You’ve spent years making decisions that shape teams, budgets, and strategy. Now you’re weighing a doctorate. The DBA vs PhD degree question comes first, because the two doctorates lead in different directions.
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in business prepares researchers to build new theories. A Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) prepares experienced leaders to apply research to real organizational problems. This guide compares both, explains where a Doctor of Management fits, and helps you choose.
DBA vs PhD Degree: The short answer
Both are doctoral degrees. Both are terminal degrees, the highest earned credential in their field. Both require original research. The difference is the question each one asks.
A PhD asks what is true across organizations in general. A DBA asks how a specific organization should solve a specific problem. AACSB, a global business school association, summarizes it plainly: “PhDs are research–oriented, while DBAs are practice-oriented.”
Neither degree ranks above the other. They serve different careers.
What are the main differences between a DBA and a PhD?
A DBA and a PhD differ in their focus, research approach, and career paths. See the table below for a clear comparison of the key differences between the two degrees.
| PhD in Business | Doctorate of Business Administration | |
| Core question | What is true across organizations? | How should this organization solve this problem? |
| Research output | New theory, often in peer-reviewed publications | Applied dissertation or research project with recommendations |
| Typical applicant | Master’s graduate aiming for academia | Experienced professional with significant work history |
| Study pattern | Often full-time, research-first | Often part-time, alongside a full-time role |
| Common direction | Faculty research and teaching | Executive leadership, consulting, entrepreneurship, teaching |
Research purpose
PhD research aims to add to what scholars know. You identify a gap in theory, test it, and publish findings that other researchers can extend. AACSB notes that PhD research “is often more theoretical or conceptual in nature.”
DBA research starts inside a workplace. You define a real business problem, study it with doctoral methods, and deliver recommendations leaders can act on. AACSB describes this as “combining business acumen and scholarly methods.”
Who each degree admits
PhD programs usually admit students with a master’s degree and a strong research interest.
An accredited university. Programs offered 100% online, on your schedule.
8 terms a year. Start when you’re ready.
DBA programs expect more. According to AACSB, “the DBA also requires a significant amount of professional experience.”
Time and format
PhD study takes time. The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) reports a median of 5.0 years from program entry to degree for business administration and management research doctorates. Many expect full-time study or campus residency.
DBA programs are usually built around a working schedule. Many use fixed course sequences, one course at a time, so you can plan years ahead.
How career prospects differ after a DBA or a PhD
Both degrees lead to roles in academia and industry, but in a different order.
PhD usually leads
A PhD is designed to prepare scholars for faculty research careers. Graduates often pursue tenured faculty roles at research universities, where publication records drive hiring.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that postsecondary teachers at four-year colleges “typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field.” That wording matters. A DBA meets the doctoral level, and hiring still depends on each institution’s standards.
DBA usually leads
A DBA is designed to deepen the leadership you already practice. Graduates often apply their research to executive roles, consulting, entrepreneurship, and board or advisory work. Many also teach as adjunct or clinical faculty while continuing to lead organizations.
AACSB notes that DBA graduates “may also apply their experience to their roles as business leaders.” That might mean research to guide a merger or market entry.
No doctorate assures a specific role. A DBA provides a framework for turning experience into research that others can trust.
Doctor of Management vs DBA
The Doctor of Management (DM) is another professional doctorate for experienced leaders. Like a DBA, it centers on applied research and organizational practice.
The difference usually lies in the coursework. A DM often leans toward leadership, organizational behavior, and change management. A DBA typically adds a broader business core, such as finance, economics, accounting, and marketing. Titles vary widely by institution, so compare curricula side by side before you decide.
If you want your doctorate to span every business function, look at a DBA. If you want to focus on leading people and driving change, a DM may be a good fit.
Can you earn a DBA after a PhD, or a PhD after a DBA?
Yes, in both directions, though it’s less common.
A PhD holder might pursue a DBA to move from theory into applied leadership, often after years in academia. A DBA holder might pursue a PhD to enter a research-intensive faculty role that expects a theory-focused dissertation.
Before you commit, confirm the program admits applicants who already hold a doctorate. Ask whether prior doctoral credits transfer, since many programs accept few or none. In most cases, a second doctorate means a full research cycle.
Which doctorate fits your goals?
Two questions narrow the choice quickly.
What should your research do? If you want to build a theory for other scholars, choose a PhD. If you want to solve a problem your organization faces now, choose a DBA.
Will you keep working? Many PhD programs require years of full-time study. A DBA taking one course at a time is designed around a full-time role.
Your career stage shapes the answer, too. A Millennial manager may want to gain authority before taking on a first executive role. A Generation X leader may want to formalize strategy work already underway. A Baby Boomer executive may want to turn decades of decisions into published research or a teaching practice.
Inside Crestmont University’s Doctorate of Business Administration
Crestmont University’s Doctor of Business Administration is designed for experienced professionals seeking to solve real business problems through doctoral research. You can complete it 100% online, with no residency required.
Curriculum and specializations
The program requires 60 credits: 10 business core courses, 5 specialization courses, and 5 research courses, plus a Comprehensive Competency Assessment.
The core spans economics, finance, accounting, international business, leadership, and organizational change. GRC 605 – Business Research Methodology and Quantitative Statistics prepares you for the research ahead.
You then choose one of four specializations:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management — for founders, intrapreneurs, and executives driving innovation
- Global Business and Leadership — for executives expanding into international markets or leading multinational teams
- Healthcare Management and Leadership — for healthcare administrators, clinical leaders, and health system executives
- Information Systems and Enterprise Resource Management — for technology leaders guiding digital initiatives
Two research paths
Your final 15 credits follow one of two paths. Both require doctoral-level research, and both lead to the same degree.
The Doctoral Research Project (DRP 801–805) is an applied study. You define a problem, review the literature, design a methodology, report findings, and make recommendations. Many students partner with their own employer to study a real challenge.
The Dissertation (GRC 641–645) follows the five-chapter model and ends with a defense of original research. It suits you if you plan to teach or pursue research-focused roles.
Research chairs guide each stage, and student advisors follow up from your first course through your defense.
Pacing, tuition, and admission
You take one six-week course at a time. Continuous study leads to completion in about 2.5 years. Recorded lectures let you study when it fits your week, alongside live seminars.
Total program tuition is $36,675. Financial aid options are listed on the program page.
To apply, you’ll submit an application, complete an interview with an Executive Enrollment Advisor, and send official transcripts from an accredited institution. You’ll also provide government-issued photo ID and sign an Enrollment Agreement. A $45 application fee may apply.
Your next step
You already know how your organization works from the inside. A DBA turns that knowledge into research that can shape the decisions ahead of you. Review the full curriculum and both research paths on Crestmont University’s Doctorate of Business Administration program page. Then talk with an Executive Enrollment Advisor to determine which path best fits your goals.
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions about the differences between a DBA and a PhD? Here are answers to some of the most common questions to help you better understand each degree and what to expect.
Can I use the title “Dr.” after earning a DBA?
Yes. A DBA is an earned doctoral degree, so graduates may use the title. Professional norms vary by industry and country. Many graduates also list “DBA” after their name on professional profiles and publications.
Do I need GMAT or GRE scores for a DBA?
It depends on the program. Crestmont University’s published DBA admission requirements don’t include GMAT or GRE scores. Other programs set their own rules, so check each one before you apply.
What is an Executive PhD?
An Executive PhD is a research doctorate designed for working professionals. It keeps the PhD’s focus on theory but uses a part-time schedule. It sits between a traditional PhD and a DBA, so compare its research expectations carefully.
Can I publish research from a DBA?
Yes. Many DBA graduates publish in practitioner journals, industry reports, or peer-reviewed outlets. Applied research often suits practitioner audiences well. Publishing isn’t required to finish most DBAs, but it can strengthen a teaching or consulting profile.
How can I verify a university’s accreditation?
Search the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database. Both list recognized accreditors and the institutions they accredit.
