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Build professional skills that fit your career goals with a PhD in Business Management
Our online PhD in Business Management program helps you prepare for business and organizational challenges and develop research skills. Choose from seven specializations that can help you build skills and knowledge in a specific area of focus.
Accounting
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
General Business Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
Human Resource Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
Information Technology Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
Leadership
PhD in Business Management
Project Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
Strategy and Innovation
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
PhD in Business Management program overview
The online PhD in Business Management is for experienced professionals who want to build on existing management theories, conduct original research and learn to lead in business.
As a PhD in Business Management student, you’ll begin with 11 core courses to lay the foundation for your program and develop skills in key areas of business practice. You’ll move into coursework for your chosen specialization to grow your expertise and work toward your dissertation.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has accredited Capella University business programs and select specializations. The full accreditation statement and the list of accredited programs and specializations is available here. Established in 1988, the ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from associate to baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs.
Applicants to the PhD in Business Management program must provide the following information for admission:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International applicants will be subject to additional admission requirements.
View full admission requirements for PhD in Business Management specializations: General Business Management, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, Leadership, Project Management, Strategy and Innovation.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
The total cost of your PhD program will depend on your specialization, scholarships and finances, transfer credits, academic performance and other factors.
View detailed tuition information and cost scenarios for PhD in Business Management specializations: General Business Management, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, Leadership, Project Management, Strategy and Innovation.
Choosing a PhD in Business Management specialization
Every doctoral journey is different. Your chosen specialization can help you leverage your unique passions and interests to build advanced business management expertise for the next phases of your career.*
- Learning outcomes
- Career exploration
General Business Management
- Evaluate the efficacy of business principles and systems theories to effect change in global and diverse environments
- Synthesize emerging trends
Accounting
- Evaluate evolving conceptual models, theoretical frameworks, technologies and organizational systems
- Evaluate ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks that guide accounting theory and practice
Human Resource Management
- Synthesize emerging trends and technological influences to advance the theory and practice of global human resource management.
Information Technology Management
- Foster a culture of technological innovation to support changing business needs
- Evaluate ethical, international and legal frameworks that guide IT management today
Leadership
- Develop a personal view of leadership with an emphasis on connections to others in the organization, and to the broader community.
Project Management
- Synthesize multidisciplinary theories that inform and shape the theory and practice of project management
- Fuse research and practice to contribute new knowledge to the field
Strategy and Innovation
- Apply strategy and innovation theories to define best practices, generate new knowledge and drive organizational change
- Assess, identify and access critical information sources for innovation strategy
General Business Management
- This program can help you prepare to pursue leadership roles across multiple industries
- Explore job titles such as full-time business faculty and director
Accounting
- This program can help you prepare to pursue leadership roles in a range of business, nonprofit, academic and government settings
- Research roles such as financial officer, controller and senior accountant
Human Resource Management
- Employment settings to consider include a variety of opportunities in the public and private sectors
- Explore roles such as director of human resources and full-time human resource management faculty
Information Technology Management
- A doctorate in this field can help build skills and knowledge to pursue leadership in fast-paced technology environments
- Explore roles such as chief information officer and chief technology officer
Leadership
- This program can help you prepare to lead in corporate, nonprofit or government settings
- Explore roles such as full-time business faculty, business researcher and program director
Project Management
- The skills and knowledge to lead projects can help you prepare for leadership in a range of business environments
- Explore roles such as senior project manager and business faculty member
Strategy and Innovation
- Skills in this program can apply to diverse areas, from manufacturing and retail to banking and government
- Explore roles such as director of strategy and operations, business consultant and CEO
*Capella cannot guarantee any specific job, promotion, salary increase or other career outcomes. You will need to conduct your own research to understand what opportunities may be available to you. Note that some career paths may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications or other designations along with a degree.
Why choose the PhD in Business Management at Capella University?
Quarterly Tuition Maximum
You pay a $5,000 flat-rate tuition maximum when taking six or more credits or $965 per credit when taking up to five credits.*
A mentor for you
You’ll be matched with a post-comprehensive exam program mentor, who will assist and support you as you progress forward.
Virtual residencies to develop expertise
You’ll begin work on your dissertation during your first doctoral project seminar, completing 2 of 16 dissertation milestones before your comprehensive exams.
Transfer up to 12 credits
You may be able to save time and money by transferring credits from regionally accredited or internationally recognized institutions.
*Cost of each residency is included in the $5,000 quarterly tuition maximum; books, resource kit, travel, lodging, meals and other expenses are not included.