By: The Capella University Editorial Team
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The business world is constantly changing, and today’s leaders are expected to respond to new challenges with clarity and confidence.
From evolving technology and regulatory changes to legal developments and competitive pressure, business professionals face complex decisions every day. For some professionals, earning a doctoral degree can be a way to deepen their expertise, strengthen their leadership perspective and prepare for advanced career opportunities.
If you’re considering a terminal degree in business, you may be wondering whether a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (PhD) or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the better fit. There is some overlap between the two, but the differences are important – especially when you think about how you want to use your doctoral education in your career.
A PhD in Business Management suits people who want to conduct original research that contributes to the body of knowledge on business management. This degree is focused on thought leadership and expanding or building on existing management theories. Students may investigate an unexplored topic or examine a new aspect of existing research and management theory. The program includes a traditional dissertation that presents the student’s original research and its contribution to the field.
Graduates who pursue a PhD may be interested in roles related to higher education, research, consulting or strategy across corporate, nonprofit and government settings. Hiring requirements vary by institution and role.
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a practice-focused doctorate for professionals who want to apply existing research to business problems. DBA students use the scholarly literature to develop practical workplace solutions. Rather than completing a dissertation, students complete a capstone project that develops a solution for a business or industry problem.
Professionals who pursue a DBA may be interested in leadership, consulting or organizational strategy roles in corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, higher education or private practice. Requirements for roles vary by employer and position.
DBA coursework includes:
Related job titles to explore*:
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
In general, the choice between a PhD and a DBA often comes down to how you want to use your doctoral education: whether your primary interest is advancing research and theory or applying research to solve business problems in professional practice.
Learn more about differences between a PhD and professional doctorate.
Capella offers an online Doctor of Business Administration, with several specialization options depending on your area of interest. Learn more about Capella’s online doctoral business programs.
A PhD in Business Management focuses on creating original research and contributing to business theory, while a DBA focuses on applying existing research to solve real-world business problems.
Yes. A PhD typically includes a traditional dissertation based on original research that adds to the body of knowledge in the field.
No. The DBA culminates in a capstone project focused on practical business or industry solutions rather than a traditional dissertation.
A dissertation presents original research that contributes new knowledge, while a capstone typically applies existing knowledge to solve a practical problem.
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