Online Doctorate in Business Administration

Doctoral-level business administration programs typically involve two to three years of coursework, a set of comprehensive examinations and an individual dissertation or doctoral project. Most students need four to six years to complete their degree and may take courses such as the following:

• Communication strategies
• Ethics of business management
• Fiscal leadership
• International management and finance
• Risk management

Some institutions offer doctoral programs that can be taken entirely online, allowing students to continue their education with minimal disruption to their professional commitments. Online students are frequently asked to attend one or more on-site residencies per academic year, which may vary in length from a long weekend to an intensive seminar lasting a few weeks. Residencies take place either on a university campus or at a designated regional residency center.

Most doctoral business administration programs prefer candidates who have earned a MBA or a master's degree in a related field. Nearly all programs also require applicants to take the Graduate Management Aptitude Test, or GMAT. Prospective students should verify admissions requirements with an admissions counselor at each school.

Although core competencies differ slightly from institution to institution, graduates are expected to leave school with a particular set of advanced skills. Among these, students should be able to analyze and implement strategies to improve organizational behavior, comprehend a diverse array of market analyses, and address complex or unique issues in both domestic and international business practice.

In addition to common core courses, most doctorate degrees in business administration require students to choose an area of specialization. In a DBA program, this may be a particular area of business such as accounting or leadership. In a Ph.D. program, your specialization may be a theoretical model or body of literature related to business theory.

Doctoral students in business administration must work with a mentor or advisor to write a dissertation in their chosen concentration. Dissertation research is the primary focus of a program's final one to two years. Most doctoral degree programs include a seminar course--usually taken just prior to the beginning of the research period--that prepares students for the particular work required during the proposal, composition and defense of their dissertation.

Earning an online doctoral degree is a big commitment. To get more details about program requirements, or to speak to an admissions counselor, request additional information from one or more of the schools below.