Online Doctorate in E-Commerce
The world of commerce is moving online, and business professionals today need to be versed in both the technology and business aspects of e-commerce. While dedicated e-commerce degree programs are relatively rare, students who want to specialize in this niche can pursue a Ph.D. in business or a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in e-commerce. Some schools also offer a certificate in e-commerce that can enhance your doctoral degree in business or a related field.
Earning your doctoral degree in e-commerce
At the doctoral level, e-commerce students learn advanced business and leadership skills as well as research methods necessary to explore theoretical and business problems in the industry.
An online Ph.D. in e-commerce covers topics such as supply chain management, e-commerce marketing and website promotion. Some common courses are highlighted below.
- Business research: Provides an overview of the research process, including key quantitative and qualitative methods.
- E-commerce marketing and operations management: Teaches development techniques for business-to-business and business-to-consumer Internet marketing, implementation procedures for market strategy, and fundamentals of customer-focused e-commerce user interface design.
- Mobile e-commerce: Helps students understand the structures and behavior of online communities and assess the impact of mobile device platforms on e-commerce practices, business models and consumer preferences.
- Supply chain management and design: Instructs students in how to design an integrated supply chain specific for an e-commerce business.
An online doctorate in e-commerce is also a possibility. Although distance learning programs generally allow students to complete coursework at their own pace, most schools require online doctoral students to attend a handful of residencies at a local campus or designated location. Residencies last anywhere from a long weekend to a few weeks and are tailored to provide networking and professionalization opportunities with faculty and fellow peers. Students typically attend at least one residency during the dissertation phase to discuss their research with a faculty advisor.
Requirements for an online e-commerce doctoral degree
Prerequisites for an online doctoral degree in e-commerce generally include a master's degree in business or a related field, although requirements vary from school to school. Students may also be asked to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores.
Institutions that offer graduates an online e-commerce certificate tend to not administer a final research project before graduation. Comprehensive doctorate programs in e-commerce, however, necessitate a dissertation based on original research into a business problem. Dissertations are composed with the help of an advisor and usually require at least a year for research and writing.
Earning a doctoral degree is a life-changing decision. Gather more information about online doctorates in e-commerce by browsing the schools below and requesting program details from schools that interest you.
