Online Ph.D. in Business Administration: Prepare to Teach, Research, and Lead
Join our inaugural August 2026 cohort—spaces are beginning to fill. Financial aid approval of this program is in progress, and we are currently accepting applications.
Step into the next level of your career as a scholar, educator, and thought leader with Belhaven University’s 100% online Ph.D. in Business Administration. This research-focused doctoral program is designed for professionals who want to teach at the college level, publish meaningful research, and influence the future of business.
In this online PhD in Business Administration program, you’ll explore complex challenges in leadership, strategy, and organizational behavior while developing advanced skills in critical thinking, analysis, and original research. When you apply, you’ll choose a specialization that helps shape your studies around your goals. With no GRE or GMAT required, you can begin your doctoral journey without unnecessary barriers.
Grounded in a Christian worldview, this PhD in Business Administration online connects academic rigor with purpose—equipping you to lead, teach, and contribute with integrity.
You’ll be prepared to:
- Teach in higher education
- Publish and present scholarly research
- Solve complex organizational challenges
- Influence business practice through research-driven insight
Why Choose Belhaven’s Online Ph.D. in Business Administration?
Modern Business Relevance
Explore emerging topics like AI, analytics, and digital transformation shaping today’s organizations and future business environments.
Applied Research Focus
Conduct rigorous research that addresses real-world business challenges while contributing meaningful insight to academic and professional communities.
Faculty Career Path
Designed for those pursuing teaching roles, with strong emphasis on scholarship, theory, and academic writing for higher education.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
60 Credit Hours
Complete program in 3-4 years
60 Credit Hours
Complete program in 3-4 years
100% Online
7-week courses, taught year-round
100% Online
7-week courses, taught year-round
Two Doctoral Paths: DBA or PhD in Business. Which One Is Right For You?
Ph.D. in Business Administration: The Academic Scholar
The PhD in Business prepares individuals for academic and scholarly careers and publishing. While both degrees require disciplined research, the Ph.D. places greater emphasis on contributing to theoretical understanding and participating in the broader academic community.
The Ph.D. in Business prepares you to:
- Teach at colleges and universities
- Publish and present scholarly research
- Explore leadership and organizational theory at depth
- Influence how business is understood and taught
Doctor of Business Administration: The Executive Scholar
The DBA is built for seasoned professionals who want to lead at the highest level.
The DBA helps you:
- Apply research to real organizational challenges
- Strengthen executive decision-making
- Lead with clarity and credibility
- Transform your organization from the inside
At Belhaven University, both the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the Ph.D. in Business Administration are terminal degrees. Both demand discipline, intellectual rigor, and meaningful research.
But they are designed for different futures.
| Category | DBA | Ph.D. |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Applying research | Advancing research |
| Primary Outcome | Organizational transformation | Scholarly contribution |
| Designed For | Executives and senior professionals | Aspiring faculty and researchers |
| Dissertation | Applied organizational project | Traditional academic dissertation |
| Career Direction | C-suite, consulting, executive leadership | University faculty, research, academic leadership |
| Orientation | Practice-centered | Scholarship-centered |
Two Doctoral Paths: DBA or PhD in Business. Which One Is Right For You?
Ph.D. in Business Administration: The Academic Scholar
The PhD in Business prepares individuals for academic and scholarly careers and publishing. While both degrees require disciplined research, the Ph.D. places greater emphasis on contributing to theoretical understanding and participating in the broader academic community.
The Ph.D. in Business prepares you to:
- Teach at colleges and universities
- Publish and present scholarly research
- Explore leadership and organizational theory at depth
- Influence how business is understood and taught
Doctor of Business Administration: The Executive Scholar
The DBA is built for seasoned professionals who want to lead at the highest level.
The DBA helps you:
- Apply research to real organizational challenges
- Strengthen executive decision-making
- Lead with clarity and credibility
- Transform your organization from the inside
At Belhaven University, both the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the Ph.D. in Business Administration are terminal degrees. Both demand discipline, intellectual rigor, and meaningful research.
But they are designed for different futures.
| Category | DBA | Ph.D. |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Applying research | Advancing research |
| Primary Outcome | Organizational transformation | Scholarly contribution |
| Designed For | Executives and senior professionals | Aspiring faculty and researchers |
| Dissertation | Applied organizational project | Traditional academic dissertation |
| Career Direction | C-suite, consulting, executive leadership | University faculty, research, academic leadership |
| Orientation | Practice-centered | Scholarship-centered |
Ph.D. in Business Administration: FAQs
The PhD of Business Administration online curriculum includes:
- Foundational doctoral seminars
- Specialization seminars in management
- Research design and inquiry coursework
- Comprehensive examinations
- Dissertation research and defense
Students are guided step-by-step through the research process, learning how to frame meaningful research questions, evaluate evidence, and communicate findings clearly and professionally.
The emphasis is not on advanced mathematics, but on developing the ability to think analytically, interpret data responsibly, and draw sound conclusions.
Comprehensive exams assess your readiness to move into the dissertation phase by testing your understanding of:
- Research methods
- Core discipline knowledge
- Your specialization area
Most students complete the PhD in Business Administration program in approximately 3–4 years, depending on pace and dissertation progress.
The dissertation is an original research project where you:
- Identify a meaningful business problem or theory gap
- Conduct rigorous analysis (quantitative or qualitative)
- Publish new knowledge to the field
A basic foundation is helpful. If you’ve completed a statistics class at the graduate or undergraduate level in the past, you’re good to go. The program is designed to build your competency step-by-step along the way.
A significant amount. Students should expect:
- Academic papers
- Literature reviews
- Research proposals
- A full dissertation at the end
Yes. The program is structured for working professionals, though students should expect to dedicate 15–20 hours per week to coursework and research.
Students will receive:
- Faculty mentorship
- Dissertation guidance
- Research support
- Access to academic databases and tools
No, there is no requirement to attend classes on campus.
What can I do with a Ph.D. in Business Administration?
Careers with a PhD in Business Administration include:
- Faculty positions at colleges and universities, including full-time and adjunct roles
- Research and consulting roles in think tanks, organizations, and policy settings
- Academic leadership and administrative roles in higher education
- Leadership roles requiring advanced analytical, strategic, and theoretical expertise
- Publishing research and presenting at academic conferences
Ph.D. in Business Administration: What You’ll Study
Introductory Courses (6 Credits)
- BUS 700 Orientation Seminar
- BUS 701 Advanced Christian Worldview
Specialization Courses (18 Credits)
- MGT 701: Seminar in Management
- MGT 702: Seminar in Human Resource Management
- MGT 703: Seminar in Organizational Behavior
- MGT 704: Seminar in Strategic Management
- MGT 705: Seminar in Leadership
- MGT 706 Seminar in Business Ethics
Research Methodology (18 Credits)
- BUS 707 Research Methods
- BUS 709 Quantitative Methods
- BUS 810: Advanced Quantitative Methods
- BUS 706 Qualitative Research Methods
- BUS 708: Survey Research
- BUS 811: Econometrics & Data Modeling
Scholarship & Professional Practice (6 Credits)
- BUS 812 Publication Methods
Comprehensive Exam (3 credits)
- BUS 779 Comprehensive Exam
Dissertation Phase (12 Credits)
- BUS 784 Dissertation Research
- BUS 785 Dissertation Research
- BUS 786 Dissertation Research
- BUS 787 Dissertation Research
- BUS 800 Oral Defense
Total Credit Hours: 60 credit hours
The Management specialization focuses on understanding how organizations function and how leaders influence outcomes. Students engage foundational and contemporary scholarship in areas such as:
- Organizational behavior
- Leadership theory
- Strategic management
- Human resource management
- Ethics and organizational decision-making
Rather than focusing on day-to-day management practice, this specialization examines the underlying theories, systems, and dynamics that shape organizational life.
To be admitted to the Ph.D. in Business Administration program, you must have earned a master's degree (preferably an MBA) from a regionally-accredited college/university with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
No GRE or GMAT or any other standardized tests are required for admission.
Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with additional documentation. Applicants with a GPA below a 3.0 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Documentation:
- A professional resume
- A Goals Statement in which you describe your career goals and how earning the Belhaven DBA will help you achieve those goals.
Conditional Admission: Applicants who do not meet the regular admission requirements but show the potential for success in a program may be considered for admission. Conditional admission may be granted based on the decision of the admission committee.
Applying to Belhaven’s online programs is quick and easy. We’ll need a couple supporting documents — things like transcripts from any other school you’ve attended. When you have gathered those, just complete our online application form.
These rates are for August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026.
| Program | Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Business Administration | $635 |
| Active Military Discount, Graduate Program | $375 |
| 20% Discount: Military Spouse/Veteran/First Responder | $508 |
* Military/first responder benefits cannot be combined with any other institutional scholarships or discounts.
This program has a Dissertation Fee of $650. The $650 Dissertation Fee covers the instructional, supervisory, and administrative resources required to guide students through the dissertation process. This includes faculty mentoring, committee review, academic evaluation, and processing of all dissertation materials from proposal to completion.
Visit the Scholarships, Tuition & Fees page to view other fees as well as the cost estimate calculator.
School of Business: Verified Excellence
Belhaven’s business school is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Why is this important?
Knowing the School of Business is accredited by the IACBE tells you that Belhaven voluntarily holds itself to a set of quality standards and is willing to allow outside business experts to come to campus and verify Belhaven is doing what we say we are doing. Belhaven’s commitment to the accreditation process benefits you because it ensures you will be provided a quality education.
Meet the Chair
Dr. Zonzie McLaurin
Professor and Chair of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program
Contact Us
Office of Adult, Graduate, and Online Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
Go and make disciples of all the nations ... And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20