Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Campus will close on December 18 for the holidays and will reopen on January 2.

Explore all Graduate Programs

Online Ph.D. in Business

Gain the skills needed to make an impact through research, teaching, and leadership in the global business landscape.

Businessman leading a presentation
Businessman leading a presentation

Types

Doctoral

Location

Online

Credits

66 hours

Cost

$549/credit hour

Push the boundaries of your career. Change the business landscape. Be impactful.

Nobody makes it as far in the business world as you have without drive and determination. An online PhD in Business degree couples that tenacity with advanced business knowledge and skills, giving you a chance to push beyond your career's current boundaries and create brand-new expectations for yourself and your organization.

A PhD in Business is the highest academic credential attainable in the field of business. The degree is typically designed to prepare candidates for careers in academia, research, and other roles that require complex problem-solving. To that end, the PhD in Business online program at Cumberlands focuses on original research and developing new theories to further the body of knowledge in your discipline. If you think you have what it takes, and if you want to advance your business career even further, take this as your sign to consider pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in business management at University of the Cumberlands.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$189,520

Average Salary

5%

Industry Growth

$10.4K

Average Financial Aid

5

National Distinctions
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Business

The online PhD in Business from University of the Cumberlands will impart the skills you need to stay at the cutting edge of innovations in business, along with the tools you need to teach at postsecondary institutions. You’ll learn the business philosophy, critical thinking skills, and evidence-based practices necessary to excel in teaching, research, or business roles.

Our PhD in Business online program builds on your undergraduate and graduate work, as well as your practical, real-world business experience. In addition to professional research courses, you’ll take core business courses in areas ranging from comparative economics and corporate finance to managerial ethics and social responsibility.

The curriculum for this online PhD in Business program—including all coursework and field and clinical experiences—will engage you in the theories, strategies, and tactics you need to:

  • Research and attain business discipline-specific knowledge and competencies.
  • Develop business-related professional skills—from communication to collaboration.
  • Assess your personal values, connecting them with ethical business and research behaviors.

Course Requirements

A content specialty area of at least twenty-four (24) hours must be earned in one of these disciplines:

  • Accounting
  • Blockchain
  • Business Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Public Administration
  • Strategic Management
  • Supply Chain Management

For a full list of course offerings or more program-specific information, visit our Academic Catalog. 

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Plaster Graduate School of Business is to foster academic excellence and student achievement at the graduate level. Our PhD in Business Management prepare you academically to become a productive, competent, and ethical professional.

Evaluate your personal values and connect them to ethical behaviors.
Synthesize and integrate current research and literature to problems found in the areas of accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing.
Construct research-based, strategic, effective, and ethical solutions to optimize organizational performance (both domestic and international).
Develop advanced communication, collaboration, research, and critical thinking skills.
Execute rigorous research and present scholarly work that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and provides linkages to practical business applications.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

PhD in Business Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Chief Executive: $122,480

Chief Executive: $122,480

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Advertising Manager: $133,380

Advertising Manager: $133,380

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Market Research Analyst: $68,230

Market Research Analyst: $68,230

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Management Analyst: $93,000

Management Analyst: $93,000

Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.

Personal Financial Advisor: $94,170

Personal Financial Advisor: $94,170

Personal financial advisors provide advice to help individuals manage their money and plan for their financial future.

Sales Manager: $127,490

Sales Manager: $127,490

Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

A Ph.D. in business is the highest academic degree in business, focusing on advanced research, theoretical knowledge, and problem-solving skills. It prepares candidates for careers in academia, research, and high-level business roles requiring complex analytical capabilities.

A Ph.D. in business typically takes about three to five years to complete. This duration can vary based on the student's pace, research progress, and any additional requirements such as comprehensive exams and dissertation defense.

Yes, it is possible to earn a Ph.D. in business online. Many universities, including the University of the Cumberlands, offer online Ph.D. programs in business, allowing students to complete their studies remotely while maintaining flexibility with their personal and professional commitments.

A Ph.D. in business can be highly valuable for those aiming for academic, research, or advanced leadership positions in the business world. It provides in-depth knowledge, research skills, and the credentials needed for top-tier roles, potentially leading to higher salaries and greater career opportunities.

With a Ph.D. in business, you can pursue careers as a chief executive, advertising manager, market research analyst, management analyst, personal financial advisor, or sales manager. These roles involve high-level strategic planning, research, and leadership within various business contexts.

To get a Ph.D. in business, you need to apply to a university offering the program, meet the admission criteria, and complete the required coursework and research components. This typically includes core courses, professional research, and strategic focus courses, culminating in a dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the field.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts

Get to know the doctoral business faculty at Cumberlands.

Margaret Combs

Margaret Combs

Professor
Accounting
Business Administration
Doctor of Business Administration
Master's in Strategic Management
MBA - Master Business Administration
PhD Business

Margaret Combs

Contact Information

Dr. Stephanie Thacker

Dr. Stephanie Thacker

Associate Professor
Business Administration
Doctor of Business Administration
MBA - Master Business Administration
PhD Business

Dr. Stephanie Thacker

Contact Information

606-539-5594
stephanie.thacker [at] ucumberlands.edu
Hutton School of Business
Dr. Summer Jackson

Dr. Summer Jackson

Adjunct Professor
PhD Business
PhD Leadership

Dr. Summer Jackson

Contact Information

summer.jackson [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
View All

Program Accreditation

The Hutton School of Business at University of the Cumberlands has received specialized accreditations for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please refer to our IACBE member status page

Please review our Public Disclosure of Student Achievement.

 

IACBE Logo 500

Request Information

You have questions? We have answers.

Loading...