PhD in Business Management

Transform Organizations with Doctoral Excellence

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Apply scholarly rigor to real-world challenges. Our PhD in Business Management program blends research and leadership theory to prepare you for strategic roles in business, consulting, or academia.

Program Overview

The PhD in Business Management program offers a rigorous, research-informed curriculum tailored to professionals who aspire to lead complex organizations or influence the next generation of business thinkers. Coursework integrates strategic management, organizational theory, data-driven decision-making, and leadership ethics, allowing students to examine real-world challenges through an academic lens. In addition to core courses, students engage in original research and complete a dissertation that contributes meaningful insights to the discipline. Throughout the program, learners build critical thinking, advanced leadership capabilities, and the ability to solve complex organizational problems through evidence-based practices.

 

Program Highlights

 

Specialized Tracks

The Management, Ph.D. program offers specialized tracks that allow students to focus their research and studies in areas aligned with their professional goals and interests. These tracks provide advanced coursework and research opportunities tailored to developing expertise in specific fields of management, preparing graduates for leadership, academic, and research-focused careers.

The Accounting Specialization provides advanced study in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and managerial accounting. Students develop research expertise and analytical skills needed for academic, consulting, or executive-level roles in accounting and finance.

The Cyber Technology Management Specialization focuses on the strategic application and management of information technology within organizations. Students explore cybersecurity, IT governance, and technology-driven business solutions, preparing for leadership roles in IT management and research.

The Healthcare Management Specialization equips students with advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, policy, and administration. Graduates are prepared for research, executive, and leadership positions in hospitals, healthcare organizations, and public health agencies.

The Leadership/Management Specialization emphasizes strategic leadership, organizational behavior, and decision-making in complex environments. Students develop the skills to guide teams, implement organizational change, and conduct research on leadership and management practices.

 

Campbellsville University offers its PhD in Business Management program on campus at the Campbellsville campus. The research-driven curriculum includes core doctoral coursework, advanced research methodology, a specialization, and dissertation preparation. Designed for professionals seeking academic, executive, or consulting roles, the program supports both strategic insight and scholarly contribution. See our full list of course requirements here.

To be admitted into the PhD in Business Management program at Campbellsville University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Master’s Degree: Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required on prior graduate work.
  • Resume or CV: Provide a current resume highlighting relevant academic and professional experience.
  • Statement of Purpose: Submit a written essay describing your academic goals and career aspirations.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Provide two or more letters from academic or professional references.

Graduates of the PhD in Business Management program are prepared to pursue advanced leadership roles in business, education, government, and nonprofit sectors. Career opportunities include:

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • Business Consultant
  • University Professor
  • Director of Strategy or Innovation
  • Organizational Development Executive
  • Public Sector or Nonprofit Leader
  • Research Analyst
  • Program Director
  • Executive Coach

Ready to lead with purpose and expertise? Campbellsville University’s PhD in Business Management offers the academic rigor and practical relevance to help you reach your highest potential. For more information or to begin your application, contact our admissions team at admissions@campbellsville.edu or call (270) 789-5220.

 

Program Timeline

20 Credits

Term 1- Fall (6 credits)

  • MGT 901 Required Residency I
  • MGT 905 Inquiry to Doctoral Writing
  • MGT 907 Business Knowledge Studies

Term 2 - Spring (7 credits)

  • MGT 919 Seminar in Human Resource Management
  • MGT 915 Doctoral Research Methodology
  • MGT 951 Proposal I

Term 3 - Summer (7 credits)

  • MGT 935 Advanced Quantitative Research and Analysis
  • MGT 908 Emerging Issues in Marketing
  • MGT 952 Proposal II

21 credits

Term 4 - Fall (7 credits)

  • MGT 902 Required Residency II
  • MGT 945 Advanced Qualitative Research and Analysis
  • MGT 906 Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics
  • MGT 953 Proposal III

Term 5 - Spring (7 credits)

  • MGT 923 Leadership in Organizations
  • MGT 936 Emerging Issues in Global Information Technology
  • MGT 954 Proposal IV

Term 6 - Summer (7 credits)

  • MGT 912 Management Science & Analysis
  • MGT 910 Advanced Managerial Communication
  • MGT 955 Proposal V

19 credits

Term 7 - Fall (7 credits)

  • MGT 903 Required Residency III
  • Specialization Course I
  • Specialization Course II
  • MGT 956 Proposal VI

Term 8 - Spring (6 credits)

  • Specialization Course III
  • Specialization Course IV
  • Comprehensive* Exam

Term 9 - Summer (6 credits)

  • MGT 960 Dissertation I
  • MGT 961 Dissertation II

For students requiring the additional year(s) and who need to stay active in the program, two options are available for each additional term: Option 1.) Enrollment in the 1-credit MGT 999 Dissertation Continuation. Option 2.) Enrollment in the 1-credit MGT 999 Dissertation Continuation and enrollment in the BA/MGT 700 Practicum. All international students will be required to take Option 2.  All ongoing candidates must pay the annual Doctoral Student Fee until the dissertation is completed and approved by the student's committee.

*A comprehensive exam can be taken upon completion of the core course coursework.

Note: A webinar will be scheduled in each term with their mentor for each proposal preparation

 

 

Dissertation Information 

Students are awarded six (6) credit hours for dissertation research upon successful defense and acceptance of the dissertation by the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology. While completion by the third year is possible, many students use a fourth year. A one-year extension may be granted upon written request. During the extension, students must choose one of two options per term to remain active:

  1. Enroll in 1-credit MGT 999 Dissertation Continuation

  2. Enroll in both 1-credit MGT 999 and BA/MGT 700 Practicum (mandatory for international students)
    All continuing students must pay the annual Doctoral Student Fee until their dissertation is approved.

The students are expected to take one one-credit course for directed proposal development (a total of six credits) each term from Term 2 to Term 7 with their assigned faculty mentor. Each cohort of mentees will be capped at 10 mentees per faculty mentor.

The dissertation proposal includes the first three chapters of the dissertation (introduction, review of relevant literature, and methodology). When the student completes these chapters and is ready to begin the process of data collection, the dissertation proposal will be submitted to the members of the student's dissertation committee. Each member of the committee will review the proposal and recommend any changes. When the proposal has been completed to the satisfaction of the dissertation committee, the Dissertation Chair will submit the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form.

A student reaches doctoral candidacy status when he or she completes all academic requirements, including all coursework, dissertation proposal, and comprehensive examination for the Ph.D. in Management program.

Once the dissertation has been written and all modifications have been made to the satisfaction of the dissertation committee members, the Dissertation Chair will notify the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology that the candidate is ready to defend the dissertation and will schedule the candidate's oral defense of the dissertation. Campbellsville University faculty, students, and staff will be invited to attend the dissertation defense.

The Dissertation Chair will conduct the defense. There are two steps involved in this procedure: First, the candidate will do a formal presentation on his/her dissertation research, analysis, findings, and recommendations, and then there will be a forum for questions for the candidate by a panel of scholars. Once the forum session is completed, the candidate will be dismissed while the members of the committee discuss the candidate's performance to determine if it is satisfactory to the satisfaction of the dissertation committee. If the candidate is unsuccessful in defending the dissertation, the committee may schedule a subsequent defense, but is not obligated to do so and may rule that the candidate cannot be awarded the Ph.D.

Three possible decisions may be made for the dissertation defense: (1) accept - no revisions required; (2) accept- minor revisions required; or (3) not accepted - major revisions required. Following the dissertation defense, the Dissertation Chair and all committee members must sign the Dissertation Evaluation - Dissertation Decision and Revision Form, and the Dissertation Chair will submit the completed form to the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology.

Once the dissertation is in final form and all changes required by the committee have been made, the members of the committee will sign the dissertation approval form, and the signed approval form will be submitted to the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology.  The candidate will be qualified to receive the Ph.D. degree upon the final approval of the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology.

Faculty Mentor

Each of the enrolled students will be assigned a faculty mentor upon enrollment. The faculty mentor will provide consultation and guidance on proposal and doctoral dissertation development. There will be a ten-to-one ratio between the Faculty Mentor and the doctoral students.

All the courses offered in the Ph.D. program will have formative and summative assessments to assess students' mastery of each of the expected course learning outcomes.

The Ph.D. program uses two direct assessments: (a) a Comprehensive Examination, and (b) a Dissertation.  For the Comprehensive Examination, the students should exhibit overall knowledge of the courses taken; show the ability to apply the knowledge to a case study; demonstrate good writing skills; and demonstrate the ability to format in correct APA style.  For the Dissertation, the students should demonstrate research skills and expertise in the chosen field.

Faculty Committee

Faculty members with expertise in Ph.D. programs will be appointed to serve on the Ph.D. Faculty Committee. The School of Business, Economics, and Technology has several faculty members from the current Business Faculty Committee who meet these qualifications. The newly proposed Ph.D. The Faculty Committee will provide curricular and programmatic guidance to the proposed new program.

Dissertation Committee

Before Term 6, students will select their dissertation committee. The dissertation committee consists of three faculty members: the Dissertation Chair, the methodologist, and one other faculty member. Although the students are encouraged to retain their assigned faculty mentor as the Chair for their dissertation committee, they are not required to do so. The Dissertation Chair must be a Campbellsville University faculty member with a role of Faculty mentor, and one of the other two committee members must be a Campbellsville University faculty member. An external committee member must be approved by the Dean of the School of Business, Economics, and Technology.  All committee members must have an earned doctorate from a regionally-accredited university.