LET US HELP
Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
Strategy and Innovation
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
To survive and thrive in today’s business climate, confident leaders with bold strategies are essential. Capella’s online PhD in Business Management, Strategy and Innovation gives you the skills and knowledge to be a key player in the changing world of business, from small startups to global corporations. The program deepens your ability to analyze evidence-based strategies for business performance, and sets you up to teach, consult, or lead in diverse professional settings.
Classes start January 6
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- 11 Core courses
- 12 max transfer credits
- 4 Specialization courses
- 1 Elective course
- 3 Virtual Residencies
- Comprehensive exam
- Dissertation
- ACBSP-accredited
Reduce your tuition by $20,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore strategy and innovation courses
- This program requires a total of 90 quarter credits
- You’ll need to complete 14 core courses, three elective courses, three virtual residencies, one comprehensive exam and one dissertation
| BMGT8130 |
Foresight: Anticipating the Future
Learners in this course study the ways organizations proactively anticipate and plan for future growth opportunities. Learners examine the scanning tools and technologies organizations use to develop meaningful information about the future environment; models for understanding and analyzing global trends; and new lenses for scanning, synthesizing, and analyzing strategic and competitive data. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMGT8132 |
Identifying Opportunities for Innovation
In this course, learners examine the methods and collaborative processes organizations use to identify opportunities for innovation, including scenario planning and future visualization techniques. Learners also explore ways to identify risk, develop contingency plans in light of disruptive change, and communicate and disseminate those risks and plans. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8134 |
Competing with Disruptive Innovation
This course presents the disruptive innovation strategies organizations use to lead the competition. Learners examine ways to reinvent industry competition and move beyond the concept of competitive strategy to developing breakthrough strategies and value innovation. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8136 |
Building an Innovation Strategy
In this course, learners examine the ways organizations build innovation strategies to enhance organizational sustainability and adaptation. Learners analyze the organizational elements that support a culture of innovation and change and the development of idea-generation systems, flexible processes, governance structures, and evaluation metrics. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
What you'll learn
Our PhD in Business Management, Strategy and Innovation degree equips you with a deep theoretical and practical knowledge of how organizations innovate successfully in today’s complex business environments.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- 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
- Integrate data to support evidence-based strategy, with emphasis on emerging trends and technological influences in diverse global environments
- Apply critical thinking to strategy and innovation using appropriate research techniques
- Demonstrate ethical, effective, and sustainable approaches to business innovation challenges
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and professional paths to explore.
How much does the PhD in Business Management cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
GuidedPath
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$985 per credit, $5,000 quarterly tuition max, 75 coursework credits, 12 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Comprehensive exam
$2955 Per quarter
Comprehensive exam
$2955
Per quarter
Dissertation
$2955 Per quarter
Dissertation
$2955
Per quarter
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$0 no application fee
Application fee
$0
no application fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
- Complexity of your dissertation
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes dissertation in 6 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $985/credit 13 quarters |
$63,061.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,955.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,955/quarter 6 quarters |
$17,730.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$83,746.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$63,746.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Savings 20 quarters |
$66,021.00 |
Completes dissertation in 8 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $985/credit 13 quarters |
$63,061.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,955.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,955/quarter 8 quarters |
$23,640.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$89,656.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$69,656.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Savings 22 quarters |
$71,931.00 |
Completes dissertation in 12 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $985/credit 13 quarters |
$63,061.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,955.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,955/quarter 12 quarters |
$35,460.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$101,476.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$81,476.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Savings 26 quarters |
$83,751.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future that's within reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
PhD in Business Management admission requirements
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- 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 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.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
10 qualities to look for in a career mentor
Finding a career mentor can really help as you develop your professional skills and move up the ladder.
What’s the ROI for a PhD?
Is a PhD worth the investment of time, money, and energy?
What’s it like to be a doctoral student?
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.
What can you do with a PhD in Strategy & Innovation degree?
Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Strategy & Innovation.
Related job titles to explore*
- Director of strategy and operations
- Director, business research
- Chief executive officer (CEO)
- Chief operating officer (COO)
- Business consultant
- Adjunct or part-time business faculty
- Full-time business faculty
- Dean or associate dean of a business program
- President
- Vice president
- Director
- General manager
Employment settings to explore
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Banking/finance
- Government—local, state, federal
- Land-based or online college or university
- Community college
- Corporation
- Consulting firm
- Nonprofit organization
- Insurance firm
- Health care organization
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.