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Home | Doctorate Degree Guides | Doctorate Degree Guide: Business | How to Get a DBA or PhD in Management & Leadership

How to Get a DBA or PhD in Management & Leadership

A doctoral degree in management and leadership gets to the heart of the business discipline. In fact, "school of management" has become nearly synonymous with "business school." The PhD and DBA in management and leadership are designed to advance scholarly inquiry into the effective management of people and processes. Available in both campus and online formats, the doctorate in management prepares graduates for careers in academic teaching, research, business consulting, or executive leadership.

The doctoral degree is the highest achievement in the business management discipline. Programs typically take four or five years to complete, and require more focus and commitment than any other academic qualification. Careful planning is essential to lay the foundation for success. This guide takes you through the major stages of preparing for a graduate management doctoral program: exploring the degrees available, choosing a school, preparing the application, and finally, making a place for yourself within the academic community.

A Guide to Doctoral Programs in Management & Leadership

Management and leadership emerged in the mid-twentieth century as a scholarly discipline advanced by social science research. Before that time, management education was strictly characterized by vocational training. Today's doctoral degrees focus on developing advanced theoretical and research skills. With the advent of professional doctorates, the management discipline has come full circle, returning to its vocational roots while keeping the emphasis on advanced research.

PhD or DBA?

One of the first decisions you'll face as you explore doctoral degree programs is which degree to pursue. There is some overlap between the traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Management. Both degrees are rigorous, research-driven programs with similar requirements: two years of coursework, qualifying exams, and a dissertation.

Differences arise in the focus of each degree:

  • The PhD in Management and Leadership is a classic social science doctorate that focuses on the development of new theory. PhD candidates work closely with faculty mentors and teach undergraduate courses to prepare for careers as university scholars and professors.
  • The DBA in Management and Leadership is a professional practice doctorate that encourages students "to apply theoretical knowledge to the advancement of business practice," as one professional association describes it. In line with the degree's emphasis on applied management practice, faculty and graduate students tend to be industry professionals interested in the real-world challenges facing 21st-century organizations.

Your career goals can help you decide which degree is right for you. Academic career ambitions will likely be better served by a PhD degree in management, which may offer better support for the university teaching and research career track. Though some DBA graduates go on to faculty positions, DBA programs are more likely to emphasize internships and relationships with private and public sector employers.

Specializations

As one of the foundational disciplines in business administration, management offers a strong general introduction to the field. Specialized tracks can take many shapes, ranging from the management of people (organizational behavior, human resources management) to the management of processes (operations management, project management). Your options for specialized management tracks include:

  • Acquisitions and Contract Management focuses on effective managerial strategies in the context of acquisitions or strategic business partnerships, including contracts and negotiations, auditing, and more
  • Project Management emphasizes the practical skills related to managing and overseeing business projects, including contract negotiation, cost estimates, budgeting, cost control, et c.
  • Applied Management focuses on the key functional areas of management, with an emphasis on decision making, communications, and strategic leadership
  • Leadership focuses on the skills senior executives and entrepreneurs rely on to lead organizations effectively. Areas of focus include global leadership, leadership development, and entrepreneurship
  • Organizational Behavior brings together social science disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and behavioral science to understand how organizations can foster innovation and worker productivity
  • Strategic Management takes on issues related to the analysis and strategic decision-making that underlies the management of entire businesses or multifunctional business units
  • Operations Management focuses on optimizing processes such as supply chain design, inventory management, production scheduling, risk management, pricing, and more
  • Management Information Systems explores the application of information technology to business management, strategy, and decision making

This list represents a selection of common management and leadership specializations. You'll find that each PhD and DBA program offers its own landscape of degree tracks, influenced in part by faculty areas of expertise.

Careers in Management

The degree and specialization you choose will shape your career path upon graduation. Online and traditional PhD and DBA degrees in management and leadership often lead to the following careers:

  • Academic professor or faculty instructor
  • Senior researcher
  • Management consultant
  • Operations manager
  • Senior executive

Academic Track. The majority of PhD graduates--two out of three--go on to academic jobs. Demand for qualified business school faculty has created favorable opportunities in academia. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) forecasts that the shortage of business faculty will increase to 2,400 openings by 2012. Management specialists represent about 17 percent of new faculty hires.

Professional Track. Professional careers offer the potential for higher earnings, as doctoral graduates advance into senior consulting, research, and managerial positions. The professional doctorate serves as a stepping stone into executive leadership roles.

How to Apply for PhD and DBA Programs in Management & Leadership

A clear sense of your academic interests and career goals will help you negotiate the doctoral degree application process. The PhD and DBA in management and leadership both take three to five years to complete. Your successful completion of this journey requires careful planning at the outset. Online resources offer an array of information to help you develop a vision of where you are and where you want to go.

If you're ready to seriously explore PhD and DBA degrees in management and leadership, use this step-by-step guide to get started:

How to Choose a Program

It's not hard to find a doctoral program in management and leadership--nearly every business school features this fundamental discipline. The challenge is finding the right program for you.

Step 1. Find Accredited PhD and DBA Programs in Management

Accreditation is the basic measure of academic quality and an absolute must-have feature of any school on your list. Accreditation by an independent and impartial reviewer ensures the value of your degree and qualifies you for financial aid such as federal student loans. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a list of approved international and regional accreditation agencies.

Resources:

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the largest and most trusted accreditation authority. The association maintains a searchable database of nearly 600 business schools. The online database allows you to filter search results by degree level, field of study, location, and campus or online format.
  • WorldWideLearn.com also maintains a directory of accredited online and campus doctoral degree programs in management. Search Online Business Degrees in Management & Leadership as well as campus-based Management & Leadership Schools.

Step 2. Choose Program Format: Online or On Campus?

Once you have a list of accredited graduate management programs, focus your search by exploring available program delivery types. The right format for you will depend on your circumstances and career goals.

  • The online PhD or DBA in management offers the most flexibility, with self-paced programs mediated through digital communications and educational technology. This format is ideal for working adults balancing professional and family commitments alongside their education. The online format tends to favor DBA and professional PhD degrees, which attract senior managers looking to upgrade their professional skill set. Online programs take advantage of the synergy between students' professional and academic pursuits, which offer the ideal laboratory for applied research.
  • The campus doctoral degree offers the optimal context for an academic PhD. Campus doctoral students can build strong relationships with faculty mentors and apprentice for academic positions through teaching and research assistantships. In addition, you'll enjoy direct access to campus research facilities, including libraries and state-of-the-art technology labs.
  • Hybrid programs combine the best of both worlds, with both Internet-mediated instruction and temporary campus residencies. These programs offer a good alternative for students with academic career ambitions who are balancing their education alongside other life commitments.

Choosing the program format that best meets your circumstances and goals can put you on the track to success. Learn more about and compare online degrees and campus education online.

Step 3. Research Academic Programs

Once you have a list of schools that meet your degree and program format specifications, it's time to evaluate the academic program offerings at different schools. Research is crucial at this stage, since each school features a slightly different take on the standard specializations.

The following factors will help you evaluate academic programs:

  • Specializations
  • Faculty Research Interests
  • Curriculum and Course Requirements
  • Educational Programs (internships, conferences, university-sponsored journals, etc.)

Resources:

  • WorldWideLearn.com facilitates the process of researching academic programs by connecting you with representatives of schools that meet your initial criteria. You can fill out a form online indicating your specifications such as location, program format, and academic interests. Schools that match your preferences will contact you directly to answer questions about the program requirements and resources. Representatives can also help you set up appointments to talk with academic counselors or faculty members.
  • School Web sites offer a valuable research resource once you've narrowed down your list. You can access faculty curriculum vitae to identify potential mentors with common research interests. Many faculty also post course reading lists and requirements. The Department of Management will also detail curriculum information and special academic programs.
  • Academic journals can help you get an idea of faculty research and develop a sense of different programs' academic strengths. The following journals specialize in management and leadership scholarship:
    • Academy of Management Journal
    • Academy of Management Perspectives
    • Academy of Management Review
    • Strategic Management Journal
    • Journal of Operations Management
    • Journal of International Management

Step 4. Evaluate Program Quality

After you've explored academic programs and narrowed down your list, you're ready to settle on the four or five PhD or DBA programs in management that offer the best fit and value. Plan to apply to a range of schools that match your personal profile, including both highly selective and "safety" programs.

Use the following criteria to evaluate program quality:

  • Reputation and selectivity
  • Graduation Rate
  • Job Placement
  • Student/Alumni Support Resources
  • Student Body Profile

Resources:

Financial publications regularly evaluate and rank business schools based on a range of criteria. The major rankings are:

  • Financial Times
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • BusinessWeek
  • Forbes
  • EIU Economist Intelligence Unit

Since each publication develops its own algorithm of ranking criteria, results vary widely. Financial Times offers a master ranking that takes into account all other major surveys.

School Data. Consult individual institutions directly for detailed data on their online and campus PhD and DBA programs. Some of the information available by request includes job placement data, student profile information, selectivity and admissions data, degree completion, and student funding information.

Preparing for a PhD or DBA in Management

After you've settled on a shortlist of doctoral degree programs that match your career goals, it's time to put the application wheels in motion. Most PhD and DBA programs require the following to apply:

  • Prerequisite Courses and Degrees. Depending on your background, you may need to take foundation courses in business. A bachelor's degree is the standard minimum qualification, though some schools give preference to students with a master's degree.
  • Standardized Test Scores. The GRE or GMAT are the most common tests required for admission. International students can expect to take the TOEFL, as well.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Develop relationships with faculty or professional colleagues who can attest to your intellectual, analytical, and professional aptitude.

Funding

Whether you choose a full-time campus or a part-time online PhD in management, the doctoral degree is likely to be a major financial investment. Plan your academic funding now by exploring available financial aid. Sources include:

  • Research and teaching assistantships, which offer tuition benefits and a stipend.
  • Research fellowships
  • Grants and scholarships
  • Federal and private loans

Investigate graduate education funding options online or contact a financial aid representative at the school you wish to attend.

Joining the Academic Community

The application process represents your first step toward becoming a member of the management & leadership academic community. To further prepare yourself for life in the field, consider one or more of the following options:

Subscribing and/or contributing to academic journals. Although many journals only publish work from seasoned professors, some offer graduate students the chance to publish papers once a quarter or semester. If you've written an award-winning paper and have visions of an academic career, contact a journal and try to get your name out there.

Attending leadership conferences. If management and leadership has you hooked, attend a local or regional conference and rub elbows with some of the field's finest. Introduce yourself to and share ideas with other attendees. A little face-to-face communication can go a long way.

Careful planning can help you embark on your doctoral degree with a firm sense of purpose and commitment. A PhD or DBA in management represents the highest achievement in the field. Take the journey step by step, and you'll find that you're able to achieve even your most ambitious career goals.

 

Sources

  • AACSB International--The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, 2009-2009 U.S. Salary Report
  • AACSB International--The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AACSB Accredited Business Schools Database
  • AACSB International--The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Becoming a Business Professor
  • AACSB International--The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Doctoral Programs in Management
  • BusinessWeek, Business PhD Applications on the Rise, by Alison Damasat
  • Capella University, Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Management
  • Financial Times, Business Education, by Della Bradshaw
  • MIT Sloan School of Management, PhD Program in Management Science
  • The University of Austin at Texas, PhD Organizations & Strategy Specialization
  • U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
  • Walden University, PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences