You’ve led teams, built budgets, and made decisions other people carry out. At some point, experience alone stops answering the harder questions. That’s often when professionals start comparing online doctoral programs in management. The first choice isn’t which school. It’s the kind of doctorate that matches the work you want to do next.
This guide explains the main doctoral options in management and how they differ. It also covers what project management doctorates involve and what admission usually required. Then it walks through Crestmont University’s Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Entrepreneurship and Business Management. You can complete the program 100% online.
What is a Doctorate in Management?
“Doctorate in management” is an umbrella term. It covers several doctoral degrees that share a subject but differ in purpose. The two you’ll see most often are the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management and the DBA.
Both are doctoral degrees. Both require original research. The difference lies in the question each one asks and who is expected to use the answer.
DBA vs. PhD in Management
A PhD in management asks what is true across organizations in general. Its research builds and tests a theory for other scholars. Many PhD graduates pursue faculty research careers.
A DBA asks how a specific organization should solve a specific problem. Its research starts with a real business challenge and ends with recommendations leaders can act on. Many DBA candidates keep working while they study.
| PhD in Management | 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 |
| Coursework focus | Theory and advanced research methods | Business core, specialization, and research methods |
| Common direction | Academic research and teaching | Executive leadership, consulting, entrepreneurship, teaching |
| Suits | Aspiring full-time researchers | Experienced professionals who plan to keep working |
Neither degree ranks above the other. They serve different careers.
How online doctoral programs in Management are structured
Most doctoral programs in management follow a similar sequence. Advanced coursework comes first. A comprehensive assessment or exam confirms you’re ready for independent research. The program ends with a dissertation or an applied research project.
The time commitment varies widely by degree type. The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) surveys research doctorate recipients, the category that includes PhDs. The 2024 Survey of Earned Doctorates reports a median of 5.0 years from program entry to degree in business administration and management.
Professional doctorates, such as the DBA, are often structured differently. Many use fixed course sequences so working professionals can plan years ahead. When you compare programs, look at three things: how many courses you take at once, how long each course runs, and when research begins.
Format matters as much as length. Some online doctoral programs in management still require campus residencies or live sessions at set times. Others run asynchronously, so you study when your schedule allows. Ask each program for a written course sequence and any in-person requirements before you apply.
What about a Doctorate Degree in Project Management?
Many people researching a doctoral program in management also search for online PhD programs in project management. A doctorate degree in project management focuses on how organizations plan, run, and evaluate complex initiatives. Research topics often include risk, scheduling, governance, and portfolio decisions.
Programs with this exact title are less common than general management doctorates. Many universities place project management research inside a PhD in management or a DBA instead. The Project Management Institute (PMI) accredits project management degree programs through its Global Accreditation Center, which lists the accredited programs.
Crestmont University doesn’t offer a doctorate in project management. Its DBA develops the research and strategy skills required for complex initiatives. Its Master of Business Administration (MBA) offers a Project and Quality Management specialization for those who want master ‘s-level study focused on projects.
Admission requirements for a PhD in Project Management
Requirements vary by institution, so check each program directly. Most PhD programs ask for a master’s degree and official transcripts. Many also request a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Some require GMAT or GRE scores, and some ask applicants to name a research interest before admission.
Professional doctorates often ask for less up front. Crestmont University’s DBA, described below, lists three admission requirements.
Doctorate of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Business Management
Crestmont University’s DBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Management is designed for accomplished professionals. It combines doctoral research with advanced study in strategy, finance, and new venture growth. The full curriculum is on the Doctorate of Business Administration program page.
The program requires 60 semester credits in four parts:
- 30 credits of Business Core courses
- 15 credits of Entrepreneurship and Business Management specialization courses
- A Comprehensive Competency Assessment
- 15 credits of Dissertation or Doctoral Research Project courses
Business Core Courses
Ten core courses build the foundation. They cover the global economy, global business finance, international business, and advanced accounting. You’ll also study leadership theory, organizational change, small business management, and e-commerce models.
Two courses directly prepare you for doctoral work. GRC 600 – Doctoral Academic Study and Writing sets expectations for scholarly writing. GRC 605 – Business Research Methodology and Quantitative Statistics teaches the methods your final research will use.
Specialization Courses
Five specialization courses focus on building and leading ventures:
- MGT 645 – Strategic Management: A Global Approach
- MGT 655 – Financial Entrepreneurial Ventures
- MGT 657 – Case Studies in Global Entrepreneurship
- MGT 660 – Strategic Entrepreneurship
- MGT 665 – Exploring Entrepreneurship and Economics
Each course connects to a decision that founders and executives face. MGT 655 is one example. Financing a new venture means weighing ownership, risk, and timing in a single choice.
What the program is designed to build
The program defines specific competencies. By completion, you’ll be able to:
- Apply critical thinking to local and global new venture planning and decision-making.
- Evaluate ethical behavior as it relates to business issues and return on investment.
- Demonstrate leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to start and grow ventures.
- Use research approaches to collect data and create a strategic plan for entrepreneurial practice.
Two research paths: Dissertation or Doctoral research project
Crestmont University gives you a choice for the final 15 credits. Both paths require doctoral-level research, and both lead to the same degree.
- The Dissertation path (GRC 641–645) follows the five-chapter model. You write an introduction, a literature review, a methodology, results, and conclusions. The sequence ends with a dissertation presentation and oral defense. It suits anyone who plans to teach or pursue research-focused roles.
- The Doctoral Research Project path (DRP 801–805) follows the same research stages in an applied format. You define a problem, review the literature, design a methodology, report findings, and make recommendations. It suits professionals who want to study a challenge inside their own organization or venture.
What applied research can look like
In an entrepreneurship and management doctorate, the research question often comes from your own work. A founder might study which financing structures early-stage firms in one region use most. An operations executive might examine why a market expansion stalled. A consultant might compare how small businesses adopt e-commerce platforms. Each question is narrow enough to research in depth and practical enough to change a decision.
Pacing for a Doctorate Degree in Management online
An online Doctorate in Management has to fit around a full workload. Crestmont University’s structure is designed for that.
You take one six-week course at a time. The program has 20 courses, plus the Comprehensive Competency Assessment. Continuous study equals 120 weeks of coursework. One course at a time means one subject and one set of deadlines.
That structure works across career stages. A Millennial founder can study while scaling a first company. A Generation X executive can formalize strategy work already underway. A Baby Boomer leader can turn decades of experience into published research.
Admission requirements and tuition
Admission to Crestmont University’s DBA asks for three items:
- A master’s degree
- A curriculum vitae or professional résumé
- A completed application for admission
Crestmont University publishes its tuition in full:
- Tuition per credit: $528
- Tuition per course, including e-books: $1,779
- Total tuition: $36,675
Financial aid options are listed on the program page.
Roles the program is designed to prepare you for
Crestmont University’s DBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Management is designed to prepare graduates for roles such as:
- C-level executive
- Startup manager
- Technology entrepreneur
- Business owner
- Business development consultant
For the national context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent employment growth for the occupation group it calls “top executives” from 2025 to 2035. That figure describes the occupation nationally. Crestmont University does not represent that the degree leads to a specific role, placement, or salary.
Questions to ask before you choose a Doctoral Program in Management
Three questions narrow the field quickly.
What should your research do?
If you want to build a theory for other scholars, look at a PhD. If you want to solve a problem your organization faces now, look at a DBA.
Will you keep working?
Many PhD programs expect years of intensive, research-first study. A DBA program that takes one course at a time is designed around a full-time role.
Is the program accredited, and by whom?
Confirm institutional accreditation first. Then check programmatic accreditation for the business curriculum.
For a closer look at how a PhD and a DBA compare in a technical field, read Doctorate in Information Technology: PhD vs. DBA (LINK).
Your next step
You already know how organizations work from the inside. A Doctorate in Management turns that knowledge into research that others can use and build on. Review the full curriculum and both research paths on Crestmont University’sDoctorate of Business Administration program page. Then talk with an enrollment advisor about which path fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about earning a Doctorate in Management online? Explore answers to common questions about programs, requirements, format, and career opportunities.
What is a Doctor of Management (DM) degree?
A Doctor of Management is another professional doctorate offered by some universities. Like a DBA, it usually centers on applied research and organizational leadership. Its coursework often leans toward leadership and organizational theory rather than finance or economics. Compare curricula side by side, since titles alone say little.
Is a DBA a terminal degree?
Yes. A DBA is a terminal degree, the highest academic credential in business. It sits at the same academic level as a PhD in management, with a more applied research focus.
Can I use the title “Dr.” after earning a DBA?
Yes. A DBA is a 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.
Do I need GMAT or GRE scores for a DBA?
It depends on the program. Crestmont University’s published DBA admission requirements are a master’s degree, a CV or résumé, and an application, with no test scores listed. Other programs set their own rules, so review each one.
How can I verify a university’s accreditation?
Search the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or theCouncil for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database. Both lists recognized accreditors and the institutions they accredit.
Can a Doctorate in Management lead to university teaching?
Many four-year institutions require a doctoral degree for faculty roles, and a DBA meets that level. Hiring still depends on each institution’s standards, the discipline, and your research record. The Dissertation path, with its oral defense, aligns closely with academic expectations.
