From increasing your salary to achieving new heights doing something you love, getting a PhD in management is an excellent decision for many professionals. A PhD in management can help advance your career, make new discoveries, and become a scholar-practitioner.
However, not all people have the opportunity to get a PhD on campus. If you are already spending a big part of your day at work, traveling to an on-site location is problematic. That’s where an online PhD in management comes in.
Getting a PhD online is an excellent way to balance work, life, and studies. Today, many universities cater to students’ needs and arrange online PhD programs in management.
Let’s take a closer look at choosing a PhD in management program online.
Top Reasons to Get an Online PhD in Management
The main reason to get an online PhD in management is convenience. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home in order to get the studies you require. Meanwhile, you have a wide variety of options available instead of just the nearby offline universities.
Other reasons to get a PhD in management include:
Competitive Edge
Once you finish your PhD program, you immediately gain a competitive edge over those professionals who choose the previous level of education. A doctorate degree defines your experience, dedication, and professionalism.
Whether you try to get a new job after getting an online PhD in management or advance your career at the existing workplace, you have higher chances of achieving your goals.
New Knowledge
A PhD in management is an excellent opportunity to improve your thinking and create new knowledge. While you are learning new things, including research elements, consulting, and teaching, you are also learning how to think.
While going through an online PhD program in management, you stop being a passive thinker and become a knowledge expert.
Better Expertise
By choosing the best online PhD in a management program for your needs, you are giving yourself a chance to learn new strategies, support innovation, and gain valuable new skills.
Every day you spend in the program gives you new knowledge that can be applied in your current industry. You can also work on side projects that allow you to expand your expertise. Essentially, you can start reaping benefits even before you receive your degree.
Present Your Work
Once you enroll in an online PhD management program, you can start participating in online and offline conferences. Your accumulated knowledge can be valuable enough to share with colleagues.
In addition, you can start writing a dissertation, publishing journal articles, and much more. PhD in management opens a whole new world of scholar opportunities that go far beyond career advancement.
Key Myths About Online PhD in Management
Many people choose an online PhD in management for the wrong reasons. By learning about key myths, you can make an educated decision about enrolling in the right program.
Myth #1: Only Poorly-Rated Universities Give Online Degrees
Debunked: An impressive number of accredited colleges and universities give out doctoral degrees in management remotely. While some institutions with less than satisfactory reputations also offer online degrees, they are hardly the majority.
Myth #2: Online PhD in Management is Easier to Get Than an Offline Degree
Debunked: Online doctoral programs are just as complex and diverse as their offline counterparts. You get access to the same courses, the same professors, and the same learning opportunities.
Online PhD students need to meet all the requirements of a regular PhD program. Just because you don’t need to attend offline classes doesn’t mean you are free to miss parts of the program. You still have to write a dissertation and defend it.
Myth #3: Online PhD in Management is Less Credible Than an Offline Degree
Debunked: There isn’t any difference between an online and offline degree. If you are getting an online PhD in management in an accredited institution, it is exactly the same as an offline degree in the same institution. When deciding whether to give you a job, an employer won’t differentiate between these two degrees.
Myth #4: Online PhD Costs Less Than Offline PhD
Debunked: If you are getting an online PhD in management in a certain institution, it costs as much as the respective offline program. The cost may vary from college to college, but don’t expect to save just because your program is remote. Meanwhile, instead of travel expenses, you may face additional costs, such as a comfortable desk, chair, laptop, and fast internet.
Myth #5: You Need to Learn on Your Own
Debunked: While getting an online education means that you need to have excellent discipline, it definitely doesn’t involve learning entirely on your own. You will get the same assistance as you would online. It will just be arranged in a remote format.
Many professionals avoid getting a doctorate degree because they don’t have time to attend offline classes. Meanwhile, online education is surrounded by myths. Having a clear understanding of what getting an online PhD in management entails can help you make the right choice.
Things to Consider When Choosing for a PhD in Management Online
When you choose the best online PhD in management program, you need to keep a few things in mind:
Program Format
Not all online PhD programs are created equal. You need to review the format to understand whether it suits your plans, availability, and schedule. If you are currently working, you may need to discuss the program format with your employer.
- Live classes – you would need to attend real-time online classes and sessions with the faculty. Virtual classrooms can be highly useful for structuring your program and arranging your time.
- Recorded format – you can gain access to recorded information and consultations at any convenient time. This provides excellent flexibility but requires discipline and time management skills.
- Hybrid – this type of format includes both live and offline participation. It may be useful for better immersion into the program but requires more flexibility on your part.
If you’ve never taken online classes before, you may want to ask other students about the pros and cons of these formats for PhD in management.
Accreditation
A school’s accreditation should be one of the first things you should ask about when getting an online PhD in management. This can have an impact on the quality of your education as well as employment opportunities in the future.
In the United States, six agencies can provide accreditation. All of them are officially accepted by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education. These agencies are:
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and University (NWCC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
If the university or college you choose for getting your doctoral degree is accredited by one of these organizations, you don’t have to worry about issues with the diploma in the future.
Application Requirements
When choosing the best program for your PhD studies, you need to check the requirements. Some programs may require you to have a master’s degree while others can settle for a bachelor’s degree and specific experience.
You would definitely need to provide your academic records to enroll in any program. Each school sets its own standards for these records. Some can accept a GPA of 3.0 while others don’t look at applicants with a GPA of less than 3.7.
Next, you would need to submit a research proposal that can demonstrate your existing knowledge and plans for your dissertation. Before submitting this proposal, consider consulting colleagues, professors, or even potential supervisors.
Some programs may need you to take a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam to test your knowledge. Sometimes, a school can ask you to take additional entrance examinations.
You would also need to present a resume. A well-designed resume can help the university understand how motivated you are to get a PhD. It can also provide important information about your previous research, accomplishments, and experience.
Letters of Recommendation
If you feel that you aren’t meeting the school’s requirements in the best way possible, you may want to add letters of recommendation to your application. You can get these letters from teachers, professors, and employers (if your work is related to management).
Don’t hesitate to ask for these letters from your professors, advisors, and supervisors. They can play a major role in the decision to accept you to a program.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is another factor that can have a major influence on the decision about your admission. Take the time to describe your previous research and your desires for further research in the field.
You may also need to talk about your career and how getting a PhD can help advance it. A personal statement is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression without relying on academic records and test scores.
Interview
Once you choose a program and submit all the required documents, the school may decide to arrange an interview. For online programs, the interview can be remote. It’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your desire to study in a particular school and the goals you want to accomplish.
During the interview, you would likely need to answer questions about your personal skills and qualities, plans for your PhD project, research experience, and academic achievements. Interviewers may also ask you why you choose a particular university. Be ready to give clear and genuine answers.
Top Online PhD in Management Programs
These online PhD management programs can be an excellent choice for many professionals who want to pursue a doctoral degree remotely.
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas offers one of the best doctoral programs in management. You can either take advantage of a remote program or choose to study online. You would need to take specific courses, pass exams, participate in conferences, and write your dissertation.
This university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University has an excellent PhD in management program online. To complete the program, you would need to finish 100 credit hours and learn about healthcare management, homeland security, organizational development, and much more.
While this program is mostly conducted online, you would need to participate in some offline activities. To enter the program, you need a master’s degree and a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0. Be ready to go through an extensive interview with the admissions board.
This university is accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago has a comprehensive online PhD in management program. Doctoral students can take advantage of excellent research support and career advice. You would have to take a full set of courses that are the same as for the offline program, write your dissertation, and pass relevant exams.
To enter the program, you’ll need at least a 3.0 GPA, a personal statement, and an application. You don’t need to pass a GRE exam.
This university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University
Liberty University has a highly-praised Doctoral in Management and Organization program. You would need to finish 60 required hours to complete it. With dedication, it can take you less than three years to do it.
For admission, you would need to submit academic records with a GPA of at least 3.0. You can apply either online or over the phone. The university can arrange an interview and request an application essay.
This university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Franklin University
Franklin University has an excellent online doctor of business administration program. You can complete the required 58 credit hours in around three years. You will gain access to research support, career support, and advanced coursework. After finishing this program, you can pursue various career and research goals.
To get admitted to the university’s online program, you need a GPA of at least 3.0 in a master’s program at an accredited school. If your GPA is lower, you can still get accepted if your application essay meets the admission team’s expectations.
This university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Conclusion
An online PhD management program is an excellent choice for many people who want to pursue a doctoral degree remotely. Many accredited and highly rated universities offer these types of programs.
While trying to find the top PhD in management program online, pay special attention to accreditation, admissions requirements, and program format. Many programs can take less than three years to complete.
After getting a doctoral degree, you have an opportunity to advance your career and research while gaining an opportunity to teach other students.
Online PhD in Management FAQs
How do I check if the online program is properly accredited?
The information about accreditation is readily available online. You can also check with the university. You need to make sure that the program is accredited by one of the six authorized organizations.
Is an online PhD in management different from a traditional degree?
Both online and offline degrees in one school are the same. You have to put in the same amount of work, take the same courses, do the same research, and submit a dissertation.
How much does an online PhD management program cost?
The cost depends on the university you choose. You can take advantage of available scholarships or other financial assistance offered by many universities.
PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM