Develop critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as the confidence and experience to put them into practice.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
Investigate what interests you to tailor a PhD that fits your personal and professional goals.
WORK WITH DEDICATED FACULTY
Learn from doctoral scholar-practitioners with experience in their field , preparing you to make an impact.
MOVE PAST ABD
If you have finished everything but your dissertation, our completion program can get you on track to finishing your PhD.
EASY TO APPLY
Walden has streamlined our online PhD in Management degree admissions process. When you’re ready to apply, pay no application fee—and there’s no need to write an essay.
TRANSFER CREDITS
Hard work and determination got you to this point. Now, transferring credit can save you time and money on your PhD in Management online degree.
SAVE ON TUITION
As part of our commitment to making higher education more accessible, Walden offers many options to lower the cost of your online PhD in Management degree.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
The path to your PhD in Management degree won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every step.
DOCTORAL DEGREE COACH®
Map and track your PhD program milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and find support with this personalized digital resource.
ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES
Broaden your knowledge, engage with peers and faculty, and shape your professional identity during this valuable doctoral learning experience.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 64 quarter credits | $780 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $49,020^ | |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20–120† quarter credits | $780 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $15,600–$93,600* | |
| Program Fee | $180 per quarter | $1,980–$5,760* | ||
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies (residency two and residency four may be virtual; additional residencies may be required) | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.75-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $73,180 | $155,360*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.75-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in a 8-year timeframe) | |||
Effective 2/23/26
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 64 quarter credits | $795 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $50,880^ | |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20–120† quarter credits | $795 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $15,900–$95,400* | |
| Program Fee | $185 per quarter | $2,035–$5,920* | ||
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies (residency two and residency four may be virtual; additional residencies may be required) | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.75-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $74,495 | $158,280*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.75-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in a 8-year timeframe) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
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 and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 2.75-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
| Curriculum | Required Quarter Credits (min) | Required Quarter Credits (max) | Cost per Quarter Hour | Total (min) | Total (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 5 | 5 | $795 | $3,975 | $3,975 |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20 | 55 | $795 | $15,900 | $43,725 |
| Program Fee | $185 | $925 | $2,220 | ||
| Estimated Range: | 15-months | 36-months | |||
| $20,800 | $49,920 |
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.
Career Opportunities
Human Resources Manager
Plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
Expected growth: 6%1
Estimated annual wage: $81,060–$182,120 1
Management Analyst
Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.
Expected growth: 11%2
Estimated annual wage: $57,840–$130,800 2
Postsecondary Business Teacher
Instruct students in business subjects beyond the high school level.
Expected growth: 7%3
Estimated annual wage: $48,580–$140,070 3
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
3Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the PhD in Management online program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
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.
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PhD in Management Degree FAQ
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 degree, you will typically complete a dissertation in which you conduct scholarly and original research. The goal is to bring new information to light and make an original contribution to the field of business management. For the DBA, you will typically complete a business research project 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 online 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 to a research paper tailored to their interests.
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 you 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 degree 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 help you pursue new paths, it can also help you command greater credibility and respect from those in your organization and the field at large. As a doctoral degree holder, you’ll have 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 and effect positive social change.