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Why a Doctorate in Business Administration Is Becoming More Valuable

Sponsor content from upGrad.

At the turn of the 20th century, the world was industrializing at a rapid pace. Businesses were growing larger and more complex, with more employees working in more diversified divisions spread across more geographical boundaries.

As a result, demand grew for people who had special training in managing the general operations of a business, which led to the creation and proliferation of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

More than 100 years later, MBAs have become a commodity that no longer serve organizations’ core needs.

In today’s age of data and information, knowledge has become the most valuable resource. Companies don’t necessarily need more general managers who can assess broad patterns across multiple industries—they need people with deep expertise in specific domains who can analyze data and generate unique insights that lead to better business decisions.

That’s why Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) holders are becoming increasingly valuable in the modern workplace.

DBA is a professional degree representing the highest level of qualification in management. In contrast to an MBA, it takes students on a different path toward acquiring and using business knowledge.

For an MBA, students spend two years taking a broad range of practical courses to learn about several pillars of business—such as accounting, finance, marketing, leadership, operations, strategy, and ethics—to help them become effective leaders across many industries.

By contrast, DBAs spend up to two years studying academic literature across several domains and up to two additional years designing and executing an original research project: a dissertation focused on one domain. The primary goal of a DBA is to produce scholarly individuals who have deep expertise in a field of management.

When seeking executive-level positions, DBAs’ “Dr.” titles are likely to help them stand out from their peers. DBAs can also pursue high-level positions in areas such as consulting by becoming subject-matter experts—or maintain ties with academia as full-time or adjunct professors.

DBAs’ training gives them diverse career options. The academic literature they read gives them expertise in understanding management theories that can help them analyze real-world situations and differentiate the signal from the noise. A DBA specializing in innovation can assess whether newcomers to a market pose a credible threat as a disruptive innovation to an existing company.

Students then learn advanced scientific techniques in quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies, which trains them in analyzing data to generate valid inferences that their organizations can use for decision-making purposes. Rather than relying on gut feel and graphs, DBAs can use powerful techniques such as sampling data to reduce bias, using statistical regressions to identify the strongest factors that influence an outcome, or designing an experiment to gain 100% certainty over the causal relationship between variables.

Finally, DBAs combine their business knowledge with analytical skills to design and execute original research studies, making them the world’s leading experts in particular domains.

DBAs also stand out because they represent only 2% of all people who hold higher degrees in business. In 2021, more than 250,000 students graduated with MBAs or specialist degrees in business; only 5,000 graduated with doctorates.

While a DBA may represent an attractive option that can be highly valuable to organizations today, they are not necessarily recommended for everyone.

To help you determine whether a DBA is right for you, the most important question to ask yourself centers on whether you’re satisfied with the tools and frameworks you use to analyze data and information to make important business decisions. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where these frameworks come from—or whether there might be a better way to make decisions—consider applying to a DBA program. These programs are designed to channel deep intellectual interests and passions toward producing business knowledge that’s both theoretically novel and practically relevant.

DBA training may help you develop deeper knowledge than an MBA program will while opening doors to more ambitious careers in industry or academia. While MBA degrees are designed to meet the needs of 20th-century businesses, DBAs can help meet the needs of organizations today—and well into the future.

Learn more about how earning a DBA can help you step up your career.

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Curriculum & Coursework

Our programs are full-time degree programs which officially begin in August. Students are expected to complete their program in five years. Typically, the first two years are spent on coursework, at the end of which students take a field exam, and then another three years on dissertation research and writing.

The Marketing program draws on computer science, economics, behavioral science, and psychological methods to focus on marketing problems faced by the firm and its management. Through a combination of discipline- and field-based methods, the curriculum enables students to master concepts and research skills directly relevant to business problems. Candidates must come to understand the point of view of practicing managers and be able to bring theory and careful research to bear in illuminating important business problems.

The program requires a minimum of 13 semester-long doctoral courses. Students in the Marketing program are required to complete a year-long discipline sequence typically in microeconomics or psychology. They also complete courses in the areas of machine learning, computer science, statistics, research methods, academic field seminars, and two MBA elective curriculum courses. In addition to HBS courses, students often take courses at other Harvard Schools and MIT.

Research & Dissertation

Students in Marketing begin research in their first year typically by working with a faculty member. By their third and fourth years, most students are launched on a solid research and publication stream. The dissertation may take the form of three publishable papers or one longer dissertation.

Recent examples of doctoral thesis research include: The effects of brand extensions on the value of parent brands; Multi-method examination of the consumption of “knockoffs” of high status brands, and the counter-intuitive positive outcomes for consumer-brand relationships; Competitive analysis of pricing and quality decisions in industries with strictly complimentary products; The psychological effects of pricing, and how these affect consumers and firms; and "Choice amnesia," the motivated forgetting of difficult decisions.

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“ Finding an advisor who you really click with and who is willing to support your research interests is absolutely key. ”

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Top 10 Best PhD in Marketing Programs in the US [2024]

How deep do you want to dive into the ever-growing marketing field? A marketing background is a lucrative education choice that brings you applicable expertise for any industry. These days, marketing managers  make upwards of $130,000 per year. A master’s in marketing  is a great start.

But a PhD in marketing takes your career to the highest levels, though not only for individual businesses. You can take that expertise and dive deeper into research or pursue a teaching career in academia.

What are the best marketing PhD programs, and where can you find them? We’ve put together a solid list that even includes online marketing PhD programs for you to choose from!

Table of Contents

Best Marketing PhD Programs and Schools

Arizona state university, w. p. carey school of business, phd in marketing.

ASU was ranked no. 1  by the US News and World Report on its list of the most innovative schools. In this PhD marketing program, you can choose between three tracks: consumer behavior, quantitative marketing models, and service strategy. There are also core courses shared by all streams, which cover research methods and marketing models.

• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $11,720 per year
• Acceptance rate: 88.4%
• Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Harvard University, Harvard Business School

Harvard University is a world-renowned Ivy League  university known for its strength in research. This program draws on various disciplines, such as research methods, statistics, computer science , machine learning, and field seminars. After the first two years, students can embark on their dissertation. Although the Harvard Business School offers this program, doctorate candidates can also collaborate with other Harvard schools and MIT.

• Courses: 13
• Tuition : $50,928
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

The University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin School of Business

The Wisconsin School of Business has a strong reputation for its excellent faculty and reasonable tuition. The school’s core research areas for their marketing PhD are quantitative modeling, marketing strategy, and consumer behavior. Interested in a research position at a university, or teaching a specialized course? You’ll find many network opportunities if you enroll in this prorgam.

• Tuition: Refer tuition page
• Acceptance rate: 57.2%
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

Phd program in marketing.

Carnegie Mellon University is based in Pittsburgh but has campuses all over the world. Their marketing PhD program covers topics like brand-choice models, marketing/operations interface, and theories of consumer behavior. Students are supported by excellent faculty to pursue quality research in specialty areas like behavioral and experimental economics , high-tech marketing, and two-sided market pricing.

• Duration: 4 to 5 years
• Tuition : $47,000 per year
• Acceptance rate: 17.3%
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business

The University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship institution of the University of Colorado system and has nine schools and colleges offering around 150 programs. Its PhD in marketing is an advanced degree covering experimental and statistical methods, predictive modeling, quantitative marketing, and theory building, with crucial courses built around consumer behavior and quantitative modeling.

• Tuition : $2,811 per credit
• Acceptance rate: 84.2%
• Location: Boulder, Colorado

The University of Missouri, Robert J. Trulaske Sr. College of Business

The University of Missouri is a public land-grant university that offers high-quality but affordable education. Its PhD program in marketing focuses on developing teaching and research skills and helps students prepare for careers in various research settings. The program offers small class sizes and promotes a collaborative environment.

• Semester hours: 72
• Tuition : $414.60 per credit hour
• Acceptance rate: 81.8%
• Location: Cornell Hall | Columbia, Missouri

Florida International University, College of Business

Phd in business administration (marketing).

FIU College of Business is a world-renowned institution that falls within the top 5% of elite business schools globally and has been ranked second  in the nation for international business programs. Its PhD in Business Administration with a focus on marketing equips students with the knowledge necessary to establish successful careers in academics and research. The program’s key courses include marketing research methodology, advanced data analysis, and statistical methods in consumer research.

• Duration: 4 years
• Tuition : $10,935.36 per year
• Location: Miami, Florida

Drexel University, LeBow College of Business

Drexel University is a well-known private research institution and center of higher learning that emphasizes experiential learning. Its PhD in marketing program covers both the macro and micro aspects of marketing, though with a greater focus on the microelements. You can also choose between electives in economics-oriented or behavior-oriented subjects. Economics-oriented courses include econometrics and advanced microeconomics, while behavior-oriented includes multivariate analysis, and behavioral science research.

• Tuition : $2,000 per credit hour
• Acceptance rate: 77.2%
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Liberty University

Online doctor of business administration (dba) – marketing.

Looking for online marketing doctoral programs? Liberty University offers various fully online programs flexible enough for working professionals. Its DBA program in marketing includes strategic marketing management, supply chain management, marketing research, and marketing promotions. As one of the only fully-online marketing PhD programs available, it is ideal for working professionals who want to keep a balance between work and study. The program also lets you transfer up to 50% of credits from previous degrees.

• Credit hours: 60
• Duration: 3 years (average)
• Tuition : $595 per hour
• Acceptance rate: 50.1%

Grand Canyon University, College of Doctoral Studies

Doctor of business administration (dba): marketing (quantitative research).

Grand Canyon University is the largest private Christian university with almost 100,000 students. Unlike a qualitative DBA, which attempts to analyze topics using insights into how and why people think and behave, this quantitative DBA focuses on analysis by interpreting numeric data. This online doctorate in marketing includes courses about quantitative data collection and analysis, the complexity of marketing, and digital technology (a PhD in digital marketing is a great specialty!) and consumer behavior.

• Credits: 60
• Tuition : $702 per credit
• Acceptance rate: 80.7%

Should I Get a Doctorate in Marketing?

With a doctorate in marketing, you’ll be eligible for various high-level roles in academia, business, and research. These positions can offer salaries anywhere from $55,000 to $155,000, making the degree a valuable qualification for your CV.

Of course, like any discipline or program, a marketing PhD has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Having a PhD in Marketing:

• Excellent career prospects:

A PhD in marketing will qualify you for roles at the highest levels of business management, which you otherwise might not access with a master’s alone. Alternatively, you use this degree to pursue a career in academia and research.

• Job opportunities in academia:

A PhD is a prerequisite if you want to teach marketing at a post-secondary level or pursue certain research career paths.

• Scope for innovation:

A PhD in marketing helps you contribute to advances in the field, especially in cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence and natural language processing. In contrast, a master’s degree has a smaller scope for research.

Drawbacks of a PhD in Marketing:

• You have to wait to launch your career:

Studying a PhD is a serious time investment: it takes around five years to complete for most people. Of course, this is after you’ve already completed your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, so it will take you an average of 11 years before the degree brings you higher on the career ladder.

• It’s a balancing act:

By the time you start your PhD, you might have a family to take care of. As a result, managing your studies, research, and family could be a challenge.

How to Choose a Marketing Doctoral Program?

With so many options, you might have trouble picking from the top marketing PhD programs. Here are some essential factors to consider before deciding:

1. Your career goals

You might be able to build a worthwhile career in marketing with a master’s degree . But for heavy research and academic or teaching work, you’ll need a PhD. If you’re not interested in teaching or research, you might reconsider the time and financial commitment needed to complete a marketing PhD.

2. Accreditation

Check each school you’re considering for their regional accreditation. Some marketing programs may even have programmatic accreditation to look out for. This is an important factor in picking a reputable program that’s attractive to potential employers.

3. Mode of delivery

If you’re already a working professional, full-time, on-campus study might not be an option for you. In this case, you must look for a PhD in marketing online that offers remote learning and flexibility.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind. Weigh all your options and listen to your gut feeling in the end.

Alternatives to a Marketing Major

Marketing is a specialized discipline with well-defined objectives, needing specific skillsets. However, in today’s interconnected world, various disciplines share many of the same concepts.

You can still build a high-level career in marketing with qualifications in different fields, like:

• Advertising
• Data analytics
• Strategic management
• Analytical management
• Production management

Careers with a PhD in Marketing

A PhD in marketing can open doors to various top-level roles.

Here are some of the most common roles for professionals with a marketing doctorate, with the median annual salaries for each:

• Marketing Manager ( $67,696 )
• Market Research Analyst ( $55,742 )
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ( $156,413 )
• Professor (Marketing) ( $89,181 )

What Do You Need to Get into a Marketing Doctoral Program?

Every marketing PhD program has specific admission requirements. Always double-check by referring to the admission webpage or contacting a school representative. Usually, a master’s degree in a related field is required for admission.

Most programs will also require:

• A statement of purpose , research proposal, or both
• Letters of recommendation
• Academic resume
• GRE/GMAT scores may or may not be required

PhD Marketing vs. Master’s Degree: Which is Better?

A master’s degree in marketing is a career-oriented qualification that can propel you into a meaningful marketing career for a variety of corporations or small businesses. On other hand, marketing PhD programs are generally research-based and will give you more specialized knowledge that equips you for a career in the academic sphere.

PhDs also require a much more significant time and financial commitment.

PhD in Marketing FAQs

What can you do with a phd in marketing.

Popular career choices for marketing PhD grads include market research analysts, chief marketing officers, and marketing professors. This advanced degree will not only equip you for roles in senior management, but also the fields of research and academia.

How Many Years is a PhD in Marketing?

A PhD in marketing typically takes five years to complete. However, some universities allow you to earn your doctorate in as little as three years, though usually only if you have enough transfer credits. At the other end of the scale, your PhD may push out to up to seven years.

Is There a PhD in Marketing?

Yes. Many universities offer a PhD degree in marketing, as well as online marketing doctorate programs for working professionals. Some schools also offer a comparable DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)..

Can I Do a PhD in Marketing After an MBA?

Yes, you can do a PhD in marketing after completing an MBA. In fact, you might consider completing a DBA to be more in line with your studies.

Key Takeaways

You can access a wealth of career opportunities available with an MBA or another master’s degree . But if you want to open more doors in research and academia, a PhD in marketing is the way to go. With so many online study options, it’s easier now than ever to complete a remote degree while juggling work or a family.

If you want to explore more options for excellent advanced degrees, take a look at our guides for:

• Best online PhD in Psychology programs
• History PhD programs
• Best PhD programs in California

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ BA vs BS: What You Need to Know [2024 Guide]

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Phd in marketing: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in marketing.

A PhD in Marketing is a doctoral degree that focuses on advanced marketing research and theoretical expertise. It is usually intended to prepare students for employment in academics as well as research and development in both the private and governmental sectors.

Marketing research methods, customer behavior, brand management, marketing strategy, and other related topics are typically covered in the program. Students will also be required to do independent research and write a dissertation that adds to the field’s understanding.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Marketing?

According to PayScale, the average income for a marketing professor with a PhD in the United States is roughly $95,000 per year. However, salaries can range from around $60,000 to over $150,000 per year, depending on location and type of institution.

According to Glassdoor, marketing research directors with a PhD can make an average of roughly $118,000 per year, while marketing directors with a PhD can earn an average of around $145,000 per year.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Marketing?

Individuals with a PhD in Marketing may experience different levels of job growth depending on the specific career path they choose. However, the overall job outlook for marketing professionals with advanced degrees is favorable.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of market research analysts and marketing specialists, which includes those with advanced degrees, is expected to expand 18% between 2020 and 2030, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.

This expansion is being driven by businesses’ increasing use of data and market research to strengthen their marketing strategies and remain competitive in the marketplace.

What can you do with a PhD in Marketing?

A PhD in Marketing can lead to a number of professional opportunities in academia, research, and the business sector. Following are some possible job paths for persons having a PhD in Marketing:

1. Marketing professor: With a PhD in Marketing, you can work as a marketing professor at a university or college. You will be in charge of teaching marketing courses, doing research, and producing scholarly articles.

2. Marketing researcher: As a marketing researcher, you will conduct research studies and evaluate data to assist firms in better understanding their target markets and improving their marketing strategy.

3. Marketing consultant: You will collaborate with businesses and organizations to develop and implement marketing strategies to promote their products or services as a marketing consultant.

4. Marketing manager: With a PhD in Marketing, you can work in a range of businesses as a marketing manager. You will be in charge of creating and executing marketing initiatives, managing a team of marketing specialists, and evaluating data to determine the efficiency of marketing efforts.

5. Brand manager: As a brand manager, you will be in charge of designing and managing a product or service’s brand identity. Developing marketing campaigns, doing market research, and supervising the creative production of marketing materials are all examples of what this entails.

6. Market research director: As a market research director, you will be in charge of supervising a team of market research analysts as well as conducting research studies to assist firms in better understanding their target markets.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Marketing?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in Marketing can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in Marketing must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in Marketing.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in Marketing are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

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How long does it take to get a phd in marketing.

The length of time it takes to finish a PhD in Marketing depends on a variety of factors, including program requirements, the student’s research topic, and the amount of time spent to the program. A PhD in Marketing typically takes four to six years to complete.

Looking For Fully Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

Do you need a masters in marketing to get a phd in marketing.

While a master’s degree in marketing is advantageous, it is not always required to pursue a PhD in Marketing.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in a similar discipline, such as business, economics, or psychology, may be admitted to some PhD programs in marketing.

Some PhD programs, on the other hand, may have specific requirements or prerequisites that students must meet before being admitted.

Completing particular coursework in marketing or similar subjects, as well as having research experience or publications in marketing or a related field, may be required.

What are the Best PhD in Marketing Degree programs?

1. kellogg school of management at northwestern university 2. wharton school of the university of pennsylvania 3. sloan school of management at massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 4. stanford graduate school of business at stanford university 5. haas school of business at the university of california, berkeley 6. ross school of business at the university of michigan 7. marshall school of business at the university of southern california 8. mccombs school of business at the university of texas at austin 9. fuqua school of business at duke university 10. tepper school of business at carnegie mellon university, leave a comment cancel reply.

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The Pros and Cons of Getting a PhD

Getting a doctorate is a decision that will impact both your personal and professional life for many years to come. In this blog, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of attaining a doctoral degree, aiming to provide you with an unbiased view to help you make an informed decision.

Why Consider A PhD?

The benefits of a phd.

When it comes to enhancing your knowledge and contributing to your chosen field, few pathways can match the depth of a PhD. The benefits of a PhD extend beyond mere academic gains – they permeate each dimension of your professional enhancement.

1. Mastery in Your Field A PhD equips you with comprehensive knowledge about a specific area, amplifying your analytical, critical thinking and research skills to a level far beyond what a bachelor’s or a master’s degree could offer.

2. Opportunity for Ground-breaking Research As a PhD student, your primary role is to create new knowledge. The sense of fulfillment derived from contributing something novel to your field can be incredibly rewarding.

3. Networking Opportunities During your PhD program, you'll attend conferences and seminars, presenting you with opportunities to mingle with like-minded individuals, renowned academics and industry professionals, expanding your professional network substantially.

4. Enhanced Career Prospects With a PhD, a broader horizon of career opportunities opens up. You become a university professor, a leader in research organizations, or even a policy-maker influencing critical decisions in your field.

Practical Reasons to Get a Doctorate Degree

1. Societal Impact PhD holders can influence policy, promoting changes that positively impact society at various levels.

2. Teaching Opportunities For those passionate about educating others and impacting future generations, a Doctorate degree is often a prerequisite for higher-level academic positions.

3. Potential Higher Earnings A direct benefit of a PhD is the possibility of higher earnings over the course of your career, although this can vary considerably depending on the field.

The Flip Side: Challenges of a PhD 

Just like any significant endeavor, getting a doctorate comes with its fair share of challenges.

The Cons of a PhD

1. Time and Financial Commitment A typical PhD can take 4-7 years to complete. Not only does this require a substantial investment of your time, it can also strain your finances. While scholarships and stipends may alleviate some costs, there is the foregone income to consider as well.

2. Pressures and Stress Levels The demands of a PhD — meticulous research, endless writing and frequent presentations — are often high. The intense pressure can lead to stress and burnout.

3. Work-Life Balance The long hours often required to complete a PhD can lead to a blurring of lines between work and personal life.

Practical Disadvantages of a Doctorate Degree

1. Over-Qualification Depending on your field, you might find potential employers outside academia who view you as overqualified, thus narrowing your pool of job opportunities.

2. Limited Practical Experience Dependent largely on theoretical work, a PhD sometimes lags in offering industry-specific training, which some employers may seek.

3. Opportunity Costs You should consider alternative achievements you might forego during the years spent on your PhD. This includes work experience, career progression, or even personal life events.

Making an Informed Decision: PhD or Not?

Deciding whether or not a PhD is worth it for you is a deeply personal decision, highly dependent on your long-term career goals and current life situation.

Evaluate your reasons to get a doctorate degree. 

• Are you genuinely passionate about research?
• How essential is a PhD for your career aspirations?
• Are you ready for the financial implications?

Have you considered the opportunity cost? 

Seeking advice from PhD holders, mentors, and career advisors can offer valuable insights in answering these questions.

The decision to pursue a PhD is undoubtedly complex and multifaceted. It requires careful consideration of both the benefits of a doctorate degree and its potential disadvantages. Ultimately, though, it is a personal decision. What is very clear is this: when used as a stepping stone for specific career goals, a PhD can be an exceptionally powerful tool.

learn more about what it takes to get a PhD

Explore our guide How to Get a PhD: A Guide to Choosing and Applying to PhD Programs. 

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Best Doctorates in Digital Marketing: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

There is a wide range of digital marketing jobs you can get if you have a doctorate. You can be a professor or researcher in academia or pursue roles in different industries. In this article, we show you the best PhDs in Digital Marketing that you can earn to advance your career. We also provide information on the best digital marketing jobs and salaries for professionals with PhDs in Digital Marketing.

What Is a PhD in Digital Marketing?

A PhD in Digital Marketing is the highest-level academic degree students can get in the field of digital marketing. This program entails more research work than coursework. Typically, doctoral programs take four to five years to complete.

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How to get into a digital marketing phd program: admission requirements.

The admission requirements for a typical PhD in Digital Marketing are an online application for the program and official transcripts from your undergraduate or graduate education. Some schools also require standardized test scores, such as GMAT or GRE. You also need to submit your resume, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

PhD in Digital Marketing Admission Requirements

• Official academic transcripts
• Test scores (GRE or GMAT)
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

Digital Marketing PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Digital Marketing?

It’s hard to get into a PhD in Digital Marketing program. Acceptance rates for doctorate programs in the marketing field are low. On average, less than 10 percent of prospective students who apply to doctoral programs in digital marketing are admitted because schools only admit a low number of students to these programs every year.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

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Best PhDs in Digital Marketing: In Brief

Best Universities for Digital Marketing PhDs: Where to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing

Some of the best universities for getting a digital marketing PhD are Arizona State University, Duke University, Stanford University, The University of Texas, and University of Pennsylvania. If you’re wondering where to get the best PhDs in Digital Marketing, the following list will help you learn more about the accredited schools that offer doctoral degree programs in marketing.

Arizona State University (ASU) was first founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School in Tempe. Offering over 450 graduate degrees in fields such as arts, computing and mathematics, entrepreneurship, and healthcare, ASU welcomes more than 70,000 students every year. It has been recognized by US News & World Report as the most innovative national university . 

PhD in Marketing

ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business offers a full-time residential Doctoral Degree in Marketing. It’s designed for graduate students who want to pursue research and teaching positions in marketing. Students can choose between consumer behavior, service strategy, and quantitative marketing models specializations to concentrate their digital marketing knowledge.

PhD in Marketing Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 5-10%
• Tuition and Fees: $11,720 (in-state base tuition); $23,544 (out-of-state base tuition)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching or research assistantships, loans and other financing options, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

PhD in Marketing Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• GRE or GMAT test scores
• Undergraduate education transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency (for international students)

Drexel University is a private research university that was founded in 1891. Its LeBow College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This college offers PhD programs in economics and business, as well as an executive doctorate program in business administration. 

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization 

In this full-time PhD program, students can choose between an economics-oriented track and a behaviorally-oriented research track. Development of marketing channel systems is one of the courses where digital marketing can be covered. To graduate, students must complete 45 credits and write and defend a doctoral thesis.

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization Overview

• Program Length: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 10%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 - All admitted students are considered for research and teaching assistantships which include a full tuition waiver
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, research awards

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization Admission Requirements

• Minimum of 3.0 GPA in undergraduate programs and 3.3 GPA in graduate programs
• Transcripts
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Personal statement
• 2 letters of recommendation

Duke University is a private research university that was founded in 1838 in Trinity, North Carolina. The school has more than 80 Graduate School Departments, and over 3,000 graduate students are enrolled in its graduate programs. Duke University’s main goal is to give students the analytical and critical skills they need to succeed in their chosen field of study.

The PhD in Marketing at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business aims to prepare students for successful careers in research and teaching. This program covers digital marketing through the effects of Internet search agents on consumer choice. To graduate from this program, students are required to write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Tuition and Fees: $28,950/semester (years 1-3); $4,000/semester (years 4+)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition grants, research and teaching assistantships
• $95 application fee
• Academic transcripts
• Provide undergraduate GPA
• Statement of purpose essay
• English language proficiency test scores (for non-native speakers)

Georgia State University (GSU) is a public research institution founded in 1913. The university offers more than 150 graduate degree programs across nine different colleges. Innovation is central in GSU’s Graduate Schools, as the US News & World Report named it the second most innovative school in the country . 

GSU’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business prepares students for successful careers inside and outside academia. In this program, students learn to apply combined research and marketing methods to digital marketing. Its curriculum includes 15 hours of research courses, 18 hours of marketing courses, and nine hours of courses in the student’s area of interest. 

• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $4,776/semester (in state); $15,108/semester (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching and research assistantships, doctoral fellowships
• Online application and $50 application fee
• GMAT scores
• College transcripts
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Immunization records

Harvard University was the first college founded in America in 1636. Its Harvard Business School (HBS) was later established in 1908. HBS is now considered one of the best business schools in the world. It offers doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields, such as accounting, management, economics, organizational behavior, and marketing. 

PhD in Marketing 

HBS offers a full-time Doctoral Degree in Marketing, which requires a minimum of 13 courses, including economics and psychology. Its machine learning, computer science, and statistics courses are useful for digital marketing analysis and application. To graduate, students need to complete a teaching engagement, pass the special exam, and write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 (fully funded for 5 years)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid program, research support
• Online application and $105 application fee
• GRE or GMAT scores

Northwestern University is a private research institution founded in 1851. US News & World Report considers it one of the top 10 national universities in the country . It’s home to over 50 research centers and receives over $890 million annually in sponsored research awards. More than 13,000 students are currently enrolled in its 90 graduate degree programs.

This PhD in Marketing is offered through the Kellogg School of Management. It offers two concentrations in consumer behavior and quantitative marketing. It teaches students to become successful marketing researchers in various areas of marketing, including digital marketing. To earn a doctorate, students must complete 18 courses and maintain a GPA of 3.0. 

• Program Length: 4+ years
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Tuition and Fees: $18,689/quarter (8 or fewer quarters); $4,672/quarter (more than 8 quarters)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowship stipend, teaching and research assistantships, tuition scholarships
• Courses taken form
• 3 recommendation letters
• Proof of English proficiency (for international students)
• Optional writing sample

Founded in 1855, Penn State University is a public land-grant research university with 24 campuses catering to graduate and undergraduate students. The university offers more than 190 graduate degree programs and around 100 graduate certificate programs. Penn State stays on top of the research field with over $1 billion in annual research expenditures.

Penn State’s Smeal College of Business offers PhD in Marketing in three specializations in consumer behavior, marketing management, and marketing models. All three of them provide valuable learnings applicable to digital marketing. The program’s graduation requirements entail the completion of all coursework, a qualifying exam, and a thesis dissertation.

• Program Length: 3+ years
• Acceptance Rate: 15%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 - Admitted students receive a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend guaranteed for five years
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waiver, monthly stipends, research assistantships, research funding options
• $65 application fee
• GPA and coursework
• GMAT, GRE or TOEFL scores
• Work sample, such as research papers or essays

Stanford University was founded in 1885, but it didn’t open its doors to students until 1891. In 1925, the Stanford Graduate School of Business was created. Its three full-time graduate degree programs are all accredited by the AACSB. Among this school’s faculty, there are five Nobel Prize laureates and five recipients of the John Bates Clark Medal in Economics. 

Students enrolled in this PhD in Marketing degree can choose between two areas of study in behavioral marketing or quantitative marketing. Its coursework for digital marketing include deep learning, machine learning, and consumer behavior. To graduate, students must pass a field exam, submit academic papers, and complete apprenticeships and a dissertation.

• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Acceptance Rate: 3.5%
• Tuition and Fees: $56,487/three quarters (if 11-18 units per quarter); $36,720/three quarters (if 8-10 units per quarter). 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, professional development grants. All incoming doctoral students in the Marketing PhD program are provided with financial aid for five years.
• Online application
• $125 application fee
• Official transcripts
• 3 letters of reference
• TOEFL score (for international students)

Syracuse University (SU) is a private research university established in 1870. It’s accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education. SU’s graduate school offers more than 193 master’s degrees and 50 doctoral degrees across 13 schools and colleges. Over 1,400 doctoral students are currently enrolled in SU’s PhD programs.

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major

SU offers a PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major through the Whitman School of Management. It has two areas of specialization, analytical modeling and empirical analysis, for quantitative marketing. Students need to earn 72 credits to complete this program. Other graduation requirements include submitting three research papers and a thesis.

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major Overview

• Tuition and Fees: $1,802/credit hour
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waivers, yearly stipends, grants, fellowships, awards, teaching and research assistantships 

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major Admission Requirements

• Recommendation letters

University of Arizona is a public land-grant research university founded in 1885. It offers more than 150 master’s degree programs and over 100 doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields. The university is known for its heavy investments in research and development, spending over $700 million in recent years.

The university’s Eller College of Management offers a full-time PhD in Marketing that prepares students for research-heavy and academic roles. Strategy, marketing models, and consumer psychology are some of the courses useful for a digital marketing career. The program’s coursework has 36 units in marketing, nine units in a minor subject, and 18 units of dissertation credits.

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• Program Length: 4-5 years
• Tuition and Fees: $14,600/academic year (in state); $34,800/academic year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching or research associateship
• $90 application fee
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students)

University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) was founded in 1868. At present, more than 5,000 graduate students are enrolled at UC Berkeley’s wide variety of doctoral degrees. The US News & World Report named UC Berkeley as the fourth-best global university in the country.

UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business offers an interdisciplinary doctoral marketing program with two areas of research in consumer behavior and quantitative marketing. Both tracks require taking courses in buyer behavior and choice modeling or marketing strategy. To get this degree, students need to pass an oral qualification exam and write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Tuition and Fees: $14,442/academic year (in state); $29,238/academic year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid, scholarships, fellowships
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• $120 application fee
• GMAT or GRE test scores

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is an Ivy League research university founded in 1740. The Wharton School was established as UPenn’s first business school in 1881. The Wharton School offers nine graduate programs of study in various areas, including finance, management, and marketing. Currently, around 13,000 graduate students are enrolled in UPenn.

This interdisciplinary doctoral program in marketing offers a consumer behavior track and a quantitative track. Data analysis and research methods are some of the program’s courses, which can be best applied to digital marketing. To graduate, students need to complete a dissertation and at least 15 graduate-level course units.

• Acceptance Rate: 3%
• Tuition and Fees: $37,678/full program
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid awards, fellowships
• $80 application fee
• Official transcripts and academic history
• Personal statement essay

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public research university founded in 1969. Over 900 students are currently enrolled in the university’s doctoral degrees. UTSA is home to 32 research centers and institutes and offers a wide range of well-funded research partnerships.

UTSA offers its doctoral degree through Carlos Alvarez College of Business. This degree requires a minimum of 84 credits for students who previously obtained a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 66 credits for those with a master’s degree. Its courses that are useful for digital marketing include strategy research and experimental design.

• Tuition and Fees: $575/credit hour (in state); $1,572/credit hour (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Annual stipends, research assistantships
• $50 application fee
• Personal statement of academic goals and interests

Can You Get a PhD in Digital Marketing Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Digital Marketing online. Northcentral University and Atlantic International University are some of the schools that offer online doctoral marketing degrees. You can also get a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Marketing online. A DBA program focuses more on practical marketing applications, while a PhD program is designed for research and academic-oriented positions.

Best Online PhD Programs in Digital Marketing

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing?

It takes four to five years to get a PhD in Digital Marketing. Typically, students dedicate the first two or three years to completing the required coursework. During their second and third years, students are expected to complete a field exam. This exam measures their depth of knowledge and comprehension of the marketing field.

During the program’s remaining years, students must focus their efforts on research activities, a dissertation, and any additional graduation requirements. Such requirements can be to complete research or teaching assistantships. They can also be to submit academic papers to accredited publications and to participate in seminars.

Is a PhD in Digital Marketing Hard?

Yes, a PhD in Digital Marketing is hard. The average completion time of a PhD in Digital Marketing is between four and five years. The majority of doctoral degrees are full-time programs. This means that working outside while pursuing your degree won’t be possible. You’ll have to rely on funding options such as research assistantships to support yourself while you are studying.

A doctorate can also be hard because of the program’s coursework and graduation requirements, which will require a lot of hard work and dedication. In general, students have to complete courses in advanced digital marketing topics, as well as courses in complex disciplines like statistics. They also have to complete the program’s dissertation requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing?

It costs approximately $12,171 per year to get a PhD in Digital Marketing at a public institution, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The tuition for a doctoral degree at a private university can cost between $14,208 and $27,776 per year.

Many universities offer affordable graduate tuition rates. An example is Georgia State University, where in-state students pay $4,776 per semester, and out-of-state students pay $15,108 per semester. Moreover, there are plenty of funding opportunities for digital marketing PhD students.

How to Pay for a PhD in Digital Marketing: PhD Funding Options

The PhD funding options that full-time students can use to pay for a PhD in Digital Marketing are tuition waivers, fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Most schools also offer PhD students plenty of financial aid options to reduce their expenses. Some schools even provide stipends to help students with other living costs.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

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What Is the Difference Between a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree and PhD?

The difference between a digital marketing master’s degree and a PhD is the job outlook for graduates. Master’s degree programs are great for career advancement because they teach the necessary skills for various executive positions in the marketing field. PhDs are terminal degree programs designed to prepare students mostly for careers in academia.

Doctoral degrees are a necessity in a range of job roles in the academic field, such as college professor or tenure researcher. Doctorate programs take approximately five years to complete, while master’s degrees can be completed in only two years. Because of this, getting a PhD in Digital Marketing will give you more advanced knowledge of the marketing field.

Master’s vs PhD in Digital Marketing Job Outlook

Digital marketing professionals with a PhD have advanced skills and knowledge for academic positions in postsecondary education. This field has a job outlook of 12 percent . Professionals with a master’s degree can strive for a wide variety of digital marketing jobs across different industries. For example, market research analysts have a 22 percent job outlook .

Difference in Salary for Digital Marketing Master’s vs PhD

While a digital marketer with a Master’s Degree can get a median annual income of $93,000 , the average PhD in Digital Marketing salary is $106,000 per year based on PayScale data. This pay disparity exists because of the advanced skills and knowledge that a PhD graduate can offer in digital marketing roles.

Related Digital Marketing Degrees

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Why You Should Get a PhD in Digital Marketing

You should get a PhD in Digital Marketing because it’ll give you a proper knowledge of advanced topics and crucial research skills needed for various digital marketing jobs. Apart from gaining expertise, PhD graduates also enjoy low unemployment rates, higher salaries, and networking opportunities. Below, we discuss in detail the reasons for getting a PhD in Digital Marketing.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing

• Lower unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing professionals with a PhD have a lower unemployment rate at 2.5 percent than those with a master’s or bachelor’s degree. This can be partially because pursuing doctoral degrees make it easier for graduates to land digital marketing jobs in the academic field.
• Advanced knowledge. A PhD in Digital Marketing will give you advanced skills and knowledge. With this degree, you’ll also learn quantitative and qualitative research methods that are necessary for landing higher-paying digital marketing jobs in any field.
• Higher salary. Most companies tend to pay employees with higher education and experience more money. By earning a PhD in Digital Marketing, you’ll be able to make an annual salary of $106,000 or more, depending on your professional experience and where you work.
• Networking opportunities. A digital marketing PhD will give you plenty of opportunities to grow your professional network. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests and passions, but you can also attend conferences and seminars. These events are where you can connect with experts from all over the world.

Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing: Digital Marketing PhD Coursework

Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing is a matter of completing the required course load and any other graduation requirements. The typical PhD coursework is broken down into core digital marketing courses, courses in other disciplines, and courses focused on research or how to prepare for your dissertation. Below are a few examples of the courses that students must take.

Consumer Behavior

Consumer behavior studies are the psychological and behavioral processes that influence people’s choices when buying or consuming products and services. With this course, graduate students will better understand how cultural and psychological variables tend to influence the behavior of consumers. They’ll uncover how this can be used for effective marketing strategies.

Introduction to Econometrics

Econometrics is a discipline that combines mathematical and statistical methodologies in order to quantify economic phenomena. With this course, students will learn how to use regression methods, such as nonparametric and linear regressions, to quantify and interpret relevant data. This is useful for students that want to pursue careers in digital marketing research.

Qualitative Research Methods

In digital marketing, qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to understand phenomena that are useful in market research. With this course, PhD students will learn how to use qualitative research methods to gather data that can help in understanding all the factors and variables that influence consumers’ decisions.

Quantitative Marketing

Qualitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It’s a crucial step in statistical analysis. In this course, students will learn how to quantify and analyze the data gathered from surveys and polls answered by a target audience. This will help students draw insights based on the data gathered from market research focus groups.

Statistical Inference

Statistical inference refers to the process of deducing facts about a specific group of the population based on statistical data. This course will provide digital marketing students the skills necessary for working with statistical data. The use of statistical methods, such as statistical inference, is common in the marketing field, so it’s a crucial skill for digital marketers to learn.

Best Master’s Degrees

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How to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing: Doctoral Program Requirements

To graduate, PhD students have to complete the doctoral program requirements. Common graduation requirements include completing the required coursework, completing the necessary teaching or researching requirements, and writing and defending a dissertation. Finishing these requirements is how to get a PhD in Digital Marketing.

Doctorate programs require students to complete the necessary coursework, as well as a minimum number of credits. Core courses include digital marketing courses and research methods courses. The coursework is meant to be finished in the first two years of the program. Students might be required to maintain a minimum GPA throughout their coursework.

Once students complete the required coursework, they are required to pass an exam meant to assess the depth of their comprehension of topics covered in the first years of the program. It’s also meant to measure the depth of advanced knowledge they learned through completing the required coursework. This examination can be a written exam or an oral examination.

PhD students are required to complete research requirements. These requirements include working as research assistants and completing a set number of hours or classes of teaching. You might also need to participate in research assistantships under experienced faculty members, participate in seminars and colloquia, and submit your research to academic journals. 

Teaching apprenticeship requirements can mean working as teaching assistants (TAs) during a set time frame from the total length of the program. Alternatively, you might need to complete a teaching engagement during a semester or a full academic year. This is a great opportunity for students who want to pursue teaching careers.

To get a PhD in Digital Marketing, you’ll have to write and defend a dissertation. Dissertations are where students show that they’re able to conduct independent research and present it in a well-organized manner. Dissertation requirements include writing a dissertation, presenting a dissertation proposal, choosing a doctoral dissertation committee, and defending the final dissertation.

Potential Careers With a Digital Marketing Degree

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PhD in Digital Marketing Salary and Job Outlook

The typical salary for marketing experts with a PhD is over $100,000 per year. There are plenty of job opportunities for PhD graduates, both in business and in the academic field. On average, there are more than 200,000 job openings for digital marketers with a PhD every year. Most marketing professions are expected to grow between eight and 14 percent in the next decade.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Digital Marketing?

With a PhD in Digital Marketing, you can apply to various senior-level positions in marketing or academia. Once you get your degree, you’ll have the skills and knowledge necessary to work in positions such as marketing manager, postsecondary education teacher, market research analyst, and public relations manager.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Digital Marketing

• College Professor
• Marketing Manager
• Market Research Analyst
• Public Relations Manager
• Postsecondary Education Administrator

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Digital Marketing?

The average annual salary for a PhD in Digital Marketing is $106,000. This salary varies depending on the specific digital media marketing field a professional decides to focus on. For example, digital marketers working in an academic environment earn an average of $96,910 per year. Marketing experts who work in marketing management earn $133,380 per year.

Highest-Paying Digital Marketing Jobs for PhD Grads

Best Digital Marketing Jobs with a Doctorate

The best digital marketing jobs with a doctorate are marketing manager, public relations manager, postsecondary education administrator, college professor, and market research analyst. These jobs require an advanced education degree because they need experts who know digital marketing trends very well and know how to apply research methods.

In this section, we discuss an overview of the best digital marketing jobs with a doctorate. We also provide details on the salary, job outlook, and highest-paying states.

Marketing managers plan effective marketing campaigns and evaluate promotional campaigns of businesses. These professionals possess leadership skills and advanced knowledge of advertising principles needed for identifying potential target markets for a specific product or service. They create promotional campaigns for target markets. 

• Average Salary: $133,380
• Job Outlook: 10% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 316,800
• Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, California

Public relations managers create content, such as press releases, articles, draft speeches, and images for a company to reach its target audience. They also analyze the audience’s perspective of a business and create digital marketing strategies to shape or improve the business’s overall image.

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $119,860
• Job Outlook: 13% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 89,000
• Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, Virginia, New York

Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and sometimes, faculty research at private and public colleges and universities. These professionals need to have interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. They also need experience in administrative settings to perform their job.

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $96,910
• Job Outlook: 8% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 178,800
• Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, Delaware

College professors or postsecondary teachers in the digital marketing field develop outlines and syllabi for the courses they teach. They also plan individual lessons and assess their student’s progress through various assignments. 

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $79,640
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

Market research analysts have a vast knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods that are widely used in the marketing field. They also have the analytical skills required for interpreting complex data. Their main responsibility consists of evaluating the market conditions and determining the potential sales of a product or service.

• Average Salary: $63,920
• Job Outlook: 14% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 740,900
• Highest-Paying States: Washington, Delaware, New York

Is a PhD in Digital Marketing Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Digital Marketing is worth it because it provides more employment opportunities and a higher annual salary. With a doctoral degree, you can apply for academic positions, such as post-secondary education teacher or researcher. You can also apply in various industries as a marketing manager, public relations manager, or market research analyst.

Additional Reading About Digital Marketing

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PhD in Digital Marketing FAQ

Yes, you can get a PhD in Digital Marketing online. The best PhDs in Digital Marketing with a fully online format are offered by Northcentral University, Washington State University, and Trident University International. Liberty University offers online DBA programs, which have more hands-on experience than a traditional PhD in Marketing.

You should get a PhD in Digital Marketing because it’ll give you’ll learn in-demand skills and knowledge in marketing and research methods. Getting a PhD will not only ensure you earn a high annual income, but it’ll raise your chances of finding a good and rewarding job.

The digital marketing jobs that require a PhD are teaching and research positions in the academic field. If you want to pursue a career in academia, you must get a doctoral degree. While other digital marketing jobs might not require doctoral education, having a PhD will make you stand out from other candidates with a master’s or bachelor’s degree.

Yes, digital marketing is a good career choice. Digital marketers are one of the most in-demand professionals in marketing and advertising. Becoming a digital marketer will open a wide range of careers in business. The average salary of a digital marketing expert is approximately $50,000 per year, and the average PhD in Digital Marketing salary is over $100,000 per year.

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• myState on Mississippi State University
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• PhD in Marketing

The PhD Program in Marketing prepares students for an intellectually challenging career in academia.

The PhD Program in Marketing prepares students for an intellectually challenging career in academia. Our program has a strong emphasis on conducting original research along with preparing students to publish in academic journals at the highest level. Over the course of the program, students will be exposed to a broad range of topics in the field of marketing, and we encourage students to find a research area that best fits their interests.

Our program is purposely small and very selective, so we are able to have a one-on-one relationship with our doctoral students, thus providing a richer academic experience. MSU's PhD program is built around a mentor/apprentice relationship where students have ample opportunity to be involved in research projects with faculty. Along with our research focus, MSU is committed to educating doctoral students to excel in teaching and instruction. Our objective is for students to be fully prepared to handle the research and teaching requirements in a university setting.

Program Overview

The minimum course requirements for completing the Marketing PhD program consist of the following:

• 24 semester hours of marketing course work
• 18 semester hours of quantitative analysis
• Nine semester hours in a minor area 

Up to six graduate credit hours of prior coursework can be applied to your program of study with the consent of the PhD program coordinator. Typically, students should expect to spend the first two years completing academic coursework and developing a required, independent research paper. At the beginning of the third year, students must pass a written comprehensive exam covering the content of their coursework. The student will then be responsible for developing a research idea for a dissertation. The proposal of the dissertation idea will need the approval of a student's dissertation committee. Finally, the student will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data to satisfy the requirements for the final dissertation defense. The length of a student's program is usually four years.

We typically admit two highly qualified students a year. Admission to the PhD program takes place only in the fall semester. The deadline to submit an application is January 15th each year. Criteria for admission is based on the applicant's previous GPA, GMAT (or GRE) score, previous work history, letters of recommendation, and the number of qualified applicants received. We prefer students to have a 3.2 GPA in their last 60 hours of coursework completed. International applicants that do not hold a degree from an English-speaking country must also submit a TOEFL score.

For specific information about the Marketing PhD program at Mississippi State University, please contact the coordinator,  Dr. Mike Breazeale .

Visit MSU's Office of the Graduate School website for information on admission requirements for US students and International students . 

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Earning A Doctor Of Business Administration: What To Know Before You Enroll

Updated: Feb 16, 2023, 7:08am

Successful business executives are defined by their ability to solve pressing, real-world issues with accurate data and precise strategy. If you’re a business professional looking to enhance your career, a doctor of business administration (DBA) can offer a robust intellectual framework for navigating industry trends and organizational management.

Geared toward business leaders of the future, a DBA is a terminal business administration degree that offers immersive training in business analytics and applied research methods. The following guide outlines the details of doctoral programs in business administration and potential career pathways for graduates.

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What Does a Doctor of Business Administration Entail?

A DBA is a doctoral degree catered to business professionals with management experience and a master’s degree. DBA programs are research-oriented and train students to use critical, analytical methods to explore questions and develop solutions in their respective organizations and the field at large.

Some DBA programs are offered exclusively online. Others require in-person attendance through recurring weekend residencies. Most programs begin in the fall, but you should check in with your prospective school to see if it offers rolling admissions and enrollment. DBA degrees tend to be flexible and accommodate the schedules of students with full-time jobs.

Is a DBA the Same as a Ph.D. in Business Administration?

A DBA is different from a Ph.D. in business administration, and many institutions offer both degrees.

Both of these degrees require students to produce original research. DBA programs usually run part time and bolster working professionals’ methodological skills and problem-solving capacities.

A Ph.D. in business administration is a full-time, research-intensive degree geared toward students seeking academic careers—often in teaching or scholarship—or non-academic roles that require expertise in research techniques.

Doctorate of Business Administration Admission Requirements

The admissions process for a DBA program is relatively standard, though precise requirements may vary among programs. To qualify for a DBA or Ph.D. program, prospective students should hold a master’s degree and prepare to submit the following:

• Application fee
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Additional essay prompt(s)

Applicants may have to complete admissions interviews, as well. Note that standardized tests like the GMAT or GRE are more commonly required for Ph.D. programs than DBA programs.

Courses in a Doctor of Business Administration Program

Most DBA programs entail about 60 credits, covering core class requirements, research methods credits and development classes for a research project. Depending on the program’s instruction format, classes can be offered in person or online via asynchronous or synchronous modalities.

A Ph.D. also requires about 60 credits beyond the master’s level. Ph.D. students must typically declare a concentration in an area such as accounting, finance, organizational behavior or international business. This focus area determines a Ph.D. student’s course trajectory. Given the interactive and collaborative nature of this research degree, Ph.D. students should expect to complete a residency as part of their program.

Note that in addition to credit requirements, DBA and Ph.D. programs typically require dissertations and comprehensive exam(s) in students’ selected topics. Most students complete DBA requirements in three years. The Ph.D. option takes about five years to complete. That said, completion times vary considerably among doctoral programs.

Core courses in a business administration doctoral program might include the following.

Financial Reporting

A course in financial reporting may cover the basics of financial accounting and forecasting. Students learn to use accounting analytics tools and discuss the value and perceived impact of reporting for a business.

Accounting and Multinational Enterprises

This course explores international accounting through a multinational, cultural lens. Studying content related to foreign transactions, taxation and financial statements, students review an array of accounting standards in an increasingly globalized world.

Sociology of Corporate Culture

This course explores sociological research on family dynamics, societal customs and contemporary consumerism patterns in the marketplace. Coursework covers ethnography and other social scientific methods to inspect an organization’s hierarchies, networks and cultural norms.

Managing, Organizing and Negotiating for Value

Negotiation is a central topic in this course. Relying on both theory and practical tactics, students come to understand the value of negotiation in individual, multiparty and even international scenarios.

Careers for a Doctorate of Business Administration

Your career options depend in part on which type of doctorate you pursue. DBA graduates are generally equipped for leadership and executive-level positions. For Ph.D. graduates, roles in academia are common, as are non-academic jobs that require specialized research training.

The following roles may suit candidates with a doctorate in business administration.

Management Analyst

Median Annual Salary: $95,290 Projected Growth Rate (2022–2032): +10% Job Description: Management analysts review organizational workflows and make recommendations to streamline business operations. These professionals advise managers by discussing business solutions that drive greater profits and various ways to cut costs.

Market Research Analyst

Median Annual Salary: $68,230 Projected Growth Rate (2022–2032): +13% Job Description : Market research analysts assess and review current market trends to predict the potential profits of various products. These professionals collect and analyze data, including quantitative measures of demographics and qualitative consumer feedback, via interviews and focus groups.

Median Annual Salary: $80,840 Projected Growth Rate (2022–2032): +8% Job Description: Professors design coursework for college and university students. They typically focus on a particular subject matter, industry or discipline, such as economics or marketing. Professors may also have industry experience outside academia that informs their teaching. Learn more with our guide on how to become a professor .

Median Annual Salary: $113,940 Projected Growth Rate (2022–2032): +6% Job Description: Relying on data and macro-level market trends, economists analyze issues related to supplies, goods and services. Economists specialize in quantitative analysis and may collect their own data. They can also rely on secondary data to study large-scale market patterns. Research partnerships with external organizations, government agencies and think tanks are common in this role.

Chief Executives

Median Annual Salary: $189,520 Projected Growth Rate (2022–2032): -8% Job Description: Executive-level positions entail developing big-picture policies that help businesses remain profitable. C-level leaders in larger organizations are often involved in strategy and goal-setting. In smaller organizations, executives may also contribute to the hiring process and day-to-day logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Administration (FAQs)

Is a doctor of business administration the same as a ph.d..

No. A doctor of business administration (DBA) is a degree tailored to the needs of full-time business executives. A Ph.D. program is designed for individuals seeking careers as researchers and professors in academia.

Is a DBA better than an MBA?

Not necessarily. A DBA is a top-level business degree that builds on MBA degree coursework and applied experiences in the workplace. DBA programs are usually intended to be the next step for MBA students.

Can I earn a DBA without an MBA?

Yes. Most doctorate programs require a master’s degree but not necessarily an MBA. Students with an MBA, however, are prepared for the training and expertise that comes at the doctorate level.

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Ian (he/him) is a contributing writer and a communications professional. He holds a master’s degree in sociology, and currently, he a is a doctoral candidate completing his dissertation.

2024 Best Online PhD in Digital Marketing [Doctorate Guide]

A PhD in Digital Marketing online program can give you the opportunity to specialize in business research. A PhD is also one of the highest educational qualifications that you can get in the field.

Digital marketing is an innovative and future-ready field, and it’s already essential for many businesses. In a digital marketing PhD program, you can work toward becoming a domain expert and get firsthand experience with research.

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With the growing number of distance learning options, it’s now more convenient than ever to earn this lucrative doctorate.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Digital Marketing Degree Program

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.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University offers a Doctor of Business Administration online program. This is a 56-unit program created for working adults. It can potentially be completed in as little as 3 years, including the dissertation. Classes are 8 weeks long and are taught by credentialed faculty with real-world business experience.

California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

Concordia University – Chicago

Concordia University—Chicago offers a Doctorate in Business Administration that can be earned entirely online. It requires the completion of 60 credit hours and can potentially be completed in just 3 years.

Two specializations are available within the program: Innovation in Health Care Management and Strategic Leadership and Innovation.

Concordia University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

George Fox University

George Fox University offers a Doctor of Business Administration. Concentrations are available in Accounting, Management, and Business Analytics. This is an online program that follows a cohort model. There are two required in-person sessions in Newberg, Oregon.

Students typically spend 3 years on coursework and 1 year completing a dissertation.

George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing (Quantitative Research). The program focuses on the collection and interpretation of numeric data to aid in making business decisions.

Courses include Digital Technology and Consumer Behavior, Economics for Business Decisions, Complexity of Marketing, and The History and Philosophy of Marketing.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University offers a PhD in Business Administration. The program is mostly online, but there is an in-person residency once a month. It is often useful for business professionals wishing to pursue academic positions.

Concentrations are available in Accounting, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing.

Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Liberty University

Liberty University offers a Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing. Courses are 8 weeks long and 100% online. Courses include Strategic Marketing Management, Marketing Promotions, Supply Chain Management, and Marketing Research.

The program requires the completion of 60 credit hours, and students usually finish in 3 years. It is designed to teach practical, real-world skills.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

National University

National University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a specialization in Strategic Marketing. The program is designed to help prepare students for leadership roles in a variety of business settings. It requires the completion of 60 credit hours and can usually be completed in 3 to 4 years.

National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Trident University International

Trident University International offers a Doctor of Business Administration that can be earned 100% online. The program covers how to make evidence-based decisions and strategically improve business processes and outcomes. It is designed to provide flexibility for adult students.

Students in the program are required to complete an applied doctoral study project rather than a dissertation.

Trident University International is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands offers an online program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Business. Students can choose a specialty in Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, or Strategic Management.

Core courses include Advanced Managerial Accounting, Strategic Marketing: Research and Practice, and Corporate Finance: Fiscal Management in a Global Climate.

The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Walden University

Walden University offers a Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing. The program covers key marketing concepts, including competitive intelligence, marketing channels, product development and commercialization, and consumer behavior. It also includes a capstone project.

Students have up to 8 years to finish the program.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

PhD in Digital Marketing Online Programs

PhD in Digital Marketing programs are focused on creating scholars and knowledgeable experts who can help the industry move forward with original research. You can be trained to use your data analysis skills to solve marketing challenges.

Digital marketing is a quickly evolving field that relies on the latest technology.

It spans many of the modern tools and strategies currently used by companies to reach their target audiences, including social media, email, search engines, websites, and analytics.

As a digital marketing PhD student, you’ll likely choose a specific research question and build your expertise around that area. Doctorate programs in digital marketing typically emphasize econometrics, statistical analysis, and experimental research. You’ll likely take classes on marketing theories and applications as well.

During the second half of your PhD program, you’ll probably spend most of your time working on a dissertation that can be published in an academic journal.

Most programs will provide opportunities to learn how to critically analyze current papers on digital marketing and will have experienced faculty members with similar research expertise that can help guide you.

Different programs offer different concentrations, but here are some of the most common research areas:

• Consumer culture
• International marketing
• Product development
• Marketing innovation
• Social media sentiment
• Online advertising

To create an original research paper, you can study advanced models in marketing along with special topics. You can also practice using mathematical and economics tools to get insights from data.

Because of the focus on independent research, digital marketing PhD programs often include seminars and customizable classes along with plenty of time to work on your own.

Most graduates with a PhD in Digital Marketing become professors who conduct university research. Since data analysis expertise is highly sought after, others become market research consultants. Some take on strategic, executive-level roles instead, where they can apply what they’ve learned in a business setting. 

Digital Marketing Careers & Salaries

With the specialized skills that you can develop through a digital marketing PhD program, you can pursue careers in both the public and private sectors.

The most common career track for PhD graduates is academia, where they often teach marketing or business classes in colleges and universities. Because a PhD in Marketing is research-intensive, graduates are often well-equipped to conduct research alongside teaching.

For those who prefer to work for private companies, management roles in marketing and sales are often possible.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , here are the yearly median salaries of some of the advanced careers related to digital marketing. 

T hese are only the median salaries for each job. Actual salaries can vary based on location, your field of expertise, and many other factors. Still, the main career tracks—management, academia, and data analysis—may lead to high-paying roles down the road.

Outside of academia, professionals with a PhD in Marketing may become market research analysts or data analysts. Marketing is one of the fastest-growing fields today, with roles in diverse industries, such as management consulting, technology, and healthcare.

Digital Marketing PhD Curriculum & Courses

Online doctorate in digital marketing programs usually involve a lot of independent study, and classes vary based on the school, but you’ll likely take classes similar to the following:

• Microeconomic Theory : This course explores how individuals and organizations interact in different market structures, utilizing game theory to make predictions for decision-making.
• Econometrics : Going beyond economic theory, this course discusses how to make forecasts and draw cause-and-effect relationships through data analysis tools.
• Statistical Analysis : This course lays the groundwork for more advanced research classes by covering statistical methods for gathering and analyzing data.
• Qualitative Research : This class can give you the opportunity to have hands-on practice with qualitative research methods—such as one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and observation—and learn how to write reports about your findings.
• Industrial Organization : This course gives an overview of how organizations function realistically and how they influence each other when it comes to advertising, product placement, and other marketing dynamics.
• Marketing Management : This class delves into how to launch and implement marketing strategies across an entire organization, including tracking analytics, developing a brand, and maintaining customer relationships.
• Advanced Marketing Theory : This course delves into traditional and modern marketing models that are backed by research. You’ll likely need to read a wide range of academic papers and give your own critical analysis.
• Quantitative Research : This course aims to teach how to apply the statistical and econometric tools learned in other courses in order to design your own experiments.
• Consumer Behavior : The core of marketing lies in getting to know your consumers’ motivations, goals, and pain points and then adapting to these for effective brand positioning.
• Social Psychology : This class examines how people behave in a social environment and what factors influence their behavior.

Aside from these courses, a PhD in Digital Marketing will usually allow you to choose from several electives based on your research interests as well.

Admissions Requirements

Most digital marketing PhD programs have the following admission requirements:

• School transcripts . You’ll probably be asked to submit transcripts of all your previous undergraduate and graduate work.
• GMAT or GRE scores . Some doctorate programs still ask for standardized test scores, but a growing number of schools no longer require them.
• Recommendation letters . PhD programs generally favor academic references from former professors.
• Personal statement . You’ll typically be asked to describe your career goals and research plans.
• Resume . Admission officers may want to see if you’ve done any related work in your career.

Admissions for a PhD program tend to be stricter since it takes a lot of time and dedication to finish.

Accreditation

Since a PhD is the highest educational qualification that you can get, it’s essential to choose an accredited school with a high-quality program.

Regionally accredited schools meet up-to-date educational standards for their programs. Attending an accredited school is an eligibility factor for government financial aid as well. Employers may also favor degrees from accredited schools, especially if you’re planning to work at a university.

The US Department of Education maintains a list of accredited schools across the US, so you can confirm a school’s accreditation status on their website.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

As an incoming PhD student, you have a number of financial aid options you can explore. You may want to start your financial aid search by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . This will determine your eligibility for government financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and work-study programs.

There are also opportunities for fellowships, which, if awarded, will allow you to focus on a specific field of research while getting your tuition fully paid. These are awarded on a merit basis, and a regular stipend may be included.

Another option would be to pursue graduate assistantships, where you can teach or help with a school’s research projects while you continue your studies. Assistantships can be beneficial since you can work for the school while increasing your research and teaching experience.

There are also private and public scholarships available for qualifying PhD students. These are usually merit-based as well.

Do You Need a Masters to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing?

It depends on the university, but many PhD programs accept students who only have an undergraduate degree.

The most standard track, though, is to earn your master’s and then apply for a PhD program. Still, it’s possible to skip your master’s and go straight to doctoral studies after earning your bachelor’s degree. This could potentially fast-track you by 1 to 2 years, but you’d also have less experience with research.

Depending on the program, if you’re applying with a bachelor’s, you may need a stronger application to help you stand out amongst applicants with master’s degrees.

If you do decide to earn a master’s, it may be worth noting that a number of universities offer an online masters in digital marketing , which may allow you to better balance your life responsibilities. Some also offerb accelerated marketing degree options at the master’s level.

What Can You Do with a Doctoral Degree in Digital Marketing?

A PhD in Digital Marketing can help you build a career in research, teaching, data analysis, and management. The academic field is the most popular destination for PhD graduates of digital marketing. They often work as professors who are active in research.

Some graduates opt to work in management, with roles such as chief executive and marketing manager.

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many management jobs offer higher than average salaries. Graduates may also use their knowledge of statistics and data analysis to work for technology and research companies.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctorate in Digital Marketing Online?

Most digital marketing PhD programs take 3 to 5 years to complete if you’re studying full-time. On a part-time schedule, it will often take longer. Time to completion varies a lot from program to program. One factor that can change how long it takes is how many credits you’re required to complete.

A dissertation requirement is another factor that can impact your timeline to graduation. Typically, the second half of a PhD program involves writing a dissertation, which is often the most time-consuming part. Without a dissertation requirement, you might be able to finish in 3 years with full-time study.

What’s the Difference between a DBA vs. PhD in Digital Marketing?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Digital Marketing has a different focus compared to a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

A PhD in Digital Marketing is ultimately focused on how to publish research.

What’s the Difference between Digital Marketing vs. Social Media Marketing?

The terms “digital marketing” and “social media marketing” are often interchanged, but they’re not the same.

Social media marketing is only one component of digital marketing, which is much broader.

What’s the Difference between Internet Marketing vs. Digital Marketing Doctoral Programs?

Internet marketing and digital marketing doctoral programs have different areas of study. 

There are slight differences, but digital marketing can cover both internet marketing and offline marketing.

Is a PhD in Digital Marketing Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Digital Marketing is worth it for many students. If you’re aiming for a career in academia, a PhD in Digital Marketing can help you qualify. It can also help prepare you for research-intensive industries, especially since you’ll be graduating with your own original research.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teachers are in demand and expected to see 12% job growth over the next ten years. The market research job sector is also growing much faster than average.

Outside of research and academia, your PhD degree can also be a sign to employers that you have a good work ethic and specialized knowledge. 

Getting Your PhD in Digital Marketing Online

A PhD is the highest education credential that you can get in the field of digital marketing. It can be a stepping stone for working in research and academia.

Earning your PhD in digital marketing can help you become an expert in the subject matter. PhD programs in this field typically provide extensive training in delving into research and analyzing digital marketing trends. 

Since completing a doctorate can take several years, one option is to get your PhD in Digital Marketing online. Online marketing degree programs often allow for more flexible and convenient scheduling, better enabling you to balance your studies with work and life responsibilities.

If you’re ready to set out on your doctoral journey, there are many accredited schools with diverse research interests that you can explore.

• Is a PhD Worth it?

Written by Mark Bennett

Whether a PhD is worth it or not entirely depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to enter academia, then you'll likely need a PhD. However, those who don't need the degree for their career still find that doctoral study helps them gain and refine useful skills benefitial to industry.

This page will help you to define the value of a PhD degree and understand how much a PhD is worth (and to who).

On this page

Phd careers and employment prospects.

One of the first ways you might decide if a PhD is worth it is by working out whether it will improve your career prospects. So, how employable are PhD graduates – and what jobs do they actually do?

You may be surprised how diverse the answers to these questions are.

PhD employment statistics

Data suggests that PhD students are very employable, with the majority finding work or going on to further training (such as a ‘PostDoc’) after graduation.

As you can see from the table below, a PhD can make a difference to your employment prospects when compared with a taught Masters qualification.

For more information and statistics on this, check out our guide to PhD employability .

What's a PostDoc?

A PostDoctoral Fellowship (or 'PostDoc') is often the next step in an academic career, after a PhD. PostDocs are short-term paid positions that usually focus on a specific research project. You can find out more about PostDoctoral projects and opportunities at FindAPostDoc.com

What can you do with a PhD? – typical careers

The modern PhD is a surprisingly versatile qualification that develops a wide range of transferrable skills. Universities also support students within broad doctoral programmes that focus on developing employable PhD graduates.

All of this means that the job market for PhD students is quite diverse.

Many students do go on to careers in higher education, but these include administration and leadership positions as well as academic posts.

Others take their research and teaching expertise into other professions – including secondary and further education, industry or public administration.

What else do PhD graduates do?

A PhD does far more than prepare you for a career in higher education. Read our guide for more information on popular non-academic careers with a PhD – and how to get started with one.

Assessing the value of a PhD to you

Whether a PhD is worth it very much depends on your individual aspirations and plans.

It’s common for students to set out on a PhD with an academic career in mind – inspired by a passion for their subject at undergraduate and Masters level.

There’s nothing wrong with this, but you should also spend a bit of time considering the higher education job market – and learning a little about what an academic career involves.

Our Pulse survey shows that there’s almost an even split between those of you interested in doing a PhD because you want a career in academia, and those of you that aren’t interested in going down the academic route. We dug a little deeper into the survey and around 5% more of those interested in going into academia are interested in Arts and Humanities academic roles. There’s also around a 10% difference between those interested in studying STEM and those interested in AHSS when it comes to subject interest, with STEM being more motivated to study due to subject interest.

The vast majority of university researchers and lecturers in countries like the UK do have a PhD. But that doesn’t mean that the majority of PhD graduates go on to become university researchers and lecturers. In fact, many don’t.

If you are pursuing a PhD as the next step in an academic career, that’s great. Academic work is incredibly rewarding (and potentially very well paid). But it it’s prudent to understand the profession you’re preparing for – and to keep your options open.

Do you want to be an academic?

If you are pursuing a PhD as the next step in an academic career, that’s great. Academic work is incredibly rewarding (and potentially very well paid). But it’s prudent to understand the profession you’re preparing for – and to keep your options open.

Do you have another career in mind?

For some, a PhD is enough to scratch their ‘research itch’ and they decide to take their skills and experience into other careers . Others find that the academic job market is very competitive or that an academic job doesn’t appeal to them. And an increasing number have a completely different career in mind.

The modern PhD is a versatile qualification offering the transferrable skills described above as well as the chance to acquire incredibly advanced expertise.

There are plenty of careers that benefit from the kind of diverse CV a PhD develops. And, even if you want to be an academic, it’s worth thinking about a few of them before you start.

Will funding be available?

PhD fees aren’t actually that high. They’re a lot lower than undergraduate fees and usually less than those for Masters degrees.

But the full cost of a PhD needs to take into account more than just tuition fees. You’ll need to support yourself for at least three more years of study.

That’s three years in which you won’t be earning very much and during which your career development will probably be on hold. So there’s an ‘opportunity cost’ involved in PhD study – the earnings or career progress you might otherwise have made.

The simplest way to offset this is by acquiring funding for your PhD. A range of options are out there, from pre-funded projects to individual scholarships and doctoral loans.

Set aside some time to find out what kind of support might be available for the kind of project you want to complete. Researching research funding may not be exciting, but it could well be worth it.

Are you committed enough to see the project through?

You may decide that a PhD is definitely worth the cost, but will it be worth the hard work?

This may seem like an odd question to include here. Surely your dedication to further study and the value of the qualification you gain are two different things?

Well, not quite. For the simple reason that, whatever the worth of a completed PhD, an uncompleted one is worth a lot less.

It doesn’t matter what you plan to do with your PhD or how much it ends up costing you: if you don’t finish your project you’ll have little to show for whatever time and money you have invested.

That’s not to say that failing to complete a PhD will ruin your life. Some students do exit their programmes early and go on to have productive careers. Some even submit for alternative qualifications such as the MPhil .

But failing to complete a PhD is rarely a desirable or ideal outcome. So go into the process with your eyes open and make sure you know what’s involved. Our advice on doing a PhD is a good place to start.

Transferrable skills – what else does a PhD teach you?

PhDs are highly specialised qualifications. In fact, they’re the most specialised qualifications available. By its very nature every PhD is a unique project, focussing on a topic no one has researched before.

But PhDs aren’t just about specialisation. Successfully completing a three-year research project means developing many more general skills, all of which are highly transferrable.

There are relatively few non-academic careers based on the theological significance of eighteenth-century lyric poetry or the effects of altitude on arboreal biodiversity.

But there are lots of careers out there for self-motivated project managers with excellent organisational skills, experience of public speaking and event planning plus the ability to effectively analyse and communicate large amounts of complex information.

Those people are very employable. And your PhD could make you one of them.

The following are some of the core transferrable skills you’re likely to develop during a PhD.

Project management

This one is fairly obvious, but it’s probably more significant than you give it credit for.

A PhD requires you to complete an extended research project and to do so almost entirely independently. You’ll have support from your supervisor, but the day to day management of your time, resources and objectives is down to you.

You’ll need to assess the demands of specific tasks, plan ahead to ensure the availability of key materials and solve a wide range of problems (both anticipated and unforeseen).

You might also be responsible for managing expenses and keeping your project within the limits set by its own funding – or that of the research group you’re working within.

Even a self-financed PhD involves managing a budget – and potentially securing additional investment for your work.

Professional networking

Successful managing a PhD project can also mean successfully managing your relationships with other people.

You’ll need to maintain a productive relationship with your supervisor and with fellow students within your laboratory, workshop or department.

Looking further afield, you’ll need to identify and connect with researchers working on similar topics at other universities. And, if you present at conferences yourself, you’ll become experienced in sharing information within an expert network and discussing ideas with your professional peers.

It’s also highly likely that you’ll work more closely with other researchers at some point during your PhD. This could be part of a short-term project, or whilst organising a conference or other event (see below).

So don’t be misled by the image of the solitary scholar: collaboration, team-work (and team building) are also important parts of a modern PhD.

Teaching and mentoring

Academic teaching is another part of the typical PhD experience. Most universities provide at least some opportunity for postgraduate researchers to lead classes, demonstrate experiments or mentor undergraduate students.

This is important training for an academic career, but it’s not just limited to work in the university sector.

Teaching experience is obviously useful if you’re interested in working in other branches of education – such as a secondary school or sixth form college. Showing that you can communicate your specialist subject knowledge is a great way to leverage a PhD for these careers.

Academic teaching also tends to involve coursework assessment, feedback and one-to-one tutorials. These skills can transfer out of purely educational contexts as you develop experience in mentoring others and providing leadership.

Publication

Academic publication isn’t part of every PhD, but many students do have the opportunity to author journal articles or produce other records of their research.

This kind of publication is obviously different to ‘commercial’ or ‘popular’ publishing (we’re not suggesting it’s a short-step from a Nature paper to winning the Man Booker Prize). But some of the skills you’ll gain are common to all forms of publication.

Preparing, copy-editing and proofing a professional manuscript is necessary to publication in all contexts: whether you’re authoring a journal article, a novel, an industry whitepaper – or a website.

And proficiency in composing and communicating complex ideas is valuable in many careers – even the ones that don’t actually involve ‘publication.’

Public speaking

You might think it strange to think of PhD research as an opportunity to develop skills in oral communication, but the presentation and discussion of your ideas will play an important role in their development.

The majority of students speak at academic conferences at some point during their doctorates. This is an important means of making the academic community aware of your work and of receiving expert feedback.

In the process you’ll also become a capable public speaker, with the ability to select and shape material for a presentation and the confidence to deliver that presentation professionally and effectively.

And remember, the topic of a presentation isn’t important. It doesn’t matter if you’re speaking about economic history in front of an audience of academics or about market research in front of an audience of clients. Both scenarios require you to present specialist information, effectively, to other specialists.

Event management and organisation

PhD students don’t just speak at conferences: they often have the chance to organise them. This can range from running small seminar events to planning and arranging large international conferences.

The challenges involved in this – booking venues, setting up facilities, advertising, registering, taking care of delegates – aren’t unique to academia. They also crop up in a range of professions where large conferences and events are a regular occurrence – from politics to trade fairs.

Branches of some careers – such as marketing or entertainment – actually focus entirely upon events management.

One of the most valuable skills you gain with a PhD could, quite simply, be the ability to do research.

The task of identifying, managing and analysing large amounts of complex information isn’t simple. Nor is it easy to digest that information and re-present your conclusions in an appropriate and useful format.

As a PhD student, you’re going to become an undisputed expert in doing all of this. Because, if nothing else, your doctorate will make you a professional researcher.

And professional researchers don’t just work in academia. All sorts of careers draw upon these skills, from public administration, government and politics to public relations management, marketing and journalism.

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• 3 . 01 . 20
• Leaving Academia

Is a PhD Worth It? I Wish I’d Asked These 6 Questions First.

• Posted by: Chris

Updated Nov. 19, 2022

Is a PhD worth it?

Should I get a PhD?

A few people admit to regretting their PhD. Most—myself included — said that they don’t ( I wrote about why in this post ).

But we often say we don’t regret stupid things we’ve done or bad things that happen to us. This means we learned from them, not that we wanted them to happen.

So just because PhDs don’t regret it, doesn’t mean it was worth it.

But if you were to ask, Is a PhD worth it, it’s a different and more complicated question.

When potential PhD students ask me for advice, I hate giving it. I can’t possibly say whether it will be worth it for them. I only know from experience that for some PhDs the answer is no.

In this post, I’ll look at this question from five different directions, five different ways that a PhD could be worth it. Then I give my opinion on each one. You can tell me if I got the right ones of if I’m way off base. So here we go.

This is post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Roostervane!

tl;dr It’s up to you to make it worth it. A PhD can hurt your finances, sink you in debt, and leave you with no clear path to success in some fields. But PhDs statistically earn more than their and have lower unemployment rates. A PhD also gives you a world-class mind, a global network, and a skill set that can go just about anywhere.

Should I Get a PhD?

tl;dr Don’t get a PhD by default. Think it through. Be clear about whether it’s going to help you reach career goals, and don’t expect to be a professor. A few rules of thumb- make sure you know where you want to go and whether a PhD is the ONLY way to get there, make sure it’s FUNDED (trust me), and make sure your program has strong ties into industry and a record of helping its students get there.

1. Is a PhD worth it for your finances?

My guess: Not usually

People waste a lot of their best years living on a grad stipend. To be honest, my money situation was pretty good in grad school. I won a large national grant, I got a ton of extra money in travel grants, and my Canadian province gave me grants for students with dependents. But even with a decent income, I was still in financial limbo–not really building wealth of any sort.

And many students scrape by on very small stipends while they study.

When it comes to entering the marketplace, research from Canada and the United States shows that PhD students eventually out-earn their counterparts with Master’s degrees. It takes PhDs a few years to find their stride, but most of us eventually do fine for earnings if we leave academia. Which is great, and perhaps surprising to many PhDs who think that a barista counter is the only non-academic future they have .

The challenge is not income–it’s time. If you as a PhD grad make marginally more than a Master’s graduate, but they entered the workforce a decade earlier, it takes a long time for even an extra $10,000 a year to catch up. The Master’s grad has had the time to build their net worth and network, perhaps buy a house, pay down debt, invest, and just generally get financially healthy.

While PhDs do fine in earnings in the long run, the opportunity cost of getting the PhD is significant.

The only real way to remedy this—if you’ve done a PhD and accumulating wealth is important to you, is to strategically maximize your earnings and your value in the marketplace to close the wealth gap. This takes education, self-discipline, and creativity, but it is possible.

I tried to calculate the opportunity cost of prolonging entry into the workforce in this post .

2. Is a PhD worth it for your career?

My guess: Impossible to tell

Most of my jobs have given me the perfect opportunity to see exactly where I could be if I’d stopped at a Master’s degree, often working alongside or for those who did and are further ahead. In terms of nuts and bolts of building career experience section on a resume, which is often the most important part, a PhD is rarely worth it. (Some STEM careers do require a PhD.)

However, at the start of my post-graduate educational journey, I was working part-time running teen programs and full time as a landscaper. I had an undergraduate degree. Despite my job and a half, I was still poor. My life had no direction, and had I not begun my Master’s to PhD journey I probably would have stayed there.

The PhD transformed me personally. It did this by developing my skills, or course. But even more so, it taught me that anything is possible. It took a poor kid from a mining town in northern Canada and gave me access to the world. It made my dreams of living abroad come true. I learned that anything is possible. And that will never go away.

It’s changed the course of my life and, subsequently, my career.

It’s impossible for you to know if it’s worth it for your career. But you can build a hell of a career with it.

So it wouldn’t be fair for me to say, “don’t get a PhD.” Because it worked out for me, and for some it does.

But there are a heck of a lot of people who haven’t figured out how to build a career with this thing. Which is one of the reasons Roostervane exists in the first place.

Psst! If you’re looking at doing a PhD because you don’t know where to go next with your career–I see you. Been there. Check out my free PDF guide– How to Build a Great Career with Any Degree.

3. Is a PhD worth it for your personal brand?

My guess: Probably

There’s some debate over whether to put a Dr. or PhD before or after your name. People argue over whether it helps in the non-academic marketplace. Some feel that it just doesn’t translate to whatever their new reality is. Some have been told by some manager somewhere that they’re overqualified and pulled themselves back, sometimes wiping the PhD off their resume altogether.

The truth is, if you have a PhD, the world often won’t know what to do with it. And that’s okay. Well-meaning people won’t understand how you fit into the landscape, and you may have to fight tooth and nail for your place in it. People may tell you they can’t use you, or they might go with what they know—which is someone less qualified and less-educated.

It happens.

But someone with a PhD at the end of their name represents an indomitable leader. So grow your possibilities bigger and keep fighting. And make your personal brand match those three little letters after your name. Do this so that the world around can’t help but see you as a leader. More importantly, do it so that you don’t forget you are.

Should I put “PhD” after my name on LinkedIn?

5 reasons you need to brand yourself

4. Is a PhD worth it for your sense of purpose?

Is getting a PhD worth it? For many people the answer is no.

PhDs are hurting.

If you’ve done one, you know. Remember the sense of meaning and purpose that drew you towards a PhD program? Was it still there at the end? If yours was, you’re lucky. I directed my purpose into getting hired in a tenure-track job, and got very hurt when it didn’t happen.

And people have vastly different experiences within programs.

Some people go through crap. But for them their research is everything and putting up with crap is worth it to feel like they have a sense of purpose. Many PhDs who are drawn into programs chasing a sense of purpose leave deeply wounded and disenchanted, ironically having less purpose when they started.

While new PhDs often talk about the PhD as a path do doing “something meaningful,” those of us who have been through entire programs have often seen too much. We’ve either seen or experienced tremendous loss of self. Some have friends who didn’t make it out the other end of the PhD program.

But there are some PhDs who have a great experience in their programs and feel tremendously fulfilled.

As I reflect on it, I don’t think a sense of purpose is inherently fulfilled or disappointed by a PhD program. There are too many variables.

However, if you’re counting on a PhD program to give you a sense of purpose, I’d be very careful. I’d be even more cautious if purpose for you means “tenure-track professor.” Think broadly about what success means to you and keep an open mind .

5. Is my discipline in demand?

Okay, so you need to know that different disciplines have different experiences. Silicon Valley has fallen in love with some PhDs, and we’re seeing “PhD required” or “PhD preferred” on more and more job postings. So if your PhD is in certain, in-demand subjects… It can be a good decision.

My humanities PhD, on the other hand, was a mistake. I’m 5 years out now, and I’ve learned how to use it and make money with it. That’s the great news. But I’d never recommend that anyone get a PhD in the humanities. Sorry. I really wish I could. It’s usually a waste of years of your life, and you’ll need to figure out how to get a totally unrelated job after anyway.

TBH, most of the skills I make money with these days I taught myself on Skillshare .

6. Is a PhD worth it for your potential?

My guess: Absolutely

Every human being has unlimited potential, of course. But here’s the thing that really can make your PhD worth it. The PhD can amplify your potential. It gives you a global reach, it gives you a recognizable brand, and it gives you a mind like no other.

One of my heroes is Brené Brown. She’s taken research and transformed the world with it, speaking to everyone from Wall-Street leaders to blue-collar workers about vulnerability, shame, and purpose. She took her PhD and did amazing things with it.

Your potential at the end of your PhD is greater than it has ever been.

The question is, what will you do with that potential?

Many PhD students are held back, not by their potential, but by the fact that they’ve learned to believe that they’re worthless. Your potential is unlimited, but when you are beaten and exhausted, dragging out of a PhD program with barely any self-worth left, it’s very hard to reach your potential. You first need to repair your confidence.

But if you can do that, if you can nurture your confidence and your greatness every day until you begin to believe in yourself again, you can take your potential and do anything you want with it.

So why get a PhD?

Because it symbolizes your limitless potential. If you think strategically about how to put it to work.

PhD Graduates Don’t Need Resumes. They Need a Freaking Vision

By the way… Did you know I wrote a book about building a career with a PhD? You can read the first chapter for free on Amazon.

So if you’re asking me, “should I do a PhD,” I hope this post helps you. Try your best to check your emotion, and weigh the pros and cons.

And at the end of the day, I don’t think that whether a PhD is worth it or not is some fixed-in-stone thing. In fact, it depends on what you do with it.

So why not make it worth it? Work hard on yourself to transform into a leader worthy of the letters after your name, and don’t be afraid to learn how to leverage every asset the PhD gave you.

One of the reasons I took my PhD and launched my own company is that I saw how much more impact I could have and money I could be making as a consultant (perhaps eventually with a few employees). As long as I worked for someone else, I could see that my income would likely be capped. Working for myself was a good way to maximize my output and take control of my income.

It’s up to you to make it worth it. Pick what’s important to you and how the degree helps you get there, and chase it. Keep an open mind about where life will take you, but always be asking yourself how you can make more of it.

Check out the related post- 15 Good, Bad, and Awful Reasons People Go to Grad School. — I Answer the Question, “Should I Go to Grad School?” )

Consulting Secrets 3 – Landing Clients

Photo by Christian Sterk on Unsplash There’s a new type of post buzzing around LinkedIn. I confess, I’ve even made a few.  The post is

You’re Not Good Enough… Yet

Last year, I spent $7k on a business coach. She was fantastic. She helped me through sessions of crafting my ideas to become a “thought

$200/hr Expert? Here’s the Secret!

Photo by David Monje on Unsplash I was listening to Tony Robbins this week. He was talking about being the best.  Tony asks the audience,

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2024 Best Online PhD in Marketing Programs [Doctorate Guide]

Is it beneficial to pursue a PhD in Marketing online when marketing is essentially a practical business skill?

In the wake of shifting consumer behaviors and evolving media and communication landscapes, there’s enormous change happening in some fundamental areas of marketing science and methods.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

As a result, a number of marketing leaders are viewing online Ph.D. programs as an intriguing next step in their careers.

Online PhD in Marketing Degree Programs

Large marketing campaigns and multinational marketing initiatives can require big investments.

Effective marketing strategies can involve complex market survey methods, concepts related to consumer behavior, and tactics that rely on skillfully deploying AI and machine learning software. There are inward-facing marketing strategies too, such as sales team training, sales force investment strategies, and pricing strategies.

Online marketing doctoral degree programs can offer you the opportunity to pursue expertise in a range of topics:

• Market modeling and forecasting
• Consumer behavior and psychology
• Services marketing methods
• Multinational marketing
• Advanced research methods and applications

As you start exploring online marketing PhD programs, you’ll discover that schools vary in their curriculum designs and in the areas of specialization that they offer.

Marketing PhD Careers & Salaries

Getting an online PhD in Marketing can open doors to a variety of opportunities. Experts in the field may seek roles in senior marketing management, business development, private consulting, or research and academia.

Important segments within the field of marketing include branding, market research, creative content development, pricing strategy, salesforce management, customer retention, and marketing analytics.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , marketing qualifications and related skills are applicable to many well-paid careers.

Marketing efforts typically require collaboration between many specialized designers, copywriters, advertisers, and sales team members. Professionals with marketing expertise often lead and monitor larger marketing teams and initiatives.

In other cases, a marketing professional might specialize in e-commerce startups or in highly entrepreneurial settings. Information-age innovations are changing marketing tools and strategies, so this could be a strategic time to advance your education and research in this fast-changing field.

With a doctoral degree, you might also consider teaching in postsecondary institutions, working with business and marketing consulting firms, serving in marketing management or freelancing as a marketing consultant.

Marketing Doctorate Curriculum

Online PhD marketing programs vary by school. Most will give you a chance to study more advanced topics in the field, choose a distinct focus area, such as buyer behavior vs. modeling and analytics, and engage in experimentation and research.

• Buyer Behavior and Psychology : You’ll explore and extend key concepts related to the study of buyer behavior, examining and modeling key findings and experimental research.
• Social Psychology in the Market Place : You’ll learn how to profile consumer culture, psychology, and behaviors and how to translate this data into strategic marketing insights.
• Product Development and Pricing Strategies : You’ll learn advanced methods and strategies for product pricing and positioning in relation to specific marketing objectives.
• Digital Branding : You’ll learn about experimental approaches to comprehensive digital branding strategies relevant to large businesses, multinational footprints, and entrepreneurial contexts.
• Market Modeling and Forecasting : You’ll learn analytic tools and practices that will allow you to provide valuable analytic modeling for data-driven marketing and decision making.
• Applied Marketing Models : You’ll explore and test modeling tools in conjunction with different objects of analysis, such as buyer behavior, conversion rates, or marketing ROI.
• Multinational Marketing : This course will give you tested strategies for scaling up all aspects of marketing operations for large-scale business settings.
• Marketing Technology : You’ll examine current topics in marketing technology innovations and applications and related ethical topics.
• Services Marketing : This course helps you apply strategies specific to both entrepreneurial and large-scale e-commerce initiatives.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research Models : You’ll study scientific marketing analysis methods in the context of key aspects of marketing psychology, marketing communications, and marketing investments.

These are just examples of courses you might take in a PhD marketing program. While courses and their content will vary by school and program, you can expect to learn from seasoned marketing management professionals and to engage in advanced topics and analytic thinking and research.

How to Choose an Online Doctorate in Marketing Program

Just as when exploring online bachelors degree in marketing or online MBA in Marketing programs, it can also be helpful to consider your own interests, professional goals, and gaps in knowledge as you look for online marketing PhD programs.

• Concentration offerings . You can look for a program with study tracks and specializations in the branches of marketing that most interest you.
• Flexibility . There are many online program options, so you may want to decide if you need or prefer a program with more flexible asynchronous study options.
• In-person vs. online . You may want to avoid hybrid programs if you don’t want any in-person learning requirements or expect you’ll be living too far from campus.
• Program preferences . Academic rigor, faculty qualifications and accomplishments, tuition costs, and the required number of credit hours can all vary significantly from school to school. You may want to look for schools offering a learning experience that meets your expectations.

As you check out different programs, you may get an even clearer picture of your different options and what kinds of curriculum designs are available to choose from.

Admissions Requirements

Some online doctorate in marketing programs require you to have a masters degree, but others don’t. Admissions requirements can vary greatly by school and program. Some common requirements include:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree
• GRE or GMAT scores (if required)
• Satisfactory GPA
• Relevant professional experience
• Letters of recommendation (if required)

Relevant work experience may be required more often for a professional doctorate than a PhD program. Admissions officers may request additional criteria as well to ensure that you’re prepared for doctoral-level coursework.

Accreditation

A school with regional accreditation has been evaluated by an outside agency and has been found to meet standards of academic quality. An accrediting organization also evaluates a school’s student services.

Accreditation can impact credit transfers as well as financial aid offers. These are just a few of the benefits of sticking with fully accredited schools and programs. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has more information about accreditation as well as a database of accredited schools.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Many professionals who qualify rely on financial aid to help them advance their education.

Need-based financial aid might be available to you in the form of federal or state aid. You may also pursue financial assistance through employer-based tuition programs and need-based or merit-based scholarships.

Student loans are part of many financial aid packages. Terms for loans and aid packages can vary, so it’s beneficial to review all offers carefully. If you’ll be applying for need-based aid, you can start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

Marketing Professional Organizations

If you know you’re headed for a career in marketing, it’s never too soon to connect with one of the professional associations in the field:

• American Marketing Association (AMA)
• eMarketing Association (EMA)
• Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)

The benefits of your membership can include keeping up with industry trends, finding out about professional development offers, and boosting your networking opportunities.

Should I Get a PhD in Marketing?

There could be many reasons why someone pursues a PhD in Marketing. Each person’s motivations can differ greatly, but here are a few benefits of earning a marketing PhD:

• A sense of personal accomplishment . If you have a passion for marketing and the profession, you may want to get a PhD to live out that passion.
• Senior roles and higher pay . Getting a PhD can boost your resume, and a PhD program can help you qualify for senior roles in the field. In addition, a doctoral education often leads to higher earning potential.
• Opportunities in academia . Getting a PhD, conducting original research, and writing a dissertation can all be essential first steps for building a career in academia.
• Intellectual drive . If you like probing topics and following new threads of thought and research wherever they lead, a PhD program can provide an outlet for abstract inquiry and for rigorous applications of scientific method and analysis.

Pursuing a PhD can be very rewarding, but it also requires a big commitment. It can be beneficial to weigh your own pros and cons before enrolling in a doctoral program.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Marketing?

With a PhD in Marketing paired with work experience, you could be qualified to pursue senior or leadership roles in marketing.

Some marketing specialists work in senior advertising, promotions, or marketing roles. Depending on your specialization, you might also qualify to work in financial analysis roles. A professional in this position can help companies analyze marketing investments and returns or help manage a private marketing firm.

Some marketing professionals with a PhD continue actively learning and researching, applying their research interests and accomplishments in consulting roles or in academia.

How Much Does a Marketing Manager Make?

How much you make as a marketing manager can vary based on your professional skills and experience, where you live, and what kind of organization you work for.

That said, effective marketing investments and strategies can directly drive revenues and profits for many companies. This kind of success can also reward marketing directors with good pay.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising and marketing managers, financial managers, sales managers, and public relations managers are careers that, on average, reward workers with salaries well above $100,000. The median annual salary for marketing managers in particular is $142,170.

How Long Does a PhD in Marketing Take?

How long it takes to get an online doctorate in marketing can vary by school and program. The time you need to complete a dissertation can also impact how long your doctoral program takes.

Marketing doctoral programs generally take 3 to 5 years to complete. If no dissertation is required, it may be possible to finish in 3 years with full-time study.

What’s the Difference Between Marketing vs. Advertising?

Advertising is just one of the many components within marketing. Marketing managers may have the following responsibilities:

• Oversee marketing budgets
• Coordinate marketing strategy
• Manage marketing team members, such as advertisers and copywriters
• Study consumer behavior, market trends, and marketing economics

Advertising specialists typically do the following:

• Work within a larger marketing team
• Create advertising campaigns for specific products and services
• Plan how to promote a specific product or service
• Create advertising collateral with the input of marketing team members

Both marketers and advertisers can engage in creating concepts and branding. Marketing directors, though, tend to use research and business decision-making skills to inform broad branding and marketing strategies. They measure marketing results, and advertisers create actual ad collateral for specific products or services.

What’s the Difference Between a DBA vs. PhD in Marketing?

In marketing and other professional fields, getting a professional doctorate is a common alternative to getting a PhD. A DBA is a professional doctorate in business administration, and marketing is a common concentration option.

Here are some key differences between the two types of degrees:

A doctorate in business administration is less specialized than a degree in marketing, so you may want to look into online DBA programs that offer a marketing pathway.

What’s the Difference Between Digital Marketing vs. Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing is a component of digital marketing. Both of these marketing strategies live in a digital world and seek to build out a company’s digital presence.

• Digital marketing : Digital marketing seeks to attract and engage prospective customers through both direct advertising online and through many forms of less directive online content.
• Social media marketing : This specialty field within digital marketing focuses on using social media platforms to engage prospective customers through social media posts, ads, and conversations.

While social media marketing specifically utilizes social media platforms to create ads and build brands, digital marketing utilizes a wider range of tools and resources. For example, digital marketing can encompass websites, landing pages, blog posts, and email campaigns.

Is a PhD in Marketing Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Marketing is worth it for many professionals. Marketing is a highly competitive, essential, and dynamic branch of business strategy and marketing management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% job growth for marketing managers over the next ten years.

A marketing PhD program can help you develop your expertise and learn new marketing concepts, such as content marketing, social media marketing, and service marketing. PhD graduates may seek senior marketing roles, work in business and marketing consulting, or even pursue jobs in academia, so this marketing degree is worth it for many people who want to work in this field.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Marketing 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.

Alliant International University offers an online program for a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

The program can usually be completed in 3 years and includes an internship and a dissertation. Applicants must complete a faculty interview, have a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and submit a personal statement, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Alliant International University  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Bellevue University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program with a number of courses focused on marketing. To graduate, students must complete 91 credit hours, with 36 credits coming from the student’s master degree. Applicants must have a Master of Business Administration or 5 years of work experience in the field.

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

California Baptist University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration program with a number of courses focused on marketing. To graduate, students must complete 56 credit hours, including a dissertation. Applicants must have a Master of Business Administration and need to submit a resume and a personal statement when applying.

California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

California Southern University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with a number of concentrations for students to choose from.

To graduate, students must complete 60 credits, including a 14 credit doctoral project and a comprehensive essay examination. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a government-issued ID, and a personal statement when applying.

California Southern University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

City University of Seattle offers an online Doctor of Business Administration program.

Students in the program may add a 12 credit specialization of their own design by proposing a Specialized Study to the program director. To graduate, students must complete 91 credits. Applicants must have a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, 5 years of professional experience, and 3 references.

City University of Seattle is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Concordia University—Chicago offers an online Doctor of Business Administration that includes a number of marketing courses. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours, a dissertation, and 3 residencies. Applicants must have a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 5 years of experience.

Concordia University Chicago  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Drexel University offers an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration.

This part-time program allows students to learn about a number of business-related fields, including marketing. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a graduate degree with a GPA of 3.3 and need to submit GMAT or GRE scores, an essay, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Felician University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program with courses on marketing theory.

The program is self-paced and completely online. Students must obtain 61 credits and finish a dissertation to graduate. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have an MBA and need to submit a resume, official transcripts, and a personal statement.

Felician University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Florida International University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program that includes courses on marketing.

Though the program is online, four 2-day residencies are required. The program usually takes 3 years to complete, with the final year dedicated to a dissertation. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have 10 years of work experience. Florida International University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Franklin University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with a focus area in marketing.

The program requires 58 semester hours to be completed and can usually be finished in 3 years. To graduate, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0. Applicants must have 30 hours of graduate courses in a business field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

George Fox University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with the option to add a concentration in marketing.

Students must complete 56 credit hours to graduate. The courses are offered online as cohorts, but two 4-day residencies on campus are required. Applicants must have a bachelor’s and master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Grand Canyon University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing. Students must complete 60 credit hours, including a dissertation, to graduate. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and need to submit an online application with official transcripts to be eligible for the program. Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Johnson and Wales University offers a Doctor of Business Administration that includes a number of marketing courses.

The program can typically be completed in 3 years and classes are 8 weeks long. To graduate, students must obtain 54 credits, including a dissertation. Applicants must submit official transcripts and have 2 references willing to fill out an online survey.

JWU  is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Liberty University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing. The program usually takes 3 years to complete. Courses can be taken online and are 8 weeks long. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours. Applicants must have a master’s degree in a business-related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

LIGS University offers a PhD in Marketing. The program can usually be completed online in 3 years. Students must finish 10 courses, including 2 electives and 2 specialization courses of their choice. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a master’s degree and need to submit a CV, an official transcript, and government-issued ID.

LIGS University  is accredited by Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities.

National University offers a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Strategic Marketing. To graduate, students must complete 20 courses, which can be taken online. The program offers weekly start dates, allowing students to apply at any time. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a master’s degree.

National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Temple University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program with the option to take courses in marketing. To graduate, students must complete 54 credit hours, including a dissertation in the final year. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation and 2 essays and take part in an interview.

Temple University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Thomas Edison State University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program with courses in Marketing.

Students may complete 13 courses that are 8 weeks long over the course of 32 months. Applicants must have a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0. If an applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, applicants may submit a resume and a personal statement to improve their application.

Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Trident University International offers a PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. To graduate, students must complete 10 classes and a dissertation. A comprehensive exam is held at the end of each course. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Trident University International  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of Dallas offers a Doctor of Business Administration online program. Among the courses required to graduate is one dedicated to marketing and marketing research.

To graduate, students must complete a dissertation and 33 other credits. Those interested in the program must fill out an online application with 2 letters of recommendation and a resume before attending an admission interview.

The  University of Dallas  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Missouri—St. Louis offers a Doctor of Business Administration. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours, including courses in marketing and a final dissertation. Those interested in the program must submit an application with a resume, 2 references, official transcripts, and 2 essays.

The  University of Missouri-St. Louis  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of South Florida offers an online program for a PhD in Business Administration with the option to add a Marketing Concentration. The program requires 72 credit hours and usually takes 3 years to complete. Applicants must submit a resume, a transcript, and a statement of purpose.

The  University of South Florida  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Walden University offers a Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing. Students have 8 years to complete the minimum requirement of 37 credit hours.

While the courses are online, two face-to-face academic residencies are required as well. Applicants must complete an online application that includes employment history, academic history, and official transcripts.

Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Westcliff University offers a Doctor of Business Administrations program with a number of courses in marketing.

Students must complete 50 credit hours to graduate, including a final dissertation project. Applicants must submit an application with official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary schools, a personal statement, and government-issued ID.

Westcliff University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Wilmington University offers a Doctor of Business Administration program with an advanced marketing seminar.

To graduate, students must complete 54 semester hours and a dissertation or research project. Courses are 7 weeks long and can be taken completely online. Applicants must submit an application with official transcripts, a resume, and 3 letters of recommendation.

Wilmington University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Earning Your PhD in Marketing Online

Today’s marketing experts can make valuable contributions to a company’s success. With so many new and evolving marketing management strategies and communication channels, advanced studies in marketing may offer you increased career value.

If you like business dynamics and have a penchant for rigorous, systematic study and research-design methods, you might be well suited for this intriguing online graduate degree pathway.

If you’re ready to advance your education and expertise in this lucrative field, you can start by exploring online PhD marketing programs from accredited universities.

• Jul 22, 2022
• 11 min read

Is a PhD Worth It? The Pros and Cons of Getting a Doctorate

To get a PhD or not to get a PhD? That is the question.

Valerie David

Lifestyle and Career Expert

Reviewed by Hayley Ramsey

Entering the job market for the first time can be a stressful experience, especially if you don't feel completely prepared. When deciding how to take those first steps toward your ultimate career , and how to give yourself a chance at the best jobs, you may find yourself asking: “Should I do a PhD?”.

While academics looking forward to a life of learning may consider this a no-brainer, there are important factors for everyone to consider. Finances, job prospects and quality of life issues can greatly affect the success of furthering your education.

To help you decide if the time and effort of a PhD is worth it, here are the major benefits and disadvantages of getting that doctorate.

After four or more years of intellectual pursuits, adding a PhD may seem like overkill. Before you make your choice, let's look at all the benefits that are exclusive to earning the most advanced degree.

1. You can contribute new knowledge to the world

Embarking on a PhD programme means delving into your preferred subject in a much deeper way than you have in any of your previous studies. The beauty of this advanced degree is that it allows you to sail in uncharted waters. Your goal is to find new information, draw new conclusions and, hopefully, make a significant contribution to your field.

Your intensive research, travel, collaboration and study will lead you on an unpredictable path to telling a story that no one has heard before. For some students, this pursuit of knowledge and discovery is enough to make all the hard work of earning a PhD worth it.

2. You'll have access to more prestigious jobs

One of the key benefits of a PhD is that it opens doors to careers at the highest levels. This can include leadership positions in science and engineering, government roles in economics and political science, and prestigious teaching posts for English and arts majors. Even if an advanced degree isn't required for the job you want, that PhD can give you an extra air of authority in your field and an edge over other candidates.

Another obvious upside to continuing your postgraduate studies is that landing these powerful positions can lead to large financial rewards. Some areas of study, like medicine and the law, tend to be more lucrative, but it can also depend on the type of job. For example, a university professor or researcher post can pay well for a wide variety of disciplines. Check out sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Careers Service to investigate potential salaries.

3. Employers look for candidates with your superior writing skills

A study arranged by the National Commission on Writing discovered that blue-chip businesses (long-standing companies with stable stock growth) are spending more than $3 billion a year on remedial writing course for current employees. This includes staff with undergraduate degrees.

So, when a hiring manager peruses your résumé and sees that you've earned a PhD, they'll know immediately that you've spent years honing your skills at compiling research, organizing mountains of data and writing about your results in a cohesive and persuasive way. This will clearly set you apart from your competition, while landing your dream job will prove that pursuing that advanced degree was worth it.

4. You'll improve on all your soft skills

While pursuing your undergraduate degree, you likely noticed that you were learning more than just the subject matter taught in each class. Completing your studies also required time management skills , focus and problem solving .

Getting a doctorate degree requires even more of the soft skills that employers look for in applicants . Your intensive study and finished thesis should lead to improvements in your problem solving, critical thinking , patience and adaptability . These desirable skills won't just help you land a job but also excel in whatever career you choose to pursue .

5. You'll collect an extensive network of professional colleagues

When weighing the pros and cons of earning a PhD, consider all the professional contacts you'll make during the course of your studies. Working closely with professors, department heads, experts in your field, as well as fellow researchers, helps you develop an important resource. This network of colleagues can provide continual assistance with references, job leads, career advice and collaboration.

6. You can wait for a more favorable job market

Job prospects may not look that promising when you've completed your undergraduate degree, or even after you've been in the workforce for a few years. While there's no guarantee things will improve after a delay, some students may appreciate the benefit of a steady graduate assistant salary while they work on enhancing their résumé with a doctorate.

If you couldn't get a good internship during or after your undergrad studies, the PhD work also gives you the time to build that professional network . These contacts could prove to be the key to breaking into a specialized or highly competitive field.

You may still be thinking about all that time and commitment and wondering, “Is a PhD worth it?”. While there are always positive results from improving your education, there are some downsides to getting your doctorate.

1. It's expensive

This is a substantial factor for many students when weighing the merits of pursuing a PhD versus entering the job market right away. If you already have student loans , continuing your education will just increase your burden and add substantial pressure when you eventually begin your job search.

If cost is a concern, investigate graduate assistant jobs that help with expenses. Some programmes offer tuition assistance in return for teaching or research work. For those who already work full time and are hoping a PhD will help them advance in their career, consider keeping that job and pursuing your studies on a part-time basis.

2. Getting a PhD can be a lonely experience

Despite your interactions with professors and other students, pursuing a doctoral degree is ultimately a solitary pursuit. Your thesis topic is unique to you, and you'll spend a lot of time alone doing research and writing. Your social life can suffer, especially if you're also working in addition to your studies.

Career experts often talk about the necessity of work-life balance for physical and mental health, and this is just as important for PhD students as anyone else. It may take you a little longer to complete your degree, but it's worth taking the time to visit family and hang out with your friends. These positive interactions can help you stay motivated through the most tedious parts of your work.

3. You'll experience extreme stress and frustration

Pursuing a PhD may seem like a noble and interesting endeavor, and extended life as a student can appear more attractive than wading into the job market. You must be aware, however, that getting a doctorate can be a very stressful and frustrating experience.

A topic that seemed intriguing at first may not live up to years of scrutiny, causing boredom at best or requiring a complete thesis change at worst. Not all programmes are well-run, either, and you may have a supervisor who is too critical, offers poor advice or is just unavailable and unhelpful.

The difficulties of a PhD programme lead to rather substantial dropout rates. In the US alone, only 57% of PhD students obtained their degree within a decade of enrolling. If you want to be in the successful half of those stats, take extra time to review your choice of supervisor and topic focus. Ask every professor you have for advice on making the right decisions and talk with current graduate students to see what their experience has been.

4. There may be limited job openings

While getting a PhD can qualify you for better and higher-paying jobs , it can also put you in a position where you're competing for an extremely limited number of job openings. This is especially true of university jobs, where the number of advanced degree graduates far outpaces the need for full-time instructors, researchers and administrators.

Earning your PhD with a very obscure thesis in a niche speciality can also limit your options. When there are only a handful of jobs that suit your expertise, and they're already occupied, it can make you feel that your doctorate was a waste of time. Consider the job market before you make decisions about getting another degree. If you're determined to study in a niche area, think ahead of time about related fields or industries where your knowledge and skills will also prove useful to employers.

5. There may be little to no financial reward

While most studies concur that having a PhD increases your income potential substantially over the lifetime of your career, it's not a guarantee of job security or a financial windfall. A study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that 5 years after earning their doctorates , 45% of grads in Germany were still on temporary contracts and 13% ended up in lowly occupations.

Other European countries, including Slovakia, Belgium and Spain, had similar results. In the US, in fields like engineering, the difference in pay scales between employees with a master's degree and a PhD was a mere 7%. When that small bump in salary is weighed against the amount of debt taken on in order to get your degree, you may decide it's not worth it.

6. You could lose out on valuable job experience

New forms of technology continue to change how organizations operate, and those changes can happen fast. If you've already spent several years in school, toiling away in solitary study of obscure subjects can cause you to fall further behind in learning the skills you'll actually need for a future career.

Before you invest in getting a PhD, research your chosen field and learn which type of degree will give you the most value. Many scientific, financial and computing careers rely more on skills acquired on the job, rather than in coursework that can quickly become outdated.

Questions to ask yourself

You’ve listed out the pros and cons, but that still may not be enough to help make your decision. When it comes to a life-altering change like getting a doctorate, it’s okay to take enough time to ask yourself specific questions to ensure you’re making the right move. Consider asking yourself the following:

• Why do I want to get a PhD?
• Do I have the pre-requisites to move forward to a PhD?
• What are my strengths and limitations?
• Am I financially prepared?
• Am I mentally prepared?
• How will this affect my relationship with my family or friends?
• Where will I study?
• What am I trying to achieve?
• What jobs will be available to me after I get my PhD?
• Are there other options or avenues to consider?

Unfortunately, you may not have the answer to every one of these questions, because let’s face it, you don’t know what you don’t know. You might not know how it will affect your relationship with family or friends, but why not ask them? Reach out to those closest to you and see how you pursuing this degree could trickle down to them and allow that to play into your decision. Evaluate the answers to these questions and use it to help you make an educated decision on your future moving forward.

The best PhD degrees

If you’ve weighed out the pros and cons, asked all the important questions, and now you’re set on getting your PhD, congratulations! To help you along the way, let’s look at a list of the most valuable PhD programs to start you on your way to this degree.

• Criminal Justice
• Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Business Administration

These fields are rapidly growing and are among the highest-paying doctorate degrees in 2022 , so they might be worth considering as you start your journey.

Key takeaways

Pursuing your PhD requires an incredible amount of commitment, and it's important to take the necessary time to make the decision. As you’re evaluating a doctorate degree, remember the following:

• Evaluate the pros and cons list right from the beginning to ensure you’re weighing out both sides of the coin.
• Ask yourself the necessary questions. A doctorate degree commitment can affect more than just you, so be sure you’re factoring that into your decision.
• Review specifically which PhD would be best for you and your field progression.
• Research your chosen field carefully and evaluate the job market before you finalize your degree choice.
• Once you’ve selected your degree, stay focused and stay driven. It’s going to be a hard few years, but it will be worth the work!

Who knows, this may prompt you to move on to postgraduate study — never stop achieving!

Have you decided to pursue your PhD, or are you still considering your options? Join us in the comments below and let us know what’s stopping or encouraging you from getting a PhD.

Originally published on July 24, 2019. Updated by Shalie Reich.

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Is PhD in marketing worth it?

I’m currently doing my MBA. I’m planning on pursuing a career in research and academics in marketing. Marketing is one of the field that is really interesting and intriguing to me. I also have an engineering degree in computer science. I want to use this to my advantage and want to explore the field of AI and marketing. With all the rapid developments and changes happening, I would like to know of the future of marketing in academics as well as in corporate. Please share your two cents. Thank you.

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PhD Marketing Eligibility, Distance Learning, Colleges, Admission, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Jobs, Salary 2024

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

PhD in Marketing is a full-time doctorate program which is of duration 3 to 5 years. This is basically a professional degree which aims to prepare students to teach and perform research with the help of a variety of courses based on theoretical aspects of marketing. 

Check Top PhD Marketing Colleges in India here.  

In this course, students will study quantitative models in marketing literature, and develop the skills needed to analyse and evaluate current models. Students heavily focus on issues that relate to research design, measurement and scaling and data collection. 

The subjects taught in this discipline include marketing models, statistics, research methodology, marketing and public policy marketing theory etc.

Admission to this program will be done based on the candidate's performance in the entrance exam which is followed by a personal interview round conducted by the college or university.To be eligible to apply to this course, students must hold a Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university. 

The average tuition fees that students need to pay to pursue PhD in Marketing from Indian colleges usually ranges between INR 50,000 and 4,00,000 per annum. 

After completing PhD Marketing course, students have many job opportunities in India as well as abroad. Students will be able to find work as a Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst, New Product Manager, Teacher & Lecturer, Marketing Communications Leader etc. in the areas like Marketing Firms, Management Companies, MNCs etc. 

The average salary offered to a degree holder in PhD Marketing is around INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000, but this can be higher on the basis of experience and other factors.

If students wish to do further research, they can become independent researchers and publish their research papers. They can also earn a DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in the related domain in future.

PhD Marketing Course Highlights

Highlights for PhD Marketing program are provided in the table given below:

PhD Marketing: What is it about?

Information and details about the PhD Marketing program are as follows.

• This program is designed to develop students into active members of the academic community.
• This course emphasizes computer approaches to multivariate statistical analysis, providing students with statistical techniques including data reduction, classification, and hypothesis testing.
• This course covers the increasingly important field of behavioural marketing. 
• In this course, students will learn how to compile data with several different technologies, allowing them to tackle statistical problems that arise when tracking consumer behaviour.
• Some of the common courses that students can take in PhD Marketing courses are microeconomics, consumer behaviour, and data analysis.

Why study PhD Marketing?

The goal to attain a PhD in Marketing degree will depend on each individual’s aspirations and goals. Some of the benefits and perks of pursuing PhD Marketing degree program has been mentioned below:

• This program represents a huge investment in time and money, your dedication will pay off as you choose between several different career paths.
• As such, you will be responsible for preparing the next generation of marketers; those who will have careers in marketing or partake in the doctoral process themselves and it’s a rewarding opportunity for those students who feel passionate about marketing and sharing their mastery with others.
• If you’d rather focus on highly-advanced market research and survey analysis, a PhD Marketing course also prepares you for a research career in non-profit businesses, government agencies,and the private sector.
• Positions in this field have less flexibility in what your research entails, but generally pay higher wages than an academic job.
• As a top-level marketing researcher, you’ll satisfy your natural curiosity of any marketing topic, including target demographics, social influence, and consumer behaviour and as you perform and publish research, you’ll influence the actions of other researchers, marketers, consumers, and policymakers and advance the field of marketing as a whole.

What is the Admission Process for PhD Marketing?  

The PhD Marketing Admission Process can vary as per the rules and regulations of the concerned university. Some universities grant admission to students in PhD Marketing programs based on merit in the master’s degree program. Some of the top-most Indian universities prefer conducting entrance exams to grant admission to qualified candidates. 

The admission procedures followed in the Indian universities for admission to PhD Marketing are given below.

Merit-based admission

In merit-based admission, the universities offering PhD Marketing programs grant admission to students based on their marks obtained in the graduation level.

Entrance-Based Admission

The steps of the entrance-based admission are provided below: 

• Registration: Students have to register for the entrance test by providing their email address, mobile number and password after which a login id will be created.
• Filling up of application form: On creation of login id, candidates are required to enter the required information correctly. 
• Uploading of documents: In this step, candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, Class 10 and 12 certificates, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree etc. 
• Application Fee: On uploading the requisite documents, students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee online. 
• Issuing of Admit Card: Based on the details submitted by the students, the admission authority will issue the admit cards to the eligible students.
• Entrance Examination: After getting the admit card, exam dates will be released by different conducting bodies. Candidates have to sit for the entrance test and qualify the same to get admission. 
• Declaration of Result: In the final stage, admission authorities will release the results of the entrance test they have appeared for.
• Enrolment: Successful candidates will then be allotted seats to the respective institutes.  

What is the PhD Marketing Eligibility Criteria?

A student must have to be eligible to pursue a certain course. The eligibility criteria for the PhD in Marketing course are the following:-

• The student must complete a Master’s degree or MPhil degree in Marketing.
• He/she should get a minimum of 60% of the aggregate of marks from any recognized university.
• Must clear cut-off marks in the entrance examination are the prime requirement for getting admission in this course
• The students also have to do well in the Personal Interview round.

Which are the popular PhD Marketing Entrance Exams?

There are many national and state-level entrance exams to appear for the admission into PhD Marketing course. Listed below are some of these popular PhD Marketing entrance exams.

GATE: GATE is a national-level exam conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and IITs to select candidates for the award of PhD degree jobs or lectureship in Indian universities and colleges.

UGC NET: The National Testing Agency conducts this exam on behalf of the University Grants Commission. Qualified candidates are granted admission to the various doctorate level courses. This test is also used for  deciding the eligibility for JRF or post of Assistant Professor in colleges and universities. 

The application dates, exam dates and the mode of the exam of the above-mentioned exams are provided in the table below.

How to Prepare for a PhD Marketing Entrance Exams?

If a student wants to pursue a PhD Marketing course, he/she has to clear the entrance exam and while preparing for the PhD entrance examination, students should keep some important tips mentioned herewith so that they can prepare for the exam properly and can clear the qualifying examination easily with good scores.

• Practice: Practising regularly is very important to prepare for a PhD Marketing program. Make time every day just to practice everything that you've been taught during classes. If you're studying correspondence try to spend more time on practicing all the problems and derivations.
• Revision: Revising previous year's question papers will help you know the question paper pattern and help you in understanding different types of questions. Question papers give a lot of insight into different types of questions.
• Follow Reference Books: Checking out different reference books will help you to know different ways to solve the problem easily. Keep referring to different books until you are comfortable with one.
• Feedback: Get immediate feedback for every topic you learn as well as every practice exam that you take because this combined analysis will help your expert trainer spot flaws in your learning style and suggest remedies.
• Exam Pattern: Exam Pattern is planned in such a way that it measures applicants' verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills-skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study but are important for everything.

How to get admission to a good PhD Marketing college?

To get admission in the top PhD Marketing college, students are advised to keep the following points in mind:

• Candidates are shortlisted by the college through respective entrance exams followed by an interview.
• To get a good college for PhD Marketing course, appearing for the UGC NET exam is the best way and for some of the colleges’ UGC NET is also considered good to approach.
• A few private institutes are there offering the course to admit students based on their performance in a relevant entrance test followed by a round of Personal Interview.
• Getting into a good college for the admission in PhD Marketing course, candidates need to score well in the respective entrance exams.
• Candidates should put their time and effort into the entrance test as well as be prepared for a personal interview round.
• They should be well versed with their research topic so that they can impress the interview panel with their research idea. 

What is the Syllabus of PhD Marketing?

Although the PhD in Marketing program syllabus varies from college to college, it mostly consists of some common foundation courses that students can select based on their interests.

The common subjects that are included in the structured PhD Marketing syllabus are provided in the table given below: 

Which are the top PhD Marketing Colleges?

The table below shows the best PhD Marketing colleges and universities that offer the course in a full-time mode.

Source: College Websites

PhD Marketing College Comparison

The tabulation below depicts the comparison made among the three top PhD Marketing colleges in India.

PhD Marketing vs PhD Management Studies

PhD Marketing and PhD Management Studies are two different doctoral level courses which are offered by a large number of institutes across India. 

Check the list of Top PhD Management Studies Colleges in India.  

Check the table below for more comparative details:

What are Job Prospects and Career Options after PhD Marketing?

After getting a degree in this field, a candidate can get a variety of jobs to choose from. It will be easy for them to work for the government and private organizations and many other sectors. They can also choose to teach as a professor or a lecturer in colleges or universities.

• PhD Marketing degree holders can find employment at academic institutions and in high-level research and development positions in industry and other institutions.
• PhD degree holders in Marketing seek positions in various sectors as a Professor, Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, Marketing Executive, Deputy Manager etc. 

Tabulation below shows some of the most common PhD Marketing job profiles and career prospects after completing the course are as follows: 

What are the Future Scopes of PhD Marketing?

PhD degree is a doctorate level degree and is the highest educational degree one can earn in the country. Generally one does not pursue further studies post completion of the PhD Marketing degree.

Employability is high and graduates are hired quickly upon completion of their degree in high pay job profiles. With this knowledge, there is no limit to learning and knowledge.

• They have teaching jobs in colleges/universities after this course and then clearing the UGC-NET exam required for becoming a permanent lecturer.
• They have many jobs in various areas like Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst, New Product Manager, Teacher & Lecturer, Marketing Executive, Resident Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager etc. 
• Students can also opt for a DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in any related field. 
• After gaining adequate experience in the related field, a PhD Marketing degree can work in various govt. and private organizations. 
• Once you finish your PhD you can also be qualified for a lecturer post in Marketing and also to teach in colleges and universities with UGC scales.

PhD Marketing FAQs

Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the PhD Marketing program are as follows: 

Ques. I am planning to do a PhD in Marketing from the USA. Will there be good job opportunities post that?

Ans. There are a lot of different types of jobs for PhD in Marketing degree holders like teaching focused, research focused, large, small, private, religious, secular even a few industry positions.

Ques. How useful it is to pursue a PhD Marketing program?

Ans. It is useful if you want an academic career or want to work in the education field or if you want to work as a consultant in doing research related projects with marketing consultancy firms.

Ques. What is the best country to pursue a PhD in Marketing course?

Ans. USA and Australia are the best in the world for Business and Marketing PhD courses. 

Ques. Which universities in India offer PhD Marketing courses?

Ans. Sharda University, Amity University, Alliance University, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Nirma University etc. are some of the top universities offering PhD Marketing programs in India. 

Ques.  For a PhD in Marketing (specifically Consumer Behaviour focus) course what is more important, Verbal or Quantitative GMAT score?

Ans. Quant score matters more than verbal for both CB and Quantitative Marketing for PhD students because both sides are scientific and require hard Mathematics skills. The quant score shows admissions committees that you're going to be able to pass coursework.

Ques. Which exam should I take to apply for a PhD Marketing in the US GRE/GMAT?

Ans. A PhD in Marketing will usually look for a GRE Score. However in certain cases GMAT also works. The point to understand is that GRE and GMAT are merely standardized testing requirements. The GMAT has a tougher verbal section while the GRE is tougher in its Math. Pick the exam that suit your abilities better and ensure you get a fantastic score.

Ques. What would a PhD in Marketing get you?

Ans. From a career mentor perspective, most PhDs in business subjects will be academicians as faculty. The PhDs in Economics and Quantitative methods in business might be able to find success in job hunting in the financial world.

Ques. What is the average annual salary that a PhD Marketing degree holder can expect?

Ans. The average annual salary that a PhD Marketing degree holder can expect ranges between INR 2,00,000 to 9,00,000. 

Ques. What is the benefit of doing a PhD Marketing course?

Ans. Positions in this field have less flexibility in what your research entails, but generally pay higher wages than an academic job.

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Experience of IIM BG

Course curriculum overview.

Faculties are great here, they have a great research orientation and PGP students here also work with a professor to get a huge understanding of the research that will help them to use the same learning in future also. Exams occur two times i.e. Mid Term and End Term. The course is really rigorous and requires a lot of effort from the student side.

Loan/ Scholarship Provisions

The fee of PGP is 10.5 lakhs. And there is also a scholarship for students that are based on the meritocracy as well as Govt. Financial aid for people who don't have strong Financial background. PhD scholars get the scholarship of 32,800 per month for First Two years and 50,000 for purchasing laptops and free hostel accommodation is provided.

Ph.D. (Management Studies)

M.phil. (management), ph.d. (business administration), ph.d. (finance), ph.d. (human resource management), ph.d. (marketing) colleges in india.

IIT Madras - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITM]

IIM Bangalore - Indian Institute of Management

IIMC - Indian Institute of Management

IIML - Indian Institute of Management

Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras - [DoMS IIT Madras]

Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay - [SJMSOM]

Indian Institute of Management - [IIMU]

IIM Ranchi - Indian Institute of Management

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