PhD After an MBA: Everything You Need to Know 2024

If you have completed your MBA and are looking for a way to advance your career, you might be wondering if doing a PhD is a good option. A PhD is a doctorate-level degree that involves conducting original research in a specific field of study. It is the highest academic qualification you can achieve and it can open up many doors for you in the academic and professional world. But is it worth doing a PhD after an MBA? What are the benefits, scope, and opportunities of pursuing a PhD after an MBA? In this article, we will answer these questions and help you decide if doing a PhD after an MBA is right for you.

Benefits of Doing a PhD After MBA

There are many benefits of doing a PhD after an MBA, both personal and professional. Some of the benefits are:

You can deepen your knowledge and expertise in a particular area of interest. A Ph.D. allows you to explore a topic in-depth and contribute new knowledge to the field. You can also develop your analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills through rigorous research.
You can enhance your career prospects and earning potential. A PhD can make you more competitive and attractive in the job market, especially if you are aiming for senior-level positions or leadership roles. You can also demand a higher salary and enjoy more job security and satisfaction.
You can expand your network and influence. A PhD can help you build connections and collaborations with other researchers, scholars, and professionals in your field. You can also share your findings and insights with a wider audience through publications, conferences, and media outlets. You can also become a recognized authority and influencer in your domain.
You can pursue your passion and personal goals. A PhD can allow you to pursue your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. You can also fulfill your personal goals and aspirations, such as making a positive impact on society, advancing knowledge, or solving a problem.

Scope of Doing a PhD After MBA

There are many fields and disciplines that you can choose to do a PhD after an MBA, depending on your interest, background, and career goals. Some of the popular and emerging fields are:

Finance: You can do a PhD in finance after an MBA and specialize in areas such as corporate finance, financial markets, financial engineering, risk management, behavioral finance, or fintech.
Marketing: You can do a PhD in marketing after your MBA and specialize in areas such as consumer behavior, digital marketing, branding, marketing strategy, social media marketing, or neuromarketing.
Operations Management: You can do a PhD in operations management after your MBA and specialize in areas such as supply chain management, logistics, quality management, project management, or operations research.
Organization Behavior: You can do a PhD in organization behavior after your MBA and specialize in areas such as leadership, organizational culture, organizational change, human resource management, or organizational psychology.
Business Management: You can do a PhD in business management after your MBA and specialize in areas such as entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy, international business, or business ethics.
Human Resource Management: You can do a PhD in human resource management after your MBA and specialize in areas such as talent management, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, or diversity and inclusion.
Commerce and Management: You can do a PhD in commerce and management after your MBA and specialize in areas such as accounting, taxation, auditing, e-commerce, or business analytics.
Management Studies: You can do a Ph.D. in management studies after an MBA and specialize in areas such as management education, management history, management philosophy, or management theory.
Disaster Management: You can do a PhD in disaster management after your MBA and specialize in areas such as disaster risk reduction, disaster response, disaster recovery, or disaster resilience.
Banking and Finance: You can do a PhD in banking and finance after your MBA and specialize in areas such as banking regulation, banking innovation, banking performance, or banking ethics.

Opportunities of Doing a PhD After MBA

There are many opportunities and career paths that you can pursue after doing a PhD after an MBA, depending on your skills, interests, and preferences. Some of the common and lucrative opportunities are:

Academic: You can pursue a career in academia as a professor, lecturer, researcher, or administrator in a university, college, or business school. You can teach, mentor, and guide students, conduct and publish research, and contribute to the academic community.
Industry: You can pursue a career in industry as a manager, consultant, analyst, or advisor in a private, public, or non-profit organization. You can apply your knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems, improve business performance, and create value for stakeholders.
Government: You can pursue a career in government as a policy maker, regulator, evaluator, or planner in a government agency, department, or ministry. You can influence and shape public policies, regulations, and programs that affect the economy, society, and environment.
Entrepreneurship: You can pursue a career in entrepreneurship as a founder, co-founder, or partner of a start-up, venture, or social enterprise. You can create and innovate new products, services, or solutions that address market needs, opportunities, or challenges.

I hope this article has given you some insights into why you should consider doing a Ph.D. after an MBA, what are the benefits, scope, and opportunities of doing so, and how you can choose the best field and career path for yourself.

Conclusion

Pursuing a PhD after an MBA is a great way to further your education and career. It’s important to understand the path to earning a Ph.D., the purpose of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision about whether pursuing a PhD is the right choice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to apply for a PhD after an MBA?

The requirements to apply for a Ph.D. after an MBA may vary depending on the program and institution you choose. However, some common requirements are:

A master’s degree in business administration or a related field, with a minimum GPA or equivalent.
A valid score in a standardized test, such as GMAT, GRE, UGC-NET, or GATE, depending on the program and institution.
A statement of purpose, outlining your research interests, goals, and motivations for pursuing a PhD.
A resume or curriculum vitae, highlighting your academic and professional achievements and skills.
Letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, who can attest to your potential and suitability for a PhD.
A research proposal, detailing your proposed topic, research questions, methodology, and expected outcomes.
A writing sample, demonstrating your academic writing and research skills.
Proof of English language proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS, if your native language is not English or if the program is taught in English.

How long does it take to complete a PhD after an MBA?

The duration of a PhD after an MBA can vary depending on the program and institution you choose, as well as your research progress and completion. However, the average time to complete a PhD after MBA is around 4 to 5 years in the United States and 3 to 4 years in the United Kingdom.

What are the different types of Ph.D. programs after an MBA?

There are different types of Ph.D. programs after an MBA, depending on the focus and structure of the program. Some of the common types are:

Ph.D. in Business Administration: This is a traditional Ph.D. program that involves conducting original and independent research in a specific area of business administration, such as finance, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, or business management. This program suits those who want to pursue a career in academia or research.
PhD in Business Economics: This is a joint PhD program offered by Harvard Business School and the Harvard Department of Economics, that combines the rigorous training in economics with the practical and applied aspects of business administration. This program suits those who want to pursue a career in academia, industry, or government, where economic analysis and business skills are required.
PhD in Management Studies: This is a PhD program offered by the University of Cambridge, that covers a broad range of topics and disciplines in management, such as accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship, or organizational studies. This program suits those who want to pursue a career in academia, industry, or consulting, where interdisciplinary and critical thinking skills are required.
PhD in Commerce and Management: This is a PhD program offered by the University of Mumbai, that focuses on the theoretical and empirical aspects of commerce and management, such as accounting, taxation, auditing, e-commerce, or business analytics. This program suits those who want to pursue a career in academia, industry, or government, where commerce and management knowledge and skills are required.
PhD in Disaster Management: This is a PhD program offered by the University of Cape Town, that explores the complex and multidisciplinary issues of disaster management, such as disaster risk reduction, disaster response, disaster recovery, or disaster resilience. This program suits those who want to pursue a career in academia, industry, or non-governmental organizations, where disaster management knowledge and skills are required.

What are the career opportunities after doing a PhD after an MBA?

There are many career opportunities and paths that you can pursue after doing a Ph.D. after an MBA, depending on your skills, interests, and preferences. Some of the common and lucrative opportunities are:

Academic: You can pursue a career in academia as a professor, lecturer, researcher, or administrator in a university, college, or business school. You can teach, mentor, and guide students, conduct and publish research, and contribute to the academic community.
Industry: You can pursue a career in industry as a manager, consultant, analyst, or advisor in a private, public, or non-profit organization. You can apply your knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems, improve business performance, and create value for stakeholders.
Government: You can pursue a career in government as a policy maker, regulator, evaluator, or planner in a government agency, department, or ministry. You can influence and shape public policies, regulations, and programs that affect the economy, society, and environment.
Entrepreneurship: You can pursue a career in entrepreneurship as a founder, co-founder, or partner of a start-up, venture, or social enterprise. You can create and innovate new products, services, or solutions that address market needs, opportunities, or challenges.