If you're curious about what the business administration and management field entail but aren't ready to commit to an MBA or a Master of Science in Business Administration, a PhD in business administration might be a good place to start your research. Business schools offer PhD programs that cover everything from management education to decision-making and economics. A PhD can also help you prepare for a career in academia, where you'll teach and conduct research on issues related to business administration.
What does this Degree Entail?
PhD programs generally require a master's degree as a prerequisite (though not always), so if you're interested, it's important to get your master's first. Many students who choose to pursue PhDs in this field also have experience in the business world, so internships and practical experience are valuable. If you want to go for a PhD in Business Administration, you'll need more than just academic experience—you'll need to demonstrate leadership abilities and an interest in teaching, researching, writing and presenting your findings. Also, much like other PhD programs, the application process is highly competitive—you'll need strong recommendations from professors, employers and others who know your work. This makes it all the more important that you choose your school with care.
Difference between PhD in Business Administration and a Regular PhD:
First of all, it's important to understand the difference between a PhD in business administration and a regular PhD. A regular PhD takes at least 4 years of full-time research, while an MBA takes 2 years (mostly) of coursework.
In other words, if your goal is to just get the title of "Doctor", the MBA will get you there much faster and cheaper than the PhD in business administration. On top of that, there are different types of PhDs—the most common is the "terminal" PhD which means that it is your last degree (it completes your academic training), whereas an MBA is not considered terminal.
About the Program:
The PhD in Business Administration is a 2-year program that gives you a broad and advanced knowledge of business administration. You will gain skills in economics, finance, marketing, management, and leadership. You will learn how to create value within organizations by leading people and processes effectively.
You will also be able to identify opportunities for growth and improvement and expand your ability to solve complex problems.
If you're considering going back to school, you might be wondering what the point of a PhD in business administration is, especially since a master's degree is already required for most jobs. Why would you even consider putting yourself through another program? The answer is simple: the PhD will set you apart from the competition and will give you an edge in your career. Many people who earn one go on to become top executives and entrepreneurs.
Subjects to Study in this Program:
There are plenty of subjects categorized in Business Administration. You can specialize in the following:
Finance - A finance subject is one of the most important aspects of any business management course. It will cover the basics of accounting and financial planning including budgeting and risk management.
Accounting - Finance and Accounting have been considered by many to be the core subjects of business study. They focus on how companies raise their funds, how they use those funds and how they report on their financial performance. Finance also deals with how companies aim to increase the value of their stock through a process known as capital budgeting.
Marketing - One of the most popular PhD topics, marketing requires an understanding of what customers want and how they get it.
Human Resource Management - This is an important topic for anyone in business, as HR directly affects how well your company runs.
Operations Management - A business operations management specialization focuses on how businesses can efficiently run their daily operations more effectively. With this specialization, students will learn how to manage processes and services using principles from marketing, human resources, supply chain management, and information technology. This area needs a good understanding of economics and statistics as well as business communication skills.
Operations Research - The focus of an operations research specialization is on how businesses can use mathematical models and other analytical tools to better understand the factors that drive performance, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. This area requires advanced knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
Business Analytics: Many businesses require you to have a comprehensive knowledge of how business is run before you can make any significant change or improvement. This type of education will allow you to understand what factors contribute to success in certain industries. You will also learn how to collect and analyze data that can be used to make decisions.