how long does phd in business take

Crimson Careers
For Employers
Harvard College
Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Harvard Extension School
Premed / Pre-Health
Families & Supporters
Faculty & Staff
Prospective Students
First Generation / Low Income
International Students
Students of Color
Students with Disabilities
Undocumented Students
Varsity Athletes
Explore Interests & Make Career Decisions
Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter
Expand Your Network
Engage with Employers
Search for a Job
Find an Internship
January Experiences (College)
Find & Apply for Summer Opportunities Funding
Prepare for an Interview
Negotiate an Offer
Apply to Graduate or Professional School
Access Resources
AI for Professional Development and Exploration
Arts & Entertainment
Business & Entrepreneurship
Climate, Sustainability, Environment, Energy
Government, Int’l Relations, Education, Law, Nonprofits
Life Sciences & Health
Technology & Engineering
Still Exploring
Talk to an Advisor

How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

Share This: Share How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree? on Facebook Share How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree? on LinkedIn Share How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree? on X

Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

(CAIAIMAGE/TOM MERTON/GETTY IMAGES)

A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a “lifelong learner.”

Students who have excelled within a specific academic discipline and who have a strong interest in that field may choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree. However, Ph.D. degree-holders urge prospective students to think carefully about whether they truly want or need a doctoral degree, since Ph.D. programs last for multiple years.

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, a census of recent research doctorate recipients who earned their degree from U.S. institutions, the median amount of time it took individuals who received their doctorates in 2017 to complete their program was 5.8 years. However, there are many types of programs that typically take longer than six years to complete, such as humanities and arts doctorates, where the median time for individuals to earn their degree was 7.1 years, according to the survey.

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master’s degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master’s and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase “ all but dissertation ” or the abbreviation “ABD” on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of Ph.D. completion rates published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. “Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you’re in and what other responsibilities you have in life,” he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

[ READ: What Is a Doctorate or a Doctoral Degree? ]

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. “Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor,” Curtis advises. “Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with.”

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student’s funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. “Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation,” he says. “If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration.”

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. “Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.,” Huguet wrote in an email. “The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience.”

Jack Appleman, a business writing instructor, published author and Ph.D. candidate focusing on organizational communication with the University at Albany—SUNY , says Ph.D. programs require a level of commitment and focus that goes beyond what is necessary for a typical corporate job. A program with flexible course requirements that allow a student to customize his or her curriculum based on academic interests and personal obligations is ideal, he says.

[ READ: Ph.D. Programs Get a Lot More Practical. ]

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan with the university’s history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. “Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities),” she wrote in an email.

Jean Marie Carey, who earned her Ph.D. degree in art history and German from the University of Otago in New Zealand, encourages prospective Ph.D. students to check whether their potential Ph.D. program has published a timeline of how long it takes a Ph.D. student to complete their program. She says it is also prudent to speak with Ph.D. graduates of the school and ask about their experience.

Bennett urges prospective Ph.D. students to visit the campuses of their target graduate programs since a Ph.D. program takes so much time that it is important to find a school that feels comfortable. She adds that aspiring Ph.D. students who prefer a collaborative learning environment should be wary of graduate programs that have a cut-throat and competitive atmosphere, since such students may not thrive in that type of setting.

[ READ: 4 Fields Where Doctorates Lead to Jobs. ]

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. “A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it’ll be easier on you if you are passionate about research,” says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

“A Ph.D. isn’t about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that,” Lee says.

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student’s academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

“The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two’s difference,” she wrote in an email. “When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it’s usually related to the student’s coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn’t yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research.”

Skelly warns that the average completion time of a Ph.D. program may be misleading in some cases, if the average is skewed based on one or two outliers. She suggests that instead of focusing on the duration of a particular Ph.D. program, prospective students should investigate the program’s attritition and graduation rates.

“It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school’s proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are,” Skelly says. “That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program.”

Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

How long does it take to get phd in business?

How Long Does it Take to Get a PhD in Business?

A PhD in business is a prestigious academic degree that can take several years to complete. The length of time it takes to earn a PhD in business can vary depending on several factors, including the institution, program, and individual circumstances.

The typical length of a PhD program in business is 5-7 years . This timeframe includes both coursework and original research. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Coursework: 1-2 years: Most PhD programs in business require students to complete a set of core and elective courses that provide a foundation in business disciplines such as finance, marketing, and operations.
Comprehensive exams: 1-2 years: After completing coursework, students must pass comprehensive exams that test their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
Original research: 2-3 years: Students then conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty advisor, which leads to the production of a dissertation.
Dissertation defense: 1-2 months: The final step is to defend the dissertation in front of a panel of experts, which can take several hours.

Variations in PhD Program Length

While 5-7 years is the typical timeframe for a PhD in business, there are variations depending on the institution and program:

Accelerated programs: Some programs may offer accelerated tracks that allow students to complete their PhD in 4 years . These programs are typically designed for students who have a strong academic background and/or prior work experience.
Part-time programs: Many institutions offer part-time or online PhD programs that allow students to work while pursuing their degree. These programs can take 7-10 years or more to complete.
Interdisciplinary programs: PhD programs that combine business with another discipline, such as engineering or public policy, may require additional coursework or training, which can extend the program length to 6-8 years .

Why is it Important to Plan Ahead?

Earning a PhD in business requires careful planning and time commitment. Here are some reasons why it’s essential to plan ahead:

Research funding: Many PhD programs rely on research funding, which can be limited or competitive. Planning ahead allows students to secure funding and ensure they have sufficient resources to complete their research.
Mentorship: Finding a qualified faculty advisor who can guide and mentor you throughout your PhD journey is crucial. Planning ahead allows students to secure a mentor and ensure they have the necessary support.
Academic preparation: Completing a PhD requires a strong academic foundation. Planning ahead allows students to prepare for the rigor of PhD-level coursework and research.

What Can I Do with a PhD in Business?

A PhD in business can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including:

Academia: Teaching and researching at a university or college
Consulting: Working as a consultant for businesses or organizations
Research: Conducting research for a government agency, non-profit, or private company
Industry: Working as a manager or executive in a business or industry

Earning a PhD in business is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and time commitment. While the typical timeframe is 5-7 years, there are variations depending on the institution and program. By understanding the program length and planning ahead, students can set themselves up for success and achieve their academic and professional goals.

Save money with car insurance and credit card tips!

PhD in Business

Frequently asked questions.

Research Topics
Student Speaker Series
Funding Resources
Research News
Ph.D. in Business Office
Faculty Directory
Ph.D. Students Directory
Accounting Overview
Research Activities
Ph.D. Students
Finance Overview

Management & Entrepreneurship

M&E Overview
Job Market Candidates
Marketing Overview

Operations & Information Management

OPIM Overview
Departmental Research Workshops/Colloquia
General Exam
Major Advisor and Advisory Committee
Plan of Study
Qualifying Research Paper
Teacher Development Policy
Time Limits

Dissertation

Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation Defense
University Information
University Specifications
Request Information
Admissions FAQ
Visiting Scholars
Visiting Student Scholars

Online Application

Application Instructions
Start a New Application
Continue Your Application

Quick Links

Academic Standards
Business Ph.D. Student Travel and Funding Request – Department Approval Form
Search this Site Search in https://phd.business.uconn.edu/> Search
Graduate Programs

The FAQ’s below provide answers to most of the common questions that we receive from prospective applicants.

What concentrations do you offer?
How long does it take to complete the program?
Can I study part-time?
Can I take all my classes in the evenings?
Can I keep my job while in the program?
Are courses offered at campuses other than in Storrs?
How large is the program?
How is student progress in the program evaluated?
Do I need to have a research topic upon entering the program?
How can I find out about faculty research interests and areas of expertise?
How much formal coursework is required in the program?
How many classes will I be taking each semester?
What other requirements are there to the Ph.D. Program?
Can I get teaching experience while I’m in the program?
What is the role of a faculty advisor?
Will I have an office and access to computers?
What is the typical career path for your Ph.D.’s?
Do you host doctoral students from other universities, and how do I apply?
What is the Student Speaker Series?

What concentrations do you offer? Accounting , Finance , Management , Marketing , and Operation and Information Management (OPIM) .

How long does it take to complete the program? The average time to completion is 5 years.

Can I study part-time? No, our Ph.D. Program is strictly a full-time program.

Can I take all of my classes in the evening? No. While some courses may occasionally meet in the evenings, the majority of the courses meet during the day.

Can I keep my job while in the program? No. Students must dedicate themselves full-time to their studies and interactions with faculty and students. Students who are awarded full-time assistantships are prohibited from seeking outside employment.

Are courses offered at campuses other than in Storrs? Most departments offer doctoral courses on the Storrs campus. The OPIM concentration has some PhD required and optional courses located at the Hartford campus.

How large is the program? There are 50-60 students in all phases of the program. We strive to maintain a one-to-one ratio between doctoral faculty and students.

How is student progress in the program evaluated? Students are expected to complete their required coursework in a timely manner, and must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Doctoral students in the School of Business must also complete a qualifying research paper, pass a general examination in the area of concentration, and successfully complete a dissertation. The major advisor provides feedback in the form of a written evaluation each year. Criteria used in the evaluation include, but are not limited to, are grades, active participation in department seminars, progress in research, and teaching performance.

Do I need to have a research topic before entering the program? No. Most of our students identify a preferred area of research or expertise only after entering the doctoral program.

How can I find out about faculty research interests and areas of expertise? Many of our faculty have national and international reputations for their research. To learn more about faculty research interests and recent publications visit the Faculty Directory for a list of faculty by concentration.

How much formal coursework is required in the program? Depending upon your concentration, you will be required to take between 37 and 49 credits of coursework.

How many classes will I be taking each semester? You will be taking most of your classes in your first two years. Students typically take 2-4 classes each semester.

What other requirements are there to the Ph.D. Program? In addition to the requirements set forth by the School of Business and the individual academic departments, the Graduate School has a set of requirements doctoral students must complete in order to receive a degree from the University. Please review the Graduate Catalog for more information about these requirements.

Can I get teaching experience while I’m in the program? Yes. Virtually all of our students teach undergraduate-level courses, either as part of their assistantship duties or for a salary stipend in the summer.

What is the role of a faculty advisor? The role of your faculty advisor is to mentor and assist students in the planning and completion of their doctoral studies. Upon admission to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor. As research interests are defined the major advisor is changed.

Will I have an office and access to computers? All of our Ph.D. students are assigned office spaces. Offices are shared by students in the same area of concentration, and new students are given the opportunity to interact with returning students. Computers with access to the School network and the Internet are available in the student offices and in the Ph.D. Computer Lab.

What is the typical career path for your Ph.D.s? We prepare students to conduct high quality, state-of-the-art research and to take faculty positions at leading universities. The program is oriented toward those who have a serious interest in both scholarly research and teaching, and the majority of our graduates accept Assistant Professor positions upon graduation.

Do you host doctoral students from other universities, and how do I apply? Who is eligible?

It is the visiting student’s responsibility to make travel and housing arrangements. Funding is not provided. There is no restriction for year in program. Each request is evaluated independently.

How do I apply to visit UConn?

All applications from doctoral students at partner institutions should be sent to the School of Business, Ph.D. Program office and must include; (1) a statement of purpose explaining your research interests and objectives of your proposed visit, (2) a current vita, (3) a supporting letter from your advisor, and (4) other supporting information such as transcripts, test scores, etc.

What happens next?

The BUS Ph.D. Program Director will review all requests in consultation with the relevant department. Decisions about requests will be based on (1) assessment of the fit between the student’s research interests and expertise with departmental faculty research interests and expertise and (2) the expressed willingness of a School of Business department to host the student.

If student is accepted, a “welcome letter” will come from the hosting department.

What is the Student Speaker Series? The purpose of the Student Speaker Series is to enhance the research culture of the School of Business. Doctoral students invite and host a speaker with research that is of particular of interest to them. Our doctoral students have had great success in furthering their network and sometimes finding collaboration with our visiting faculty speakers.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

How Long It Takes to Get a Ph.D. Degree

Caiaimage | Tom Merton | Getty Images

A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner."

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master's degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master's and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase " all but dissertation " or the abbreviation "ABD" on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of Ph.D. completion rates published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. "Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you're in and what other responsibilities you have in life," he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. "Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor," Curtis advises. "Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with."

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student's funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. "Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation," he says. "If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration."

He adds that prospective Ph.D. students who already have master's degrees in the field they intend to focus their Ph.D. on should investigate whether the courses they took in their master's program would count toward the requirements of a Ph.D. program. "You’ll want to discuss your particular situation with your program to see whether this will be possible, and how many credits you are likely to receive as the result of your master’s work," he says.

How to Write M.D.-Ph.D. Application Essays

Ilana Kowarski May 15, 2018

Emmanuel C. Nwaodua, who has a Ph.D. degree in geology, says some Ph.D. programs require candidates to publish a paper in a first-rate, peer-reviewed academic journal. "This could extend your stay by a couple of years," he warns.

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. "Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.," Huguet wrote in an email. "The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience."

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan with the university's history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. "Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities)," she wrote in an email.

Kee adds that humanities Ph.D. programs often require someone to learn a foreign language, and "fields like anthropology and art history require extensive field research." Kee says funding for a humanities Ph.D. program typically only lasts five years, even though it is uncommon for someone to obtain a Ph.D. degree in a humanities field within that time frame. "Because of this, many if not most Ph.D. students must work to make ends meet, thus further prolonging the time of completion," she says.

Online Doctoral Programs: What to Expect

Ronald Wellman March 23, 2018

Kristin Redington Bennett, the founder of the Illumii educational consulting firm in North Carolina, encourages Ph.D. hopefuls to think carefully about whether they want to become a scholar. Bennett, who has a Ph.D. in curriculum and assessment and who previously worked as an assistant professor at Wake Forest University , says a Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner." She says someone contemplating a Ph.D. should ask themselves the following questions "Are you a very curious person... and are you persistent?"

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. "A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it'll be easier on you if you are passionate about research," says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

"A Ph.D. isn't about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that," Lee says.

Curtis says a prospective Ph.D. student's enthusiasm for academic work, teaching and research are the key criteria they should use to decide whether to obtain a Ph.D. degree. "While the time it takes to complete a doctorate is an understandable concern for many, my personal belief is that time is not the most important factor to consider," he says. "Good Ph.D. programs provide their students with generous stipends, health care and sometimes even subsidized housing."

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student's academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

"The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two's difference," she wrote in an email. "When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it's usually related to the student's coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn't yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research."

"It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school's proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are," Skelly says. "That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program."

Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

Tags: graduate schools , education , students

Engineering Grad Schools with Most Women

Cole Claybourn Dec. 5, 2024

7 Sins of Business School Applicants

Anayat Durrani Dec. 3, 2024

Colleges With Microbreweries on Campus

Cole Claybourn Dec. 3, 2024

Tips for Med School Applicants' Parents

Kathleen Franco, M.D., M.S. Nov. 26, 2024

Law Applicants and Disciplinary Issues

Gabriel Kuris Nov. 25, 2024

Primary Care vs. Research Med Schools

Anna Fiorino Nov. 21, 2024

Do Law Schools Accept Associate Degrees?

Gabriel Kuris Nov. 18, 2024

Is Law School Worth the Price?

Ilana Kowarski and Cole Claybourn Nov. 12, 2024

Tips for Foreign Law School Applicants

Gabriel Kuris Nov. 12, 2024

Understanding the Path to Earning a Doctorate as a Working Professional

Students gathered at tables in a classroom, actively studying and collaborating

Would you like to be among the 1.4% of Americans who hold a doctorate? Despite this small percentage, the number of Americans awarded doctorate degrees is on the rise . More people are recognizing the value of this prestigious degree.

As a working professional, achieving a doctoral degree can bring fulfillment and help you achieve your career goals. While the path for each doctoral candidate is unique, this guide will provide an overview of the process.

Learn how long it takes to get a doctorate and how best to approach this goal as a working professional.

Setting Goals for Success

Before you begin pursuing a doctorate, consider your goals and motivations. How you approach your doctorate depends on your motives.

Some common reasons for seeking a doctorate include:

• Career advancement. Moving to the next level in your career may require a doctoral degree. Many people in doctoral programs hope to get ahead in academia. However, demand is growing for doctoral degrees in fields such as engineering, physical sciences, business, and industry.

• Personal fulfillment. Obtaining your doctorate is a personal achievement that can be very satisfying.

• Passion in the field. A lifelong love of learning, curiosity, and interest in the field may be enough motivation to achieve this prestigious degree.

• Breaking into a new role or industry. Perhaps you’re hoping to work in an adjacent field or step into a more senior role that requires additional expertise. A doctorate can help you with these career goals.

Based on your motivations, set clear goals. Consider specifics such as the focus of your doctorate, how long it will take to get your doctorate, financial commitments, and outcomes. This way, as you explore doctoral programs, you can seek out and choose one that aligns best with your goals.

For example, if your goal is career advancement, consider seeking a mentor who currently holds your ideal position. Ask them for advice about selecting a doctoral program and how this degree could help you.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Doctorate? Understanding the Time Commitment

Many hopeful candidates wonder “How many years is a doctorate degree?” According to the National Science Foundation, on average, candidates take between 6 and 11 years to complete a doctorate.

The number of years it takes depends on the field. Science and math candidates tend to complete their programs in about 6 years while candidates focusing on social sciences, humanities, and education take longer.

Doctoral program requirements vary greatly depending on the field and university program. Doctoral programs include a major research component.

Candidates must perform extensive research, write a dissertation, and defend their thesis during an oral exam. Some programs may also include coursework. Additionally, candidates typically work closely with an advisor who oversees their research and thesis.

Types of Doctoral Programs and How Long They Take to Complete

How long it takes to get your doctorate largely depends on the type of program. Some common programs include:

• PhD: This acronym stands for “Doctor of Philosophy.” However, today, a PhD may refer to the highest attainable academic degree in many different fields such as engineering, math, and more. Many programs offer a range of advanced degree options based on your goals. For example, you can get a PhD in engineering with a focus on academia. However, an EngD degree focuses on more practical applications for professional engineers.

• Ed.D: A Doctor of Education is a popular choice for educators in leadership and administrative roles.

• DBA: A Doctor of Business Administration is ideal for business professionals in leadership, management, and executive roles.

How long it takes to get your doctorate also varies based on your enrollment preferences. Full-time doctoral candidates can complete their programs faster than part-time candidates. Part-time enrollment is popular for PhD candidates. Approximately 43 % of graduate students are enrolled part-time.

Additionally, online PhD programs are now available. An online option tends to offer more flexibility and can make it much easier to earn a degree at an out-of-state university.

Balancing Work and Life as a Doctoral Candidate

Between work, personal responsibilities, and studies, a doctoral program requires a lot of dedication. So, how hard is it to get a doctorate as a working professional?

Achieving this goal is difficult, but not impossible. Completing a degree while working requires coordination and planning. When I was completing coursework while working full-time, I made sure to schedule time for my studies. Planning for this time also included arranging for childcare so that I could focus on assignments.

Also, take advantage of your advisor and the program’s resources. Many colleges and universities offer free counseling to students, including those in doctoral programs. Additionally, you can reach out to your advisor for advice on pacing your research or preparing for your defense.

Financial Considerations and Funding Options

Many doctoral candidates are working professionals. However, others obtain funding so they can focus exclusively on their studies. Fully funded programs often provide doctoral candidates with a tuition scholarship as well as a stipend for living expenses. Fellowship programs also provide financial support for PhD candidates.

Other avenues for financial support include student loans, employer sponsorships, and grants. Many universities also hire doctoral students as teacher’s assistants or research assistants. In some of these cases, the institution may also reduce or waive tuition.

Leveraging Employer Support

Before enrolling in a doctoral program, check with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement or academic leave options. This is a common practice in research-focused industries such as laboratories. Universities themselves may also support employees with tuition assistance or waivers so candidates can achieve their doctorate degrees.

Even if you’re unaware of an employer program, ask your HR department or superior about how they might support you as a doctoral candidate. Many employers are willing to provide support in non-financial ways. A flexible schedule or time off are a few ways your employer can help.

When speaking with your employer, be sure to highlight how your new skills and knowledge will support your organization.

The Long-Term Benefits of a Doctorate

Holding a doctorate can bring many different benefits, including financial. Studies show that graduate degree holders earn 38.3% more than those who hold a bachelor’s degree in the same field.

Additionally, a doctorate can help open the door to higher-level positions in your field. Leadership positions, teaching roles, consulting, and industry experts often hold a PhD. On a personal note, a doctoral degree can help position you as an expert in your field.

Obtaining Your Doctorate

Obtaining a doctorate requires short-term sacrifices and hard work for long-term gains in earning potential, career advancement, and recognition in your field.

Are you ready to explore your options? Take this quiz to discover which field of study best matches your experiences and goals. Then, you’ll see the best program matches for obtaining your doctorate.

Step-by-step guide for career professionals to obtain a master's degree, understanding the path to a phd: do you need a master's to get a phd, how long does it take for professionals to earn a master's degree.

How Many Years For A PhD? Really, That Many?!

When I tell people that I am a Business Professor, they often wonder how long it actually takes to get a doctorate in business administration at a major research university? Most people get how long it takes to get a PhD fairly wrong (this was me when I started as well), and most of the web sites on the inter-webs are somewhat misleading in how long it actually takes. Generally, the belief is that a doctorate degree in Business Administration takes 3-4 years, which is on the short side. Read this post on how to become a business school professor (You will love it).

But, really, how many years is a doctoral degree in Business? A Doctorate Degree in Business Administration takes anywhere from 3 to 7 years to complete. A PhD in Business Administration tends to be a bit longer than a Doctorate of Business Administration degree. If you want to know some more differences between a PhD and a DBA, I have a post of these similarities and differences . But, the norm is usually around 4-5.5 years. Of those that finish their PhD, here are my estimates from my experience (and what do I know anyway 🙂 ):

<5% complete a doctorate in business within 2 years.
5-20% complete a doctorate within 2-4 years.
20-80% complete a doctorate within 4-5 years.
80-90% complete a doctorate within 5-6 years.
90-100% complete a doctorate within 6-8 years.

I performed a poll in the R3ciprocity YouTube community in August 2020. I had 114 respondents of current PhDs and people that have already received their doctorate. The average (mean) from this poll indicated that most people complete their PhD in 4.4 years. The mode is 4 years. Here is the histogram that shows how long it takes to complete your PhD.

However, there are some important caveats with this poll. First, the poll is conducted with a global audience, and people in Europe take around 3-4 years to complete their doctorate, whereas in the USA, the norm is around 5-7 years. Why? The market is just very competitive in the USA as the salaries tend to be quite a bit higher. Second, the poll also includes expectation PhDs, and from my experience, most people are really bad at judging how long their research will take until it is done. Third, there are likely biases due to people wanting to appear more successful than they really are. Fourth, the market is becoming even more competitive, and requiring people to take longer than they do even now. In sum, there will be a downward bias on these numbers, and the true value of how long a PhD takes is likely longer.

As you can see, it is highly unusual to take 3-4 years to get a doctoral degree in business, and the norm is closer to 4-5.5 years. Some people may take 6 to 7 years – this is actually quite normal too.

Know that if you do a professional DBA degree, you will take much shorter than a PhD degree. How long does it take to get a DBA? Here are a couple of examples.

Virginia Tech’s Executive PhD takes around 3-4 years: Check out program of study that shows length of time to get doctorate .
Pepperdine’s DBA program is around 3 years: Check out the program of study that details Pepperdine’s DBA length.
Georgia State’s DBA program is around 3 years: Check out the GSU program’s length of study.

Please note that executive DBA’s are not shorter because the DBA Degree is easier, but it is because the outcomes are different. The length of time it takes to get a PhD or Doctorate in Business Administration is largely a function of your ultimate goal. It will be hard to get a professor job without publications, so most PhDs take longer to get these publications.

Keep in mind this is all of the people that actually complete a doctorate degree in Business Administration. At most programs (and this is my experience again – no hard evidence), the attrition rate before completion is anywhere from 10-30% of those who start their doctorate program never complete it. Where do these people go? Most people don’t ‘fail out’ of their doctorate degree, but find that research in business does not match with their personality and choose to do other things. They simply just learn that doing a PhD in business is not that fun for them. This is good, but it is a fairly tough career, and the quicker you know that it is not for you, the better off you will be. Want to know what it is like to be a PhD student or Professor? You need to read this post.

Also, if you think you are going to be in it for the long term, you should plan that the doctoral degree will take longer than you think. Knowing how long a doctoral program will take is like knowing how long you drug development will take: It just takes a long time, but you don’t know exactly how long. You should plan to hunker down with major life investments. You can see my post on buying a home in grad school .

Why Does It Take 4-5.5 Years To Get A Doctoral Degree In Business?

The length of time that it takes to complete a doctoral degree is usually related to the rigor of your program of study. More rigorous programs usually take longer than less rigorous programs, but of course, this is a general rule, and their are always exception to the rule. Some forms of research generally take longer than others. For example, if you expect to do ethnographies (going into the workplace for several months as a fly on the wall), you will likely take a bit longer than other people. ( Want to know if a PhD is for you? You need to take this PhD quiz!)

Moreover, the length of time of your doctoral program can depend on the resources that are available at the university. Doctor of Business Administration Programs (both PhD and DBA) vary a lot in the resources that are available to them. Programs like Harvard, Stanford, and major state programs (Florida State University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan, etc.) might have more resources to allow you to work on your research longer than other programs. Remember how long A PhD takes is often a choice, and the people that do research in these programs often want to stay longer to look better on the job market.

Do you have self-doubts about doing a PhD? Read this post about dealing with self-doubts in a doctoral program.

Yes, these small choices about research matter to how long it takes to get a PhD, and most people underestimate how long things will take. By the way, there is actually a psychological bias that we all have called the planning fallacy . Anyway, if you are interested in more ideas about choosing methods in your PhD in Business Administration, I have a video on research methods:

What is the Normal Process of A PhD In Business Administration.

While a PhD program may vary across different schools and the programs within each school, a doctorate degree in business administration usually involves several broad stages of the PhD. By the way, this is fairly representative of how long does it take to get a PhD in general, as there is considerable standardization across university programs. University Administrators like to make sure there is equity across programs in most universities.

1st Year: In the first year of a PhD in Business, students will do you a broad overview of business and statistics courses. You will also do coursework on research methods and the philosophy of science. These are really fun topics if you like this kind of thing. By the way, if you are interested in picking courses for a doctorate in business or other business grad school programs, check out the video below. It provides a fairly good analyses of how to choose your graduate school courses. Of course, this is your career, so you choose whatever you want to choose. Here is a great post about what PhD classes are like.

By the way, this would be a good time to decide if the PhD in Business Administration is right for you. You can also choose what you are interested in. It is very common for people to switch around and try different things at the end of the 1st year of the program. If you are interested in learning more about switching to different specializations in the PhD, you might want to watch video about what kind of PhD will make you most competitive in the job market:

2nd Year: In the second year of any PhD program in business, you will generally have to do area specific courses (for me – strategy and innovation) and finish the comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams are tough, but if you are interested in the PhD in Business Administration, you will have to take the comps. Sorry, folks. 🙁 This is also a great time to leave a doctoral program. You ought to read this post to know when and why PhD students often quit their doctoral programs.

Here is a video about comprehensive videos in a PhD of Business Administration program might be like for you. To be honest, I actually did enjoy mine after I got through all of the work aspect of the comprehensive exams:

3rd Year: In the third year, candidates for a PhD in Business (ie. Management, Finance, etc) will work on a paper and their dissertation proposal. This is the year that can add a lot of value to you. If you work wisely, you can be very productive in this year. You can write a paper or two during this time. (Check out this guide post to writing research papers , which is a work in progress). However, don’t work on anything in this year, this could really hold you back as a scholar.

4th and 5th Year: In the final years of a Doctorate in Business, students will go in the job market and complete their thesis in their chosen field in a doctorate in business program. What is the job market? That is where you actually get a job as an assistant professor, or take a job as a post-doc. By the way, post-docs are becoming increasingly more common.

As you can see when you ask how many years for PhD, it makes sense that it will take at least 4-5 years to complete. If you are lucky, you can finish the PhD in 4, but more than likely, you will take 4.5-5. It is normal to see a doctoral degree taking longer than 5 years, particularly if the student flounders for year or encounters obstacles in the PhD. By the way, the biggest thing that I always say that harms students from doing good research is life. Darn life – it always gets in the way. 🙂

That is the complete answer to how long it actually does take to get a PhD in Business Administration. Doing a doctorate is very different from undergraduate programs. How long it takes to get a business degree in undergraduate programs and MBA programs are often fixed because the program is well defined (say 4 years).

The answer to how many years is a doctorate really depends on the person, and what they choose to do with their research career. Note that this is just my ramblings, and everyone’s experiences are different and unique. That is the one thing about a PhD, it is a very personal journey that only you can choose.

Take the academic research productivity quiz. Find out if you have what it takes to perform as a PhD.

By the way, this is all part of my r3ciprocity project , in which I am trying to give back as much as I can as ways to thank all of the people that have helped me become a professor. I created a sharing economy proofreading software , and continue to put out videos to help others advance their careers as well. The R3ciprocity Project started out as a side-project, where David Maslach created an App to help others get feedback on their work (r3ciprocity.com – it is seriously inexpensive and easy to use. You have to try it!) , but it is beginning to grow into a real movement. Check out the YouTube channel ! The goal with r3ciprocity is to solve problems that are relevant to behavioral and organizational sciences, and to eventually generate enough profits that I can create scholarships for graduate students and help others. Yes, its a pipe-dream, but dreams do come true. 🙂

David Maslach