If you’re interested in learning more about everything that’s needed to effectively run a company, you might consider pursuing a PhD in Strategy.
These advanced programs teach students a wide variety of managerial, leadership, business, marketing, and finance skills, among others. Students can typically select a concentration that they would like to focus on, such as political science or marketing.
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Graduates tend to pursue careers as college professors, but they may also work toward roles in finance, marketing, management, and more.
PhD in Strategy Programs Online
Online PhD in Strategy programs teach students how to become leaders and effective decision-makers in the top tier of a variety of organizations. They’re multidisciplinary degrees that focus on business and economics but also cover political science, marketing, and more.
While enrolled in a doctoral program for strategy, you may study some of the following subjects:
- Macroeconomics
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Qualitative research
- Leadership
- International business
- Entrepreneurship
- Organizational management
- Innovation
- Human resources
- Structural equation modeling
- Data mining
- Industrial organization
Students applying to PhD programs in strategy typically have their bachelor’s degree, although some may hold a masters degree as well.
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In addition to core and elective classes, PhD students may participate in research projects and seminars and also complete a dissertation before graduation. Some schools allow you to choose a concentration that matches your interests and career pursuits or an interdisciplinary concentration that incorporates a few different ones.
Examples of individual concentrations include:
- International business
- Economics
- Political science
Graduates tend to pursue roles as faculty members in universities. Common careers for professionals in the field include political science, economics, and business professors. They may also work toward jobs as economists, financial managers, or management analysts.
Outside of the academic arena, professionals in the field tend to work in jobs where they can affect the direction of a company at a higher level. These roles can be lucrative—though exact salaries are based on a variety of factors—and can be impactful to an organization.
Strategy Careers and Salaries
Typically, graduates with a PhD in Strategy Management go on to pursue roles as faculty members in universities. These professors tend to teach a subject that they focused on while earning their PhD, such as political science, economics, or business.
Graduates may also work toward careers at businesses where they can help guide the company’s current strategy. These roles can include top executives, financial managers, or management analysts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median wages of some careers aligned with strategy. Some of these roles may require additional training and experience beyond a PhD in Strategy and Innovation.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $189,520 |
| Marketing Managers | $140,040 |
| Financial Managers | $139,790 |
| Economists | $113,940 |
| Postsecondary Economics Teachers | $103,930 |
| General and Operations Managers | $98,100 |
| Management Analysts | $95,290 |
| Postsecondary Business Teachers | $88,790 |
| Postsecondary Political Science Teachers | $83,770 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that several careers associated with strategy will grow faster than average over the next ten years. For instance, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are expected to see 10% job growth, and financial managers are expected to see 17% growth.
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Depending on where their interests lie, graduates from a doctoral program in strategy may also apply to jobs in government organizations, nonprofits, and companies where they can help make people and communities better. For example, some graduates may pursue positions as social and community service managers.
Strategic Studies PhD Curriculum & Courses
Your curriculum while in a doctoral program in strategic management may vary, but here are some examples of courses you may come across:
- Research Processes, Theory, and Practice in Global Business: You’ll learn how to use research to guide the direction of a company’s strategy, and you’ll work on your critical thinking skills.
- Ethics and Leadership in Global Environments: This class covers tactics for making ethical business decisions as a leader.
- Marketing Principles and Practice: You’ll learn advanced marketing techniques, including how to evaluate the market to come up with opportune business strategies.
- Foundations of Research, Scholarly Literature, and Theory in Management: This course dives into peer-reviewed journals so that students can use their findings to learn about various strategic concepts.
- Macro Management Research Methods: You’ll learn how to collect accurate data using methods like sample bias corrections, and you’ll learn how to present your findings.
- Advanced Managerial Economics: This class teaches you how to use an integrated economic model to direct strategy in a business.
- Managerial Issues in Marketing: You’ll learn about various issues that can affect marketing strategies, such as product management and marketing communications.
- Tests, Measurements, and Business Research Design: This course delves into various tools you can use to measure business performance, including factor analysis and validity testing.
- Qualitative Design and Analysis: You’ll learn about a variety of qualitative research methods, including sampling and analysis.
- Structural Equation Modeling I: This class looks at various statistical methods for equation modeling, such as mean structures analysis and covariance structures analysis.
In addition to classes like these, many PhD programs offer seminars and require students to complete a dissertation. You may also be able to take advantage of research, internship, and networking opportunities.
Admissions Requirements
While the admissions requirements for PhD in Strategy programs vary by school, here are a few common ones you may see:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Official school transcripts
- GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
- Resume
- Personal statement
Some schools require students to have completed an in person or online masters in international relations or related program before applying to a PhD program, but some will accept applicants with only a bachelor’s degree. Some schools also have a minimum college GPA requirement or a minimum GRE or GMAT score requirement.
Online PhD in Strategy Programs Accreditation
Before choosing a school for your doctoral degree in strategy, it’s beneficial to verify that the school is regionally accredited. This means that a third-party accrediting organization has verified that the school meets a series of academic quality requirements.
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When applying to jobs down the line, it may help to have attended a regionally accredited school, as employers may look for this on your resume. If you intend to apply for federal financial aid, attending an accredited school can also be an eligibility factor. To learn more, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you’re interested in applying for financial aid to help pay the upfront costs of a doctorate degree in business online, you can explore the various options on the Federal Student Aid website. Financial aid also covers graduate programs, including doctoral, masters, and graduate certificate in strategic planning online or on campus programs. Financial assistance can come from the federal government, state government, your school, or an outside organization.
PhD students may be interested in applying for fellowship or assistantship opportunities at their schools. If you already have a few years of work experience and are hoping to build on your resume, then your employer may also contribute to schooling expenses. Loans, grants, scholarships, and more are also financial aid options available to qualifying students.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with a PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship tend to pursue roles as professors at universities. These can include political science, economics, and business professors, among other areas of study.
Professionals in the field may also work at a variety of businesses and organizations, in jobs where they can help evaluate and direct strategy. These roles often include financial managers, management analysts, social and community service managers, and economists.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Strategic Management Online?
A variety of factors can affect the timeframe for a doctoral program in strategy, including the number of credit hours required and the length of time it takes to finish a dissertation.
In general, students may be able to graduate with a PhD in 3 to 5 years. If your program doesn’t require a dissertation, you may be able to finish in as little as 3 years. If your program does require a dissertation or involves more credit hours, it may take closer to 5 years.
Is Getting a PhD in Strategy Worth It?
Yes, getting a PhD in Strategy is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that many careers associated with strategy, such as financial managers and marketing managers, will grow faster than average.
If you hope to become an expert in the field and pursue teaching roles at colleges or universities, it could be strategic to get your PhD in Strategy. You’ll study a wide variety of subjects, from business to human resources to economics, and learn skills like critical thinking.
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Postsecondary teachers are expected to see 12% job growth over the next ten years, which is much faster than average (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Strategy Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Capella University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management. Potential courses include Foresight: Anticipating the Future, Competing with Disruptive Innovation, and Building an Innovation Strategy. This 90 credit curriculum, including 3 virtual residencies, can be completed entirely online. Up to 12 credits may be transferred.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Concordia University – Chicago offers a Doctor of Business Administration. Concentrations in Innovation in Health Care Management or Strategic Leadership and Innovation are available. The curriculum consists of 60 credits. While classes meet primarily online, 3 residencies are required on campus.
Concordia University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers a Doctor of Business Administration. This degree path may be ideal for those pursuing advanced roles and championing change within institutions. Classes meet 100% online and are typically 8 weeks long. On average, the 60 required credits can be completed in 3 years when attending classes full-time.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oral Roberts University offers a Doctor of Strategic Leadership. This program boasts a unique Christ-centered perspective, potential scholarship opportunities, and an advanced course of study that typically spans 33 months. Available concentrations include Applied Research, Leadership Coaching, Change Management, and Strategic Foresight. All classes are housed entirely online.
Oral Roberts University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Sullivan University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Management. It can be customized with specializations in Strategic Management, Conflict Management, Human Resource Leadership, or Information Technology. The program can typically be completed in 4 years of part-time study or 2 years of full-time study. Classes can be completed fully online or at one of three campuses.
Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Michigan – Flint offers a Doctor of Business Administration. Potential courses include Strategic Leadership and Change Management, Managerial Accounting and Firm Performance, and Contemporary Theories of Strategy. This program utilizes a 100% online learning format. The required courses can potentially be completed in 3 years.
The University of Michigan – Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Carolina – Greensboro offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration. Concentrations include Strategy, International Business, or Organizational Behavior. The curriculum consists of 54 credits. Graduates may pursue careers in diverse settings such as universities, K-12 schools, government agencies, private corporations, industry, or non-profit organizations.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Business. The curriculum aims to teach the skills required for leadership roles. The program requires 66 credits. Graduates may pursue careers as financial managers, healthcare administrators, project managers, marketing managers, or management analysts.
The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of the Southwest offers a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategy and Innovation. This curriculum aims to teach the skills required for advanced roles in a wide variety of industries using a scholar-practitioner model. This program is housed conveniently online. Up to 12 credits may be transferred.
The University of the Southwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Walden University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Management. The Leadership and Organizational Strategy specialization is designed to foster an innovative mindset and teach the skills to enact change within various institutions. This program meets primarily online and requires 64 credits to graduate.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Strategy PhD Degree Online
If you want to study business, strategy, leadership, and economics at an advanced level, you may enjoy getting your strategy PhD online. These terminal degree programs provide students with some of the highest-level education in the field.
After graduation, you may consider pursuing a career in university teaching, business management, nonprofit leadership, and more. Many jobs aligned with strategy can be lucrative and impactful in a variety of organizations.
To get started on your journey toward a PhD in Strategy, you can begin exploring accredited universities today and discovering which program options align with your interests and goals.
