Ph.D in Business Administration
Online Degree ProgramThe online
Individuals who successfully complete the online Ph.D. degree program in Business Administration can pursue opportunities as a business leader, educator, researcher, or scholars in the academic, military and corporate worlds, and beyond. The Ph.D. in Business Administration curriculum is designed to help you develop advanced research skills. You will demonstrate and apply these skills toward the creation of new knowledge in your Ph.D. Dissertation. Every aspect of our Ph.D. program takes place online, ensuring flexibility for adult students. Our online degree program will allow you to:
- Synthesize an integrated understanding of core business concepts to address organizational challenges in innovative ways.
- Integrate statistical tools appropriate in the field of business administration to advance research or inform evidence-based decisions.
- Evaluate various theories and research methods used in business administration.
- Evaluate diverse viewpoints, theories, and scientific methods in business administration research relevant to culturally diverse and global contexts.
- Communicate original scholarly research results through oral presentation and in writing.
- Utilize appropriate ethical standards while conducting and disseminating research in business administration.
- Develop effective information systems solutions to address complex business problems using industry-standard and tools.
The Trident Difference
EdActive™ Learning Approach
Students are presented with a question or issue. They do their own research, apply their own experience and present their solution. Feedback and suggestions are received and the student applies the learning to their next task.
Flexibility
With flexible, 100% online classes you can manage your own time to deliver on deadline, with milestones to keep you on track. Faculty is responsive to student needs without daily micro-management.
Transfer Credit
Total required credits may be reduced based on potential transfer credits from other accredited institutions*; we may also consider awarding potential credits for prior learning.
Accreditation
Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Meet your Doctoral Faculty
Doctoral Faculty teach content courses in the online degree program and serve as committee members for doctoral research projects to support and guide students
Dr. Mary Lind
Full-Time Faculty
College of Business
You will show a synthesis of your doctoral study, knowledge, and scholarship with a significant quantitative research project that contributes to general principles of knowledge in the field(s) potentially affected by the research.
A dissertation committee and dissertation chairperson will be established for you. Each committee will consist of three faculty members with one member serving as Chair of the Committee. The chairperson and the committee will be responsible for guiding you during the dissertation process
View all facultyPh.D. in Business Administration Online Degree Program Milestones
There are several milestones in the development of your doctoral study. Here is a brief overview of milestones.
- 1Complete Core, Research, and Concentration Coursework
- 2Develop Prospectus
- 3Draft a Dissertation Proposal
- 4Obtain IRB Approval
- 5Defend the Dissertation Project
Online Degree Program Overview
Our 100% online degree program affords you flexibility as you learn to:
- Understand and solve the complex problems of a rapidly changing world from the perspective of a business academic and leader
- Pursue a research area of your own choosing and learn and practice scientific research methods
- Gain the skills, experience, and mentoring you need to produce respected academic research
- Develop effective scholarly writing and presentation skills
- Participate in and leverage a community of passionate online graduate students
- Work with faculty who will offer guidance, from admission to coursework, through exams to your dissertation
- Make a contribution to the academic community by publishing your doctoral dissertation in peer-reviewed journals and/or presenting research projects at academic conferences
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.
You are required to take a total of six core courses before the Dissertation Series Courses. The courses include four research methods, four theory, and two concentration courses. Four additional courses focus on dissertation work. All courses are four semester credits.
Trident accepts eligible doctoral level credits from regionally accredited doctoral granting institutions provided the transferred course meets the same content standards as the Trident course.*
Note: Students are required to purchase IBM SPSS Statistical Software for the quantitative research courses and dissertation research.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
- No Concentration
- The Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with no concentration is designed to help students prepare to pursue dissertation topics that do not fit within the current concentrations. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate advanced knowledge and comprehension, including current developments in the areas of business administration. - Accounting/Finance
- This concentration is designed for students with a solid background in the field of finance, accounting or economics and interested in contributing to research in related bodies of knowledge, such as international finance, economic growth and development, financial management, auditing, and taxation. - Information Systems / Information Technology Management
- This concentration is designed for students with a solid background in information systems interested in contributing to research about the impact of information technologies in organizations. Examples of dissertation topics covered in this concentration are: information security and privacy, virtual teams, electronic commerce, cloud computing, and business intelligence. - Leadership
- This concentration is designed for students with a background in management, leadership, business administration or related fields and interested in contributing to research on leadership styles and types (e.g., transformational leadership, shared leadership or servant leadership) and the ways in which leadership could contribute to organizational success. - Management and Organizations
- This concentration is designed for students with a background in management, business administration or related fields interested in contributing to research on strategic management (e.g., merges and acquisitions, alliances, setting up operations in other countries including emerging markets) and organizational behavior (e.g., decision making, team dynamics, organizational structure, and culture). - Marketing
- This concentration is designed for students with a solid background in the field of marketing and interested in contributing to research on related bodies of knowledge, such as branding, direct sales, consumer behavior, pricing, online promotion, and social media marketing.
Note: Topics covered in our concentrations continually change to reflect the changing priorities in business activities and business research and student's expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Ph.D. in Business Administration is a degree program designed to help graduates prepare to pursue a potential career path in business leadership, education, or research. Students who study in this program will explore topics related to the development of advanced research skills including the application of skills to create new knowledge in their Ph.D. Dissertation
Doctoral degree programs and time of completion are dependent on a student’s previous credits*, proficiency, and other factors. Many students who attend this program work full-time. Quarterly start dates give students flexibility in timing their coursework.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the Trident University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the Trident University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
In this program, students will take a total of six core courses before their dissertation seminar. These courses include research methods, theory, and three concentration courses.
A Ph.D. in Business Administration degree at Trident provides an opportunity to develop advanced research skills to pursue a career path as a business leader, educator, researcher, or scholar in the private or public sector. The program allows students to build on knowledge and aptitude in the areas of evidence-based decision making and applied research skills. With a program created around adult learners’ needs, you will have access to support and flexibility while working and attending the program.
The total number of credits required for this program is 56 credit hours. Additional credits may include up to 28 transfer-in credits* from a professional certificate, diploma, or a military occupation or ranking.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the Trident University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Trident offers 12-week sessions for its students pursuing doctoral degree programs. Refer to the academic calendar for a schedule of class start dates.
Ways to Save
Scholarships & Grants
Trident offers an assortment of scholarships and grants to help make college more affordable for our students.*
*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University’s Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
Credits for Prior Learning
Trident may award doctoral credit for professional experience in the discipline. Students may submit an experiential portfolio for assessment to the appropriate Doctoral Studies Director. The request can be submitted during the admissions process using the Doctoral PLA Request Form. For questions or assistance contact an Admissions Advisor at doctoraladmissions@trident.edu.**
**Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
