with master’s degrees.

Yes, you can do a PhD while working. Most PhD programs are designed for working professionals. Depending on the program there are different options, such as part-time or full-time and online, hybrid, or on-campus. If you wish to maintain your current job while advancing your education, you can definitely find a plan that fits your schedule or consider an online degree.

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University of South Florida

Muma College of Business

Tampa | St. Petersburg | Sarasota-Manatee

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Doctor of business administration, costs/financial aid.

The information on this page applies to both the Tampa-Based regular program and the online program

Program Fees

Program fees are $15,000 per semester for three years, which corresponds to $1,250 per graduate credit for this 72-credit-hour program. A separate, one-time event fee of $2,500 will be charged for the DBA introductory workshop. The DBA workshop will be held each January (only for the incoming DBA cohort).  New students will be provided with technology and training required for the program. The remaining balance will be pro-rated and paid in installments due at the start of each semester.

The USF Graduate School application fee is $30.

Fees include:

• Texts and supplies
• Course materials
• Software requirements
• Access to a large number of periodicals via the USF online library
• Continental breakfasts
• Special events and receptions
• Student IDs and parking passes
• An allowance of $6,000 for approved travel and research expenses incurred by students over the course of the program.

Choosing Between Programs

The DBA program provides a means through which working executives can acquire a terminal degree in business. It is considered a concentration of the PhD in Business Administration and, like the PhD, it focuses on research and shares the same core courses. The DBA nevertheless occupies as very different niche from the PhD, as illustrated by the table that follows:

• *Total program cost estimates do not include application fees, late fees, registration fees, educational resources (e.g., textbooks, etc.) or the one-time new graduate student fee.
• **Note: tuition includes all fees, books, parking, meals, etc. plus $8000 allowance for conferences and research expenses are included and cannot be separated out]
• ***Note: Not all students will be required to take 90 credits; some students may transfer credits.

Please note: The DBA is a market-rate program. With the exception of the Department of Children and Family (DCF) waivers, all other waivers (including State of Florida and USF employee) are not accepted for Self-Funded/Self-Supporting or Market Rate Tuition program courses.

To learn more about the classroom-based program tuition fees per credit hour, please visit: USF Tuition and Fee Information

For additional information, visit: USF Tuition Waiver Note: Some fees may vary per campus location.

For additional financial aid info, visit: https://www.usf.edu/financial-aid

Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to explore tuition assistance programs through their employer prior to applying for federal tuition assistance. Providing educational benefits and reimbursements to employees is one way organizations are helping support the continuing education of their employees.

For those whose company does not offer financial assistance, another option is to apply for a federal education loan through USF's Financial Aid website .

Graduate students are eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. More information about these loans can be found here.

Post 9-11 GI Bill for Veterans

USF Ranked #4 in the Nation for Best Colleges for Veterans The Post 9-11 GI Bill covers a large amount of the tuition and program fees for the DBA program. The USF Veterans Service office serves veterans, active duty service personnel and members of the Selected Reserve, as well as the dependents of veterans who are eligible for benefits. This office can also offer guidance regarding educational benefits eligibility and assistance with forms and forwarding of documentation to the VA. Find out more information on its website.

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Accredited Online DBA Program: Doctor of Business Administration

Business administration, degree at a glance.

• No transfer credits accepted
• All courses available online
• Select hybrid courses available
• Program restrictions apply
• Two-day residency required each term

TUITION RATES

• $1,087 per credit
• Other fees  may apply

Next Session Starts

Aim to take your career to new heights with an online Doctor of Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus. Join a community of accomplished colleagues and learn from globally diverse faculty as you strive to gain sophisticated knowledge for executive-level roles in business and management. 

Earn a Nationally Recognized DBA 

Designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, our curriculum centers on high-level management theory, strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and the latest changes and research throughout the global business environment. Through analysis of real-world scenarios and a close-knit cohort structure, the program is designed to provide lifelong learning opportunities, an authentic support network, and long-term success. This program is built for executive-level working professionals looking to strengthen their leadership skills and advance their careers in a variety of fields.

By completing this program, you will be able to take advantage of the following benefits:

• IACBE accreditation: This program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
• Top program: UMGC is a member of the Executive DBA Council and was recognized by CEO Magazine in 2022 as one of the premier global DBA providers .
• Cohort structure: Our cohort structure promotes close, interactive partnerships among students, faculty, and staff and a supportive network for lifelong learning.
• On-site & virtual residencies: Each term, the DBA program’s mandatory residency consists of two full days of instruction, which include instructor-led lectures, guest lectures, cohort discussions, presentations of class assignments, and more. Students taking the core courses attend the residencies in-person, while dissertation students attend their residencies online.

See Courses & Program Info

View a complete list of courses, program-specific requirements, residency requirements, and more.

View Courses

This program requires a total of 48 credits . Take the following courses in the order listed: 

Prerequisite Course 

• Foundations of Doctoral Studies (3 Credits, DBA 600) 

Please note: This is an 11-week prerequisite course for admission to the program. A completed application for admission, including all documents described in the program admission requirements section, must be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered for this course. 

Core Courses 

• Interpreting and Translating Management Theory in Practice (6 Credits, DBA 800) 
• Research as a Tool for Management Decision Making (6 Credits, DBA 810) 
• Evidence-Based Research Methods (6 Credits, DBA 820) 
• Data Analytics in Practice (6 Credits, DBA 830) 
• Designing Evidence-Based Management Solutions (6 Credits, DBA 840) 
• Producing Original Management Ideas That Influence: Publishing and Conferencing (6 Credits, DBA 850) 

Dissertation Courses  

• Producing Actionable Knowledge: Dissertation Problem Statement and Literature Review (4 Credits, DBA 860) 
• Producing Actionable Knowledge: Dissertation Methodology and Analysis (4 Credits, DBA 870) 
• Producing Actionable Knowledge: Management Implications from Dissertation Research (4 Credits, DBA 880) 

See Requirements

• You may only take one course per term. 
• You must complete each non-dissertation course with a grade of B or higher to advance to the next course. 
• You must complete each dissertation course with a grade of S or higher to advance to the next course. 
• The grade of C is not available for these courses. 
• The courses in this program must be successfully completed within a maximum of seven years. 
• Your course syllabus will explain options for and consequences of requesting a grade of Incomplete. 

Fulfill Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the DBA program is competitive and based on a combination of all requirements. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. 

You must submit a completed application along with all of your supplemental documentation by the appropriate application deadline to be considered for the prerequisite course. If you pass the prerequisite course with a grade of B or higher, you will be admitted to the program. 

Submit Application Materials 

You must submit the following materials to be considered for admission: 

UMGC online application for admission

Official transcript indicating successful completion of a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited university or college (equivalent degrees from other accredited institutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis; if you were educated abroad, you may need to meet additional requirements )

• Up-to-date resume (outlining professional leadership and supervisory management experience)
• Contact information for two professional references, including name, job title, organization, email address, and phone number
• 700-word personal statement outlining your career goals, including how the DBA degree will fit into your future
• Optional writing sample: This can be an article or paper you have authored, thesis, blog post, or any published material

Please note: GMAT or GRE scores are not required for the application.

Complete Interview (If Necessary)

UMGC may require a phone interview to gather additional information from an applicant. The need for an interview will be determined by the details you include in your application materials, such as the resume or CV. We would request an interview to assess your appropriate leadership-level experience. The interview, if required, would take place at the end of the process, before you are authorized to enroll in the prerequisite course.

Send Your Documentation

If mailing your supplemental documentation by U.S. Postal Mail/UPS/FedEx/DHL, please use the following address:

UMGC Student Records  3501 University Blvd. East  Adelphi, MD 20783

You can e-mail your resume, personal statement, and writing samples to admissions@umgc.edu . Contact information for two professional references can be included at the bottom of your resume. If your previous institution needs to send transcripts electronically, please follow our guidance on submitting transcripts .

Monitor Application Deadlines

All materials are due by the doctoral program application deadline for the term. Documents sent by mail must be postmarked on or before the deadline for the term.

• Fall: September 1
• Winter: November 30
• Spring: March 15
• Summer: June 15

Space permitting, late applications may be considered. Decision letters regarding eligibility for the prerequisite course are emailed to the applicant 30 days after the application closing date.

Pass the Prerequisite Course

You must pass the prerequisite course, Foundations of Doctoral Studies (3 Credits, DBA 600), with a grade of B or higher to be admitted into the program. The course details are as follows: 

• 11-week course 
• Does not count toward the 48-credit total for the DBA program 
• Does not qualify for federal financial aid because it is a prerequisite course to the program 
• Does not include a residency 
• Consideration for enrollment in this course requires a completed application package by the designated deadline 
• Course cannot be waived 

Read Mandatory Residency Requirements

One residency is held each term and is mandatory for all students enrolled in the program. Residencies consist of two full days of instruction, which include instructor-led lectures, guest lectures, cohort discussions, presentations of class assignments, and more. Residencies provide an excellent forum for discussion, peer support, networking, and scholarship.

• Students enrolled in core courses (numbered 800–850):  The residencies are held in-person in Maryland.
• Students enrolled in dissertation courses (numbered 860–880):  The residencies are held online.
• Students enrolled in the prerequisite course (DBA 600):  There is no residency.

These residencies are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays, usually in the fifth week of the term. On Fridays, the residency is held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, residency is held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residency attendance is mandatory for the full two-day period each term. If a student is unable to attend residency for the full two days, they must defer enrollment until the next available term. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and residency expenses.

Residencies for upcoming terms will take place in Maryland on the following dates:

• Winter 2024: Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, 2024
• Spring 2024: Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, 2024
• Fall 2024: Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2, 2024
• Winter 2025: Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8, 2025
• Spring 2025: Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, 2025
• Fall 2025: Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 2025

Brush Up on Your Previous Experience

To succeed in this online doctorate program, you are expected to have 

• Executive-level experience in a management or business field 
• Familiarity with scholarly writing and graduate-level writing skills 
• Motivation to do applied research 
• Intellectual curiosity to engage in scholarly discourse 

Review Prior Year Requirements

This information is for students who enroll in the 2023–2024 academic year. For prior year requirements for this program or to review UMGC's complete program requirements for a specific academic year, visit our program catalog archive .

Gain Valuable Knowledge & Grow Your Network

The online DBA degree program at UMGC is designed to help professionals acquire high-level knowledge and skills in management theory, strategic thinking, organizational leadership, research methods, and innovation. Through our challenging curriculum, you may be able to gain the knowledge you need to succeed as a leader in today's fast-paced business environments. Plus, collaborative, research-oriented projects will help you grow your network and build lasting relationships with a diverse group of professionals.

Our faculty members are experts in their fields and possess a wide range of professional experience. They're committed to helping you achieve the following learning goals:

Study in an IACBE-Accredited Online DBA Program

UMGC's School of Business has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. Please view our IACBE member status page  and Public Disclosure of Student Achievement .

IACBE's accreditation process examines if a program is functioning effectively, accomplishing its mission, and teaching students what they are intended to learn. This requires that its member institutions follow a process of continuous quality improvement that builds student competencies and prepares them to succeed professionally.

Make Real-World, Research-Based Decisions

Throughout the online DBA degree program at UMGC, you'll learn how to conduct and use evidence-based research to make data-informed management decisions in a variety of potential career applications. Your dissertation will include a review of a complex business-related issue or problem in the workforce.

Recent topics have included:

• Kuan H. Collins: "The Organizational Factors Influencing the Building of Collaborative Culture: An Examination of the Evidence"
• Sharon Denise Biddinger Crawford: "Indecisiveness in Teamwork: A Search for Interventions to Avoid Failure-to-Decide" 
• Joseph Allen Evans: "The Influence of National Culture on the Value Creating Ability of Organizations Combined from an International Merger and Acquisition"
• Calvin Joel Martin: "Creating and Implementing Dynamic Capabilities: An Exploration of the Senior Manager's Role"
• Margaret Walthall: "The Leader-Follower Relationship and Follower Performance"

Explore UMGC Insights

Gain insight from our experienced faculty and staff and delve deeper into complex topics, including the doctorate program, the MBA, accreditation, and leadership.

What Can you Do with a Doctorate, Business Administration?

Learn more about the value of a DBA.

What is the Best Accreditation for MBA Programs?

Learn about the importance of choosing an accredited MBA program.

How to Network as a Student

Learn about the importance of networking as a student and the multiple opportunities UMGC offers.

How to Become a Good Leader

UMGC’s MBA program graduates share their thoughts on leadership.

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Compare All Programs

Get answers to questions that others are asking about program admission, cost, outcomes, and more.

What is an online Doctor of Business Administration?

The online degree program is a doctorate designed for working professionals that can help prepare you for senior-level management positions. Featuring an interactive and supportive cohort structure, this 48-credit doctorate program covers topics like data analytics, management theory, organizational leadership, sustainability, and analysis of real-world management issues.

How long does it take to get a Doctor of Business Administration?

UMGC's online Doctor of Business Administration degree is a 48-credit program. Only the prerequisite course (DBA 600) is offered in the summer. The rest of the courses are offered each fall, winter, and spring. Depending on how many terms you register for each year, if you take a full-time course load, and when you complete your dissertation, you can expect to graduate in as little as three years.

How much does a Doctor of Business Administration cost?

UMGC is committed to keeping our tuition and fees as affordable as possible. The online Doctor of Business Administration follows the doctoral program tuition rate, which appears at the top of this webpage. We also offer scholarships  for eligible students, an interest-free monthly payment plan , and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your education more affordable.

What background do I need to get a Doctor of Business Administration?

You don't need to have majored in a specific area to be successful in this UMGC doctoral degree. You are expected to have supervisory management experience and demonstrated leadership ability. And you must meet significant program admission requirements before being admitted to the prerequisite course. Follow this step-by-step process to send in your doctoral application:

• Submit your application
• Complete an interview (if necessary)
• Send in your supplemental documentation 

Complete and pass (with a B or higher) a prerequisite course called Foundations of Doctoral Studies to be admitted to the program.

What is the difference between a PhD and a DBA?

A PhD is a discipline-oriented research degree with a narrow focus designed to train you for a role as a researcher or faculty member in a specific academic area. The DBA is for practitioners who will learn to acquire, appraise, analyze, apply, and assess information for complex decision-making in professional settings. The traditional career path for a PhD graduate is in the academic world, while the traditional career path for a DBA graduate is a management practitioner in specialties associated with a broad range of professions.

If you earn a DBA, you may be qualified to teach at the community college or university level. However, this program is not designed for students who aspire to obtain tenure-track positions at research universities.

Is UMGC accredited?

Yes. UMGC is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, UMGC is a public state university in the University System of Maryland .

In addition, the DBA program (as well as the MBA) is accredited by the IACBE.

How do students follow their cohort through the doctoral program?

Upon acceptance into the doctoral degree program, DBA students are expected to make progress through each course in a common group called a cohort. As they progress through the program together, they build helpful working relationships with one another and support one another’s development. Beyond their cohort, students in the doctoral program are also members of the broader practitioner-scholar learning community that includes other doctoral students, UMGC faculty, and doctoral alumni.

Are DBA courses offered in the summer?

Only the prerequisite course (DBA 600) is offered in the summer term. All other content courses and dissertation courses required for the Doctor of Business Administration are offered three times per year: fall, winter, and spring. Selected online summer workshops are offered periodically between July and September.

Where can I find previously published UMGC dissertations?

To find previously published doctoral research, visit the UMGC Library’s curated section for  doctoral students .

Can I take doctoral-level courses provisionally or without applying?

No. DBA courses are not available for enrollment until successful completion of the pre-admission course, Foundations of Doctoral Studies (3 Credits, DBA 600). This is the only doctoral-level course that can be taken prior to official admission to the doctoral program. A complete application for admission, including the documents outlined above in the Program Admission Requirements section, must be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered for this course (application deadlines shown above).

Are UMGC library resources available to applicants and prospective students?

No. Applicants to the DBA program and prospective students do not have access to the UMGC Library. Please visit this guide to peer-reviewed articles and the UMGC Library guide for more information about finding scholarly articles.

Who do I contact for further information about the DBA program?

You may contact the Department of Business Administration in the School of Business at busadmindept@umgc.edu for additional information about the prerequisite course— Foundations of Doctoral Studies (3 Credits, DBA 600)—and the DBA program.

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center .

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College of Business > Academics > Doctoral > Doctorate in Business Administration

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

Advance your career in business or academia.

Our Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) combines intellectual rigor, a springboard for career advancement and a professional network. With a DBA degree from DePaul, you’ll take your career to the next level—in the corporate world or higher education.

Build a network of research-minded thought leaders

As a DBA candidate, you’ll advance through the program as a member of a tight-knit cohort of students. Our small-group format will help you build a strong network of like-minded thought leaders whom you’ll support and be supported by during the program and after graduation.

Application Deadlines

Students may submit their applications any time of year for admission into the program, which starts in the fall quarter. Admission to the program is competitive and continues on an ongoing basis until the fall cohort has been filled.

A completed MBA or master’s degree is required. Submit an application, résumé, personal statement, official transcripts and two letters of recommendation.

Required Courses

You’ll take seven research methodology courses and seven business discipline-specific courses.

Top Program

DePaul was ranked among the world’s premier DBA programs in CEO Magazine’s global business school rankings (2018)

Learn from faculty with real-world experience

Our DBA faculty come from various backgrounds across many different disciplines. Associate Professor and DBA Program Director Grace Lemmon is a research expert in evidence-based management, career guidance, and coaching for students who are interested in changing careers. “I appreciate that DePaul attracts deeply diverse students,” she said. “Despite differences, we find commonality in the goal of generating and applying high-quality evidence to modern work problems.”

“The DBA program is designed to bridge the gap between business and academia. Almost instantly, I used what I learned in class at work to solve business problems in a more scientific way, which is great for my organization and great for my personal brand. The DBA has definitely opened doors for me.”

Karen (DBA ’18) Vice President, Brand Marketing, SpotHero

Contact Information

For more information about applying, contact the Kellstadt office at (312) 362-8810 or [email protected] .

Take the next step

We’ll send you more information about the degree, admission requirements and upcoming info sessions. Let’s get started.

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Questions about these requirements? See the contact info at the bottom of the page. 

Program of Study

The PhD degree in Business Administration is a jointly offered program between the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Business School. The program consists of five fields: Accounting and Management, Marketing (Quantitative and Consumer Behavior), Strategy, and Technology and Operations Management.

Each candidate’s program of study will be developed in consultation with the Faculty Chair of the program and the Doctoral Programs Office at HBS. The normal program is outlined below.

Regular guidance through contact with faculty advisors is an essential component of doctoral education. Students should maintain close contact with their official advisor(s) throughout their enrollment in the program. Students are encouraged to develop informal advising relationships with several faculty members in addition to their official advisor. 

First-year advisors provide assistance during the initial stages of the program, but do not necessarily advise the student throughout their studies. Students are matched with initial advisors based on their research interests. As students familiarize themselves with program faculty during coursework, research work, seminars/workshops, and other activities, they may change their official advisor(s) as their academic and research interests develop. During the early years of study, students should become acquainted with many program faculty members, to identify advisors who share their research interests.

Coursework consists of a minimum of 13 doctoral-level semester courses and 2 MBA semester courses. Each semester students will consult with their faculty advisors to receive approval of their course selections. Areas of study may require specific courses in each of the four categories listed below:

• Discipline Courses (2 courses)
• Research Methods Courses (4 courses)
• Field Courses (5 courses)
• Breadth Courses (2 courses)
• MBA Courses (2 courses)

Research Seminar and Presentation

Students are required to present in a research seminar on a yearly basis (starting in the 2nd year). Students must also attend a weekly research seminar, ordinarily the unit (department) seminar in their area of study.

Field Exam and Paper

Students are required to pass a field exam in their area of study and submit a publishable quality research paper by the end of their second year. Both the exam and paper are evaluated by a committee of 3 or more faculty members.

Teaching 

Students are required to complete a teaching engagement of one full academic term that includes in front-of-class teaching experience and teaching preparation time. 

Dissertation Proposal 

By the end of their third year, all students are required to obtain approval of their dissertation proposal by a 3 member committee. In addition, students must have a confirmed Dissertation Chair.

Dissertation

Students are required to write a dissertation, which typically takes the form of three publishable papers, to the satisfaction of their Dissertation Committee. The dissertation defense is oral.

The defense must demonstrate effective analysis and evaluation of relevant data contributing significantly to the understanding and resolution of management problems. A level of professional scholarly competence should be evident during the collection, analysis and reporting of data, and in the presentation of findings.

The construction of the dissertation should be clear, concise and orderly. It is necessary to include sufficient evidence to support the reasoning and conclusions. The length of the thesis will vary, depending on the nature of the research topic and the evidence required.

Since the principal purpose of the dissertation is to demonstrate a candidate's ability to make good use of the research methods appropriate to their problem, and to develop and handle evidence satisfactorily, the thesis should contain a statement (a) of the research procedures employed and (b) concerning the nature, reliability and suitability of the evidence gathered.

See additional information for  Current Students (login required).

Contact Info 

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Harvard Business School Doctoral Programs Office [email protected] 617-495-6101

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PHD, Business Administration: Management

The Management PhD prepares students for an academic career in one of two management concentrations: Organizational Behavior and Strategy & Entrepreneurship.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Summary:

A primary objective of the management emphasis in business administration is to help you develop the perspective, skills, and knowledge that you will need to manage and lead the modern organization more effectively. What makes the life of a manager so interesting is that it requires you to address such a wide variety of problems – financial, material, human, legal, political, and environmental – almost every day. No other career can provide you with such a rich mixture of challenges.

The Ph.D. program in management is designed to develop qualified scholars who will excel in research and teaching positions at major universities and colleges. Within the department, students may specialize in organizational behavior or strategic management. Each student works with an advisor and a committee to create an appropriate academic program. As part of their program, students are expected to be actively involved with faculty mentors in teaching and conducting research leading to professional presentations and publications.

Prospective applicants can obtain information about the Terry College’s PhD program, including admission requirements, application deadlines and application materials from the Terry College PhD web site. More specific information about the PhD in management including a sample plan of study, course descriptions and faculty bios can be found at the department’s PhD page.

Locations Offered:

Athens (Main Campus)

College / School:

Terry College of Business

600 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30605

Department:

Graduate Coordinator(s):

Jessica Rodell

Phone Number:

706-542-3745

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Business Administration (PhD) – Management

Program at a glance.

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The objective of the Management track in the Business Administration PhD program is to prepare students for academic careers at major research universities. Management Department faculty members help students understand current approaches to explaining and investigating management processes and facilitate research projects aimed at contributing new insights to the field. Our students immerse themselves in the timely and timeless lessons offered by management scholars, as well as the methods used to discover and evaluate new ideas. This training also provides our students with the knowledge and critical perspective necessary to be master educators. The Management program is designed to produce well-rounded members of our profession who are well prepared to contribute to the research, education, and service missions of the Management discipline.

The program requires a full-time commitment on the part of the students, allowing no time for secondary outside employment. Stipends, tuition waivers, health insurance options, described in the Graduate Student Handbook and on the College of Graduate Studies website, provide the financial resources that support this full-time status.

The Management track of the Business Administration PhD program requires 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Students must complete 18 credit hours of management core courses, 6 credit hours of a minor/support area, 12 credit hours of research methods/tools courses, 21 credit hours of electives, and 15 credit hours of dissertation.

Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree (54 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree)

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Degree Requirements

Required courses, management core.

• MAN7275 - Organizational Behavior (3)
• MAN7207 - Organization Theory (3)
• MAN7900 - Directed Readings in Management (3)
• MAN7916 - Seminar in Management Research (1 - 99)
• MAN7776 - Business-level Strategic Management (3)

Minor/Support Area

• Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Students may select a minimum of six credit hours, typically within a unified area, approved by the student's adviser and the program coordinator. Each student's program of study is individually tailored to accommodate student interests, and often emphasizes additional training in research methodology necessary to produce high quality scholarly research.

Research Methods/Tools

• The research tools requirement is intended to ensure a thorough exposure to research methods. All candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge of statistical methods as well as usage of statistical packages. This includes design, analysis, and interpretation of results. The student's advisory committee and the program coordinator will recommend and/or approve specific courses for each student. Representative courses include, but are not limited to the following:
• PSY6216C - Research Methodology (4)
• PSY7217C - Advanced Research Methodology I (4)
• PSY7218C - Advanced Research Methodology II (4)
• PSY7219C - Advanced Research Methodology III (4)
• GEB7911 - Structural Equation Modeling for Business Research (3)
• MAR7626 - Multivariate Analysis for Business Research (3)
• EDF7427 - Psychometrics (3)
• PAF7804 - Advanced Statistics for Public Affairs I: Multivariate Analysis (3)
• STA6237 - Nonlinear Regression (3)
• STA6507 - Nonparametric Statistics (3)
• STA6707 - Multivariate Statistical Methods (3)
• Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Elective course approved by the faculty adviser 3 Credit Hours
• Earn at least 18 credits from the following types of courses: Courses, independent study and/or research hours chosen in conjunction with the PhD program director. Students with an earned master’s degree may be waived from this 18-hour requirement with approval from the PhD program director.

Dissertation

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: MAN 7980 - Dissertation Research 15 Credit Hours minimum

Admission to Candidacy

• Students must complete a comprehensive candidacy examination that includes written and oral portions. This usually takes place near the end of coursework, in the late second year or early third year of the program. Students officially enter candidacy when the following have been accomplished: Completion of all course work, except for dissertation hours. Successful completion of the comprehensive candidacy examination. The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. Submittal of an approved program of study. Students must defend a written dissertation proposal in an oral examination conducted by the faculty, at least one semester prior to their final dissertation defense. The final defense of the dissertation will also require an oral examination.

Teaching Requirement

• The requirements for the teaching component of the degree will be developed with the doctoral graduate program director based on the student's experience. Normally, this requirement will be satisfied through teaching a minimum of three credit hours of class instruction under the direct supervision of a faculty member. As appropriate, students will also be required to attend teaching development workshops and seminars.

Independent Learning

• The dissertation satisfies the independent learning requirement.

Grand Total Credits: 72

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

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online business admin doctoral degree

Doctor of business administration, start your online doctoral degree in business administration.

Develop a mindset of change and innovation that breaks the sea of sameness. Our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) can help you gain the strategic vision and skills to position yourself as a business leader. And since courses are only 8 weeks long, they won’t get in the way of your busy life.

Ignite Your Passion

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Browse courses for your online business admin degree

Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Core Courses

The course provides an introduction to business administration for doctoral students entering the Doctor of Business Administration or Doctor of Management programs who do not have prior academic experience in this area.

In this course students explore their role as a scholar, practitioner, and leader from historical, theoretical, and applications-based content and framework—all within the context of critical reasoning, writing, and research. Students will develop doctoral-level critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis skills as these apply in leadership practices within their organizations. Competency A: Analyze historical leadership concepts through doctoral-level research. Competency B: Contextualize leadership models through critical thinking. Competency C: Compare and contrast the relationship between leadership theory and the role of a practitioner. Competency D: Evaluate the role of leadership in fostering organizational development. Competency E: Integrate personal experience, scholarly inquiry, and reflexive approaches to learning and development.

This course provides an overview of social science research methodologies and their application in context to the student's degree program. Foundational concepts include the examination and application of theoretical frameworks, critical analysis of scholarly literature and interpretation of data through a theoretical lens. Students also explore quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods and the core elements of an effective research plan. Competencies: Describe how conceptual and theoretical frameworks provide the foundational elements of social science research and inform the interpretation of data and other research findings. Identify the significance of scholarly literature and how gaps in extant literature provide a direction for new research. Summarize the ethical issues of research involving human subjects. Identify and explain quantitative and qualitative research methods and assess their appropriateness for different research problems Assess quantitative and qualitative research studies and discuss the concepts of methodological rigor, credibility, validity and reliability. Evaluate the research topic, research question, and purpose and problem statements for methodological and theoretical alignment. Establish strategies for formulating clear, concise research questions that are methodologically sound, theoretically grounded and researchable.

During this course you will be working on the initial dissertation milestone, the prospectus, which is a formal outline of the research project that outlines information to convey that the research can be completed and will provide meaningful results that contribute to the academic and practitioner communities. The prospectus should be iteratively updated until the beginning of DOC/723 when a Dissertation Chair is assigned to assist with development of the proposal. You may use previous course work when developing Dissertation Phase deliverables.

This class presumes some basic understanding of the foundations and underlying assumptions in the field of qualitative research as well as examples of practice. Building upon this preexisting foundational understanding, the purpose of the class is to enhance students’ understanding and craft through reading, writing, and reflecting on the practice of qualitative inquiry. Specific focus is on the design and development of qualitative research studies. Competency A: Differentiate between the various qualitative designs i.e. phenomenological, case study, ethnographic, grounded theory, and content analysis. Competency B: Evaluate the alignment of the qualitative designs to identified problems. Competency C: Evaluate the components of qualitative data collection and the appropriateness of each approach to an expressed conceptual framework. Competency D: Analyze the limitations of qualitative research and approaches for overcoming research challenges. Competency E: Analyze issues and concerns regarding the concepts of reliability and validity as they relate to qualitative research. Competency F: Address ethical issues that are inherent in qualitative research. Competency G: Develop a research methodology for a study incorporating best practices of the qualitative design chosen.

Doctoral practitioners are resolute in their commitment to identifying, informing, and affecting both individual and organizational change and innovation. Generating actionable interventions requires an extensive investigation of situational factors and a foundational understanding of research methodology. In this course, students explore the foundations of statistics used in quantitative research by actively engaging in processes focused on evaluation, appraisal, and application.

This course evaluates research on issues that organizations face in optimizing organizational performance. Students will gain insight on organizational theory and leadership, organizational behavior and globalization, people systems, and emerging trends and issues in organizations.

This course provides an overview of business information systems, specifically Business Intelligence (BI) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Students will learn how businesses adapt approaches to optimize their operations and the conditions under which these lead to success. Students will also examine the link between operations excellence and corporate strategy.

This course deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of research and dissertation development in a practice doctorate context. In this course, students begin to examine relevant industry and academic literature and move toward creation of a robust, cogent review of scholarship aligned with designing Chapter 2 of an applied doctoral dissertation.

In this course, students will integrate visionary organizational leadership ideas and practices and apply these to the optimization of organizational resources in a complex, global environment to positively impact future organizational performance, change and sustainability. Competency A: Interpret visionary leadership ideas and practices in a global organizational setting. Competency B: Align future organizational change to the mission, vision, and values of the organization to support long-term sustainability. Competency C: Incorporate the internal and external factors into marketing, industry and competitive analysis to improve decision-making and business planning. Competency D: Integrate finance, operations, and management structure to achieve continuous improvement and sustainability. Competency E: Exhibit visionary organizational leadership to create present and future value through the optimization of people, organizational processes, and technology utilization.

This course explores and evaluates research on how businesses measure and could modify their measure of financial value to improve decision-making. Topics include business analysis, valuation tools, and applications; mergers and acquisitions; marketplace valuation of equity; U.S. GAAP/IFRS convergence; and the challenges of valuing high growth companies, companies in emerging markets, cyclical companies, and banks. Competencies: Develop leadership competence in financial management of an organization. Evaluate the application of risk and risk management concepts to financial activities. Employ statistical and other quantitative measures to management decision-making. Implement strategies that work toward the goal of shareholder wealth maximization. Develop research skills that support the comprehension, analysis, and evaluation of new events and circumstances in a global, fast-paced economic environment.

In this course students refine the requisite skills necessary to further their dissertation concept for review and approval. Students expand their work from Second-Year Residency by applying critical analysis to refine the research method, inform the selection of a research design, and to develop a focused literature review. Competencies: Articulate knowledge gaps in a selected field by synthesizing relevant literature in content, theoretical/conceptual framework, and research methodology and design. Define appropriate research methodology and design for a research study. Describe the scope, limitations and delimitations, population, sample, and possible instrument(s) used in a research study. Evaluate the relevance of research studies related to the selected research topic. Synthesize historical and current sources of literature plus theoretical/conceptual and methodological/ design literature relevant to the selected research topic.

This course explores leadership strategies and issues focusing on a changing workforce, short and long-term directions, decision-making, and performance expectations leading towards a sustainable and profitable organization. The focus is on business results that encompass organizational development and issues driving and implementing organizational change.

This course evaluates models for creating economically viable global businesses using the technology of the Internet. Topics include assessing business and management models, assessing geopolitical and economic factors that influence business strategy, and decision making in a global environment.

In this course, students will finalize their dissertation proposal. Students receive continued support in assessing and improving their readiness and skill preparation for completion of the dissertation proposal. Additionally, students explore communities of scholarship to engage with scholars in their area of practice and to share their future research.

In this course, students develop models for economically viable businesses using both traditional tools and technology as marketing enablers. Topics include evaluating and summarizing the economic and societal factors, including ethics, that contribute to the success of a marketing strategy in a competitive environment. Outcomes include developing a strategic marketing plan and creating solutions and recommendations for global and entrepreneurial business marketing.

This course serves as the second of two online immersive experiences for University of Phoenix doctoral students. The second covers advanced tenets of doctoral socialization and issues in higher education. Students will focus on currency in their respective disciplines.

In this chair-guided course, doctoral candidates finalize their dissertation as a significant contribution to the body of knowledge. The chair and committee members work with the candidate to complete the dissertation in preparation for University approval, followed by the oral defense. Additionally, this course focuses on engagement in communities of scholarship and practice. Competencies: Articulate strategies for effective dissertation completion. Analyze research data to develop dissertation results. Synthesize study results and relevant, current literature to develop recommendations and conclusions that add to the body of knowledge. Employ engagement strategies for continued discourse in scholarly communities. Synthesize all chapters to create a comprehensive dissertation that contributes to the body of knowledge.

General Education Courses

18 core courses.

Here’s where you’ll pick up the bulk of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

Doctoral degree program requirements

• The minimum credits to obtain your doctoral degree is 54 credits
• The doctoral degree program length can vary by specific program requirements
• Students may be required to complete extension courses to allow ample time to satisfy the dissertation and project requirements for their program of study.  Additional courses may require additional cost and time. 

Our doctoral support team is here to guide you every step of the way. Speak to our dedicated doctoral enrollment representative for questions on your program timeline. 

602-544-3737

Dissertation

You’ll begin your dissertation in your third course and follow a schedule of milestones throughout your program. This helps you manage your dissertation in smaller segments and helps identify any research methodology challenges early, so surprises or delays can be addressed.

While some doctoral programs require on-campus residency, we’ve shifted to an 8-week online symposium. In the required course you’ll:

• Receive a detailed overview of each milestone in the doctoral journey
• Understand what the University expects from doctoral students
• Understand what doctoral students can expect from the University

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Doctor of Business Administration. You may also enroll in an optional, zero-credit, zero-tuition/fee one-weekend seminar in Phoenix. [1] The seminar provides an opportunity for personal interaction with faculty and peers as well as instruction around the framework of your dissertation.

[1] The seminar provides an opportunity for personal interaction with faculty and peers as well as instruction around the framework of your dissertation. Students are responsible for their own travel costs.

Affordable, fixed tuition

Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee .

Affordable, Fixed Tuition

Cost per credit

Learn about Cost of Attendance (COA) for 2023/2024

Scholarships to earn your doctoral degree, more affordably.

Everyone deserves an affordable education. That’s why we offer an unlimited number of scholarships, so if you qualify, you can get one. Starting with your first course, every qualifying new student will be awarded one of our scholarships, worth up to $3K.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Doctor of Business Administration?

Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.

A DBA can prepare you to be a:

• General manager (GM)
• Executive director
• Operations director

Our practitioner doctorate prepares you for leadership in your profession.  How is this degree different from a PhD?

Ready to get started?

Start your application for free or request additional information.

What you’ll learn

When you earn your online degree, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. You’ll learn how to:

Integrate the Scholar Practitioner Leader (SPL) Model throughout the doctoral journey and beyond.

Cultivate a leadership identity that reflects a mature and strategic understanding of the tenets of effective management praxis.

Develop doctoral research that identifies and addresses opportunities for innovation in complex managerial contexts.

According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics , job growth for management occupations is projected to be faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

• No GMAT/GRE
• No admissions essay or letter of intent
• No academic or professional references
• We’ll request transcripts at no cost to you, when possible, and we accept eligible credits from over 5,000 accredited institutions.

How to enroll at University of Phoenix

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students. [1]  Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students. [1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Doctoral Student Experience

Integrated dissertation from day one

Once your program starts, you’ll begin your dissertation with support from practitioner faculty, a dissertation committee and a peer team. You’ll also have a resource repository to help you complete it with confidence. 

Explore and inquire with the Research Hub

Our Research Hub is a community of researchers who exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence and research innovation. Browse publications or view our centers and Career Institute®.

Drive change with actionable learning

Our programs incorporate lifelong learning, social and workplace contribution, and the ability to exert positive influence. You’ll learn how to become an aspiring leader who can impact decision-making and drive change. 

Connect with your scholarly community

Your success is important to us. We host events to support your research, doctoral studies and networking. Join us for our Doctoral Journey Colloquium, Research Summit or an upcoming workshop or webinar.

Faculty Spotlight

Professionals dedicated to you

Your success is a top priority for our deans and faculty members. They bring an average of 28+ years of experience and hands-on perspective to the classroom, and help bridge the gap between academics and industry knowledge.

I’m dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to meet their career goals.

Kathryn Uhles Dean, College of Business and IT, University of Phoenix

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

Programmatic accreditation.

Our DBA has been reaffirmed for accreditation until 2027 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring the quality of your education.

What does that mean in real life? ACBSP-accredited business programs are committed to quality standards. The quality of the program is regularly benchmarked against specific criteria that prepare students for the business industry. Accreditation occurs on a 10-year cycle with regular quality reviews.

View the completion and first-year persistence rates for the University of Phoenix ACBSP-accredited business and accounting programs.

Doctoral degree articles

MD vs. PhD vs. Professional Doctorate Comparison

Online degrees.

June 22, 2023 • 8 minutes

Doctoral Student vs. Candidate Comparison

University life.

April 26, 2023 • 7 minutes

3 Ways to Jump-Start Your Doctoral Experience

September 28, 2022 • 5 Minutes

Frequently asked questions about this business doctoral degree

How does a dba degree differ from a phd or mba.

While there are some subject matter similarities in a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, you must take into consideration what each program offers and the differences between them before choosing which might be right for you. We’ll explain the three programs so you can determine which might meet your goals.

A Doctor of Business Administration is a specialized degree with a practical focus that incorporates a multidisciplinary and systems thinking approach. Our online DBA attracts business professionals who want to improve their administrative and managerial skills. They want to contribute to the practice of management and solve real-world organizational and business problems. Our DBA degree combines scholarship, practice and leadership to prepare students for lifelong learning, social and workplace contribution and the ability to exert positive influence in organizations and in life.

A Doctor of Philosophy is a specialized degree with an intensive theoretical research focus. A PhD attracts students who would like to pursue a career in academia or conduct research that contributes to business knowledge or theory. A PhD program will have you conducting research with the goal of addressing a gap in knowledge or need in business management. University of Phoenix doesn’t offer PhD programs.

A Master of Business Administration is a graduate degree with a focus on theoretical and practical training for general business management functions. Our MBA program attracts business professionals who want to work in a managerial capacity or follow their entrepreneurial aspirations. Earning an MBA may be ideal if you have less time to devote to a program.

Who is a DBA degree designed for?

Our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is designed for business professionals who want to contribute to the practice of management and solve real-world organizational problems. Our online DBA will equip you with working knowledge based on the latest business research, theories and trends. You can sharpen your administrative, managerial and decision-making skills to help ensure organizations remain sustainable in a competitive environment while positioning yourself as an experienced professional in the field.

What are the admission requirements for a doctorate degree in business (DBA)?

To be eligible for our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, you must have a graduate degree from a regionally or an approved nationally accredited college or university or equivalent graduate degree earned at a recognized foreign institution. You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA on your graduate degree posted transcripts as well as a record of current or past employment. International applicants, or applicants without appropriate previous academic experience in an English language environment, must pass English Language Proficiency Test. Other eligibility requirements may apply. Please contact an enrollment representative to learn more about program-specific admission requirements.

Is a DBA degree just for academic research?

Similar to most doctoral programs, our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program will help you develop advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills. Unlike Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs that focus on theoretical research, our DBA degree emphasizes applied research where academic theory helps you devise solutions to practical business problems.

As part of the online DBA program, you’ll take three research focused courses:

• Research Conceptualization and Design
• Statistical Research Methods and Design I
• Qualitative Methods and Design

These courses give you a foundational understanding of research methodology and theoretical frameworks. You can learn how to critically analyze scholarly literature, interpret data, create an effective research plan and generate actionable interventions. These courses are also designed to support the research required as part of your dissertation.

Is the online DBA accredited?

Yes, our online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has been reaffirmed for accreditation until 2027 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring the quality of your education. Learn more about accreditation at University of Phoenix.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

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Online PhD in Business Administration

Become a leader in the world of business with liberty’s phd in business administration online.

Are you a business professional looking to take your career to the next level? With Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration, you can strengthen your management skills and learn how to develop research-oriented solutions to complex business problems. The knowledge you gain throughout this program can help equip you to handle various challenges in the field. Additionally, this degree can help prepare you to teach at the college level and train up the next generation of business leaders.

This doctoral business administration program covers several core topics in the field – such as strategy formulation, marketing, and human resource management – while also allowing you to select a specialization in an area that interests you. By pursuing a specialization, you can tailor your degree to match your unique career goals and further hone your expertise to meet the demands of the business world.

We’re excited to partner with you as you take this important next step in your professional journey. Apply today and prepare for exciting new opportunities with an online doctorate in business administration from Liberty!

Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Business Administration Program?

Liberty has been a pioneer in distance learning since 1985. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to offering a flexible, accessible, and high-quality education has not. Our PhD in Business Administration program is offered 100% online, and the courses have no set login times. At Liberty, you’ll have the freedom to fit your studies into your schedule and maintain your commitments to your job, family, and community while pursuing your degree.

One of our most valuable assets is our faculty. Our professors have years of business experience and advanced degrees in related areas of study – and they are committed to equipping you with the knowledge and skills you need to take the next step in your career. With their guidance, you can prepare to make important contributions in your field and display excellence as a leader in business.

Maybe you’re wondering whether an online degree offers the same rigor and credibility as a residential program. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ) – so you can rest assured that we offer a world-class education designed to help you stand out to employers and pursue your goals with confidence.

Military Tuition Discount We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only  $300/credit hour .  Find out  how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.

Specializations for the PhD in Business Administration Online

At Liberty, you can customize your doctorate degree in business administration by selecting a specialization in an area that interests you. Check out your available options below!

Entrepreneurship

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship can help you gain an advanced understanding of how to start and run your own business.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Chief executive officer
• Company president
• Entrepreneur
• Private business consultant

View the Degree Completion Plan . View the Graduate Business Course Guides (login required) .

Apply Now   Request Info  

Executive Coaching

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration – Executive Coaching can help equip you to mentor other business professionals, so they can develop their leadership skills and lead their organizations to success.

• Executive business leader
• Executive coach
• Leadership development consultant

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration – Leadership can help enhance your leadership skills as you learn how to manage teams, foster innovation, and navigate ethical dilemmas in business.

• Executive officer
• Human resources manager
• Management analyst
• Training and development manager

Supply Chain and Logistics

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration – Supply Chain and Logistics explores how to oversee supply chains on a global level – so you can help ensure that goods and services are created and delivered in an efficient manner.

• Company executive
• Distribution director
• Global manager
• Purchasing manager

What Will You Learn in Our PhD in Business Administration Online Program?

This doctorate in business administration online is broken down into 4 main parts: core business administration courses, specialization classes, research courses, and a dissertation. Within the core courses, you can learn how to strategically allocate financial resources, oversee supply chains, market for competitive advantage, and manage human resources. You’ll also explore how to apply strategic thinking and strategy development to a variety of business settings.

From there, you’ll be able to select a specialization in an area that interests you. From executive coaching to entrepreneurship, we offer a variety of specializations that can help you hone your skills and pursue your unique career goals. Whether you want to launch a new company, mentor other business professionals, manage supply chains, or bolster your leadership skills, you can get the niche training you need to prepare for your future.

Additionally, you will complete several courses in qualitative, quantitative, and applied research methods. Then, through a sequence of 4 courses, you will research, write, and defend your dissertation – giving you an opportunity to conduct original research and contribute valuable findings to your field.

Featured Courses

• BUSI 730 – Strategic Allocation of Financial Resources
• BUSI 745 – Marketing for Competitive Advantage
• BUSI 750 – Managing Human Resources
• BUSI 770 – Strategy Formulation and Strategic Thinking

Potential Career Opportunities for Graduates of Our PhD in Business Administration Program

• Nonprofit organization director

Highlights of Our Online PhD in Business Administration

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
• Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• You can complete this business administration doctorate degree in as little as 3 years.
• As a Liberty student, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources through our top-notch Jerry Falwell Library portal.

PhD in Business Administration Online Program Information

• This program falls under the School of Business .
• View the Graduate Business Course Guides (login required) .
• View the PhD in Business Administration Handbook
• Contribute to the body of knowledge in your field through this program’s integrated dissertation process.

Admission Requirements for the Online PhD in Business Administration

A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree in business or a business-related field with at least 30 hours of graduate business credit with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our  admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.

All applicants must submit the following:

• Admission application
• Application fee*
• Official college transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

* There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.

Transfer Policies

At Liberty, we want to help you make the most of your prior education by allowing you to transfer in previously earned college credit. That’s why you can transfer in up to 50% of your total credits for a master’s or doctoral program!

Some restrictions apply. Please visit our Transfer Policy page for more information.

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and Certificates.

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Cost Per Credit Hour Per Semester for 7 to 15 Credits* Per Semester for 9 to 15 Credits* i Visit the Tuition and Financing page for more information.

Additional program fees may apply. See program page for details.

Disclaimer: This calculator is a tool that provides a rough estimate of the total cost of tuition, and should not be relied upon to determine overall costs, as pricing may vary by program and tuition/fees are subject to change. Estimates are not final or binding, and do not include potential financial aid eligibility.

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You have to have a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline when you are going to school online, but the amazing thing is at Liberty you do not need to do it by yourself. You really do have resources like someone who is going to school on campus.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

Description of program.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD-BA) program is a research-based program designed to prepare leaders for positions in the private and public sectors by enhancing knowledge and competencies appropriate to a leadership role in business, administration, and technology management. Upon completion of the PhD program, students are expected to have a broad knowledge in fields of business and technology management and an understanding of at least one specialized area of study. A Ph.D. requires original ideas about a specialized topic, as well as a high degree of methodological/scientific rigor (Nelson, & Coorough, 1994). As is traditional in higher education, a Ph.D. is only awarded for a piece of work that will actually make a difference to the theoretical context of the field the Ph.D. dissertation is a new contribution to the body of knowledge .

Click here for potential career opportunities within the PhD-BA.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop business knowledge based on a synthesis of current theory
• Defend theories, applications, and perspectives related to business to diverse audiences
• Evaluate business practices that positively impact society
• Evaluate the relationship between the global environment and business decisions
• Formulate solutions to problems identified in extant business research

Basis for Admissions

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration program will be determined by the degree used to meet the basis for admission. In order to enter the doctoral program, applicants are required to have a conferred master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. There are two options for entering the doctoral program in the School of Business and Economics.

• A generalized business area such as business management or business administration,
• Specialized business area (e.g. Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management) AND an undergraduate degree in business OR 
• A previously completed master’s degree in any field AND an undergraduate in business.
• Evaluation Track – Individuals not meeting the direct entry requirements are required to take SKS-7001 - Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies    as part of their degree plan. Students in the Evaluation track will begin their degree plan with BUS-7101 - Changing Times: Business Administration in the 21st Century    followed by SKS-7001 - Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies    and upon successful completion of SKS 7001    take the remaining courses in their degree plan. Students who feel that they have the business background and knowledge are allowed to take a test-out exam that covers the major business areas. The student must score 70 or above on the exam and can be taken no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of SKS 7001    Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies course. This can be discussed with your enrollment or academic and finance advisor.

Degree Requirements

Admission to the Doctorate programs requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution.

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better.

The PhD degree programs in business have the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through the University
• Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• Satisfactory completion of the PhD-BA Pre-Candidacy Prospectus
• University Approval of Dissertation Manuscript and Oral Defense completed
• Submission of the approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound dissertation manuscript and an electronic copy
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s degree from an accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma

Dissertation Completion Pathway

The University’s mission is dedicated to assisting students in achieving their academic aspirations and helping them become valuable contributors to their community and profession. To support our mission, the University now offers a dissertation completion pathway for students who have successfully completed their doctoral coursework and achieved doctoral candidacy at a previous institution but were unable to complete their dissertation. The University’s Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) offers a unique opportunity for students to complete their doctorate in one of the doctoral programs offered at the University (excluding the PhD in MFT, DMFT, and DNP). Students successfully meeting the entrance and application requirements will complete a minimum of 23 credit hours to earn their doctorate.

Click below for more information on the

Dissertation Completion Pathway    

Fundamental Competencies

All PhD students are required to demonstrate competency in these areas:

• Graduate-Level Research Methods Competency - PhD students are required to complete BUS-7100   , BUS 7320   , and  BUS-7380    
• Graduate-Level Statistics Competency - PhD students are required to complete BUS-7105    and BUS-7106    
• Students must be able to prepare documents using advanced word processing skills (e.g., creation of tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, hanging indents)
• Students must use computer programs for the statistical analysis of data (e.g., SAS)
• Students must produce a computer-based presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) for their dissertation oral examination

Time to Completion

The University allows 7 years to complete all doctoral programs of 60 credits or less.

The median time to completion for this program is 73 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 40 months.

Dissertation Process

Faculty assist each Doctoral candidate to reach this academic goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. A PhD dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of study. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.

A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.

Course Sequence

The PhD program requires a minimum of 60 credits. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete the dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.

Courses taken to satisfy the fundamental requirements may not be counted toward completion of required specializations courses or electives.

Students who complete at least 15 credit hours in a single area of specialization at the University (not counting foundational courses) may elect to have the specialization recorded on their transcript and diploma. Students may also opt for a General Business specialization, electing 15 credit hours of cross-discipline courses. Elective courses must be appropriate to the student’s degree program.

The PhD in Business requires a minimum of five core courses, five specialization courses, two statistical courses, five research courses, and one doctoral elective course. Upon completion of these course requirements, students advance to the doctoral sequence of courses. A minimum of four dissertation research courses must be completed in order to complete the program.

Required Foundational Courses must be taken first and in sequence. Evaluation track students will take SKS 7001    after BUS-7101    and before  BUS-7110   . Following the completion of Foundational, Specialization, Research, and Doctoral Elective courses must be taken in sequence as described.

• BUS-7101 - Changing Times: Business Administration in the 21st Century
• SKS-7001 - Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies -Required Course for Entry Track Students 
• BUS-7110 - The Business Environment
• BUS-7120 - Business Financial Systems
• BUS-7130 - Business Leadership & Strategy
• Specialization Course 1
• Specialization Course 2
• Specialization Course 3
• Specialization Course 4
• Specialization Course 5
• Doctoral Level Elective
• BUS-7100 - Scholarly Literature Review
• BUS-7105 - Statistics I
• BUS-7106 - Statistics II
• BUS-7320 - Quantitative Research Design & Methodology
• BUS-7380 - Qualitative Research Design and Methodology
• CMP-9701B - Pre-Candidacy Prospectus
• DIS-9901A - Components of the Dissertation
• DIS-9902A - The Dissertation Proposal
• DIS-9903A - Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection
• DIS-9904A - The Dissertation Manuscript and Defense

Advanced Accounting Specialization

This specialization provides students with application of a broad accounting perspective and research based accounting knowledge, enabling the exploration of relationships among business activities, economic outcomes, business performance, and forensic analysis. Students will be able to meet the demand for advanced analysis of management and organization of business transactions and statements related to the assets, liabilities, and operating results of business enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and higher education instruction.

Specialization Courses – 15 credit hours

• ACC-7000 - Advanced Managerial Accounting
• ACC-7010 - Advanced Accounting and Fraud Examination Techniques
• ACC-7015 - Advanced Forensic Accounting Theory and Practice
• ACC-7030 - Advanced Auditing Methods and Practice
• ACC-7035 - Advanced Accounting Theory and Policy

Elective selected on the initial degree plan can be changed with a request to an Academic and Finance Advisor.

Financial Management Specialization

This specialization concentrates on research and development analyses used to manage and allocate financial resources and develop effective strategic planning for projection and ROI issues. Students will analyze financial and non-financial organizations - private, public, and corporate. The specialization focuses on international financial issues, quality concepts in financial management, and accounting for profit/nonprofit organizations.

• FIN-7012 - Corporate Finance
• FIN-7013 - Investment Portfolio Analysis
• FIN-7014 - Managing Financial Institutions
• FIN-7015 - Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
• FIN-7018 - Accounting and Control for Nonprofit Organizations

Global Business Management Specialization

This specialization covers the essential elements required to understand and manage global organizations. Individuals interested in global management positions in industry, higher education, government and public entities, and business consulting would benefit from this program. The specialization provides students with comprehensive education and training in interdisciplinary global management subjects of leadership, government, diplomacy, economics, finance, marketing, and organizational effectiveness. Students study global business theory, decision-making, and problem-solving techniques related to global strategic planning.

• GBM-7001 - Global Business Environment
• GBM-7002 - Global Strategic Leadership
• GBM-7003 - Global Business Management
• GBM-7004 - Global Marketing Management
• GBM-7005 - Advanced Topics in Global Organizational Behavior

Elective selected on the initial degree plan can be changed with a request to an Academic and Finance Advisor.

Health Services Specialization

This specialization develops essential perspectives and skills for health service industry management issues. The specialization prepares students for problem identification and resolution, analysis and intervention as administrative issues, and recognition of the constraints and limitations to intervention and change in delivery systems. Students in this specialization will focus on the foundations of health services management, including an overview of the United States healthcare delivery system, financial management and economics, human resource management, quality management, and law, ethics, and policy.

• DHA-7000 - The United States Healthcare Delivery System
• DHA-7001 - Healthcare Financial Management and Economics
• DHA-7003 - Human Resource Management for Healthcare Administrators
• DHA-7005 - Healthcare Quality Management
• DHA-7006 - Health Law, Ethics, and Policy

Homeland Security: Leadership & Policy (HS) Specialization

This specialization prepares senior leaders of public administration, law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care and disaster preparedness agencies for executive leadership positions in the field of homeland security. This specialization focuses on rigorous research exploring advanced concepts and methods, and applying theory and emerging concepts through innovative approaches to complex problems. Students may choose from a variety of courses in terrorism, strategy, intelligence, emergency management, and critical infrastructure security issues.

• HS-7000 - Homeland Security and Terrorism
• HS-7004 - Local Emergency Management and Civil Preparedness
• HS-7010 - Transportation Security
• HS-7013 - Intelligence and Law Enforcement
• HS-7014 - Strategy, Resiliency, and Coping with Fear

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization

(Interdisciplinary)

This specialization explores the application of industrial and organizational psychology and management theory to the understanding of people in work environment. In this interdisciplinary specialization, students complete courses in the School of Business and Economics and the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences in order to develop competencies in theory, research, and applications of psychology related to human behavior in organizations. Students conduct advanced research related to the application of organizational and psychological theory to human resource management.

• IOP-8400 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• IOP-8404 - Consulting in Business, Education, and Health
• MGT-7006 - Advanced Topics in Organizational Behavior
• MGT-7022 - Advanced Topics in Organizational Development
• MGT-7110 - Leadership in Organizations

Information Technology Specialization

Technology can be intimidating—yet beneficial—for many organizations. It is important for leaders to know how to take advantage of new technologies and ideas or be trapped in stagnation. The Information Technology Specialization helps prepare professionals to be champions of positive change through new ideas and new technologies.

• TIM-7001 - Principles of Technology Innovation Management
• TIM-7010 - Computer Networks & Mobile Computing
• TIM-7020 - Databases & Business Intelligence
• TIM-8301 - Principles of Cybersecurity
• TIM-7040 - Technology Policy & Strategy

Organizational Leadership Specialization

This specialization serves to enhance the understanding and practice of organizational leadership using an interdisciplinary approach between business and education theory and research. This specialization has broad appeal among practicing professionals (middle and upper management, and military personnel) with a background in business administration, human resources, nonprofit administration, and related fields, whose professional goal may be organizational consulting or a generalist leadership position in corporate, government, not-for-profit, educational or community organizations.

• OLB-7001 - Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• OLB-7002 - Building Organizational Capacity
• OLB-7004 - Theory and Practice of Organizational Leadership
• OLB-7005 - Ethical Leadership
• OLB-7006 - Communicating Change

Project Management Specialization

This specialization explores principles, concepts, tools, and techniques to improve project performance and organizational effectiveness. Students examine all aspects of managing and overseeing business projects, including cost estimates, budget management, cost control, risk assessment, bid negotiation and contracts, and performance reporting critical to the success of any enterprise. The specialization focuses on management, leadership, and team building in the project/program environment. Students will examine strategies relating to managing multiple projects as well as the concepts of earned value project management.

• PM-7000 - Project Procurement Management
• PM-7004 - Project Risk Management
• PM-7008 - Project Monitoring and Control
• PM-7012 - Multiple Project Management
• PM-7016 - Managerial Budgets and Project Management

Strategic Marketing Specialization

The Strategic Marketing Specialization at the doctoral level delivers a next-generation approach to strategic marketing, transcending traditional marketing management, and research methodology. This tertiary level specialization delivers benchmark training in the three pillars of global change leadership, marketing science, and innovation in marketing economics. Following the execution of strategic coursework, students will focus on real-world global product strategy, advanced digital marketing across the entire scope of the product life cycle. The specialization provides strategies for a sound, systematic, ethical, and legal approach to contemporary and emergent marketing practices. At the conclusion, students will be well prepared to lead the marketing workforce of tomorrow.

• MKT-7021 - Marketing Change Leadership
• MKT-7022 - Marketing Economics Innovation
• MKT-7023 - Marketing Science
• MKT-7024 - Strategic Marketing Communication
• MKT-7025 - Global Product Strategy

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY SPECIALISING IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Make an original contribution to research, phd funding.

The GSB is committed to making funding and scholarship opportunities available to talented, motivated and deserving individuals who meet the entrance criteria for our academic programmes.

PROGRAMME FEES FOR THE 2024 PHD INTAKE

Total Programme Fees:

• Tuition Course Fee (per annum or part thereof):  R25 680

PHD DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The GSB PhD programme awards PhD Departmental scholarships to first year and returning PhD students accepted onto the programme. Scholarships are granted on the basis of both academic merit and financial need, and will cover one year of tuition for three successful applicants.

Please note: Annual renewal is not guaranteed.

The John and Anahis Davidian Innovation and Industry Emergence and Evolution Ph.D. Scholarship is available to returning students (2nd year onwards) accepted onto the programme. Applicants may study innovation processes in diverse forms, different research contexts, and at different levels of analysis. Special consideration will be given to proposals focused on industries or company populations as level of analysis.

POSTGRADUATE DEGREE FUNDING

You may apply for various UCT funding opportunities and fellowships for doctoral degrees.

Click here for more information.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• South African citizens can approach  EduLoan  for a study loan
• Citizens of other countries should approach banks or loan institutions in their own countries as a first point of call. Alternatively, please see the "Useful international and local scholarship websites" section on the  UCT website.
• Prodigy Finance offers loans to international students to study at the world's top business schools, including the UCT Graduate School of Business.  Click here  for more information.
• Feenix crowd funding, powered by Standard Bank, is a platform for donors to sponsor tuition fees.  Read more

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