Why Choose Walden?
Structured Support at Each Step
Get the tools and support you need to execute your dissertation with confidence and determination.
Two Degrees, One Program
Earn a second credential, a Master of Philosophy in Management (MPhil) degree, once you finish the required courses.
Personalize Your Research
Tailor the exploration and research in your specialization to your personal interests and passions.
Choose an Accredited Program
Our management PhD program is among the few accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
BE SUPPORTED AT EACH STEP
The Walden Doctoral Degree Coach™ helps you find the right support when you need it and stay on track throughout your journey.
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Program Outcomes
An Online Management PhD Program That Prepares You to Make an Impact
In our PhD in Management program, you’ll not only learn how to consume knowledge more effectively but also how to create knowledge. Evolve beyond passive learning to achieve new levels of critical thinking that you can apply in your organization and field of interest. Become a scholar practitioner with the power to drive transformative change as a leader, educator, or consultant.
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your doctorate requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and Track Milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished, all in one place.
- Meet Weekly Targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect With Faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access Helpful Resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this PhD in Management program will be prepared to:
- Evaluate the evolution of the field of management and organizations and its influence on human and societal development.
- Analyze key theories, concepts, and tools as they relate to the functioning of leadership and organizations.
- Evaluate management and systems thinking principles that have influenced the development of organizations and societal systems.
- Evaluate the relevance of seminal, current, and emerging management and organizational change theory and practice from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- Demonstrate the skills needed to conduct research that contributes to positive social change.
Career Outlook
Whether you want to pursue a career in teaching, consulting, research, or executive leadership, a PhD in Management helps you achieve increased credibility. Earning this terminal degree demonstrates expertise in your field of interest as well as a lifelong commitment to learning.
The PhD in Management is a career differentiator in organizational consulting as well as in higher education, which often requires candidates to hold doctorates for credentialing and promotion. Business organizations continue to look for PhD-level critical thinking, conceptual framing, and research skills in candidates for executive leadership positions.
A PhD in Management can prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- College professor/instructor
- Data scientist
- Chief executive officer
- Public administrator
A PhD in Management can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Colleges and universities
- “Think tank” organizations
- Research facilities
- Entrepreneurial settings (e.g., consulting or brokered contract consulting)
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
A PhD in Management can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Colleges and universities
- “Think tank” organizations
- Research facilities
- Entrepreneurial settings (e.g., consulting or brokered contract consulting)
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Meet Your Academic Team
Testimonials
The instructors, academic advising, the library, and a host of other resources available to Walden University students are top-notch, and the personal phone calls are motivational.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Walden experience as a PhD student, and I have recommended Walden to students who approach me upon graduation from programs I teach as an adjunct professor.
I managed to complete my Walden PhD while dealing with my husband’s congestive heart failure.
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FAQ About Walden’s Online PhD in Management
The PhD in Management and DBA programs will both require you to take advanced business courses and spend time on in-depth study. However, there’s a difference in how you earn each degree. For the PhD in Management, you will typically complete a dissertation in which you conduct scholarly and original research with the goal of bringing new information to light and making an original contribution to the field of business management. For the DBA, you will typically complete a doctoral study in which you conduct scholarly and original research focused on developing a practical solution to a business problem.
At Walden, you can choose from an array of program specializations—in addition to a Self-Designed option—to tailor your studies to your experience and interests. These specializations include Organizational Design and Innovation, Information Systems Management, 21st Century Finance, Leadership and Organizational Strategy, and Human Resource Management. The Self-Designed option gives you the opportunity to create your own PhD in Management specialization so that you can align your program with your personal and professional goals.
Virtually all PhD programs—regardless of the focus area—require students to complete and submit a dissertation. At Walden University, the dissertation requirement serves as the culmination of a student’s PhD in Management studies. While a formidable challenge, this undertaking gives each student the opportunity to apply everything they have learned throughout the program into a research paper that’s tailored to their interests and can make a lasting impact in the field.
Academic residencies, skills labs, and pre-practica are face-to-face or virtual learning experiences that align with your online coursework to enhance your skill development, scholarship, and professional practice. Required for most PhD programs, residencies also provide students with the opportunity to collaborate and network with other students, staff, and faculty members. Academic residencies may be held virtually or in person. Walden’s PhD in Management program requires that students complete four residences prior to graduation.
In recent years, online education has become increasingly commonplace as more and more universities put their courses online. When deciding where to earn your PhD in Management degree online, be sure to choose an accredited institution. While earning a PhD may increase your salary and boost your employability, it can also increase your opportunities to influence and gain the respect of those in your organization and the field at large. As a doctoral degree holder, you’ll be in possession of specialized knowledge that others may seek out, offering you the chance to make a greater impact on society.
When it comes to finding the best online academic institution, reputation is key. Walden University has been leading adult learning and developing distance education programs for more than 50 years. Walden has built an online culture and ecosystem from the ground up, continuously refining the experience to meet student needs. Now more than ever, working professionals need online access to an accredited university that enables them to achieve their goals. At Walden, students and graduates can benefit from a variety of support services as they work to earn their degree, advance their career, and effect positive social change.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.
2Source: Data for this analysis of 256,995 job postings for Doctoral Degree - Business Administration and Management, General from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, was retrieved using Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insight™. Job titles are at the national level and may not reflect local and/or short-term job conditions and are subject to change.
Walden’s BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), MS in Finance, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The MS in Accounting and BS in Accounting programs are also accredited by the ACBSP and have earned the organization’s separate accounting accreditation.
Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.