Ph.D. in Business

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

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

An executive Ph.D. degree in business management 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, our hybrid-format online Ph.D. in business 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 an Executive Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management at University of the Cumberlands.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$189,520

Average Salary

5%

Industry Growth

100%

Student-Focused

30

Max Class Size

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Executive Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management

The Executive Ph.D. Business Management 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. In this Ph.D. program you’ll learn the business philosophy, critical thinking skills, and evidence-based practices necessary to excel in any teaching, research, or business roles.

This hybrid Ph.D. graduate degree in business builds on your undergraduate and graduate work and your practical, real-world business experience. Along with professional research courses, you’ll take core business courses in areas ranging from comparative economics and corporate finance to managerial ethics and social responsibility.

Curriculum for this Executive Ph.D. Business Management 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

Core Courses (18 hours)

Professional Research (24 hours)

Specialty Area (24 hours)

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

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

Personal Application

INTR 799/899 - Applied Learning Practicum

For executive format students, the applied learning component (internship/practicum) is established as an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.

Anchor: Executive Student Resources

Executive students walking toward graduation ceremony

Executive Student Resources

UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.

View Executive Student Resources

Executive Program Format

Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program. We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience. Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students. At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.

Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Residency FAQs

What are the residency weekend dates?

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.

Will I attend residency sessions for the same amount of time?

Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.

How do I know which residency to go to?

You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.

You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.

Are all three days mandatory?

Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!

What is UC's residency attendance policy?

Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.

A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.

Make-up residency sessions – where are they?

Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination.

What if I can't be there all three days?

If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

When can I register for the next semester?

The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status.

Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.

Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.

When will facilities be available to me on residency weekends?

*Please note all times are in local time zone*

Friday

Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.

When will residency sessions be in the future?

*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.

Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)

Spring 2025 (January 6th – April 30th)

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

Apply current research and literature to problems found in the areas of accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing

Develop research-based, strategic, effective, and ethical solutions to optimize organizational performance (both domestic and international)

Apply advanced communication, collaboration, research, and critical thinking skills

Design rigorous research that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and provides linkages to practical business applications

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Business Management Careers & Outcomes

Top Executive $100,090

Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.

Finacial Analyst $92,220

Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.

Marketing Manager: $138,730

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

Management Analyst: $95,290

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

Business Professor: $80,840

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Project Management Specialist: $95,370

Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

What is an executive Ph.D. in business?

An executive Ph.D. in business is a doctoral program designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in business management. It focuses on advanced research, teaching, and leadership, preparing graduates to make significant contributions in academia, research, and high-level business roles.

How long does an executive Ph.D. in business take?

The program typically requires 66 credit hours and can take around 3-5 years to complete, depending on the student's pace and the specific structure of the program.

Is an executive Ph.D. in business worth it?

Earning an executive Ph.D. in business can be highly valuable for professionals aiming to advance their careers in academia, research, or executive management. It equips you with advanced knowledge and research skills, making you a strong candidate for top-tier positions in various industries.

How affordable is this executive program?

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

What will I learn through this hybrid degree?

Among other things, by the time you complete your hybrid-format executive PhD in business management at Cumberlands, you will be able to:

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

What can I do with an executive Ph.D. in business?

Graduates can pursue careers as top executives, financial analysts, marketing managers, management analysts, business professors, and project management specialists. The program prepares you for leadership roles that require strategic decision-making and advanced business acumen.

How to get an executive Ph.D. in business?

To enroll, you need to meet the standard graduate admission requirements, which typically include relevant work experience, an undergraduate degree, and often a master's degree. The application process usually involves submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and sometimes a resume or CV.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and an Executive Ph.D.?

A traditional Ph.D. is often more research-focused and aimed at preparing students for careers in academia and research. An executive Ph.D., on the other hand, is designed for working professionals and focuses on applying advanced research and theory to practical business problems. The executive format usually offers more flexibility to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals.