should i get a phd or mba

MBA vs PhD – Which advanced degree is better?

In the ever-evolving professional landscape, the pursuit of higher education remains a popular route to advance your career.

But with numerous options available, how do you choose between an MBA and a PhD?

In this blog post, we dive into the unique benefits and opportunities that each of these advanced degrees offers.

From the practical business acumen and leadership skills gained in an MBA program to the deep expertise and research contributions made by PhD holders, the choice ultimately hinges on your long-term goals and personal ambitions.

We’ll explore these two distinct paths, and learn how to make the best decision for your future success.

MBA VS PHD – the debate

A quick summary of a PhD vs MBA:

What Does a PhD Get You? Pros and Cons

A PhD, the highest academic degree achievable, can open numerous doors in the job market, enabling graduates to advance in their careers.

Unlike an MBA, which primarily focuses on corporate and management aspects, a PhD offers expertise in a specific field through rigorous research and study.

As a PhD student, your goal is to contribute new knowledge to your field, be it economics, finance, accounting, or any other discipline, by crafting a thesis that contains original research.

Through the PhD program, you not only earn a valuable qualification but also gain opportunities to publish your work and present at conferences.

These activities can enhance your reputation, making you more desirable to potential employers. The salary of a PhD holder often surpasses that of someone with only an undergraduate degree, as their expertise is in high demand.

From my personal experience, obtaining a PhD can be challenging yet rewarding. It allowed me to explore my chosen field, chemistry, in depth and opened up new avenues for career growth.

However, it is crucial to consider the potential drawbacks before embarking on this journey.

Pursuing a PhD entails a significant time commitment, typically around 3-4 years, and can be quite expensive, as tuition fees for these programs can be steep.

Acquiring a PhD can provide numerous benefits, including expert knowledge, a higher salary, and opportunities for advancement in your field. However, carefully weighing the pros and cons is necessary to determine if it’s the right path for you.

Should you earn an MBA instead for the business world?

Choosing between an MBA and a PhD is a crucial decision that depends on your career goals and personal preferences. While both are advanced degrees, they offer significantly different paths.

I asked an MBA graduate and this is what they said:

Having experienced the MBA program myself, I can vouch for its practical benefits. An MBA focuses on business acumen and managerial skills, enabling you to climb the corporate ladder more quickly than a PhD. With a two-year duration, it’s a faster route to increasing your earning potential and offers a significant return on investment. Business schools emphasize teamwork, entrepreneurship, and ethics, providing graduates with a well-rounded skill set for the business world.

On the other hand, a PhD, such as a PhD in economics or any other discipline, is ideal for those passionate about research and academia. It requires several years of dedicated study, with graduates becoming experts in their niche.

PhD holders often pursue careers as researchers, professors, or consultants.

When considering whether to pursue an MBA or a PhD, weigh the pros and cons of each degree and reflect on your long-term career aspirations. Both options can be rewarding, but they cater to different ambitions and provide distinct opportunities in the professional world.

Is an MBA equal to a PhD and doctorate?

An MBA and a PhD are both advanced degrees, but they are not equal due to their differing purposes and career outcomes.

As someone who has interacted with both MBA and PhD graduates, I’ve seen firsthand the unique benefits of each degree.

An MBA is a professional degree, taking one to two years to complete, and equips students with practical business skills.

This degree is popular among those aiming to climb the corporate ladder in industries like finance, marketing, or consulting.

On the other hand, a PhD is a research-focused degree, requiring several years of dedication and original research contributions.

A PhD in economics or other fields often leads to careers in academia or research. PhD programs are highly competitive and demand an intense commitment to writing a dissertation and advancing knowledge in the discipline.

The debate between MBA vs. PhD highlights the significant differences in their focus and career paths.

While both degrees can be obtained at a business school, they cater to different ambitions and provide distinct opportunities. The choice between an MBA or a PhD depends on one’s end goal, work experience, and personal preferences.

So What’s Better, a PhD or MBA?

When considering whether to pursue a PhD or an MBA, it’s essential to evaluate your:

• personal interests,
• career goals,
• financial commitment involved in each degree.

A PhD offers the opportunity to deeply explore a specific subject, contribute to the advancement of knowledge in that field, and establish yourself as an expert.

However, the process is often lengthy and demanding, taking up to five or six years of intense research and dedication.

The payoff might not always be immediate in terms of career prospects, as academia and research can be fiercely competitive arenas.

On the other hand, an MBA equips you with practical business skills and knowledge, often leading to a broader range of job opportunities and potentially higher salaries.

The program’s duration is considerably shorter, usually taking one to two years to complete, and offers a faster return on investment.

An MBA is particularly well-suited for those seeking to climb the corporate ladder, transition into a managerial role, or even launch their own startups.

It’s important to note that some individuals choose to pursue both degrees, combining their research expertise with practical business acumen to excel in various fields.

Does anyone earn both a PhD and an MBA? Why?

Yes, there are indeed individuals who choose to earn both a PhD and an MBA, although this path is less common.

Combining the two degrees can create a unique skill set that is valuable in various fields.

For instance, a PhD holder in a specialized discipline may opt for an MBA to gain practical business skills and a broader understanding of the corporate world, which can be valuable in leadership roles or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Pursuing both degrees also allows for building diverse networks, connecting with professionals in academia and the business world.

Despite the significant time and effort required to obtain both degrees, those who undertake this ambitious path often find themselves well-equipped to navigate multiple career paths and excel in their chosen fields.

MBA vs PhD Career Options

Both advanced degrees can lead to successful careers, but they differ significantly in terms of their focus and job prospects.

An MBA degree, with its emphasis on business administration, prepares graduates for roles such as:

• management consultant,
• marketing manager, or
• finance director.

MBA holders are more likely to climb the corporate ladder quickly and enjoy higher salaries. The MBA program equips students with practical business skills, making them suitable for leadership positions in a wide range of industries.

In contrast, PhDs are more likely to become professors or researchers, with a focus on deepening their expertise in their chosen field. In science that is a very common career goal. 

While the earning potential for PhD holders may not be as high as for those with an MBA, they often find fulfillment in their academic pursuits.

Getting an MBA might be the better option for those eager to advance quickly in the corporate world and who possess a strong passion for business. 

On the other hand, getting a PhD might be more suitable for those who wish to delve into research and contribute to academia.

Wrapping Up

The decision between pursuing an MBA or a PhD is a highly personal one, hinging on individual career goals, personal interests, and the level of time and financial commitment one is willing to make. Both advanced degrees offer unique benefits and opportunities, but they cater to different career paths and ambitions.

An MBA is an ideal choice for those seeking to climb the corporate ladder swiftly, transition into management roles, or launch their own businesses. With a focus on practical business skills, MBA graduates find themselves well-prepared for leadership positions across various industries.

On the other hand, a PhD is geared towards those passionate about research and academia, providing an opportunity to become an expert in a specific field and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. While the journey may be more demanding and time-consuming, the satisfaction of making an impact in one’s chosen discipline can be deeply rewarding.

The best choice depends on your long-term goals, professional aspirations, and personal preferences. Reflecting on these factors, researching each degree thoroughly, and seeking advice from professionals and peers can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your ambitions and aspirations. Whichever path you choose, both an MBA and a PhD can be instrumental in unlocking a world of possibilities and shaping your future career.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Is an MBA Degree Really Worth It?

• Liza Kirkpatrick

The right and wrong reasons to pursue one.

Getting an MBA (Master of Business Administration) takes a lot of time, money, and effort. So it’s important to really think about whether or not it is worth your while to pursue one. Here are some things to consider.

• The right reasons: To hone skills like influence, empathy, and building business strategies; to help you make a career pivot; to accelerate the pace of your professional development; to expand and diversify your professional network.
• The wrong reasons: You’re looking for a magic pill that will give you more money or power; you’re bored in your current role; you don’t know what you want.

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To MBA, or not to MBA? For many young professionals, that is the question.

• Liza Kirkpatrick is the Assistant Dean of Career Services at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

In academia, numerous accomplishments can be achieved. You can earn a dual degree and have expertise in multiple fields, or further your career potential by going back to school . But what about progressing from an MBA to a PhD? 

In regards to higher education, many consider earning a PhD, or doctorate degree, the pinnacle of success. Usually, due to passion for a particular industry or subject, a PhD candidate will spend years of rigorous research to unpack its intricacies and become a leading expert in the field.  At the end of their studies, they are able to finally see their work come to fruition when they receive their doctorate and join alongside other scholars. However, is it typical for an MBA graduate to move onto pursuing their PhD? And is there a specific purpose? Are there different types of PhD programs? What is the difference between a PhD and DBA?

To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. 

What is a PhD, and What is it Used For? 

By definition, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy in a particular discipline, which is why it's also referred to as a doctorate. This focus is typically for individuals highly passionate about a specific subject matter, driven by the pursuit to understand it better through rigorous research. A majority of students seeking their PhD are eager researchers, although there are always exceptions, and each carries out years of highly intensive research to conclude their original thesis and earn their doctorate. 

In terms of translating your education into a career, a doctorate can be used in a plethora of fields, especially if one’s thesis is around a wider subject matter and can be a discipline applied to various industries (take organizational development, for example). For those who are passionate about a career in research, a doctoral degree is a perfect fit. Possibly the most popular field for those with a doctorate is a fruitful career in academia, teaching their subject matter to others interested in the same area. Many graduates become faculty members at business schools upon completing their PhD and provide their expertise to their students. Regardless of which industry you choose, you can be assured that a PhD will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

How Long Does it Take to Progress from an MBA to PhD?

The timeframe for earning your PhD can vary depending on program and location. Many countries have varying timelines of how long the completion of a doctoral program will take. In the United States, the average is around 4-5 years of completion after receiving your Master of Business Administration. 

Do You Need an MBA to Get a PhD?

To be accepted into a doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree. It does not have to be a Master of Business Administration, but it does need to be a master’s of some form. Depending on your area of specialization, it could be advantageous to earn your MBA in pursuit of a PhD if you are planning to embark on a career in business upon completion of your doctorate. Additionally, one important aspect to consider is the program itself. It is important to look into a program’s requirements before applying to meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Difference Between a DBA and a PhD 

For those specifically interested in a career in business, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a highly beneficial doctoral program. A DBA focuses on a broader spectrum of business disciplines, dedicating research toward multiple corporate facets, and practical implementation. On the contrary, a PhD narrows into a specific area of discipline and research, emphasizing theory, and it’s potential implications. While both are heavily centered around research and implementation, a DBA sets business executives and leaders on a path to discover new possibilities for their organizations and businesses. In a way, it allows established business professionals to “trailblaze” the way for new and innovative ideas that can disrupt the market and set a precedent for the future of business.

Get Your MBA or DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

At Pepperdine Graziadio, we proudly offer degrees to accommodate business professionals at any stage of their lives and careers. Our full and part-time MBA programs are designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in values-based business leadership. All of our MBA programs offer a personalized learning approach executed by our world-class faculty. Each program is characterized by its top-ranked business curriculum that can be coupled with an academic concentration. 

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been carefully designed for the tenured business leader looking to drive groundbreaking innovations. This rigorous program allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and finetune their expertise through applied research. Also, executives enjoy learning alongside changemakers in various industries and participating in exclusive opportunities available only to DBA candidates.

Learn more about which programs fit your career aspirations and academic interests.

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with a degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

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Mba vs. phd: choose your advanced degree path.

In 2021, it is practically conventional wisdom that an advanced degree like a master’s degree, an MBA, a PhD, a JD or an MD is a necessity if you want to give yourself the best chance of a successful, meaningful career. While professional doctoral degrees like JDs and MDs will lead you down very specific career paths, it can be harder to envision the career outcomes associated with more versatile degrees like the MBA or the PhD.

People pursue these two advanced degrees for a variety of reasons, and no two journeys through higher education and into professional excellence are quite the same. If you are internally debating the merits of earning an MBA vs. earning a PhD, read some of the career pathways you might take with either degree—or with both of them.

Who earns a PhD? And what do they do with it?

People who pursue a doctoral degree typically do so out of a commitment to producing new knowledge at the leading edge of a subject or field that holds deep meaning for them. This can describe an incredibly diverse array of pursuits, from developing innovative new materials for medical devices and developing novel modeling techniques for research applications to examining archival records of media production and scrutinizing the linguistic elements of ancient texts.

People often earn PhDs with the goal of an academic career in mind. This is not necessarily the case in all scholarly disciplines, however, and even in those that tend to be more academic focused, recent trends may be demonstrating a shift. Those who earn PhDs in STEM fields or in the data-driven social sciences may do so with the end goal of a professional career in mind, specifically one where their skills at designing and conducting research will be rewarded with heightened responsibility and increased pay. And even in humanities disciplines with seemingly few analogues in the professional world, graduate students are increasingly envisioning their futures outside of the classroom as tenure-track and full-time professorships grow scarcer by the year.

How can a PhD help you in the business world?

The skills and mindset you develop in a PhD program are certainly applicable in the “real” world, regardless of whether your subject of choice has a direct pathway to a professional job. If you have earned a PhD in a STEM field, you will likely enter the professional workforce at a higher pay grade than you would without your degree. You may find yourself fast-tracked toward a management role as well, as your experience designing and overseeing research projects can position you well to lead a team of employees, manage workloads, and successfully meet deadlines.

PhD holders in the social sciences and humanities may also find their skills in high demand in the business world, even if they might need to spend a bit of time learning how to convey their value on a resume and in a job interview. Research in social sciences fields like sociology and political science often requires analysis of large and complex data sets; the skill set they develop in completing this work can translate easily into a business analytics role. And the persuasive writing, editing and organization skills humanities graduate students develop are well-suited to roles in strategic communication or marketing.

Should you earn an MBA instead?

If you are considering whether to earn an MBA or a PhD and you know your eventual goal is to obtain a leadership role in a business organization, the MBA is likely the right path for you. An MBA can make an immediate impact on your earnings and on the career opportunities available to you. It is also an extremely versatile degree, and can lead to advancement whether your career already seems to be heading down a relatively narrow path in a specific field or whether you intend to keep your options open for a potential pivot.

Additionally, an MBA might also be your best bet if the kind of fulfillment you get from your work comes less from successfully completing your assigned task or from navigating the day-to-day challenges of your particular area of technical expertise and more from positioning your organization for success. If you would rather dedicate your time and energy toward strategizing your company’s business goals and the best ways to achieve them, and to truly leading rather than simply managing , you should strongly consider enrolling in business school.

The most significant difference your choice to earn an MBA instead of a PhD will have on your life is on the amount of time and energy you have to dedicate to it. A PhD is a full-time commitment in which work typically balloons well past 40 hours per week, with little respect for evenings or weekends. It will take an absolute minimum of four years to complete, and more likely five to seven. An MBA, conversely, will typically be attainable in just two to 2.5 years and can be completed while you keep your full-time job—and your full salary. Seek out a top-tier online program if you would like your MBA studies to fit most conveniently around your existing schedule and responsibilities.

Does anyone earn both a PhD and an MBA? Why?

It is not unheard of for a single person to earn both a PhD and an MBA, but the order in which one does so is often determined by their eventual career goals, including by the way these goals might evolve over the course of their career. PhD holders who are working in fields that are directly related to their research may, after some years, opt to return to school for an MBA to help them prepare to climb the corporate ladder at large technical organizations. In smaller companies, such as engineering or biotechnology startups, the org chart may tilt heavily toward people with technical backgrounds rather than business ones; adding an MBA and the skills that come with it to your resume in an environment like this can benefit the entire organization.

Or, if you earn your MBA and spend time working and advancing in a professional field only to eventually realize your true calling is to teach others, you may choose to earn a PhD in economics or a business discipline to help you transition into a professorship in a business school. Preparing the next generation of business leaders can be extremely meaningful work, and many successful professionals decide the most positive impact they can make on the business world is by taking this route.

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The MBA vs PhD Debate

• By Grace M.
• August 14, 2020

If there’s one question that seems to get business university professors flinching at, it’s the all-to-often “ what’s better – an MBA or a PhD? ”

The reason for this is clear – asking such a question seems to suggest that the result of obtaining an MBA or PhD is the same. This couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Let us first quickly break down what an MBA and a PhD is.

MBA is short for  Master of Business Administration , while PhD is short for  Doctor of Philosophy . Just from the first word of both types of degrees, we can already see that there’s an obvious difference between the two, but let’s proceed.

In terms of the required time commitment, an MBA will usually take two years to complete full time. On the other hand, getting a PhD can take four years (unless you decide to undertake it part time or enrol into an accelerated online PhD degree programme). So if time is your primary concern, then an MBA would be the obvious path for you.

As an MBA student, you’ll find that much of the learning curriculum is closely related to a professional environment. In fact, this is why some universities mandate at least one year of actual work experience as an entry requirement. As a result of the masters degree being so closely related to business in practice, an MBA student will usually research a broad range of subjects. Each of these subjects would focus on a unique business aspect such as accounting, consulting, economics, marketing, finance, leadership, management, ethics and trading.

On the other hand, a Business PhD student will only focus on one subject and do so in much greater detail. On top of this, the PhD student will usually also be expected to support lecturers with teaching classes and leading tutorial sessions.

The reason for this difference is because a doctorate is an advanced degree which aims to make you an expert in a specialised field. Because of this, a PhD is regarded as the higher professional qualification of the two.

MBA vs PhD Entrance Requirements

Due to the amount of funding available, a high number of applicants and a few available positions, the competition for entry into MBA and PhD programmes can be very high.

The specific requirements depend on the country you intend to study in; however, most MBA programmes require you to sit Graduate Management Test ( GMAT ) or Graduate Record Examinations ( GRE ). Regardless of whether you need to undertake a pre-qualification exam or not, most universities prioritise applicants who already have a level of professional experience.

The reverse is true for PhD programmes. For PhDs, you will require a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree (usually with a 2:1 or 1st), but you will not be expected to sit any pre-entrance exams nor will you be expected to have working experience. As a result, most students who do a business PhD are younger than those who do an MBA.

Earning your MBA or Doctorate Online

As if the MBA or PhD debate wasn’t enough, the online versions of these degrees are starting to get thrown into the comparisons. With the fast-developing rate of the internet and a general trend towards online global connectivity, higher education is experiencing a significant transformation.

Not only is it possible to get a doctorate online , MBA programmes and Masters in Project Management are also much more widely available online from top-ranking universities compared to several years ago.

While online learning may not be for everyone, many adult students, including myself, favour online degrees due to the flexibility they provide to on-campus or distant learning programmes. As someone who used to dedicate several hours a night on a university campus in a neighbouring area, take it from me, being able to study from your home office isn’t only easier, it’s much less stressful.

MBA vs PhD Career Options

So what gives a better return on investment in terms of career options, an MBA or a PhD?

The MBA is a specialised business degree, and as such, anyone who holds it is a valuable asset for any business. Industries are all about using employee abilities to the organisation’s benefit, and an MBA isn’t something an organisation should or will ignore.

Having a Masters in Business Administration is usually associated with greater career prospects. This is reflected in the speed that an MBA degree holder can climb the corporate ranks compared to an individual who doesn’t hold the specialised degree. Not only can they progress faster, but MBA holders typically also achieve higher positions during their career. This can include highly sought after positions such as associate directors and senior executives (assuming the student is ambitious and dedicated enough). Another benefit of getting an MBA is surrounding earning potential. It’s not unusual for those with an MBA from the London Business School, Oxford University or Imperial College London to receive starting salaries in excess of £50,000 a year .

In comparison, most business PhD holders won’t follow the same path as their MBA colleagues. Instead, most PhD graduates will enter into either a research or academic career. Because of this significant difference in the typical career path, which of the two types of degrees is better suited for you will depend on exactly what it is you want to do after completing your studies.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

PhD after MBA

Hopefully, it should be clear by now that an MBA and a PhD are two very different degrees, and because of that, it should also start to become clearer regarding which degree is for you.

If this isn’t the case, it may be useful to know that some business students, after completing their undergraduate degree, obtain an MBA and then move onto a PhD. This actually makes a lot of sense since the two forms of professional qualifications cover different stages of a student’s learning, and on that basis, there’s no reason why you couldn’t do both.

In fact, a few universities offer programmes that combine both degrees as a PhD-MBA dual degree. They are better known as PhD-MBA Integrated Degrees (or PhD-MBA Joint Degrees in US Graduate Schools) and can be the perfect option for anyone who wants to get the best of both qualifications. You don’t necessarily need an MBA for PhD eligibility, but they can prove beneficial as the transition from MBA to PhD will usually be less arduous than from Bachelors to PhD.

So what’s Better, a PhD or MBA?

The final answer depends on you. If you’re an individual who enjoys going up against others or the market, then an MBA will probably be the right option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer the realms of researching business theories, challenging yourself mentally and being able to pass on knowledge to others, then a PhD could be the better option. If both options sound interesting to you, then you may find a PhD-MBA dual degree of interest.

In the end, then, the question isn’t about whether an MBA is better than a PhD, but which one is personally better for you.

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Ellen is in the third year of her PhD at the University of Oxford. Her project looks at eighteenth-century reading manuals, using them to find out how eighteenth-century people theorised reading aloud.

Sabrina’s in the third year of her PhD at The University of Adelaide. Her esearch combines molecular techniques, data analysis, and next generation sequencing to investigate modifications on RNAs in plants.

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Mba to phd: what is the recommended path.

Dr. Nick Dahan, Professor and Director, Online MBA California State University at Monterey Bay College of Business

As you are planning out your education and career, you may be considering furthering your education beyond an MBA with a doctorate degree in a business-related field. This is a big decision, given that it is likely a three- to six-year commitment that would affect your career and your family, both emotionally and financially. Be sure to make this decision after taking some time for careful consideration.

Here are a few key questions to ask in order to help with the MBA to PhD decision process.

Why Do You Need a Doctorate?

This is the most important question.

If you have substantial executive experience and you are interested in teaching in higher education, you may be eligible for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’ (AACSB) “bridge” program , which helps executives become effective instructors. This program is designed for highly seasoned business leaders who are only interested in teaching, not pursuing research. They can teach in business schools either part-time or full-time in a contractual teaching-focused position (called non-tenure track, or clinical, or professor of teaching). In that case, a doctorate is not needed at all.

If the only reason to pursue a doctorate is to study a business discipline or to deepen your quantitative skills beyond what is possible in an MBA (even one with a concentration), you may want to consider a graduate certificate or a master of science (MSc). They offer the opportunity to take three to 12 courses with a narrower focus, such as data analytics, human resources management, project management, digital marketing, etc. A certificate or MSc is a great complement to an MBA, especially if your MBA consisted of, say, 10 courses covering 10 different business disciplines, with little opportunity to go deeper on any particular subject.

It must also be stressed that boosting earnings is rarely a strong reason to pursue a doctorate in business if you already hold an MBA or MSc in a business subject. As careers in the private sector are more lucrative and typically do not require a doctorate (other than a few corporate economist and financial positions where a PhD is a must), the financial return on the investment into a business PhD may actually be negative if you plan to go into academia compared to a private-sector career with an MBA. As an example, through a successful career in the private sector, a business executive may well earn more than $200K annually five or 10 years after completing their master’s degree in business, whereas it is highly unlikely that a business academic with a PhD will ever reach that salary level. However, while significantly increasing your earnings may not be the main reason, there are obviously plenty of other valid reasons for pursuing a doctorate.

Valid reasons to go from an MBA to a PhD include:

• Ensuring you achieve the deepest level of expertise on a subject matter, which can then be leveraged in the private sector, public sector, and consulting. Sometimes a graduate certificate or even an MSc is not enough for the kind of career you seek out
• Getting the opportunity to teach in higher education, either part-time as an adjunct while keeping your full-time job in business, or full-time by switching from a business career to academia. If the latter, the choice is often motivated by seeking a second career that allows more freedom and flexibility (stable employment and great benefits are important perks).
• For marginalized populations , it may be an important way to be given the respect they deserve. And business doctorate programs face a serious underrepresentation of minorities, in part because many programs do not offer scholarships and assistantships (instead, they are money-making programs for the universities), which decreases the likelihood of minority enrollment . Fortunately, there are initiatives to redress the situation and grow a pipeline of minority PhDs that can ultimately join academia, such as McNair fellowships in business , and The PhD Project .

Which Kind of Doctorate?

Not all doctorates are created equal. You have to choose one that matches your career goals:

Doctorate in Education (EdD)

This is not a doctorate in business per se. As such, it is very unlikely to lead to a full-time position at a four-year college nowadays. However, it can be useful in consulting, in specialized areas of Human Resource Management (adult education/training), or to pursue a leadership career in education (high school and school district, or on the administrative side of higher education such as Dean of students, Vice-Provost, etc.).

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

In business fields, there are DBA and Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) (EDBA/DBA) programs.

DBA programs are more practically oriented, focusing on conducting applied research. For example, a project the DBA student investigates in their professional context, as “action-research” that can be implemented quickly and deliver concrete benefits to their organization. Because the focus is on research that can be implemented in organizations, rather than published in academic journals to promote knowledge in the discipline, the DBA is well-suited for a career as a consultant. It could also be used to land a full-time position as an academic or a leader at a community college, where there is no expectation of conducting and publishing academic research.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD programs are more academic in content, typically providing even deeper training in research skills and subject matter, which often implies that they take longer to complete. A PhD first and foremost prepares students for a career in academia, specifically to be a professor or an academic leader, such as executive director, academic dean, provost, or president.

PhD programs focus on unique, theory-based research and publication of the findings of that research in academic journals and scientific books. If you are interested in a full-time academic career at a four-year college or university, a PhD is the degree for you. Of course, a PhD can also be leveraged in other careers such as consulting.

What Kind of Program?

Residential or online? Full-time or part-time? Every option exists.

If you aspire to mostly focus on teaching and therefore want to work at a college with a teaching emphasis, your PhD program options are broader than if you want to ultimately work at a business school where research expectations are more central. You have to select a doctoral program that will prepare you for the kind of academic career you aspire to: mostly teaching? A mix of teaching and research? Mostly research? Typically, the more prestigious the business school, the more emphasis is placed on research in its doctoral program.

If you want to be an academic, the more traditional route is to join a full-time residential PhD program where you can focus entirely on your studies and priming your research pipeline in order to prepare for a full-time academic position. Typically, seats are scarce at these PhD programs as it is extremely costly for universities to run these programs; they have to pay their most experienced professors to teach doctoral seminars to a very small number of students (often five to 10) who often have their tuition fully covered and get a scholarship or assistantship on top of that (often earning around $20K annually). If you are aiming to be hired as a faculty at a premier accredited school (AACSB-accredited for North America 1 , while in Europe EQUIS is another accreditation that is also prestigious), earning a PhD from a similarly accredited business school would be helpful (although outside of the USA there are quite a few prestigious business schools that are not AACSB or EQUIS accredited).

Some PhD and almost all DBA programs are part-time, offering students the option to keep working in parallel to their studies, but in that case, students have to pay tuition, which can add up to very substantial amounts over three to six years.

Finally, some programs are online rather than in person. In that category, a lot of DBA programs are either hybrid (each course has both an online and an in-person component) or mostly online with a small residency requirement (e.g., one weekend every semester). While it is not impossible to get a full-time academic position at a four-year college with a doctorate from a non-AACSB accredited business school, it is significantly harder, at least in North America. So, it is important to note that so far only one AACSB-accredited business school offers a fully online PhD program—University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Start with Your Online MBA

Many roads lead to a doctorate in business, and upon completion it paves the way to a variety of careers. Therefore, this must be a personal decision based on your professional aspirations and work/life constraints. It is highly advisable to get in touch with professionals who successfully leveraged their doctorate in their careers, such as consultants or academics, in order to better understand the risks, challenges, and rewards of pursuing a doctorate, and the latest trends in their field.

Before moving on for a doctorate, however, you will want to pursue your MBA. Create the career and the life you want with the Responsible Business Online MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay. Keep advancing your career work as you earn your MBA with our 100% online curriculum which focuses on the increasing role and importance of responsible business .

About the Author

Dr. Nicolas (Nick) Dahan is a Full Professor of International Business and Strategy, and Director of the MBA program at CSUMB, College of Business.

He has worked as a full-time faculty at a number of institutions, both in the USA (most recently prior to CSUMB at Temple University-Fox School of Business) and France. He also has extensive adjunct teaching experience with American institutions, including George Washington University, Tulane University, Baruch College-CUNY, as well as top French business schools (ESSEC, ESCP Europe, Sciences Po), and executive education.

His scholarly work has been published in journals such as Business & Society, International Business Review, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Business Research, Human Relations, Long Range Planning, and Strategic Organization.

He has worked at several French firms, and has acted occasionally as a consultant for multinational enterprises as well as trade associations in either public affairs or international entrepreneurship/marketing.

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California State University, Monterey Bay has engaged Everspring , a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.

Should I Earn a Doctorate Degree?

Types of Ph.D.s You Can Receive in the Field of Business

• MBA Programs & Rankings
• Business Degree Options
• Choosing A Business School
• Business School Admissions
• Business Careers and Internships
• Student Resources
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Distance Learning

A d octorate degree is the highest level academic degree that can be earned in the U.S. and many other countries. This degree is awarded to students who have completed a doctoral degree program.

Types of Doctorate Degrees

There are four basic types of doctorate degrees:

• Professional Doctorates - These doctorate degrees are awarded to students who focus on a profession over research. An example of a professional doctorate is a DBA ( Doctor of Business Administration .)
• Research Doctorates - Commonly known as a Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy , research doctorates are typically awarded in recognition of academic research.
• Higher Doctorates - A higher doctorate is a tiered research degree awarded in several countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland.
• Honorary Doctorates - Honorary doctorate are doctorate degrees awarded by certain universities that want to recognize an individual's contribution to a particular field.

Where to Earn a Doctorate Degree

There are thousands of universities around the world that award doctorate degrees. Business students can often choose between a campus-based program and an online program. Although every program is different, most schools require students to complete at least two years of full-time study before a doctorate degree will be awarded. In some cases, it may take as long as 8 to 10 years to complete the necessary requirements. Prerequisites for business students often include an MBA or a master's degree in a business field. However, there are some schools willing to admit undergraduate students to their doctoral programs.

Reasons to Earn a Doctorate Degree

There are many different reasons to consider earning a doctorate degree in the business field . To start, earning a doctorate degree can significantly increase your earning potential. This degree can also qualify you for more advanced and prestigious career options, such as CEO. Doctorate degrees can also make it easier to obtain consulting or research work and teaching jobs.

DBA vs. Ph.D.

Choosing between a professional degree, such as a DBA, and a research degree, such as a Ph.D., can be difficult. For business students who want to contribute to business theory and management practice while developing professional skills and contributing professional knowledge, the DBA is almost certainly the best academic route to take.

Choosing a Doctoral Degree Program

Finding the right doctoral degree program can be a challenge. There are thousands of schools and degree programs to choose from in the U.S. alone. However, it is essential that you make the right choice. You will be spending several years in the program. You must find a school that offers the type of degree you want to earn as well as the type of professors you want to work with. Some of the most important things to consider when deciding where to earn a doctorate degree from include:

• Accreditation
• Cost/Financial Aid Package
• Degree Options
• Faculty Reputation
• Program Reputation
• Admission Requirements
• Should I Earn a Business Administration Degree?
• Should I Earn a Business Degree?
• Should I Earn an Advertising Degree?
• How to Earn a Doctorate Degree Online
• Should I Earn a Joint JD/MBA Degree?
• Should I Earn a PhD in Business Administration?
• Should I Earn a Project Management Degree?
• What Is a Public Administration Degree?
• Should I Earn a Marketing Degree?
• Should I Earn a Sales Management Degree?
• Should I Earn an Economics Degree?
• Which Degree Is Right for You?
• A Doctor of Philosophy or Doctorate
• Should I Earn a Nonprofit Management Degree?
• Should I Earn a Real Estate Degree?
• Should I Earn a Hospitality Management Degree?

MBA, MBA Programs

How to Choose the Right MBA Programs for You

Do you ever find yourself wondering if you should get an MBA? Asking yourself, if I did want a graduate business degree, what MBA should I get?

If you choose an MBA program that’s a perfect fit for your background and goals, you may gain a valuable asset for your career. The MBA and graduate admissions experts at The MBA Exchange guide thousands of prospective b-school candidates each year through key decisions about where, when and how to apply.

We know how to choose an MBA program that works for your unique strengths and goals. And, when it comes to the tricky question of how to choose an online MBA program, we can guide you toward proven excellence and strong track records of return on investment.

Should you get an MBA?

Your career could run on many paths. Is an MBA right for you? Here are some factors to consider when you’re thinking about where to get an MBA.

Will getting an MBA help you get hired?

For careers like consulting, finance, health care management and entrepreneurship, an MBA opens professional doors. If your aspirations lie in that direction, an MBA provides an invaluable boost, and it’s a good idea to pursue a graduate degree for the higher earning potential as well.

Are you prepared for an MBA?

An MBA takes multiple years of hard work and dedicated study, not to mention a solid chunk of funding. Don’t start an MBA on a whim. Wait until you know you’re ready to give your MBA program your all.

You know you want it, but how to get an MBA?

When your mind is clear that an MBA is right for you, it’s time to get down to details and figure out how you’re going to get your MBA credential.

It’s not just a question of succeeding in class – before you can start an MBA, you have to choose an MBA program, put together a compelling application and get accepted.

What MBA should I get?: How to choose an MBA program

You want to choose the right MBA program for you, not just the best program on paper. When considering how to choose an MBA program, or how to choose an online MBA program, consider these points.

Length of program

Different types of MBA programs take different amounts of time to complete. If you need to keep working while you study, a part-time MBA that takes longer to complete might be right for you. Or, if you’ve got time to spend and want to complete your degree in 1-2 years, a traditional full-time MBA program may better fit your needs.

Deciding where to get an MBA may be important if you want to launch into a specific geographic sector – finance in the UK or tech consulting in Silicon Valley, for example. Think about where you want to be, for the next few years and beyond. Selecting your MBA program location could impact where the next chapter of your story unfolds.

Culture and personality

You start networking as soon as you start your MBA program, getting to know experts in business fields as well as fellow students who make up the next generation of business success stories. So you want to choose an MBA program where you fit in, with the right culture for you to connect and thrive.

Spend some time talking to alumni and current students at your potential target schools and see if you make connections before you narrow down your list for sending out applications. Find the right MBA for your unique personality.

Online or in-person?

Today’s high-tech world offers opportunities like online MBA programs. You don’t need to decide where to get an MBA when you opt for an online program that can be completed from anywhere in the world. If you have questions about how to choose an online MBA program with the quality you need, talk to the team at The MBA Exchange about your plans.

Are you ready to pursue an MBA?

Once you’ve sized up your potential target schools in terms of what they can offer you, it’s time to turn it around and take stock of what you’re ready to do, be and use, and add those factors to your decision on when and where to get an MBA.

If you’re not going to be able to give an MBA your attention and priority, this might not be your moment. On the other hand, maybe you’re ready now. Feeling committed and ready to meet the challenge of a graduate business degree ? Then this is your time.

What to consider when choosing an MBA program

Let’s review: when you’re choosing an MBA program, make sure to check each item in this list.

Program length

Ask yourself, what MBA should I get? A full-time MBA, part-time MBA or even an EMBA? Depending on your goals and needs, you might prefer a concentrated one-year or 1-2 year MBA program, or a more flexible part-time, online, or EMBA.

Cost of an online MBA

The cost of your MBA matters, whether online or in-person, but pricing online MBA programs can get tricky. The question of cost could definitely factor into how to choose an online MBA program that’s right for you. In a 2021 study by Affordable Colleges Online the price of a full-time in-person MBA at $39,048.78. The average cost of online MBAs was measured at $29,037.38, but your individual price tag could vary based on factors like delivery format and enrollment status. Make sure you know the details before you sign on a digital dotted line!

Curriculum in an MBA program

You should choose an MBA program with curriculum, courses and majors that match your vision of your future career. You can focus on quants, problem-solving, interpersonal communication or management consulting through your curriculum and major selection over the course of your MBA.

Accreditation for MBA programs

Not all MBA programs provide the same degree of accreditation. Accreditation gives you important information about the legitimacy and seriousness of an MBA program. An unaccredited program is much less likely to ultimately help you achieve your career and business goals.

Different programs require different materials to be included in your applications, and b-school admissions can run on a variety of timelines, as well. Consider what you need to get ready in order to put together your application package, and take note of admissions deadlines at your target schools.

The importance of defining your priorities

Choosing an MBA program and shaping your candidacy requires you to figure out where your priorities really lie. What’s important to you, and what’s just peripheral?

To succeed in b-school and beyond, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses and understand what you need to improve to meet your goals. Where to get your MBA depends on what you want to develop in yourself with your graduate study.

Main factors to consider when determining your reaches

Gpa and gmat/gre/ea.

Choosing an MBA program, you have to have a sense of your reach. A candidacy by the numbers: how good is your GPA, and what kind of test scores have you earned?  A GPA of 3.2 or lower could hurt your chances at top MBA programs, while a good GMAT score of 730 or above would give your candidacy a boost. You might also find the question of the GMAT vs the GRE relevant to your application prep plans, as you may score better on the one test than the other.

Work experience

Your number of years of full-time work experience and the highest job title you’ve held can open doors or leave them closed. More work experience might position you better for an executive MBA, or EMBA, than for a traditional full-time program. When choosing an MBA program, take your past resume into consideration.

A diverse MBA program offers a richness of varied experience. Find culture matches with a diverse student body and faculty that shares your ideals of globalism, inclusiveness and embracing our differences.

Other factors to consider

Your MBA sets the scene for the next stage of your life: who you’re going to be, where you’re going to work, how much money you’re going to make and many other questions about your career and future. Where to get your MBA definitely matters.

Take all factors needed into consideration, from your preference on where to get your MBA to questions of how you’re going to finance your graduate degree. When it comes to the question of how to choose an MBA program, each candidate ultimately has their own answers.

Finding the right MBA program for you

You don’t need to plan for or embark on this leg of your journey alone. The MBA Exchange works with thousands of satisfied clients each year, assisting with refining your list of target schools as well as working with you on polishing your application materials.

Instead of wandering any more in the wilderness of questioning “What MBA should I get,” get in touch with The MBA Exchange. We can answer all of your questions about how to choose an MBA program, how to choose an online MBA program, and more.

If you’re ready to get started finding the exact right fit for your MBA future, contact The MBA Exchange today. Request your free initial candidacy evaluation online now.

Related news & insights

How To Study for the GMAT: The Best GMAT Prep Guide

Preparing For The New GMAT™ Focus Edition

Benefits of an MBA for Entrepreneurs

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• Published: 25 May 2016

Education: Degrees of success

• Chris Woolston 1  

Nature volume  533 ,  pages 569–570 ( 2016 ) Cite this article

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An MBA can unlock progress to the higher ranks of a company — and many firms are willing to pay for one.

Life-science PhD graduates who wish to leave academia often find rewarding careers in the laboratories of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. But some find that the lab isn't enough. Researchers who choose to move beyond the bench to the upper levels of the company often decide to add three more letters to their CV: MBA.

Investing time and money in another degree may seem an unappealing prospect for many PhD holders, but that's the reality of the competitive job market: sometimes you have to go beyond the usual training to get the job. An MBA (master of business administration) can open up career possibilities for a biotechnology or drug-development researcher and help them to stand out from the crowd. Those who decide to take the plunge face key questions: how and when to pursue an MBA (see 'When to go for an MBA'), and where to go from there. Many who have travelled this path say that the extra effort to get the degree has paid off by taking their career to the next level.

An MBA can help industrial researchers to move to a higher position and earn more. Jane Rhodes, now a manager for new high-tech initiatives at Biogen, a biotechnology company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, had spent ten years at the company working on drugs for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. She felt hemmed in by the lab, but she realized that she didn't have the business or management skills to move up the company ladder. “I came through the British education system, which is very focused,” she says. “I wanted to learn more about the business side of biotech.”

To fill that gap, Rhodes embarked on a two-year MBA programme at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Specifically designed for mid-career professionals, the programme took up to 30 hours a week, a big commitment for a researcher who already had a full-time job and a family. The programme would have cost her about US$75,000, but Biogen paid the bulk of the tuition bill, a sign of how much the company values the degree and the person.

boxed-text Rhodes used her MBA to get her job at Biogen overseeing new company initiatives, a position that would have been off-limits without the extra training in the business side of science. “I can now move to multiple different positions across the company,” she says. “The combination of PhD and MBA is very valuable.” She enjoys thinking beyond the confines of research — and that's only one benefit of her revitalized career. “Without an MBA,” she says, “I don't know if my salary would be anywhere close to what it is now.”

An MBA could give industrial researchers the insight they need to help turn a business around. Looking back, Oréda Boussadia wishes that she'd had that insight in addition to her research skills. She was one of only a few people in the world who knew how to create a certain type of transgenic mouse, thanks to her PhD and postdoctoral training in France and Germany. But she knew nothing about turning mice into profits, which was a problem at the small French biotech company that she joined after her postdoc. “We had very good results, but we had trouble making sales,” she says. The company failed within a year, forcing Boussadia to quickly ponder her next step. “I really wanted to continue in biotech, but I had to refine my management skills,” she says. “I knew how to design a research project, not how to develop a company.”

Boussadia jump-started her career by enrolling in the MBA programme at the Institut Français de Gestion in Nantes, France. Like other MBA schemes, it focused on the practical aspects of business: product development, market analysis, pricing and return on investment, using real-life examples as learning tools. Degree in hand, she soon got a job managing the production and sales of transgenic mice at a branch of Charles River Laboratories in Lyon, France. After holding that job for five years, she is now the European head of business development and strategy for EpiVax, a biotech company in Lyon. She's happy with the course of her career. “I enjoyed research, but it wasn't enough,” she says. “I wanted to be a decision maker.”

New horizons

Armed with an MBA, many can leave the lab without leaving science. As a postdoc, Kyle Rasbach investigated potential therapies for muscular dystrophy at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. But thanks to the MBA that he'd pursued along with his PhD, he was snapped up after his postdoc for a job studying investment opportunities at investment management firm T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, Maryland. Much of his remit involves evaluating the research taking place at drug companies, from the giants of the business to small start-ups. His lab background helps him to spot blockbuster drugs in the making. “Sixty to seventy per cent of my job is science-based,” he says. “You can't do this job and be excellent at it without a PhD or an MD.”

I enjoyed research, but it wasn't enough. I wanted to be a decision maker.

That's also true for Moritz Fischer, director of international marketing for Fresenius Medical Care in Hessen, Germany. After earning his medical degree at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany, he realized that he did not want a career as a physician or clinician. He took a job at Fresenius as a lower-level marketing manager, but soon recognized that he could go much further with advanced business skills. So he pursued an MBA at Danube University Krems in Austria. The company covered his tuition, which he estimates would have cost him at least €20,000 ($22,500). It was a reasonable investment for the company, he says, because he has made money for them. “They were able to capitalize on my training,” he says.

Success stories of researchers with MBAs in biotech and drug development have caught the attention of early-career researchers who are still plotting their careers. Jeffrey Zahratka, a postdoc at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, says that he could see himself working at a biotech firm, perhaps one that makes implantable devices to treat neurological disorders. “I could act as a go-between for the research side and the business side,” he says. He still has to weigh up the pros and cons of another degree, but he thinks that he could bring a lot of value to a company. “People with a research background have a lot of tenacity,” he says. “They are battle-tested.”

If he decides to go down the MBA route, he won't be alone. But for now, PhD–MBA remains a relatively rare combination — that factor alone can help a person to stand out and move forward. It's a matter of degree.

Box 1: When to go for an MBA

Timing matters for junior researchers who see an MBA in their future. Although you don't need a PhD to enrol in a programme, many scientists have found that it pays to finish their research training first. “Having a PhD makes it easier to get accepted into an MBA programme,” says Jane Rhodes, a director of new initiatives at biotech firm Biogen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “And non-PhDs who get an MBA have been less successful.”

Linh Gilles, director of admissions for the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, confirms that applicants to the school's MBA course who already have PhDs are more likely to be accepted. Recruiting more PhD scientists to the school is a priority, she says. “Students with a research background have that analytical component,” she explains. “It allows them to hit the ground running that much more quickly.”

Rhodes says that PhD holders who are interested in an MBA should get some industry experience first. “I wouldn't recommend doing it straight out of an academic postdoc,” she says. “You have to have some sort of business context.” And, as was true for her, scientists who already work in industry might be able to get their employer to pay for some or all of the tuition.

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Doing A PhD After MBA: Universities, Programs, Benefits

• Updated on  
• Jan 17, 2024

Higher studies often encompass the decision of pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s and then, if you feel like delving deeper into your chosen field, a doctorate degree. When it comes to the vast domain of commerce, a PhD is commonly chosen by those wanting to explore the academic arena. Working professionals don’t usually opt for a PhD given the extensive amount of time it demands and also because it has more academic use. So, if you have recently completed your Master of Business Administration, choosing a PhD might require some thinking to finally arrive at the right decision. This blog aims to elaborate on what a PhD after MBA entails and how it can advance you further in your career journey.

This Blog Includes:

Phd after mba in india, benefits of phd after mba, top phd programs after mba, eligibility, phd after mba abroad – admission process & entrance exams , phd after distance mba, phd after mba in finance, top universities for phd after mba abroad, top countries to study phd after mba, career scope & employment sectors.

Want to pursue PhD after MBA in India? There are colossal benefits of PhD after an MBA that can equip you with a competitive edge in the management and business world as well as the research and professional exposure you need to aim for high-salary managerial profiles in India and abroad. Here’s what you need to know about PhD after MBA in India:

• Eligibility : You must have completed a 2-year MBA degree to apply for PhD in India along with qualifying for UGC-NET or GATE exam to gain admission at top business schools and universities in India.
• Duration : In India, you can complete your PhD after MBA in 3-5 years depending upon the program and university.
• Requirements : For PhD after MBA in India, you must have GATE/ UGC-NET / CSIR-NET scores, a research proposal ready along with letters of recommendation and optional work experience to increase your chances of admission.
• PhD in Management
• PhD in Organizational Behaviour/Management
• PhD in Behavioural Finance
• PhD in Applied Statistics
• PhD in Information Technology/Data Analytics
• PhD in Market Analysis and Research
• Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi
• Benaras Hindu University
• Indian Institutes of Management Studies (IIMs)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• National Institute of Management, Calcutta

Also Read: PhD Scholarships in India

As the highest academic degree in theoretical disciplines, a PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is perfect for those seeking a greater depth of knowledge in a specific area of interest. Going for a PhD after MBA can be beneficial for a plethora of reasons, some of which are given in a rundown below:

• Get a Competitive Edge over MBA
• Master Research Skills and Methodologies
• Inclination Towards Academic Arena
• Chance to Become a Professor
• Become an Academician at Business School

Get a Competitive Edge over MBA with a PhD Though many would tell you that with a PhD after MBA you can only ground yourself in the academic world, this is not the case in reality. If you don’t see yourself fitting the position of a lecturer or a professor, you can explore varied prospects in the corporate sector. A doctoral degree in a business or management specialisation imparts you with a deep-embedded and insightful knowledge of the commercial world. An MBA also gives you a unique and practical glimpse of this domain. The combination of these two can be potentially utilised by opting for the role of a consultant or analyst for entrepreneurial ventures, business giants or even hedge funds and investment-related firms.

Master Research Skills and Methodologies To begin with, a PhD is research-extensive by nature and demands individuals to submit their original thesis to conclude this degree. It challenges scholars to break away from the limited amount of knowledge of their field and delve deeper into whichever specialization they have chosen to study. So, a PhD after an MBA would importantly require you to be passionate about research, have an innate curiosity towards your field and be ready to devote yourself for a longer period of time to your thesis.

Inclination Towards Academic Arena Another reason why many graduates aspire for a PhD after MBA is when they are planning to make a career as an academician . Since one needs to exhaust many years to this degree, you can pursue the profile of an assistant professor at the university itself while getting mentored for your research thesis. Further, by completing a PhD, you would be deemed eligible for the position of a professor at an academic institution though some universities or colleges might demand you to qualify for a teaching exam.

The average duration of PhD after MBA is approximately 5-7 years where the 1st year is more theoretical but from the beginning of the second year, you can pick specializations as per your choice. In Business and Management, there is an array of specialised PhD courses that one can choose from. Here are the top specialisations to pursue PhD after MBA:

• PhD in Entrepreneurship
• PhD in Commerce
• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Commercial Law
• PhD in Human Resource Management
• PhD in Operational Research
• PhD in Marketing
• PhD in Healthcare and Management
• PhD in Organizational Behaviour
• PhD in Finance
• PhD in Chemistry
• PhD in Computer Science
• PhD in Engineering
• PhD in Political Science
• PhD in Education
• PhD in Statistics
• PhD in Psychology

Though the specific prerequisites might vary from one university to another, there are some general criteria for PhD after MBA or any other postgraduate program that every candidate needs to fulfil. The primary requirement is that of a master’s degree in the related discipline (from a recognised institution) in which one is applying for a doctoral degree, if you are applying for a PhD in Business Administration, you need to have completed a postgraduate course like, MBA, MIM, amongst others. Along with these, you will be required to submit the following documents:

• GATE/CSIR-NET/UGC-NET Scores for Indian universities
• Research Proposal
• Letters of Recommendation (Academic and/or Professional)
• GRE, English proficiency test scores such as IELTS , TOEFL , etc. and SOP and LOR s to apply for PhD after MBA abroad
• An Updated Resume or CV
• Academic Transcripts

If you are planning to pursue PhD after MBA from abroad then the following points will guide you through the application process and entrance exams: 

• The application process for global universities is very different from Indian universities. You don’t have to give any entrance exam to pursue a PhD after MBA from abroad, rather, you need to submit a GMAT / GRE score. 
• LORs, SOPs and previous projects and research work matter a lot when you are looking to pursue PhD abroad. They make your profile strong and increase the chances of getting selected. 
• Most universities have a 3-5% acceptance rate for PhD programs. Thus, it is essential to make your application strong, if you need any help regarding the same, get in touch with Leverage Edu experts.
• The PhD curriculum more or less remains the same, you need to work on your thesis and submit it in the provided duration to complete your PhD after MBA.

Also Read: How to Get PhD Funding?

Yes, it is possible to apply for PhD after distance MBA but if you are aiming for a doctoral course, you must pursue your MBA from a UGC-accredited university or college. To apply for a PhD after a Distance MBA, you must be able to provide valid transcripts as well as mark sheets from your MBA thus it is essential to check the certification of the institution before studying for an MBA.

MBA in Finance professionals often opts for a PhD to pursue a career in research or academia. Finance is one of the most popular specialisations for PhD after MBA and students can choose from various subjects like Financial Management, Financial Analysis, Financial Modelling, etc. To pursue PhD in Finance in India, you will have to qualify for UGC NET , NMIMS or NIPER JEE while you will have to qualify GRE for universities abroad. Let’s take a look at the universities for PhD after MBA in Finance:

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade , New Delhi
• National Institute of Technology, Silchar
• Department of Management Studies-IIT Madras
• Alliance School of Business, Bangalore
• Ahmedabad University
• Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management

Here are the major careers for PhD after MBA in Finance:

• Statistician
• Financial Analyst
• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Stock Broker
• Budget Analyst
• Financial Researcher

Numerous renowned business schools and universities across the globe offer specialised PhD programs in varied fields of Business, Commerce and Management. To help you further in your research, we have listed down some of the major academic institutions that are internationally popular for their offered specialised courses for those aspiring to pursue a PhD after MBA:

Many study destinations like the UK, USA, Australia and Canada are renowned for their research doctoral courses so selecting the right country to study PhD is an important decision you must carefully take. Let’s take a look at the top countries to study PhD after MBA and their popular research universities:

PhD after MBA in the UK

Here are the major universities to study PhD in the UK:

• University of Bradford
• SOAS University of London
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• University of Birmingham
• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Kent
• Hult International Business School

Also Read: PhD Scholarships in the UK

PhD after MBA in the USA

Popular for its STEM courses as well as top-ranked business schools, the top universities for PhD in the USA are:

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of Columbia
• University of Wisconsin
• Cornell University
• Kellogg School of Management

PhD after MBA in Canada

Canada is another renowned destination for PhD programs and offers a plethora of specialisations in business and management. Here are the popular universities for PhD in Canada :

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• University of Montreal
• University of Alberta
• University of Ottawa
• University of Calgary

Also Read: PhD in Canada with Scholarship

PhD after MBA in Australia

The land of Kiwis is internationally lauded for its focus on research education and high-ranked entrepreneurial programs. Check out the top universities for PhD in Australia :

• The University of Queensland  
• The University of Western Australia  
• University of Wollongong 
• Queensland University of Technology  
• Swinburne University of Technology  
• University of Tasmania 
• University of Sydney

PhD after MBA in New Zealand

If you are looking for affordable PhD courses after completing MBA, New Zealand is the best place for you. Take a look at the popular universities for PhD in New Zealand :

• The University of Otago
• University of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• The University of Auckland
• Victoria University of Wellington

Adding the renowned academic degree of PhD to your list of qualifications, there are a plethora of career opportunities awaiting you. Since a doctoral degree in business-related disciplines provides you with an insightful acumen into the commercial arena, you will be equipped with the knowledge of data analysis and business trends and organisational problems. Further, you will be skilled with research methods such as econometrics, experimental methods, field studies, modelling etc. So, with a PhD after MBA, you will not only be a perfect candidate for academic profiles but you can also explore plentiful prospects in the corporate world.

Here are the top job profiles you can explore after pursuing PhD after MBA:

• Research Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Business Development Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Professor /Lecturer
• Academician
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The salary of PhD after MBA in India is somewhere between INR 7 Lakhs to 17 Lakhs per annum depending upon whether you work in the corporate sector or explore the academic domain working as a lecturer or academician.

We have elucidated upon the major employment sector for graduates with a PhD in Management and Commerce-related specialisations below:

Teaching The most popular career path post a PhD is that of becoming a professor. Most PhDs in business or management pursue it in the first place to pursue a career in academics. Further, most of the research universities prefer to hire PhDs as business school professors. If you are aiming to become a part of a prestigious academic institution or especially Ivy League school, you should definitely go for a PhD after MBA because this striking combination coupled with a few years of professional experience can make you an ideal candidate for the position of a university professor or lecturer at a business school. To give a rough statistical description, nearly 80% of business ‘PhD after MBA’ graduates become faculty members at business schools, and roughly 20% take jobs in the industry.

Research A PhD is quite a data-driven degree and involves extensive analysis and in-depth assessment as it constitutes submission of a research thesis as its incremental element. If you have been planning to pursue a career in research , an MBA is more of a professional route to take but combining it with a PhD might give you knowledge of both corporate as well as the research world. Getting a taste of both these areas, you can further enter the research sector with a versatile skill set which will prove extremely useful in carrying out path-breaking case studies and contributions with the potential of bringing the commercial industry in a newer light.

Corporate Sector As a common myth, you might be told that a doctorate degree is of no use in the professional world, but it is quite the opposite as a PhD after MBA can furnish you with the quintessential business acumen to fit the role of business consultant and analyst. As many doctoral scholars move further to become professors or researchers, only a small proportion of their heads towards the industry. As this degree provides aspirants with the understanding of employing PhDs to derive wisdom from their theoretical and unique methodologies for analysis, which when combined with the pragmatic training obtained during the MBA, marks for a marvellous body of knowledge. You can explore varied prospects in entrepreneurship ventures as well as companies like SEC, JP Morgan Chase, McKinsey and Morgan Stanley which are known to hire PhDs frequently.

Anyone with an MBA degree can pursue a PhD. In fact, it’s a good idea to do PhD after MBA if you are interested in exploring the arena of academics or research and you can also pursue opportunities in consulting firms in the corporate sector. Also, the top B-Schools such as Columbia University, Yale University, Harvard University, INSEAD, and London Business School have most professors with a PhD degree. So, if you aim to teach at top business schools in the world, pursuing PhD after MBA is indeed a good decision.

The exact duration of PhD depends on the specialization as well as the university, the fact whether it’s part-time or full-time, and other factors. Doing a PhD after MBA usually takes 4-5 years but relying upon varied factors, be it your chosen course or institution, it can take less than 3 years and as long as 7-8 years to complete.

Yes. You can do a PhD in Psychology after MBA. However, you will need 55% marks in your MBA discipline to qualify for a PhD in Psychology after MBA.

A PhD in Business is often referred to as a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) which is usually considered as the sequel of the MBA and is the highest form of management degree. Pursuing a doctorate in Business or its related specializations would provide you with an enhanced insight into the commercial arena after which you can target higher-level career profiles ranging from a business analyst to a consultant or you can pursue academic positions which is another beneficial route to take.

The essential prerequisite for a PhD is to have a master’s degree along with the minimum marks specified by the academic institution you are applying for. With an MBA, you are eligible to pursue a PhD in commerce-related disciplines while opting for a doctorate in other domains might depend on the criteria provided by the particular university.

The answer to this question is explained well in the points given below: 1. Yes, you can do PhD after a distance MBA 2. Your degree must be from a UGC-recognized institution 3. The application process remains the same as for the regular degree holders 4. Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements 5. Some universities prefer candidates with regular MBA degrees.

Going for a PhD after MBA will equip you with one of the best educational combinations in the world. It might not be the easiest of programs to pursue but the benefits are going to be fruitful for your professional journey. If you are planning to pursue a doctoral degree and don’t know how to go about it, sign up for a 30-minute career counselling session with our experienced team of mentors and experts at Leverage Edu and we’ll guide through the process of choosing the right PhD program and university that fits your interests and aspirations and can provide you with extensive exposure and opportunities to soar ahead in your career.Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

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14 comments

I like your article great content. Thank you

Hi Akash, we are glad to know that you liked our blog. If you need any further assistance regarding the admission process to any PhD course abroad, get in touch with our experts and we will help you build an awesome career.

Great post.

We are glad to know that you liked our work! Don’t forget to share it with your friends who are looking for PhD courses after MBA.

I have done MBA. My specialization is marketing (major) & human resource(minor).I want to know which specialization should I choose for PhD or Can I choose other specialization like social work, political science,etc.

Hi Abhishek, to know which PhD specialization would suit you the best, reach out to our experts at – 88262 00293. You can also register for a free career counselling here – https://leverageedu.com/admissions/study-abroad-admission/ .

Nice blog thanks for sharing.

Hi Thomas, thanks for your feedback! Check out our blog on PhD entrance exams to know more about the ways for pursuing this course – https://leverageedu.com/blog/phd-entrance-exams/ .

Very good article. In my opinion, having a PhD will make you more likely to earn a higher salary over someone with just a Master’s degree. Nowadays more professionals are doing PhD research programs for a better career.

Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your opinion, Rohan!

Thank you very much for your elaboration on Ph.D. after MBA. I would like to know which specializations are available here in the USA.. Thank you.

Hi George, To know about the specializations of your choice, get in contact with our experts at 1800572000.

Hello I’m Amir I done MBA 3.5year and I want to study PhD directly after MBA can u guide me forther I continue which subjects

Hi Amir, To get our profile evaluated for pursuing a PhD after MBA, give us a call on 1800572000 and our experts will guide you about the same.

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MBA vs. IO Psychology — Which One is Right for You?

Learning more about how these two popular business degrees can move your career in different directions may help you choose the right one for you.

Mary Sharp Emerson

Today more than ever, employee engagement and a safe and productive work environment are critical for success. An advanced degree can help you build the skills you need to promote the right workplace policies. The question is, which degree—MBA vs. IO Psychology—will give you the specific skill set you’re looking for.

Ever since Harvard University established it in 1908, the master’s of business administration (MBA) has been the most well-known and popular degree for a career in business. 

In recent years, however, the variety of business-related degrees has greatly expanded from the traditional MBA, offering business-minded professionals many choices. 

A master’s in industrial-organizational (IO) psychology is one such specialized business degree that has gained significantly in popularity over the past decade. 

There are similarities between these two graduate degrees and both offer significant advantages for career growth. But there are important distinctions as well in what you learn and in your career path.

MBA vs. IO Psychology: What Are Some Possible Career Pathways?

Both an MBA and a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology will prepare you to further your career in business. And both degrees offer a variety of flexibility and opportunities.

However, these two related degrees, MBA vs. IO psychology, offer different career paths.

What is an MBA?

An MBA is designed to prepare you for a management or leadership role in the corporate world.

According to mba.com , the MBA is a general business degree that offers broad knowledge of finance, accounting, management, and strategy. You’ll also learn critical soft skills that you’ll need as a manager and leader. Other business-focused master’s programs, like a master’s in management , also cover such topics. (See Master’s Degree in Management vs an MBA ).

An MBA doesn’t guarantee that you will move into an executive role, nor is an MBA required for executive leadership. However, having an MBA on your resume can significantly accelerate your career path into senior leadership. 

Potential titles for professionals with an MBA include:

• C-Suite and executive positions such as Chief Finance Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Vice President
• Marketing Manager
• Finance Manager
• Management Analyst or Consultant
• Operations Manager

In addition, many MBA programs today also have a focus on entrepreneurship. If starting your own business or running a start-up appeals to you, an MBA is likely a smart choice.

What is a Master’s in IO Psychology?

A master’s in industrial-organizational psychology is a specialized business degree focused on human behavior in the workplace. 

Many companies employ IO psychologists to ensure that their organizations are safe, healthy, and productive places to work. 

A graduate degree in industrial-organizational psychology can prepare you for a variety of different career paths in nearly any industry you can name. Some of the most common paths include:

• Human resources : create improved hiring practices; develop criteria to evaluate employee performance; engage in conflict resolution; and design policies to improve productivity, safety, and conflict resolution.
• Learning and development : develop, evaluate, and facilitate employee training programs. 
• Leadership development and career coach : help employees maximize their potential by facilitating positive transition and change.
• Behavioral analysis : research behavioral patterns in the workplace to improve safety procedures, increase productivity, examine environmental and biological influences on group and individual actions, and analyze trends in customer behavior.

Industrial-organizational psychology offers career flexibility as well, from research to management. At the senior level, many specialists in this field develop successful careers as independent consultants. 

Explore our graduate degree program in industrial-organizational psychology.

MBA vs. IO Psychology: What Will You Study?

Both graduate degree programs offer courses designed to give broad knowledge of the business world.

In both programs, MBA vs. IO psychology, you’ll master skills such as leadership, strategy, critical thinking, and problem solving that you’ll need for a successful business career.

Despite some overlap, however, the majority of your classes will be unique to the specific degree program you’re in. The biggest differences in coursework will develop as you choose specializations based on your interests and career path.

MBA Coursework

In an MBA program, you’ll take courses that provide a broad overview of key business areas , including:

• Human resources
• Business analytics

You’ll also build skills in leadership and management, decision making, ethics, negotiation, strategy, and entrepreneurship. 

In addition to required classes, you’ll have the opportunity to build greater knowledge in areas of interest to you. In your elective classes, you may want to focus on international business or business law, for example. You may choose to take a deeper dive into economics, labor relations, quantitative analysis, or even technology. 

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Coursework

Coursework in an IO psychology graduate program typically focuses on applying the science of human behavior to the business world.

Required IO psychology classes will look at the psychology of human behavior in specific business-related situations, such as:

• Organizational psychology
• Engineering psychology
• Small group theory
• Personnel psychology
• Psychometrics
• Work motivation and attitudes

Other required classes will focus on human resources, such as:

• Employee selection and hiring practices
• Performance evaluations
• Labor relations
• Conflict management and alternative dispute resolution
• Compensation and benefits

You’ll also be required to study research methodologies, data collection and analysis, statistics, and other quantitative skills. If you’re interested in a career in research, you’ll need to have especially strong mathematical and statistical skills.

As in an MBA program, elective courses allow you to build greater knowledge in key areas of interest to you. In an IO psychology program, your choice of electives could provide greater knowledge of the business world, for example, or enable you to specialize in a specific area. 

In Harvard Extension School’s IO psychology program , for example, potential electives might include:

• Behavioral Economics and Decision Making
• Business Rhetoric
• Future of Work
• Optimizing Leadership
• Diversity and Inclusion Management
• Power and Privilege in Systems

While by no means comprehensive, this short list of examples demonstrates the variety of course options available to you as you pursue your graduate degree in IO psychology. 

For more information on the specific skills that you’ll need to pursue a successful career in industrial-organizational psychology, read our blog post 10 Skills You Need to Become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist . 

How To Get Started on Your Graduate Degree

The good news is that you can start either of these degrees at any point in your professional career, whether you are fresh out of college or seeking a career change. 

At a minimum, you’ll need to have an undergraduate degree before you can begin a graduate degree program (unless you are enrolled in a dual degree program). 

Your undergraduate degree doesn’t need to match your current degree goals. You don’t need a BS in business to pursue an MBA. You don’t need a BS in psychology to pursue a master’s in I/O psychology. However, you may find that you need to take some prerequisite classes to build skills and qualify for graduate-level courses.

The first step in getting started is choosing the type of graduate degree you want. Next, you’ll have to decide how you want to pursue that degree. Finally, you’ll need to research graduate programs that will enable you to achieve your goal. 

Researching the many high-quality programs available today in either field will help you understand the requirements, time commitments, cost factors, and other important information you need to get started.

Earning your MBA or your master’s in industrial-organizational psychology will be challenging. But regardless of the degree you choose, it’s a great way to keep your career moving forward in the right direction.

Ready to begin? Find the program that’s right for you.

Start your Harvard Extension School journey today.

About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

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How to Get Accepted to Multiple Top Business Schools

Maximize every opportunity to emphasize the unique contributions you can bring to an MBA class.

Get Accepted to Multiple Top B-schools

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When applying, it's important tailor your application to each school and have well-developed goal statement that plots the intended career path, experts say.

Nikita Srivastava applied to seven MBA programs and got admitted to three: Yale University School of Management in Connecticut, New York University's Stern School of Business and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business in Illinois.

“I definitely was not expecting it,” says Srivastava, who chose Booth.

She attributes her multiple acceptances to top B-schools to tying her personal and professional backgrounds to her post-MBA goals. Her background was mainly in communications, media relations and public relations, and she credits her MBA admissions consultant for showing her how to tell her story.

“Lean into what makes you unique," Srivastava advises MBA applicants .  " Think about how this unique quality will enhance the classroom for your peers and professors. Be proud of it and own it.”

Being accepted into multiple B-schools can allow an applicant to weigh program fit, potential opportunities and scholarship offers. Here are some things to consider to increase your chances of being accepted to multiple top business schools .

Apply More Broadly

Getting admitted to numerous MBA programs is a numbers game, says Sam Weeks, an MBA admissions consultant and founder of Sam Weeks Consulting.

“The more business schools a prospective applicant applies to, the more likely they are to be accepted into more than one school. That’s why we recommend to our clients to apply to at least six schools, if possible,” says Weeks, who has an MBA from the University of Oxford in England.

Students should not only apply to more schools to increase their chances of multiple admissions, but also more broadly in terms of school selectivity, experts say.

“This sounds obvious, but there are many applicants who go into this process only considering a limited set of schools with slimmer acceptance odds. They say the ROI is not there for other schools outside their ambitious targeting,” says Alex Leventhal, an MBA admissions consultant at Prep MBA Admissions Consulting.

Leventhal, who has an MBA from Harvard University Business School in Massachusetts, contends that the return on investment is compelling at more schools than most people think. He says applicants should look at the salary data of program graduates and the percentage of graduates who got jobs within three months after graduation.

“For example, the very top consulting firms recruit at a range of schools, and not just the top three,” Leventhal says.

He also suggests looking for joint degree programs to increase your odds by applying to a specialty track that a school is promoting or trying to fill.

Leventhal said he has had "some less-than-stellar clients" get accepted to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School , likely because they applied to the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies joint program "for one of their less popular regional tracks. Or a client who got into Stanford Graduate School of Business because their professional experiences fit so nicely with a limited scholarship program focusing on the sustainable food supply chain.”

Customize Each Application

Schools like to see B-school applicants demonstrate familiarity with their programs, experts say. Leventhal says schools will “look for evidence that you have engaged with their program and talked to current students and alumni.”

Applicants should demonstrate they took the time to research a particular school “and all it has to offer, and consider both what they will learn from the program and how they will add value on campus,” says MBA consultant Scott Edinburgh, founder of Personal MBA Coach.

This means taking time to develop a strong personal story that connects past choices with future goals, says Edinburgh, who has an MBA from Wharton.

Applicants should demonstrate four key things in their tailored applications, he says: “Ability to handle the academic rigor of the target MBA program, leadership potential, how they will uniquely add value on campus and clarity of purpose.”

When applying, Weeks says, it’s important to have a well-developed goal statement that “charts out the applicant's intended career path and the impact they expect to have in their career.” He says those goals should be ambitious but attainable and make sense for the applicant.

Knowing what makes top business schools distinct "and then showing how you fit into those unique scenarios is essential to securing admits,” says Candy Lee LaBalle, an MBA admissions expert and founder of mbaClarity, formerly LaBalle Admissions.

Highlight Extracurricular Activities

Professional accomplishments that demonstrate leadership are great but shouldn’t be the only things highlighted. Edinburgh says applicants should show a passion for driving change.

“Successful MBA applicants are interesting people with plans to leave the world better than they found it in unique ways. Demonstrating passion and a track record of success in working towards this passion goes a long way,” Edinburgh says.

LaBalle says applicants who get admitted to multiple top B-schools tend to be “genuinely curious about the world, about learning, about having their perspectives challenged, and that shows in their hobbies and interests, work and goals.” They care deeply about the world and can demonstrate it, she adds, “whether that is mentoring classmates or starting an NGO that feeds thousands, and everything in between.”

Boost Your GMAT or GRE Score

If your GMAT or GRE score is lower than you had hoped for, take some more time to study and retake the exam.

“It is easier to get admits, and thus multiple admits, if your test score is strong and balanced between quantitative and verbal,” LaBalle says.

She says a strong, above-average test score can make a difference. “While there are many ways to offset a lowish test, the hard truth is that the higher your score, the better your odds of multiple admits.”

Students who don’t do well in the quantitative or analytical parts of the GMAT may prefer to take the GRE. Some business schools accept either test for MBA admissions.

Tests and other application materials aside, experts say securing strong letters of recommendation by supporters invested in your career and future is important to getting accepted to top MBA programs.

Apply to Schools Offering Scholarships

Applying to more schools can mean more scholarships that come with those admissions, which can give you options. Leventhal says his clients have focused on applying to more B-schools the last few cycles because they are increasingly interested in merit scholarships.

“The schools are trying to secure talented applicants with money off the tuition. As the price tag of the MBA has gone up, the merit pull can understandably matter. And schools that are reaches for an applicant generally won’t offer much in the way of merit grants,” Leventhal says.

Srivastava says she received some scholarships with each admissions offer, helping to relieve the burden of paying back student loans after graduation and giving her “freedom to focus on finding a career that would be a good fit for me both personally and professionally.”

A major bonus to getting accepted to multiple B-schools that offer scholarships is leverage, Weeks says. “You are in a strong position to negotiate scholarships.”

That includes awards at the most elite business schools. Students with more than one acceptance can inform schools that they received another offer and ask if any additional scholarship funding is available, he says.

Boost the Odds of MBA Acceptance

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Should you do an MBA after PhD?- Best Career Options

Can you do an mba after phd.

Yes, nothing is restricting you from pursuing an MBA after a PhD. A PhD is the highest degree of education someone can achieve in a particular field. But, even if you have completed a PhD, you might still want to pursue additional degrees. An MBA can boost your career journey. For example, it can help you get a promotion, migrate from academia to industry, or change industries altogether.

Why should you get an MBA after PhD

Work in the industry.

Most PhD graduates opt to stay in academia and pursue a career at a university. However, a PhD does not limit you to the academic world. There are many research-based jobs in the industry. Most skills PhD students learn thought their doctoral program are an asset for companies. For example, students learn how to do research (Research and development positions), data analytics, technical writing, teaching, etc.

Even though it is not always necessary, an MBA can help you make the transition from academia to industry. The skills learned through an MBA are geared toward the industry. Also, an MBA gives you the necessary experience to work in teams and become a manager.

Gain a Promotion

PhD graduates can work in the industry or academia. Due to their high level of education, they can pursue high-level positions at almost any institution. However, some upper management positions may require business expertise. Then, if your PhD is not based on a business field, you can consider pursuing an MBA and getting that promotion

Change Industries

Some professionals decide they want a career change after many years of working in one particular industry. However, they are not looking forward to taking a pay cut or a junior-level position. An MBA can help those professionals seamlessly change industries. MBA programs cover a wide range of business fields, from the management of information systems to human resources and marketing. Therefore, MBA graduates can choose any of those fields as a new career path.

Best Strategies to get an MBA after PhD

Business school is very expensive. An average 2-year MBA program costs $60,000 in tuition alone [2]. Also, funding for MBA programs is quite difficult to obtain. Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) positions are very limited in business school. Therefore, the student must look for scholarships to lower their tuition costs. However, there is an alternate option. Some employers cover tuition expenses as long as the employee demonstrates interest (or shows commitment) in staying in the company afterward. This funding option is also available for people working at Universities. Many Universities offer tuition reduction or waivers for employees.

Program Structure and Length

Standard MBAs take two years to complete. The classes are set up as a full-time program and, in most cases, do not allow you to work during the program. As an experienced professional with a PhD under your belt, you should consider a flexible MBA program. Here are a few options:

Executive MBA: These programs are designed for experienced professionals. You can continue to work and attend courses at night or lunch hours. Also, some universities offer online courses as part of the program (not a fully online degree, just a way to accelerate your studies).

Online Program: You can avoid long commutes and work through classes remotely. These programs allow you to build your schedule and work through courses at your own pace. Also, you will have a lot more Universities to pick from, since your location does not limit you anymore.

Accelerated MBA: These programs are very demanding, but get the job done in a year or less. If you are willing to take a break from work, consider joining an accelerated MBA program. You won’t be able to work fulltime, but you will only be out of the workforce for a year.

A PhD degree takes, on average, 8.3 years to complete in the United States [1]. They are the culprit of higher education, and they tend to be highly specific. For example, when pursuing a PhD in biology, the student does not focus on the whole subject. Instead, they focus on a specialization such as microbiology or genetics. Also, PhD programs are a mix of coursework and research. Students work for years on their dissertations and gain unique research experience.

MBA degrees are completed in 1 to 3 years, and the program is made up of coursework only. An MBA is a well-rounded degree; the coursework covers most business subjects such as marketing, operations, finance, and accounting. Most MBA programs give students to option to pick a concentration or emphasis. In that case, the student builds their expertise in a particular subject. However, the degree is still not as specific as a doctorate.

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[1]  https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf20301/report

[2] https://www.graduateshotline.com/business-schools/cost-of-doing-mba.html

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An ASU information systems expert discusses how W. P. Carey's new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business program will impact future leaders.

In this story published May 16, 2024, on BestColleges :

What we want to do is make sure that the management and the future leaders and the entrepreneurs of the future have the awareness of the transformational powers of artificial intelligence when used for good.

– Daniel Mazzola , clinical professor of information systems and MS-ISM faculty director and assistant chair

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