Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

MBA graduate contemplating PhD degree

In academia, numerous accomplishments can be achieved. You can earn a dual degree and have expertise in multiple fields, or further your career potential by going back to school . But what about progressing from an MBA to a PhD? 

In regards to higher education, many consider earning a PhD, or doctorate degree, the pinnacle of success. Usually, due to passion for a particular industry or subject, a PhD candidate will spend years of rigorous research to unpack its intricacies and become a leading expert in the field.  At the end of their studies, they are able to finally see their work come to fruition when they receive their doctorate and join alongside other scholars. However, is it typical for an MBA graduate to move onto pursuing their PhD? And is there a specific purpose? Are there different types of PhD programs? What is the difference between a PhD and DBA?

To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. 

What is a PhD, and What is it Used For? 

By definition, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy in a particular discipline, which is why it's also referred to as a doctorate. This focus is typically for individuals highly passionate about a specific subject matter, driven by the pursuit to understand it better through rigorous research. A majority of students seeking their PhD are eager researchers, although there are always exceptions, and each carries out years of highly intensive research to conclude their original thesis and earn their doctorate. 

In terms of translating your education into a career, a doctorate can be used in a plethora of fields, especially if one’s thesis is around a wider subject matter and can be a discipline applied to various industries (take organizational development, for example). For those who are passionate about a career in research, a doctoral degree is a perfect fit. Possibly the most popular field for those with a doctorate is a fruitful career in academia, teaching their subject matter to others interested in the same area. Many graduates become faculty members at business schools upon completing their PhD and provide their expertise to their students. Regardless of which industry you choose, you can be assured that a PhD will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

How Long Does it Take to Progress from an MBA to PhD?

The timeframe for earning your PhD can vary depending on program and location. Many countries have varying timelines of how long the completion of a doctoral program will take. In the United States, the average is around 4-5 years of completion after receiving your Master of Business Administration. 

Do You Need an MBA to Get a PhD?

To be accepted into a doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree. It does not have to be a Master of Business Administration, but it does need to be a master’s of some form. Depending on your area of specialization, it could be advantageous to earn your MBA in pursuit of a PhD if you are planning to embark on a career in business upon completion of your doctorate. Additionally, one important aspect to consider is the program itself. It is important to look into a program’s requirements before applying to meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Difference Between a DBA and a PhD 

For those specifically interested in a career in business, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a highly beneficial doctoral program. A DBA focuses on a broader spectrum of business disciplines, dedicating research toward multiple corporate facets, and practical implementation. On the contrary, a PhD narrows into a specific area of discipline and research, emphasizing theory, and it’s potential implications. While both are heavily centered around research and implementation, a DBA sets business executives and leaders on a path to discover new possibilities for their organizations and businesses. In a way, it allows established business professionals to “trailblaze” the way for new and innovative ideas that can disrupt the market and set a precedent for the future of business.

Get Your MBA or DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

At Pepperdine Graziadio, we proudly offer degrees to accommodate business professionals at any stage of their lives and careers. Our full and part-time MBA programs are designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in values-based business leadership. All of our MBA programs offer a personalized learning approach executed by our world-class faculty. Each program is characterized by its top-ranked business curriculum that can be coupled with an academic concentration. 

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been carefully designed for the tenured business leader looking to drive groundbreaking innovations. This rigorous program allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and finetune their expertise through applied research. Also, executives enjoy learning alongside changemakers in various industries and participating in exclusive opportunities available only to DBA candidates.

Learn more about which programs fit your career aspirations and academic interests.

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with a degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

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PhD Programs

  • Accounting & Management
  • Business Economics
  • Health Policy (Management)
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Technology & Operations Management

Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has five areas of study: Accounting and Management , Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management  

Business economics  , health policy (management)  , management  , marketing  , organizational behavior  , strategy  , technology & operations management  .

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Doing A PhD After MBA

Doing a Ph.D. After MBA | Eligibility Criteria, Career Scope, Employment And Salary

Doing A Ph.D. After MBA: The ‘road less taken’ can be simply called for Ph.D. after MBA. Not many people is seen to pursue a Ph.D. in Commerce; as it is a field that does not attract and relatively unknown many pursuers.

In the academic field, Ph.D. after MBA is more useful than a professional one. initially; The ROI and opportunity cost for this course are also not up to par, however, by saying that, it does not mean that the course is not worth it or useless. If a Ph.D. is done right then it can be quite rewarding.

Ph.D. after MBA or Management

  • Ph.D. Course Duration after MBA

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. After MBA

Can one do a ph.d. after mba, after mba available top ph.d. courses, how to do a ph.d. after mba, ph.d. after mba in india, can i actually do a ph.d. after distance mba, ph.d. after mba – in distance education.

  • Ph.D. After MBA Abroad – Entrance Exams & Admission Process
  • Top-Most Abroad Universities for Pursuing PhD after MBA
  • Best Countries to Study PhD after MBA Abroad
  • Ph.D. After MBA in USA

Ph.D. After MBA in Australia

Ph.d. after mba in germany, ph.d. after mba finance.

  • Scope Of Ph.D. after MBA in Finance

Ph.D. in Management

  • Career Scope, Employment, and Salary for Doing a Ph.D. after MBA
  • FAQ’s on Doing A Ph.D. after MBA

As one may expect it to be, Ph.D. after MBA may not be as advantageous. After getting done with an MBA, rather than pursue a Ph.D., many prefer to increase their work experience, but if you are interested in doing research in the field of your interest, a Ph.D. may be the perfect course for a person to take up.

Ph.D. researchers or individuals also get a chance to do individual research and study, apart from the extensive knowledge which the course provides, which puts them quite apart from other managers.

  • The course requires a lot of dedication and rigorous hard work in Ph.D.
  • A lot of time needs to be invested by someone with a Ph.D., which can be tedious.
  • The Ph.D. course combines practical application with theoretical knowledge.
  • There are many practical methods and approaches like field studies, econometrics, experimental methods, etc., which are mostly used during Ph. D.s.
  • For those who want to teach Management, Ph.D. is for them.
  • The profession of the Professor is most sought after and reputable.
  • Ph.D. researchers also work as consultants in top firms.
  • Ph.D. increases their analytical skills and trains researchers.
  • Because of their skillset, positions in analytics are offered commonly to Ph.D. researchers.
  • One may not quite earn much before getting tenure, and the growth is considerably slow.

Do Refer: Career Objective for MBA

Ph.D. After MBA or Management

Ph.D. Course Duration After MBA

Depending on the research topic, methodologies, and time and labor investment, the duration for Ph.D. after MBA may vary.

On average, it may take 4 to 5 years for the completion of a Ph.D.. Depending on the country and institution, the duration may also vary.

Country Duration (Average)

  • India –  3 years
  • USA – 5-7 years
  • UK – 3-4 years
  • Australia – 4-6 years
  • Germany – 3-5 Years

Eligibility Criteria for a Ph.D. after an MBA must be an MBA degree, as one may assume. But that’s not so.

There are many other criteria for eligibility, as well. To pursue a Ph.D. after MBA, one must fulfill being eligible for a Ph.D. after MBA, and the following are the criteria.

  • One must have an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS exam score to prove their proficiency in the English language.
  • One must also have a respectable, which may vary as per the university of GRE/GMAT score.
  • Students must also submit their essays, transcript and SOP.
  • Letters of Recommendation are required. At least 2 to 3 times to be submitted by the aspiring student.
  • Oftentimes, an interview is conducted either online via video call or physically to test student’s eligibility and knowledge.
  • Students must have a thesis statement or an idea and a dissertation ready.
  • It is crucial that the students are well versed to have a clear idea and what they want to do about their objectives.
  • The acceptance rate at top-rated Business Schools is around 3 to 5%.

Yes, one actually can do a Ph.D. after MBA. There are various business schools worldwide that offer Ph.D. programs after an MBA, which can be pursued.

For the MBA itself, some years of work experience is required by many schools. The Student may already have the direction they want to take in their life by choosing to pursue an MBA.

A Ph.D. after an MBA is not quite a popular choice, but many students still decide to pursue the research either for better opportunities or out of interest. To pursue a Ph.D., the criteria for eligibility include more than 50% or more marks in your post-graduation, and students are also required to take up an entrance exam. The field of Ph.D. is open for the Student or for anyone who has done an MBA.

A student may choose from several Ph.D. courses after MBA. Due to its vast scope, there is no dearth of specialization in the field of management.

As the Ph.D. in Management is an unexplored field, each research in each area is equally important.

There are several available courses one may take, like:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Human Resource Management
  • Commercial Law
  • Operational Research
  • Healthcare and Management
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Political Science

For students who actually want to do a Ph.D. after their MBA is done, there are many options. It is important that for the duration of 2 years, the MBA course the candidate has done.

The students must choose their work and field of interest in that direction and also most important.

Students always have the choice to pursue a Ph.D. in abroad or India. The application process for both remains more or less the same. To do a Ph.D. after an MBA abroad, one has to additionally give language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL and exams like GMAT or GRE.

For India, exams like CAT are applicable.

Ph.D. After MBA or Management

  • One must have a good score in their CAT exam and a two-year MBA degree.
  • For admission in their Ph.D. courses, GATE or even UGC NET may be required at some top IIMs.
  • A Ph.D. may actually vary from 3 to 5 years on average, and it is important to note that the duration.
  • In the first year of Ph.D., the candidates are trained in research methodologies and subjects, etc. and are mostly dedicated to the coursework.
  • In the second year, one may choose the area in which they will be conduction research and their specialization.
  • It is often advisable that students actually choose the area for research in which they have specialized during their MBA. It is, however, not quite compulsory.
  • A Ph.D. thesis is the most essential part of any Ph.D., and during their second year only, it is important that students start developing it.
  • In the third year, after they have researched and collected data, a student is asked to present their thesis statement.
  • After the first six months of the third year, students are free to write their research papers and Ph.D. and do their research.
  • The whole process can be quite time-consuming, but the only trick here is to be very resilient.
  • Yes, you can obviously do a Ph.D. after a distance MBA.
  • The institute must be recognized by the UGC.
  • Universities are not allowed to differentiate between the degrees.
  • The degree earned and mentioned in the eligibility criteria must be in tandem.
  • As the process for regular courses, the application process is as same.
  • Candidates must submit their essays, SOPs, mark sheets, documents, etc., like any other regular candidate.
  • Mostly on entrance exams and interviews, the admission in a Ph.D. program is based.
  • Over the ones who did pursue their degrees via distance education mode, Some institutes may prefer regular students.
  •  The decision is solely based on the discretion of the university to select a candidate or not.

In Distance Education, one can definitely do a Ph.D. after MBA, but few things actually need to be taken into consideration.

It is important and mandatory that the institution from where the candidate has pursued their MBA in Distance education form is recognized by any other supreme commission as relevant to the country or by the UGC.

Also, for the Ph.D. program, one is applying to, the degree must match the eligibility criteria as well.

Ph.D. After MBA Abroad – Entrance Exams & Admission Process:

If you are actually planning to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA, especially from abroad, then the following points will help and guide you through the application process and entrance exams:

  • For global universities, the application process is very different from the universities of India. You actually don’t have to give any entrance exam to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA from abroad; rather, the GMAT / GRE score is needed to submit.
  • Previous project and research work matter, LORs, SOPs, and a lot when you are actually looking to pursue a Ph.D. abroad. They increase the chances of getting selected by making your profile strong.
  • For Ph.D. programs, most of the universities have a 3-5% acceptance rate. Thus, it is vital to make your application strong; get in touch with experts if you need any help regarding the same.
  • You need to work on your specific thesis, submit it in the provided duration as the curriculum more or less remains the same in Ph.D., and complete your Ph.D. after MBA.

Top-Most Abroad Universities for Pursuing Ph.D. after MBA

For better assistance at the time of your research on Ph.D. Courses after completion of MBA, we have enlisted some of the significant academic universities that are globally famous for their advanced specialized courses on Ph.D. after MBA:

Best Countries to Study Ph.D. after MBA Abroad

Most of the popular abroad destinations for Ph.D. studies are UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and Canada. These countries are notable for their research doctoral courses so choosing the best country to study Ph.D. is a crucial decision. So, decide carefully by doing deeper research about the course and universities in all countries. Let’s have a glance at the top countries to study Ph.D. after MBA and their popular research universities below for some idea:

Ph.D. After MBA in the USA

Ph.D. after MBA in the USA is the most popular place; because of a highly research-friendly environment, it especially is a great place to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA.

The USA offers students unlimited data and resources to facilitate their research as it is home to the top business schools. The amenities are quite good here, which are provided to Ph.D. researchers.

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Harvard University
  • Stanford University
  • The University of California
  • Columbia University
  • Kellogg School of Management
  • The University of Chicago
  • Washington University
  • Cornell University
  • University of Michigan

Ph.D. after MBA in Australia is also home to many great universities, and it is a very pleasant place to be at.

Ph.D. programs after MBA are offered by many great B-schools present. For applying practical methods, there is a lot of scopes and here because of the way corporates and businesses are run here.

Students will be provided with quite a lot of opportunities to collect primary as well as secondary data and conduct researches.

  • Australian National University
  • UNSW Sydney
  • University of Western Australia
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Melbourne
  • University of Queensland
  • Monash University
  • University of Adelaide
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Canberra

Probably the best place to pursue a Ph.D. after an MBA in Germany because of the varieties of facilities like the grant which are made available for students studying.

Germany has the best management programs and boasts of some of the best universities in the world as well. Many universities in Germany offer great guidance to students to help them in their research work and Ph.D. in management.

  • University of Berlin
  • University of Hamburg
  • Technical University of Munich
  • Heidelberg University
  • Humboldt University of Berlin
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
  • RWTH Aachen University
  • University of Freiburg
  • Bielefeld University

One of the topmost and popular specializations is a Ph.D. after MBA in Finance. The scope is vast, and the opportunities are quite endless.

Though the subject for those interested may seem challenging, it has a plethora of research ideas and opportunities.

Expertise in subjects like Mathematics and Economics is required by Ph.D. in Finance.

The top universities which are offering this program are:

  • Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
  • Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
  • The Centurion University of Technology and Management
  • Birla Institute of Technology and Science
  • Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
  • Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

Scope Of Ph.D. After MBA in Finance

Opportunities after opportunities are present in Ph.D. after MBA in Finance. There is a wide and deep scope of opportunities, and many companies to hire because of their skill and both practical and theoretical knowledge do look out for such candidates. Top companies seek to recruit candidates who have completed their  Ph.D. in Finance and  like the ones mentioned below .

  • TATA Consultancy
  • Genpact Technologies Ltd

One of the highest degrees of academic awarded in the study of management is a Ph.D. in management. For those seeking teaching careers and academic research as professors or faculty in the field of management at business schools worldwide, a Ph.D. in Management degree was designed.

Following are some Benefits of PhD after MBA

  • Helps you become a better thinker:  More than just consume what has been taught in the classes, a good Ph.D. in Management program encourages you to do more – it teaches you to become a good thinker and create more. One will achieve newer levels of critical thinking by moving past passive learning, which you can apply in new ways in your field of interest as well as your career.
  • To gain an edge:  A Ph.D. in Management is essential and immediately marketable, especially in today’s workforce, provide an asset that will give you a competitive advantage. A Ph.D. in Management proves the expertise in your field of study; you have an impressive level of credibility and a lifelong commitment to learning which will help you fulfill your professional goals.
  • Become a competitive scholar-practitioner:  A Ph.D. in Management will give you the confidence and knowledge but present at them instead of just attending academic conferences. You’ll discover your write a dissertation, may find yourself authoring peer-reviewed articles published in your field’s leading journals, and may have a scholarly voice.
  • Skills enhancement:  A Ph.D. in Management can actually help you enhance valuable skills and gain that are universally applicable to any kind of field. They are empowering you to make more of an impact in your current role by giving you expertise outside of your organization by the degree, which in turn helps people around you as well. You may find colleagues turning to you for guidance, Once you begin your studies.

Ph.D. in Management

Career Scope, Employment, and Salary for Doing a Ph.D. After MBA

Somewhere between 8 Lakhs to 18 Lakhs per annum, Ph.D. after MBA salary in India is depending upon whether you explore the academic domain working as a lecturer or academician or working in a corporate sector.

For graduates with a Ph.D. in Commerce-related specializations and Management below, we have elucidated upon the major employment sector:

  • Teaching: A Ph.D.’s most popular career path post is that of becoming a professor or teacher. Most Ph. D.s in management or business pursue it in the first place to pursue a career in particular academics. Further, to hire Ph.D.’s like business school professors, most of the research universities prefer. Suppose you aim to become a part of Ivy League schools or other prestigious academic institutions because of this striking combination coupled with a few years of professional experience. In that case, you should definitely go for a Ph.D. degree after MBA. It can make you an ideal candidate for the position of lecturer or university professor at a business school. Nearly 75% of business ‘Ph.D. after MBA’ graduates at business schools become faculty members, to give a rough statistical description, and roughly 25% take jobs in the industry.
  • Research: A Ph.D. involves extensive analysis and is quite a data-driven degree and in-depth assessment as it constitutes various submissions of a multiple research thesis as its incremental element. If you have planned to pursue a career in research, but combining it with a Ph.D. might give you the knowledge and expertise of both the research world as well as corporate, and an MBA is more of a route of professional to take. You can further enter various research sectors with a versatile skill set by getting the taste of both these areas, which will prove extremely useful in carrying out path-breaking contributions and case studies with the potential of bringing a newer light to the commercial industry.
  • Corporate Sector: As a common myth, you might be told that in the professional world, a doctorate degree is of no use, but it is quite the opposite as a Ph.D. after an MBA can furnish you with the outstanding business acumen to fit the role of business consultants and analysts. As many of the doctoral scholars move further to become professors or researchers, only a small proportion of them head towards the industry. As this degree provides aspirants with the understanding of employing Ph.D. s derive wisdom from their theoretical and unique methodologies for analysis, which, when combined with the pragmatic training obtained during MBA, marks for a marvelous body of knowledge. You can explore varied prospects in entrepreneurship ventures as well as companies like SEC, JP Morgan Chase, McKinsey, and Morgan Stanley, which are known to hire Ph. D.s frequently.

FAQ’s on Doing A Ph.D. After MBA

Question 1. What Ph.D. should I get after my MBA?

Answer: For students who want to do a Ph.D. after their MBA is done, there are many options. The MBA course the candidate has done must be for the duration of 2 years, and it is important. The most common career path after that is chosen is teaching.

Question 2. Is an MBA higher than a Ph.D.?

Answer: Compared to a Ph.D. that takes 4-6 years, you can complete your MBA in 1- 2 years. It allows them to start their career far sooner for the student, so the MBA is considered advantageous.

Question 3. Can I do a Ph.D. while working?

Answer: Yes, you can do a Ph.D. while working, but this can only happen if you are keen to work. Working full time and doing a Ph.D. is not easy; you won’t make progress without constant effort.

Question 4. Can I do a Ph.D. at 40?

Answer: Yes, you can do a Ph.D. at the age of 40; most of the person who does this are mostly in the education sector. The only problem that comes up is that not all programs will be open for you.

PhD after MBA

Education is a five-course meal with PhD as the ultimate dessert at the end of it all. Having said that, not all fields of study have had a long history of crowning a doctorate degree. It has traditionally been the highest degree in the sciences, and social sciences.

Somewhere in the middle of the previous century, though, business schools began to switch their focus from a purely vocational bend towards research oriented training, leading to what we now know as PhD in business, or management.

However, if you were to compare the share of Management PhDs in the US, for instance, with PhDs from other fields, the number is far from stellar, though marginally growing with each year. The picture below summarizes the rising number of Business Doctorate recipients between the years 1986 – 2016, as per NSF.gov . The corresponding percentages reflect the share of doctorate holders with respect to the total number of doctoral graduates. (Updated table from 2021 is available here )

For instance, in 2016, 22.9% of the total 54,904 doctoral recipients graduated with a PhD in Life Sciences, while Business Management PhDs accounted for only 2.8% of the entire body of Dr. XYZs graduating that year. In 2021, this percentage for Business Management majors was 1.3% and for Life Sciences was 22.6%.

So, clearly, this is a road less traveled as compared to your streamlined PhD, after MS, route.

PhD after MBA

The natural question, that follows, is what eludes PhD, in Business, from your everyday household fame?One of the possible reasons being that most business degrees have a lot more commercial capacity as compared to an academic one. Individuals who have an aptitude for business and have secured an MBA from any of the top few tiers of B-schools, generally follow the blazing path of success marked by their predecessors.

The most cited reason, for avoiding the path of business research is the ROI for the years invested, and the cost of opportunity lost while pursuing a semi-decade long journey towards the degree.

With the MBA degree taking a couple of years with average starting salaries north of $90,000, it is not a shocker to realize why some people would rather continue gaining work experience, and the fat paychecks, sans the PhD and its associated delayed gratification, if any (read Average MBA Starting Salary ).

That being the obvious reason, there is clearly another significant factor keeping most business graduates away from a doctoral path – research is not their calling.

This brings us to the next question.  

Why PhD after MBA?

What makes a PhD after MBA an attractive option? The thrill of research. The PhD program offers an opportunity to conduct independent study, scholarly research, and obtain an in-depth knowledge of a specialized field, which would be otherwise only superficially available to the more practical, commercially useful MBA degree.

The research training provides an awareness of the cutting-edge developments and the ability to evolve new insights at solving business problems. Doctoral graduates have years of experience in data analysis and data driven decision making, they are practiced with various research methodologies such as modeling, experimental methods, econometrics, field studies, and more.

As long as the individual has an aptitude for research, the real-world experiences of an MBA degree can motivate him to study relevant business problems.

The most common career path, offered after a PhD post MBA, is teaching. Faculties involved in active research, being an attractive indicator of b-school excellence, prompts a lot of well-known MBA, or other business programs, to hire PhDs as b-school professors.

QS Business School Rankings, for instance, takes in academic reputation and research paper citations into consideration for overall ranking. So does Financial Times MBA, EMBA and Online MBA Rankings. UT Dallas has a business school ranking list based solely on publication statistics in 24 leading business research journals.

Clearly, there is a competitive advantage afforded to PhD job applicants compared to MBAs, when it comes to protecting the interests of business schools. Success, in teaching and research, can lead to some very lucrative compensations.

Salaries, for some of the top b-school faculties, can be in the millions. (Read How much do top business school professors get paid? )

Other golden opportunities may even lead MBA+PhDs into consulting work in either well-known firms, or their own entrepreneurial ventures. PhDs derive wisdom from their theoretical, and uniquely devised methodologies for analysis, which when combined with the experiential training obtained during MBA, makes for a tremendous body of knowledge.

Hedge Funds are extremely selective about their recruits. While a lot of hedge funds believe in practical expertise more than academic experience, they are still known to hire PhDs to fill their analyst positions. Besides CFAs, MBAs, and other Master’s candidates, nearly 3% of hedge fund employees have a PhD.  

What kind of specializations are available to PhDs in Business?

PhD in Business Management, or its close kin Doctor in Business Administration (Harvard HBS), follows a variety of areas of study, often in collaboration with other departments. Some of those specializations are listed below (gathered from various b-school curricula, viz. Stanford GSB , Wharton , HBS ).

  • Accounting: Research focuses on solving issues, related to accounting, using economics, decision theory, and statistical inference.
  • Business Economics: This specialization combines economic analysis with business. The areas of focus may range from Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Urban Economics, Risk Management, Economic Analysis & Policy, Organizations & Markets, Corporate Governance, and more.
  • Finance: Research focus, such as in Wharton, is set on Asset Pricing, and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Macroeconomics, etc.
  • Marketing: Research focus lies on solving marketing management issues faced by companies. Areas of study usually involve behavioral decision making, economics, industrial organization, statistics, management science, and more.
  • Operations, Information & Technology: This area of research, such as in Stanford GSB, studies management of systems, processes, and networks. They include health care systems, product design, manufacturing, information systems, decision-making, operations management, etc.
  • Organizational Behavior: Research on concepts of psychology and sociology and their impact on behavior within complex organizations.
  • Management: The specialization deals with management and leadership challenges.
  • Strategy: Research studies the heart of what sustains and develops industries with competitive advantage.

The above list is not exhaustive and every b-school tailor their research target to set their competitive edge, so to speak. The other common specializations include, Ethics & Legal Studies, Health Care Management, Applied Economics, Decision Sciences, Human Resource Management, and more.  

Employment Options of Business PhD Graduates

While a majority of doctoral graduates find positions as faculties in reputable business schools, a fraction of them carry on in post-doctoral studies or head towards industry positions. Firms like McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, SEC, and more, are known to hire PhDs regularly.

Nearly 80% of graduating doctoral students are employed as faculty members in various business schools over the world, with the rest 20% employed in various industry positions. We have compiled the following table to reflect the employers of past PhD candidates from reputed business schools, mainly Wharton, HEC Paris, and Chicago Booth.  

Business School with Popular Research Programs

UT Dallas’ Naveen Jindal School of Management has created a business school ranking based on publications in 24 leading business journals, mentioned here . Some of the top research schools, assessed between 2012-2016, based on the ranking, are listed below.  

  The two related degrees of a Business PhD, in addition to an MBA, provide a set of well-rounded skills that are quite unique. These skills are not just desirable in mentors of the future business leaders, but also play a significant rolein gaining a thorough insight of the world of business management.

Recommended reading for the curious reader:

  • PhD in Management Abroad
  • Fully funded PhD, with stipend in Europe
  • Is a PhD worth it?
  • PhD in USA for international students
  • How to choose your PhD topics?

  Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

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16 thoughts on “PhD after MBA”

Hi I have done BCA+MCA from IGNOU. I got 92 percentage in BCA and 84 percentage in MCA. I have also worked as Software developer while doing my MCA for 3.5 years in a small start- up firm. I want to do MS in Computer Engineering. My question do top and middle tier American universities accept degrees from IGNOU (although it is a distance education IGNOU is recognised by government of India under act of parliament ) So Is my degrees from ignou valid for admission for MS in top american universities

Hi, I am pursuing PhD in India on the topic Organisational behaviour. But i am interested to do in USA. please tell me the ways if i can apply in some of the university’s. I am in US at present. kindly help me

Hello, I am name is Ankita, I have completed my Masters in Microbiology (Pune University). And I have been working in CSIR-URDIP as a patent analyst for the last 2 years now. As the place I am working at doesn’t give any kind of security in future, I have been off lately thinking about either apply for PhD abroad or MBA or do some courses regarding patent analysis abroad. Can you please give me any suggestion regarding what to do at this stage ?

@Dheeraj: There are some universities who consider IGNOU degrees. But it depends on which course you’re applying for. So best to check with them directly. We have some inputs for the MBA degree here: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2014/02/17/mba-after-correspondence-courses-distance-education/

@Sanam: You’d probably have to reset the call and start afresh. Specially if your current work has little or no overlap with what you plan to do in the US.

@Ankita: The decision would hinge on what you want to do after the degree. For a business oriented role, an MBA works best. For academic roles, a PhD works better.

Hello.. I have done MBA(HR & MK)in 2018.. I wanna take admission for phd in IIT’s.. Plz suggest me how can apply for this Thnks

Hi, I have done MBA ( management and leadership) in 2018 from Keiser university, Fl . I want to start PhD in supply chain. Please suggest me how can I apply for this. Thanks

Hi myself Rupak Debnath I have done MBA in MARKETING and HR and now I want to pursue PhD degree from IGNOU. My question is will it be right enough to opt a higher degree from open University and how much can I be benefited from the decision I have taken?? Please reply without any hesitation……….. waiting for your valuable reply………. Thanks

hi, I have done my MBA in HR and now i want to pursue phd in economics in hyderabad central university. am i eligable to apply and if yes , how to do that. kindly please let me know. regards, bindu yamini.

Could you please guide which PHD Programm will be approraite post “MBA in Consultancy Management”

hi i have completed my B.tech in mechanical engineering+ now i completed my MBA in Marketing& finance now i want to do phd in the operational manger field pls suggest something…

Pros and cons of doing PhD in Business Management after M.Com

Hi I had completed my mba in marketing in 2005 now i want to do p.hd from Canada.. Pls suggest…

Am Naveen an International Business Marketing Consultant having completed PGDM in Marketing + IT and hold BBM in International Business and seek a PHD in similar field. Alternatively, am working a Managing Partner for a Jewel Store too. As am traveling on a daily basis I want to complete my PHD to teach full-time at universities or colleges worldwide. Thanks

Assalam o Alakom I have don my MBA 3.5 year and HR Now to pursue PHD .am i eligable to apply for PHD..how to do that. kindly pleas i want to brief me in detail explain trough whatsaf way +923428966603 regards, Muhammad Hanzala

Sir,Can I eligible for phd program(Europe countries).After completion of mba(open degree) program in india.

Hi, I am Ankit from India, I did complete my MBA with Finance in 2016 and I have 4 year experience in same profile. Now I am looking Phd program in Finance in USA.

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MBA after PhD

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  • Updated on  
  • Apr 14, 2023

MBA after PhD

A qualification, regardless of level and field of study, will never be a waste; one just needs to realize how to use it wisely and appropriately. As we navigate through life we shift our perspective and interests, our education choices, therefore, need to reflect this. Usually, students with PhD do not plan to study ahead, but MBA is an opportunity that it is not easy to let go, especially as it allows professionals to enter the corporate world with great opportunities ahead. In this blog, let us understand what it takes to study MBA after Ph.D . 

This Blog Includes:

Benefits of mba after ph.d., who earns more mba or ph.d., top mba entrance exams, top indian universities for mba, top foreign universities for mba, top 6 countries to study mba after phd.

Ph.D. armed you with tenacity, discipline, critical analysis of information, and the knowledge unparalleled by anyone else in the exact topic of your research. It qualified one as a specialist . It provides sound research focus, whereas MBA on other hand provides sound business and leadership focus.

It is understandable that a Ph.D. is the highest degree that one can have, but there is no hard and fast rule that one cannot pursue MBA after completing their Ph.D. Ph.D. might restrict you in one field and does not let you explore a job in another field. Also, some upper management positions may require some business expertise and if your Ph.D. is not based on the business field, considering MBA can give you that push in the business area. MBA after PhD not only offers great career opportunities but also guarantees a highly paid job and also lets you develop a strong professional network. MBA will offer you a wealth of advantages, especially when it’s from a well-reputed business school . There are many good reasons for pursuing MBA after PhD and here is a detailed guide about how doing an MBA can benefit your career:

  • Develop advanced and flexible management skills.
  • It gives you greater business network opportunities.
  • It helps you make the transition from academia to industry.
  • One can start their own company from scratch.

Here is a table containing general differences between an MBA and a PhD

Incorporate sector a Ph.D. holder draws an average salary of 10 Lakhs in India. Whereas with 1 to 4 years of experience, early career MBA salary in India can grow up to 7-8 Lakhs.

There are various MBA entrance exams that are open with admission opportunities in top B-School. The list for top MBA exams are given below:

  • National Level: CAT , CMAT , and MAT
  • International Level: GMAT, GRE , IELTS , and TOEFL
  • University/College Level: XAT , SNAP , IIFT

The table below lists the application dates and exam date of top MBA exams:

When we talk about MBA in India, the first university which struck our mind is IIM. However, with time numerous universities had made it to the list of top MBA colleges. Below are the top B-Schools in India with their flagship program, entrance exams, and great salary package post-MBA.

  • IIM Ahmedabad
  • IIM Bangalore
  • IIM Calcutta
  • XLRI Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
  • Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
  • SPIMJR, Mumbai
  • IIM Kozhikode

Pursuing an MBA in a foreign university offers you the opportunity to have a globally recognized degree and explore job opportunities abroad with a higher salary, and career growth. MBA abroad requires a Bachelor’s degree and work experience for at least 4-5 years. Here we have listed some of the top universities you can consider for pursuing an MBA:

  • The Wharton School, Pennsylvania
  • London Business School, London (UK)
  • Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford (MA)
  • MIT Management, Cambridge (MA)
  • Harvard Business School, Boston (MA)
  • UC Berkeley, Berkeley (CA)
  • Columbia Business School, New York
  • F rankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany
  • Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

For aspirants who are planning to get an MBA degree, here is the list of best places to study MBA for a successful career in the future:

  • United Kingdom
  • United States

The Ph.D. is a research-oriented path, while MBA is a practice of business. Learning more about non-profit marketing through a business program might help you advance in your career.  An MBA is very general/broad in nature, it covers many subjects, most of which have an entire master’s degree path in and of itself whereas a Ph.D. is so much more about only one thing.

Leading business schools in India like IIMs, XLRI, NMIMS, etc. offer financial help to deserving candidates to complete their management studies. Different universities offer different scholarship programs for students belonging to every category. Candidates who have obtained a first degree of at least upper second class honors standard, or a second-class degree and a Master’s degree or relevant postgraduate qualification are eligible for the Ph.D. scholarships of this program.

The most basic requirement for pursuing an MBA abroad is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university; preferably a full-time degree from a reputed institute. The second major pre-requisite of a foreign MBA is substantial work experience of a minimum of 3-5 years.

Yes, anyone can pursue an MBA after their doctoral degree. An MBA can boost your career journey, and skills learned through MBA are geared towards the industry.  

We hope you understand that it is possible to study MBA after PhD in this blog. Follow   Leverage Edu India’s no. 1 leading educational platform for related informative blogs. Please put your comments below in the comment section. 

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The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large.

At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a wide spectrum of financial topics, including the pricing and valuation of assets, the behavior of financial markets, and the structure and financial decision-making of firms and financial intermediaries.

Investigation of issues arising in these areas is pursued both through the development of theoretical models and through the empirical testing of those models. The PhD Program is designed to give students a good understanding of the methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing.

Preparation and Qualifications

All students are required to have, or to obtain during their first year, mathematical skills at the level of one year of calculus and one course each in linear algebra and matrix theory, theory of probability, and statistical inference.

Students are expected to have familiarity with programming and data analysis using tools and software such as MATLAB, Stata, R, Python, or Julia, or to correct any deficiencies before enrolling at Stanford.

The PhD program in finance involves a great deal of very hard work, and there is keen competition for admission. For both these reasons, the faculty is selective in offering admission. Prospective applicants must have an aptitude for quantitative work and be at ease in handling formal models. A strong background in economics and college-level mathematics is desirable.

It is particularly important to realize that a PhD in finance is not a higher-level MBA, but an advanced, academically oriented degree in financial economics, with a reflective and analytical, rather than operational, viewpoint.

Faculty in Finance

Anat r. admati, juliane begenau, jonathan b. berk, greg buchak, antonio coppola, peter m. demarzo, darrell duffie, steven grenadier, benjamin hébert, arvind krishnamurthy, hanno lustig, matteo maggiori, paul pfleiderer, joshua d. rauh, claudia robles-garcia, ilya a. strebulaev, vikrant vig, jeffrey zwiebel, emeriti faculty, robert l. joss, george g.c. parker, myron s. scholes, william f. sharpe, kenneth j. singleton, james c. van horne, recent publications in finance, behavioral responses to state income taxation of high earners: evidence from california, beyond the balance sheet model of banking: implications for bank regulation and monetary policy, fee variation in private equity, recent insights by stanford business, nine stories to get you through tax season, “geoeconomics” explains how countries flex their financial muscles, car loans are a hidden driver of the ride-sharing economy.

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Rigorous, discipline-based research is the hallmark of the MIT Sloan PhD Program. The program is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their fields of research—those with outstanding intellectual skills who will carry forward productive research on the complex organizational, financial, and technological issues that characterize an increasingly competitive and challenging business world.

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PhD studies at MIT Sloan are intense and individual in nature, demanding a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. But the rewards of such rigor are tremendous:  MIT Sloan PhD graduates go on to teach and conduct research at the world's most prestigious universities.

PhD Program curriculum at MIT Sloan is organized under the following three academic areas: Behavior & Policy Sciences; Economics, Finance & Accounting; and Management Science. Our nine research groups correspond with one of the academic areas, as noted below.

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Institute for Work & Employment Research

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Those interested in a PhD in Operations Research should visit the Operations Research Center .  

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The fourth annual Rising Scholars Conference on October 25 and 26 gathers diverse PhD students from across the country to present their research.

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The goal of the MIT Sloan PhD Program's admissions process is to select a small number of people who are most likely to successfully complete our rigorous and demanding program and then thrive in academic research careers. The admission selection process is highly competitive; we aim for a class size of nineteen students, admitted from a pool of hundreds of applicants.

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Admissions for 2024 is closed. The next opportunity to apply will be for 2025 admission. The 2025 application will open in September 2024. 

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Unlike formulaic approaches to training scholars, the PhD Program at MIT Sloan allows students to choose their own adventure and develop a unique scholarly identity. This can be daunting, but students are given a wide range of support along the way - most notably having access to world class faculty and coursework both at MIT and in the broader academic community around Boston.

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MIT Sloan produces top-notch PhDs in management. Immersed in MIT Sloan's distinctive culture, upcoming graduates are poised to innovate in management research and education.

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The PhD Program is integral to the research of MIT Sloan's world-class faculty. With a reputation as risk-takers who are unafraid to embrace the unconventional, they are engaged in exciting disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that often includes PhD students as key team members.

Research centers across MIT Sloan and MIT provide a rich setting for collaboration and exploration. In addition to exposure to the faculty, PhD students also learn from one another in a creative, supportive research community.

Throughout MIT Sloan's history, our professors have devised theories and fields of study that have had a profound impact on management theory and practice.

From Douglas McGregor's Theory X/Theory Y distinction to Nobel-recognized breakthroughs in finance by Franco Modigliani and in option pricing by Robert Merton and Myron Scholes, MIT Sloan's faculty have been unmatched innovators.

This legacy of innovative thinking and dedication to research impacts every faculty member and filters down to the students who work beside them.

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“MIT Sloan PhD training is a transformative experience. The heart of the process is the student’s transition from being a consumer of knowledge to being a producer of knowledge. This involves learning to ask precise, tractable questions and addressing them with creativity and rigor. Hard work is required, but the reward is the incomparable exhilaration one feels from having solved a puzzle that had bedeviled the sharpest minds in the world!” -Ezra Zuckerman Sivan Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship

Sample Dissertation Abstracts - These sample Dissertation Abstracts provide examples of the work that our students have chosen to study while in the MIT Sloan PhD Program.

We believe that our doctoral program is the heart of MIT Sloan's research community and that it develops some of the best management researchers in the world. At our annual Doctoral Research Forum, we celebrate the great research that our doctoral students do, and the research community that supports that development process.

The videos of their presentations below showcase the work of our students and will give you insight into the topics they choose to research in the program.

How Should We Measure the Digital Economy?

2020 PhD Doctoral Research Forum Winner - Avinash Collis

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The Whys & Hows of a PhD After MBA

The Whys & Hows of a PhD After MBA

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Before anything, what is your reason to do PhD after MBA (Getting to add Dr. before your name doesn’t count!)

A PhD after MBA should be purely based on your interests as it alters the career opportunities that come your way after that. If you had the option to choose between an MBA and MCom after graduation, you would know that the choice was really about a career in corporate management or in academic domain. This is similar, except with higher stakes.

It does not imply that going for a PhD post-MBA will close career opportunities in corporate avenues, but it will certainly shape your career to be better suited for an academic domain, and even your corporate job will have a research undertone to it, such as research analyst or business development consultant that business giants like McKinsey, Endava, Boston Consulting Group, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock Associates, Securities Exchange Commission and Ernst & Young hire.

This blog discusses everything you need to know about PhD options abroad after MBA and how is it a good career option for you.

A PhD or a doctor of philosophy is the highest degree available in any given field and a Doctoral degree in Management does not just give you a competitive edge over an MBA, but also the opportunity to explore boundaries of the subject and conduct original research relating to the management field. The study of management draws from disciplines such as economics, psychology, and sociology. These are interesting disciplines for researching key aspects of management, including organizational behavior, organizational theory and strategy.

What are the Eligibility requirements for a PhD after MBA?

Other than the requirement of holding an MBA degree, the rest of the eligibility criteria are:

1. A good IELTS/TOEFL score to prove your English language proficiency. 2. A GMAT / GRE score is a must, depending upon the university you plan to apply to. 3. Academic transcripts and two-three letters of recommendation are also necessary. 4. More often than not, an interview is conducted either physically or via a video call to assess the student’s ability. 5. Depending on the university, candidates might be required to have a research idea or two ready to present to the university while applying.

How much time does it take to complete a PhD?

A PhD course in Management or Business, on an average, takes around three to five years to complete. The duration of the program and PhD program structure varies depending upon the country and university you select to continue your studies. Usually, the first two years cover the complete coursework that is part of the PhD program.

From the third year on, candidates can devote their time to identifying and working on their research problem, collecting and analyzing data and writing their dissertation thesis. This will be followed by qualifying exams or seminars or thesis defense or combination of the three as a final part of their PhD.

Why pursue a PhD abroad?

PhD is advantageous even in India, but a PhD abroad is loaded with upsides. Many students opt for a PhD abroad because of the following reasons:

✔ Wide Variety of research interests and topics for dissertations to choose from. ✔ World-renowned program supervisors, who are specialists in their academic fields. ✔ Substantial Stipend or Tuition Waiver to PhD students that amounts to $15,000 to $30,000 as compared to 25,000 to 28,000 rupees (less than $384) per annum in India. ✔ Increased facilities and exclusive access to museums, sites, information centers, archives or equipment. ✔ A well-funded network of Public Universities offering a number of academic instructors allowing students to choose from. ✔ Elaborate coursework of two to three years before dissertation research, enabling students to get in-depth knowledge of the subject. ✔ Option for lab rotations for students in their first year to effectively decide the lab they want to do their dissertation work in. ✔ Broad network and increased opportunities for placements in the top firms.

Top PhD programs after MBA

There are plenty of doctoral dissertation areas which are considered to be immediately marketable assets furnishing you with a competitive edge in today’s workforce. Following is the list of top PhD programs post-MBA offered by world ranking universities:

1. Behavioral Science 2. Accounting 3. Economics 4. Management Science & Operations Management 5. Marketing 6. Financial Economics 7. Finance 8. Econometrics and Statistics 9. Accounting & Management 10. Business Economics 11. Health Policy (Management) 12. Management 13. Organizational Behaviour 14. Strategy 15. Technology & Operations Management.

What are the employment opportunities after PhD?

PhD abroad post-MBA is a booster pack that gets you some of the most well-reputed and high-salaried jobs in the world.

A majority of students take up lucrative teaching opportunities in B-schools globally. There are also other esteemed positions including research associate, investment analyst, managing director, senior marketing manager, human resource manager, marketing manager, data analyst, business development manager, associate, business analyst, team leader, consultant and financial economist, that many students go for.

If you are thinking of breaking into academics or want to upgrade your career with a PhD from top universities abroad, we can help. Just a 15-minute session with our admission consultant will help you iron out your worries and give you a clear cut roadmap to chart a course to your dream PhD program. It’s free and absolutely worth your time!

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PhD after MBA

Hi Uotians, I was not that excited about exploring PhD domain before I had a realtime conversation with the one who is already pursuing from IIM Kozhikode. There are tons of opportunities available once you pursue a PhD after MBA. Let’s explore more about Why PhD after MBA, Eligibility Criteria and Career Scope.

The following information is pertaining to the PhD after an MBA from India – specifically to IIMs. We will add more information about PhD after MBA from Abroad as well.

PhD after MBA in India

Why do a PhD after MBA?

After successful completion, the PhD program can open tons of opportunities in domains like academics, corporate, research, consulting, etc.

The jobs roles available are Management Consultant, Business Professor, Policy Analyst, etc.

Eligibility Criteria for a PhD after MBA

The scores of CAT 2018, CAT 2019 and CAT 2020 are considered valid for application to the PhD. Program in 2021.

Standard Test Score not required if an applicant is:

  • PGP Alumni of any IIM
  • PGPX/PGP-PMP Alumni of any IIM where such courses are offered

(Part-time/Distance Learning programs of IIM are not taken into consideration)

How to do a PhD after MBA?

  • The candidate must fit into Eligibility criteria as discussed
  • The candidate is required to take the CAT exam. The NRIs and foreign students can apply through GMAT.
  • The following table will help you understand the exams accepted instead of CAT

Stipend for PhD after MBA

  • The stipend for IIMs varies in the range of Rs. 30,000
  • The is an additional amount entitled that covers expenses of attending international conference or workshops, etc.

*We will be adding more information to this article, please post your questions in the comment section.

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Is It Necessary to Get a PhD After MBA?

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A PhD in management enables you to gain a competitive edge, hone your skills, network with industry professionals and students worldwide, become a scholar and move up the career ladder. You can specialize in accounting, economics, marketing, finance, ethics and legal studies, healthcare management, etc. PhD in management helps you pursue jobs like a management consultant, professor, policy analyst, CEO and organizational change manager. The online programs from TSL-UCN adopt advanced teaching methodologies to improve your learning capacity, an international curriculum with global recognition, experienced faculty, mentors and academic heads, access to extensive learning resources and guidance for dissertation. Gain proficiency to become an excellent decision maker and thought leader.

Solution: A PhD in Management

Careers for graduates with a phd in management, feasible online phd in management for working professionals, why choose our online phd in management course.

MBA has been a gold standard for business and management professionals to seek for a long time. But, is there any degree that would add more value to an MBA graduate ? Have you ever thought of a PhD after MBA ?

Yes, you can take your career a step further in the world of business and management by enrolling yourself in a PhD in management . Whether pursuing a role in academics, research, or simply adding more value to your resume, a PhD in management would be an indispensable qualification one can undertake. If you are wondering what you would gain by enrolling in a PhD after MBA , keep reading.

Importance of Business Leaders in Africa

Africa has always had the potential to become the next global super continent, and the day of success is yet to come. Strong business leaders and innovators are pivotal in the growth of any country. One cannot overstate the importance of good leaders as they will utilize the resources and human potential to churn out productivity and goodwill. With nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35 from over 54 countries. One-third are still unemployed. It is estimated that almost 10 million managers must manage these working-class people to effectively improve the continent’s growth.

With rising global needs and the need to reduce reliance in a single country, many multinational conglomerates are looking to base on other countries to diversify their dependence. Good leaders are needed now more than ever to run these companies and suffice the mutually beneficial opportunities.

A PhD in management is a pathway to specialization or even sub-specialization, depending upon the candidate’s MBA. PhD after MBA would allow professionals to tackle specific research areas and answer questions with the potential relevance to the business world. Here are some of the fields of PhD after MBA specializations:

  • Decision and analysis sciences
  • Ethics and legal studies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Organizational behavior
  • Health care management
  • Human resource
  • Operations research and management
  • Information technology management

Business schools are always in need of highly qualified and tenured business professionals who have a PhD. They require them to engage in research as their school rankings are highly influenced by the number of PhD-qualified faculty. Though a PhD in management is sought after by those interested in an academic or a research career, it is also beneficial to other business and management sectors.

Why Should You Consider a PhD After MBA?

Now you know that you can pursue a PhD after MBA now. You might ask us what the benefits of PhD are after MBA. In that case, let us explain as there are various benefits of PhD after MBA.

  • Gain a Competitive Edge over Your Peers

Be it an on-campus or an online PhD in management degree ; it becomes an immediate marketable qualification that will give you a competitive edge among your peers in the modern workforce. A PhD will add a layer of credibility which bolsters your expertise in the eyes of a potential or your current employer. A PhD will also help you achieve your career goals irrespective of teaching, research, consulting, or anything else entirely.

  • Hone Your Skills and Specialize

With a PhD in management , candidates will be able to hone in on their skills and specialize in the field they are interested in. The degree can also empower you to impact your current role by giving you expertise outside of your organization by providing research projects that may tackle various aspects in other industries. The time and the vast opportunities at hand will allow candidates to define themselves as they see fit.

  • Meet Role Models and Network with Specialists

While pursuing a PhD in management , you will have the chance to meet and interact with many industry professionals with similar views, leading to many future collaborations and mutually beneficial business and academic endeavors.

Your classmates will also be your competition and colleagues in the future. Excellent opportunities will present themselves to you via academic conferences, which provide ideal opportunities to meet new like-minded professionals and scholars to expand your network.

  • Become a Scholar

Pursuing a PhD is the pinnacle of learning in any given discipline. Students often work with the fringes of understanding and develop on it for others. A PhD will allow one to truly become a thinking man’s scholar beyond the specific knowledge of the discipline, paving the way for other thinkers to lay their foundation in the future.

The scholarly works are not merely limited to transferable knowledge but also research that can transcend many lifetimes. One would write decorations, reviewing articles, and publish in your field’s journals. A PhD in management can aid you places you never conceived possible, advancing you as much a scholar in the most real sense.

  • Move up in the Career Ladder

As a PhD graduate, you get the chance to switch to different specialties and move up the career ladder if you are inclined. Many executive board level positions open up to specialized professionals who have the appropriate qualification and experience. Candidates will also serve as prominent consultants of the industry to help organizations develop a definitive well through strategy.

As one can see, the benefits of doing a PhD in management are in abundance; one only has many to gain by opting for a PhD in management as PhD management jobs in the academic and research sector are not the only options on offer to the graduates but also others such as;

Why Should You Consider an Online Management Course?

Online management courses have become the norm in recent times as more and more reputed business schools worldwide have started to offer online management courses for students worldwide.

One can also take up PhD courses in management online from your home’s comfort at a predefined flexible phase. Online PhD in management programs offer students a comprehensive program often based on in-class programs to help students get the most out of their sessions. The classes are set up as per the student’s agreed schedule and the board, allowing them to pursue their PhD in management courses without compromising their job or business.

A doctoral degree program in management imparts several skills that can be utilized as a part of a corporate organization, autonomously as a consultant, or even working in the public policy field with the government or an NGO. These are a few of the jobs you might want to pursue following the completion of your program.

After completing your program, you will be well-equipped to become an instructor in the business or management field yourself. You could also enter the private market as a member of a company or as an external consultant brought in to improve processes.

  • Management Consultant

Companies seldom need to look for experts who can help them drive further success as they hire business consultants to collaborate with the organization to identify the appropriate business solutions. They may also build relationships with vendors and create programs that can meet a company’s business goals. Consultants can deal with various organizational issues. Still, they will routinely need to be both analytical in their approach to the data and collaborative in dealing with people.

  • Business Professor

Business professors work at university level business schools and are typically expected to lecture students in their area of expertise. Professors are also often called upon to perform their independent research to publish in academic journals. A PhD in Management qualifies an individual for instructing students in business at the college level through lectures and the development of appropriate exercises, and the use of regular assessments.

  • Policy Analyst

Some of the skills acquired as a part of doctoral work in management are transferable to the public policy field, like data analysis and setting business policies. As a policy analyst, you will be tasked to review, collaborate, and provide feedback with policies and aid in developing new proposals. This role requires analysts to perform an in-depth analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data during policy development.

  • Chief Executive Officers

Developing strategic plans for organizations is the prime purpose of the executives. These professionals consider the time required to implement change, the processes involved, and the overall costs. Executives also oversee various departments and cultivate positive relationships throughout the organization to enhance performance.

One of the advantages of the doctorate in management is the ability to enter a wide variety of fields after completing your program. This flexible degree suits both the independent-minded who want to act as consultants or prefer a consistent corporate environment.

  • Organizational Change Manager

Many organizations are now hiring change managers. These professionals are innovators who analyze and implement practical and critical organizational changes to improve the business. Change managers are also responsible for helping transition an organization to a new process, technical system, or an entirely new business model.

These professionals are accountable for researching, planning, and implementing a variety of changes. Usually, they organize critical meetings composed of organizational leaders and present their findings backed up by factual research data outlining the benefits the organization will receive if they proceed with the change.

In an academic partnership with the University of Central Nicaragua, Taksha Smartlabz (TSL-UCN) offers an acclaimed online PhD in management. This online PhD course is provided on a par with the regular program. It blends online learning flexibility, coupled with hands-on training to help students meet their professional goals and grow as a thought leader in your chosen field of work.

Choosing our online PhD in management course is a solid decision on any front. Learn more by reading further:

  • The program is crafted to help students develop both professional and personal skills.
  • More emphasis is given to developing enhanced scholarly skills through research, publishing articles, and book reviews.
  • TSL-UCN utilizes and implements various new teaching methodologies and tools that will enhance the student’s learning capacity and abilities.
  • Gain the proficiency to become an excellent decision-maker and a thought-leader.
  • TSL-UCN offers a well-structured, international standard curriculum that is internationally recognized.
  • A unique, well-thought-out block-based learning methodology known as BRICS-backed up by a state-of-the-art learning and management system.
  • Complete the PhD courses in management with ease with the support of our highly experienced global faculty, student mentors, and academic heads.
  • Access to a complete repository of course and supporting materials accessible virtually anywhere or anytime.
  • Students are also offered thesis and dissertation support as well as access to e-journals throughout their program duration.

With that, we hope that you now will be able to see what’s next after an MBA and how it can be valuable to your career as a business and management professional. Good luck!

Become a Business & Management Professional

Enroll PhD in Management at Taksha Smartlabz in association with the University of Central Nicaragua and make your career growth

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Phd after mba.

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PhD Courses after MBA offer an opportunity to specialise and research in a particular topic and to pursue a career in academia and research as well as in corporates. While there are only a handful of students who take up this route, it is highly rewarding both in terms of remuneration and designation. Further, owing to the research-oriented expertise in particular fields, PhD holders are also offered positions in various research organisations, think tanks, government departments [in policy making], etc. In this article, we shall present and elaborate in brief, the several PhD courses after MBA available for candidates.

PhD after MBA: Key Points

The following table lists the key fundamental points related to the PhD Course for MBA .

  • PhD Programs for MBA Graduates are undertaken under a supervisor/professor who belongs to the same field and holds expertise in the area the student wishes to pursue his/her PhD.
  • Typically, PhD Courses For MBA Students takes anywhere between 3-6 years to be completed, it may extend beyond that as well.
  • The structure of PhD Courses For MBA Students consists of rigorous coursework in the first 2 years, after which the candidate focuses on preparation of his thesis and dissertation. In the earlier stage, the candidate also performs literature review, research and analysis, etc.
  • During the latter phase, he may be required to perform field work, laboratory experiments, case studies, surveys, etc.
  • Throughout PhD Programs for MBA Graduates, the candidate may have gain expertise over research methodologies, statistical and mathematical tools, probability, software, etc.

Benefits of PhD after MBA

There are significant benefits of PhD after an MBA provides you not least a pedestal for a fruitful career in research, academics and further in policy-making, administration and corporate sector.

  • An Environment of Pursuing Research: In a PhD Course for MBA Students, you will take up certain topics from management, finance, operations, business analytics, communication, etc. Them, with the help of tools and resources and under guidance from a supervisor, you aim to research and come up with some new insights and explanations. You will be able to take advantage of state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.
  • A Settled Career Academics: PhD scholars after completing their degrees are hired as research associates, research assistants and professors and move onto research-oriented jobs such as research assistants, research associates, professors, post-doctorates, etc., after completing their PhD giving them a solid backing in the academic field. Many take up professorships after 5-10 years in the industry as consultants, advisors, head of various bodies.
  • International Collaboration: Institutions and Organisations regularly work together with other accomplished researchers and organisations through research programs, short courses, workshops, conferences, exchange programs, research internships, assistantships, etc. and provide research output as well as build a global network. Moreover, you will get a chance to learn from your peers and travel extensively as well during PhD Courses For MBA students.
  • Financially Rewarding: One of the major Benefits of PhD After MBA is that research programs reward research scholars handsomely through fellowships, scholarships, etc. In India, the JRF and Maulana Azad Fellowships are two popular ones. Moreover, project-based funding is also widely available
  • Corporate Sector is Always Open: After completing PhD Programs for MBA , candidates have developed a high degree of research and academic insight which is always in high demand in  companies to work out plans and policies. This includes scaling up of a business, situational decision making, problem-solving, critical analysis, awareness of the newest trends, etc. These positions are in constant touch with top-level management and have a strong hand in the realisation of the company’s goals and objectives.
  • Significant Requirement in Policy Making: PhD Courses after MBA prepare scholars for policy-making jobs at policy-making bodies of the government and other think tanks. They are invite and collaborate with PhD scholars to provide in-depth analysis and insights in policy-making issues. This can be related to anything from understanding the loopholes in the stock market to making the real estate industry more transparent.

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There are many different types of PhD programs you can choose to pursue after completing your MBA . Depending on your MBA specialization, you may want to consider a PhD in business, economics, or even a related field such as sociology or psychology. No matter what field you choose, a PhD will give you the opportunity to conduct research at the highest level, teach at the collegiate level, and consult with businesses and organizations. Let’s dive into various PhD course options post the following MBA specializations:

PhD Courses after MBA HR

Phd courses after mba finance, phd courses after mba marketing.

PhD Courses after MBA Operations

PhD after MBA in Canada

Home page Link Baibhav Ojha PhD After MBA

  • Course Offerings of PhD courses after MBA HR:
  • PhD courses after MBA HR are usually offered in labour relations, industrial relations, employee satisfaction, turnover and retention, training and development, leave policy, minimum wages policies, promotion and transfer , etc. Other broader topics include organisational behaviour, decision making , etc.
  • Course offerings of PhD courses after MBA Finance:
  • PhD courses after MBA Finance dives deep mechanics of the finance field concerning themes such as risk management, insurance, stock markets, regulatory practices, international markets, trends in financial markets of countries, different financial instruments , etc.
  • Career options of PhD after MBA Finance include positions on Financial Advisory Boards, Financial analyst, academia and research organisations, think tanks, consultancies, public accounting firms, amongst others.
  • The curriculum of a Finance PhD course for MBA students involves a good blend of theoretical knowledge and practical implementation through case studies, research projects, etc.
  • PhD Subjects after MBA in Finance: Here are a few PhD Subjects after MBA in Finance you must take note of-

Note: These PhD Subjects after MBA in Finance must be taken as an example only. Actual subjects may vary depending on your course.

  • Course Offerings of PhD courses after MBA Marketing:
  • PhD courses after MBA Marketing involves research into the subject of marketing, that is, digital marketing, market research, business analytics, feasibility and viability marketing tools and resources, advertising, marketing campaigns, customer relationship management, grievance redressal, case studies , etc.
  • In addition to academic and research positions like professorships and assistantships, PhD scholars also move into organisations on executive roles to oversee marketing, advertising departments.

PhD After MBA in Operations

  • Course Offerings of PhD after MBA in Operations:
  • In PhD After MBA in Operations, you will tackle topics such as logistics, quality and inventory management, project execution and control, measurement and evaluation, consumer behaviour, trends in operations management, global operations, case studies , etc.
  • Operations PhD Programs for MBA Graduates open up gates towards progressing towards the top level of management ladder in the corporate sector as well academic research in various universities, governmental arms and research organisations.
  • Further, there are various positions of advisors and consultants who are regularly in touch with governments for inputs on various issues.
  • One of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world, PhD after MBA in Canada offers industry-leading research facilities and resources.
  • Home to top institutions in the world, it provides greater opportunities for collaboration and cooperation for PhD after MBA in Canada.
  • Canada’s university ecosystem is a major driver of research output in the country, second only to the private sector.
  • Here are a few of the highly appreciated courses of PhD after MBA in Canada you must take a look at.

Coaching page link Baibhav Ojha PhD After MBA

How costly is it to study for a PhD after MBA in Canada?

The Tuition fees of various universities vary according to the location, course objectives and other factors. Typically, the tuition fees for international students is higher than that of domestic students.

The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management charges the same for international as well as domestic students for its PhD program

The University of British Columbia, in comparison, charges USD $5,760 annual for its PhD program. Similarly, PhD tuition fee at the University of Manitoba is USD $7,700 per year.

Scholarships for PhD Courses after MBA in Canada

Although tuition fees are high for PhD Programs for MBA in Canada, there are many available scholarship/fellowships/grants options that help in reducing the cost of living considerably. Take a look at the official websites for authentic funding opportunities. Some popular ones are:

  • The University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
  • The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

PhD courses after MBA Abroad: Eligibility

To apply for a PhD after MBA at foreign universities, you must follow certain fundamental guidelines, a few key ones have been enumerated in the given pointers. The below-mentioned guidelines may change as per the university, location, course structure and objectives.

  • Equivalent postgraduate degree in any relevant discipline, for instance, a Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing’ if you wish to pursue a PhD in Marketing. A relevant master’s degree is a string recommendation.
  • Minimum scores in qualifying postgraduate degree. Typically it follows a 10 pointer scale or 4 pointer scale.
  • GRE/GMAT test scores, if required. For a management-oriented course application, GMAT is highly recommended though GRE is also extensively recognized at many universities.
  • IELTS/TOEFL/PTE exam scores as confirmation of proficiency in the English Language. Obtaining an over 7+ band score is normally sufficient to be considered.

PhD Courses after MBA Abroad: Application Process

The primary admission cycle customarily begins in September/October and ends in February/March of the subsequent year. This is carried in phases of Early, Regular and Late Admission Rounds . If you are interested in a scholarship, apply in the early phase. There is other admissions cycles as well.

  • Narrow down your options according to the supervisor, university and career objectives. Pick three top level, three medium level and two low level [for backup] universities.
  • Satisfy the eligibility prerequisites as mentioned in the university guidelines [Supervisor Recommendation, Equivalent qualifying degree, relevant industry experience, etc.]
  • Research Proposal/Statement: This outlines the area and topic of research you want to pursue along with the names of the professors you wish to work under the guidance of. It is important that you select such professors after going through their work and whether they belong to your area of specialisation.
  • Submit GMAT/ GRE test scores together with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores [as required].
  • Application Set [Passport, Curriculum Vitae/Resume, Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement/Statement of Intent, Writing Sample, Two/Three Letters of Recommendation, College Transcripts, Experience Letter (if required), Financial Support Statement/Funding Essay (if applying for scholarships/funding), etc.].
  • Letters of Recommendation must be from your professors, supervisors, etc. who attest to your skills, research intent and suitability towards the sought PhD program.
  • Pay Application Fee.
  • Next, you may be called for a Personal Interview/Group Discussion/Writing Task [if required]
  • After review, the application will be confirmed, waitlisted or rejected usually within 2-3 months of applying.
  • Pay the required Tuition Fees or Blocking Fees.
  • Submit Student Permit Application.

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Home  >  News & Articles  >  PhD after MBA: In India, Admissions 2024, Entrance Exams, Fees

phd subjects after mba

Sheeza Khan

Updated on 20th February, 2024 , 8 min read

PhD after MBA: In India, Admissions 2024, Entrance Exams, Fees

A PhD after an MBA is an advanced program where you can become a doctor in a specific area of business Finance, Marketing, Operations, or Human Resources. To qualify, you generally need a 2-year MBA degree and you should pass exams like  UGC-NET or   GATE . Having a good score, a research plan, recommendations, and work experience make it more likely to get into a top MBA college. It usually takes 3-5 years to finish a PhD after MBA in India, but it could be 4-7 years abroad.

Also read: Top PhD Entrance Exams in India 

In the realm of MBA dreams, institutions like  FMS New Delhi ,  BHU , the prestigious IIMs, and the ingenious IITs stand tall as the elite havens for pursuing a PhD after your MBA adventure. 

Further Reading: IIT Madras PhD Admission 2023

Venturing into the realm of a PhD after MBA opens doors to the realms of teaching and delving deep into the realms of research. Many of you might be wondering about the average salary package spanning from INR 2,00,000 to INR 14,00,000.

More PhD Courses: 

More about MBA: 

PhD After MBA: Course Details

Phd-after-MBA

Also read:  GATE Study Material

Why pursue PhD after MBA?

Pursuing a PhD after an MBA in India can offer several compelling benefits:

  • Deep Expertise: A PhD allows you to specialize and delve deeply into a specific area of business, enhancing your expertise and knowledge in your chosen field.
  • Research Opportunities : A PhD program provides you with the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research in business and management, potentially leading to valuable insights and innovations.
  • Academic Career : If you aspire to an academic career, a PhD is often a requirement for becoming a professor at universities and business schools, allowing you to educate the next generation of business leaders.
  • Career Advancement : A PhD can set you apart in the job market, opening doors to higher-level positions and leadership roles in both corporate and non-corporate sectors.
  • Personal Fulfillmen t: Undertaking a PhD is a journey of personal growth and intellectual challenge, allowing you to engage deeply with your chosen subject matter and develop critical thinking skills.
  • Networking : Doctoral programs provide opportunities to connect with experts in your field, fellow students, and professionals, expanding your professional network.
  • Enhanced Problem-Solving: PhD programs often cultivate advanced problem-solving skills, which can be applied to complex business challenges.

Also Read:  Tips to prepare for UGC Net

More MBA Courses: 

Who should pursue PhD after MBA?

Eligibility criteria for pursuing a PhD after an MBA in India can vary depending on the specific university, institute, and program. However, there are general requirements that are commonly applicable:

  • MBA Degree : Candidates must hold a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree from a recognized university or institute. This demonstrates a foundational understanding of business and management concepts.
  • Minimum Marks: Many institutions require candidates to have obtained a certain minimum percentage or  grade point average (GPA) in their MBA program. This threshold can vary, but it's typically around 55% or equivalent.
  • Relevant Subjects : The candidate's MBA specialization should align with the field of study they wish to pursue for their PhD for instance, if you want to pursue a PhD in Marketing, your MBA specialization should have been in Marketing.
  • Entrance Exam: Some universities and institutes may require candidates to clear a relevant entrance examination specific to the PhD program they are interested in. This could involve subject-related questions, research aptitude, and general knowledge.
  • Research Proposal: Applicants are often required to submit a research proposal outlining their intended area of research. This proposal should demonstrate a clear research question, objectives, methodology, and potential contribution to the field.
  • Work Experience : While not always mandatory, having relevant work experience can be advantageous, especially for certain specialized PhD programs. It can demonstrate practical knowledge and a real-world perspective on the subject.
  • Interview:  Some institutions may conduct interviews as part of the selection process. This is an opportunity for candidates to discuss their research interests and demonstrate their commitment to the program.
  • Qualifying Examinations : In some cases, candidates might need to qualify for national-level exams such as  UGC-NET (University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test) or  GATE  (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) to be eligible for certain PhD programs.

PhD after MBA: PhD Finance Course Details

PhD in Finance is a research-focused program offering strong academic prospects. Typically pursued after an MBA in Finance , it's available at esteemed institutions such as IIMs, FMS New Delhi , ISB , and IIT. The program delves into topics like Share Valuation, Privatization, Globalization, and Management Accounting.

Further Reading: MBA Finance Syllabus & Subjects 

PhD after MBA: PhD Marketing Course Details

PhD in Marketing is a 3-year program aimed at training students for teaching and research in marketing and related domains. Admission is based on entrance exams and interviews. Candidates with relevant postgraduate qualifications, including an MBA in Marketing, can apply. The program offers diverse career paths, like Market Research Analyst, Marketing Communications Leader, and Marketing Executive.

Further Reading: MBA in Marketing

PhD after MBA: PhD Organizational Behavior Course Details

PhD in Organizational Behavior is a 3 to 5-year program studying human behavior in organizations. Eligibility requires a master’s or MPhil degree with a 55% minimum aggregate after an MBA in Organizational Behavior. Graduates can secure positions in Academic Institutions, Colleges, Finance, Marketing, IT, etc., with average salaries ranging from INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000.

PhD after MBA: PhD Business Management Course Details

PhD in Business Management is a 3-year program focusing on business operations like leadership, organization, and planning. Eligibility requires a master’s degree with relevant subjects and a minimum aggregate of 50% or more, post-MBA in Business Management.

PhD after MBA: PhD HR Management Course Details

PhD in Human Resource Management is a 3 to 5-year program focusing on teaching organizational processes for productivity enhancement. It prepares students for HR management roles, requiring a master’s degree from a UGC-recognized or foreign university post-MBA in HR Management. 

PhD after MBA: PhD Management Studies Course Details

PhD in Management Studies is a 3-year program imparting management and organizational skills. Eligibility requires a master's degree in a related field with 50-60% aggregate, post-MBA in Management Studies.

Further Reading: BMS Course Details 

PhD after MBA: PhD Banking and Finance Course Details

PhD in Banking and Finance is a 3-year program designed to provide comprehensive knowledge in domestic and international banking, economics, and investment. A master's degree from a recognized university is the minimum eligibility for PhD after MBA in Banking and Finance. Graduates can secure positions in educational institutions, stock exchanges, banks, etc., with average salaries ranging from INR 1,80,000 to INR 6,00,000.

Further Reading: MBA Finance Jobs 

PhD after MBA: PhD Disaster Management Course Details

PhD in Disaster Management is a 3-year program focused on Environment and Disaster Management. Eligibility entails a master’s degree or M.Phil in the relevant field with at least 55% aggregate and 5 years of work experience.

Also Read: PhD in IGNOU

PhD after MBA: PhD Commerce and Management Course Details

PhD in Commerce and Management is a 3-year program focusing on commerce and business management education. To qualify for PhD after MBA in Commerce and Management, candidates need a master's degree, MBA, or MPhil with at least 55% aggregate.

Further Reading: BMS Subjects & Syllabus

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can phd be done after mba.

Certainly, it is possible to pursue a PhD after completing an MBA. To embark on a PhD journey, an individual should possess a master's degree in relevant fields, accompanied by a minimum aggregate score of 50-60%.

What are the PhD courses after MBA?

PhD programs in Finance, Management Studies, Business Management, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, and Marketing stand out as prominent choices for further studies following an MBA.

Can I do a PhD from IIM?

Indeed, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) provide PhD programs subsequent to MBA studies in disciplines such as Human Resource Management, Business Management, and Business Administration, among others.

Can I do a PhD after MBA in HR?

Indeed, undertaking a PhD following an MBA in Human Resource Management presents advantageous prospects for embarking on roles such as HR managers, executives, consultants, and various other related positions.

Does a PhD after MBA make sense?

Certainly, pursuing a PhD after completing an MBA is a strategically sound choice, offering distinct advantages in terms of enhanced job prospects and a strengthened position in the realm of teaching professions.

How many years is PhD after MBA?

PhD after MBA is normally for 4 - 6 years.

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Top 5 PhD Fields After MBBS 2023: Eligibility, Career Option

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Princi Rai ,

Mar 4, 2024

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There are numerous disciplines to pursue PhD after MBBS are Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine, Cardiology, Physiology and Neurology. These eligibility criteria for these courses are Masters in respective fields.

Top 5 PhD Fields After MBBS 2023: Eligibility, Career Option

Some popular PhD fields after MBBS include biochemistry, cardiology, physiology, forensic medicine, neurology, biochemistry, etc. Students can check the course duration, course fee, and average salary they can expect after completion of the program.

Some popular job profiles in this field include Professors, Medical writers, Medical Scientists, Researchers, Medical and Health Service Managers, etc.

Table of Contents

PhD Courses After MBBS

Top phd courses after mbbs.

  • PhD in Biochemistry
  • PhD in Forensic Medicine
  • PhD in Cardiology
  • PhD in Physiology
  • PhD in Neurology

Eligibility Criteria for PhD in MBBS

List of postgraduate courses after mbbs, job profile in phd fields after mbbs, career options in phd fields after mbbs.

Many medical schools and colleges offer the PhD in Medicine and the Doctorate of Medicine. The course has been designed specifically for students who want to pursue medical research, giving them a more comprehensive understanding of the medical field.

The total duration of the program is around three to five years, depending on the college that offers PhD. These courses will help students learn about medical science and broaden their understanding of the medical field. 

Also Read: CPS Course After MBBS: Scope, Salary, Eligibility

Some of the popular courses in PhD after MBBS are listed below, along with the program details, course fee, average salary and the course duration.

1. PhD in Biochemistry

The three-year post-graduate PhD in Biochemistry program, also known as the Doctor of Medicine in Biochemistry program, focuses on the structure, composition, and chemical reactions of substances found in living systems. It combines physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry with biology.

It thoroughly examines the knowledge and science behind how living things get their energy from food, the chemical components of genetics, and the fundamental changes that occur in the human body when illness arises. This field of study has significance in the veterinary, dental, and medical areas.

Average Salary: INR 7 - 12 LPA

Course Duration: 3 Years

College Offering: Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Average Course Fees: INR 42,000 to 12.3 Lakhs per year

Also Check : Top PhD Biochemistry Colleges in India

2. PhD in Forensic Medicine

The main objective of a PhD in forensic science is the study of living things, including humans. Additionally, the study of DNA copying in many organisms is covered in this course. Candidates who want to pursue forensic science research can apply for this course. The approach used in the Forensic Science course is analytical and rational. 

It prepares students to investigate the cause of their mortality and conduct in-depth studies of the human body. After completing the course, the students will be qualified to research in the medical field. Professor, biomedical researcher, forensic scientist, forensic consultant, etc., are a few of the most popular careers among PhD candidates in forensic science.

Average Salary: INR 3 to 8 LPA

College Offering: Galgotias University

Average Course Fees: INR 48,000 to 1,60,000

Also Check : Top PhD Forensic Medicine Colleges in India 2023

3. PhD in Cardiology

The study of human cardiac disorders is known as cardiology. A PhD in Cardiology only enhances a student's level of proficiency in the subject after they have completed PG courses such as DM and MD in Cardiology and have a thorough understanding of the course. The disease diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and surgery are all covered in the PhD in Cardiology course. 

This area of medicine, which focuses on the specialised field of cardiovascular science, allows students to enhance their field of study and provide patients with expert care. The course improves their ability to communicate with patients, putting them at ease and helping them understand the details.

Average Salary: INR 4 to 16 LPA

College Offering: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi 

Average Course Fees: INR 20,000 to 2.80 lakhs

Also Read: Top 7 MBBS Alternative Courses in India 2023

4. PhD in Physiology

The PhD program in physiology is known as the Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology (PhD Physiology). The study of physiology covers how changes in the external environment affect these processes and how all aspects of molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ function relate to the overall operation of the organism.

The course covers physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biostatistics, and current topics in physiology research. In addition, it also allows students to create their own academic and research programs based on their interests. Psychologists, Scientists, Radiology Coders, psychotherapists, Counsellors, consultants, Teachers, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Clinical Social Workers, etc., are some of the job options in this field.

Average Salary: INR 2.5 to 3.5 LPA

College Offering:   Lady Hardinge Medical College ,

Average Course Fees: INR 20,000 and 5 lakhs

Also Read : Top PhD Physiology Colleges in India 2023

5. PhD in Neurology

This program gives students an in-depth knowledge of neuroscience by combining it with scientific research. The study involves neurology and related subjects in the field of neuroscience. The study of biology, which combines the study of health sciences, biochemistry, secondary sciences, and life sciences, is covered in this course. 

Candidates can improve their communication, analysis, and diagnosis of critical illnesses with a doctorate in neuroscience. After completing a PhD program in neuroscience, students may seek domestic and overseas careers. 

Students can work in fields such as genetic counselling centres, psychology centres, pharmaceutical companies, forensic science labs, etc., as neural engineers, computational neuroscientists, biotechnologists, database and databank managers, etc.

Average Salary: INR 3 to 7 LPA

College Offering: Jiwaji University

Average Course Fees: INR 3,20,000

Also Read: Top PhD Neuroscience Colleges in India 2023

The eligibility criteria for a PhD after MBBS for the candidates planning to pursue their medical career are listed below.

  • Applicants must have completed their MD/MS degree at a university recognized by the Medical Council of India with a minimum cumulative GPA of 50% or above. 
  • Candidates with diplomas from the National Board (DNB) in any relevant field can also apply for admission.
  • Candidates can also apply for access to the program if they have completed their post-graduate course in physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, biochemistry, and other relevant fields from an accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 50%.

Students can refer to the list of post-graduate courses that they can pursue after MBBS.

  • MCh in Surgical Gastroenterology
  • MS in Gynecology
  • MBA in Healthcare Management
  • MBA in Hospital Management
  • Masters in Public Administration
  • MS in Neurosurgery
  • MD in Anatomy
  • MD in Dermatology
  • MD in Biochemistry
  • MD in Forensic Medicine
  • MD in Radiodiagnosis
  • MS in Anatomy
  • MS in Orthopedics
  • Ms in Ophthalmology
  • MS in General Surgery
  • MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • MS in Microbiology
  • Masters in Medical Science & Technology
  • MD in Aerospace Medicine
  • MCh in Urology
  • Masters in Epidemiology
  • Masters in Hospital Administration
  • Master of Occupational Health and Safety Science
  • MD in Cosmetic surgery
  • MCh in Cardio-Thoracic Vascular Surgery

Also Read: PhD Admission 2024: Application, Eligibility, Exams, Colleges

Students can refer to the table below for different job profiles along with their average salary in the field of PhD after MBBS.

Also Read: MBA After MBBS

Comprehensive options are available in the PhD field after completing an MBBS degree. Some of the top career choices are listed below.

  • Medical Journalism & Medical Writing
  • Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging
  • Public Health Work
  • Sports Medicine
  • Academic Medicine
  • Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner
  • Transplant Coordinator
  • Medical Teacher/Professor
  • Investment Banking
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Health Informatics & Analytics
  • Medico-Legal Advisor
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Public Services (UPSC, SSC, etc.)
  • Medical or Pharmaceutical Researcher
  • Hospital Administration

How long does it take to complete a PhD for MBBS?

Is PhD harder than MBBS?

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Is it possible to earn a PhD without a Master’s?

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  5. After MBA: Which PhD Is Best? Surprising Answer.

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  6. MBA after PhD: Salary, Top Universities, Comparison

    phd subjects after mba

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  1. In how many subjects does Harvard University USA , offer a PhD program?

  2. Which role to choose after MBA? General Management

  3. Banarasi Hindu University 2023-24 // BHU PhD Admission 2023 // Subjects and Seat Matrix

  4. MBA After BDS

  5. #PhD Admission Notification 2024#Govt University#पीएचडी एडमिशन 2024#13 Subjects#PhD entrance test

  6. CLEAR YOUR PHD INTERVIEW

COMMENTS

  1. Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

    To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the ...

  2. Doing A PhD After MBA: Universities, Programs, Benefits

    Finance is one of the most popular specialisations for PhD after MBA and students can choose from various subjects like Financial Management, Financial Analysis, Financial Modelling, etc. To pursue PhD in Finance in India, you will have to qualify for UGC NET , NMIMS or NIPER JEE while you will have to qualify GRE for universities abroad.

  3. PhD Programs

    Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice. Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University.

  4. How To Pursue A PhD After MBA?

    PhD after MBA allows people to work in the field of research in management, finance, or business, distinguishing them from other managers who only pursue an MBA. PhD after MBA in Management opens the door to becoming a professor at one of the world's top business schools, which is the most searched job. 4.

  5. Doing a Ph.D. After MBA

    Career Scope, Employment, and Salary for Doing a Ph.D. After MBA. Somewhere between 8 Lakhs to 18 Lakhs per annum, Ph.D. after MBA salary in India is depending upon whether you explore the academic domain working as a lecturer or academician or working in a corporate sector.

  6. Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) Overview

    Earning a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) offers a path toward personal and professional advancement in business. This relatively new degree, first offered at Harvard Business School in the early 1950s, is an option for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of business practices and pursue education beyond the Master of Business Administration (MBA) level.

  7. PhD after MBA

    PhD after MBA. October 22, 2022 by MBA Crystal Ball. Education is a five-course meal with PhD as the ultimate dessert at the end of it all. Having said that, not all fields of study have had a long history of crowning a doctorate degree. It has traditionally been the highest degree in the sciences, and social sciences.

  8. MBA after PhD: Salary, Top Universities, Comparison

    MBA: PhD: MBA is a Generalist Degree. Ph.D. is a Specialist Degree. MBA usually takes two year to complete full time. Ph.D. can take four years: MBA students will usually research a broad range of subjects. Ph.D. students will only focus on one subject. MBA programs do offer some scholarships, but the total cost for this is undeniably quite high.

  9. Finance

    The Programs PhD Fields of Study Finance. Finance. The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large. At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a ...

  10. PhD Program

    The goal of the MIT Sloan PhD Program's admissions process is to select a small number of people who are most likely to successfully complete our rigorous and demanding program and then thrive in academic research careers. The admission selection process is highly competitive; we aim for a class size of nineteen students, admitted from a pool ...

  11. The Whys & Hows of a PhD After MBA

    Top PhD programs after MBA. There are plenty of doctoral dissertation areas which are considered to be immediately marketable assets furnishing you with a competitive edge in today's workforce. Following is the list of top PhD programs post-MBA offered by world ranking universities: 1. Behavioral Science 2. Accounting 3. Economics 4.

  12. PhD After MBA in India: Eligibility, Benefits, Salary, PhD Abroad 2022

    To pursue Ph.D. after an MBA in Commerce and Management, a candidate must hold a masters' degree, MBA, or MPhil with a minimum aggregate of 55%. Candidates can seek employment in leading sectors such as Finance, Management, Commerce, etc. with an average salary of INR 3,00,000 - INR 40,00,000. Program Name.

  13. PhD after MBA

    Eligibility Criteria for a PhD after MBA. The scores of CAT 2018, CAT 2019 and CAT 2020 are considered valid for application to the PhD. Program in 2021. Standard Test Score not required if an applicant is: (Part-time/Distance Learning programs of IIM are not taken into consideration)

  14. Is It Necessary to Get a PhD After MBA?

    A PhD in management is a pathway to specialization or even sub-specialization, depending upon the candidate's MBA. PhD after MBA would allow professionals to tackle specific research areas and answer questions with the potential relevance to the business world. Here are some of the fields of PhD after MBA specializations: Accounting ...

  15. PhD After MBA in India: Courses, Eligibility, Duration ...

    The duration of the Ph.D. course duration after an MBA varies from the research topics, methodologies, institutions chosen or the time being invested by aspirants. Most of the time, the course duration also depends on the kind of country students have chosen. On average the completion of Ph.D. courses takes about 4-5 years.

  16. PhD After MBA

    There are significant benefits of PhD after an MBA provides you not least a pedestal for a fruitful career in research, academics and further in policy-making, administration and corporate sector. An Environment of Pursuing Research: In a PhD Course for MBA Students, you will take up certain topics from management, finance, operations, business ...

  17. PhD after MBA: In India, Admissions 2024, Entrance Exams, Fees

    PhD after MBA: PhD Business Management Course Details. PhD in Business Management is a 3-year program focusing on business operations like leadership, organization, and planning. Eligibility requires a master's degree with relevant subjects and a minimum aggregate of 50% or more, post-MBA in Business Management.

  18. PhD Specialization: List, Admissions, Eligibility, after MBA, in India

    The PhD in Commerce subjects provides a greater insight in the field of commerce and accounting, finance, forecasting, management and budgeting. ... PhD After MBA: Admission Process. Most of the colleges offer admission to this course on the basis of entrance examination and direct interviews. The admission process can vary from college to ...

  19. Top 10 Courses after MBA in 2024: Eligibility, Top Colleges ...

    There are various specialisations available in PhD in management, including Finance, Marketing, Operation management, Human Resource management, and more. Course Duration: 3 to 5 years. Course Fees: INR 40,000 to 3 Lakh. Eligibility: M.Com/MBA in management with at least 50% aggregate marks from a UGC-recognised university.

  20. PhD Degree After MBA |Subjects| Duration & Fees India

    PhD Degree After MBA Eligibility. The eligibility criteria for PhD admissions after an MBA includes: Academic record — Strong performance in 10th, 12th, graduation and MBA.; Minimum Marks: Minimum 55% marks in PG Entrance tests — Good scores in exams like UGC NET, GATE, GRE or respective college/university tests.; Interview — Candidates are assessed for research aptitude via interview ...

  21. Top 5 PhD Fields After MBBS 2023: Eligibility, Career Option

    Some popular PhD fields after MBBS include biochemistry, cardiology, physiology, forensic medicine, neurology, biochemistry, etc. Students can check the course duration, course fee, and average salary they can expect after completion of the program. Some popular job profiles in this field include Professors, Medical writers, Medical Scientists ...