The ACBSP-accredited online PhD in Management degree from Walden University takes an interdisciplinary approach to the field of management and its influence on the development of individuals and society. Students conduct original research in a specific area of interest as they focus on current management research problems and connect their research to implications for positive social change. Students may choose a specialization that fits a personal or career objective or design an individualized specialization. PhD in Management students explore the challenges and opportunities in their profession and within today’s organizations. Aligning with Walden’s mission of positive social change, students also study ways to facilitate positive social change through original research in management, ethical decision making and theoretical challenges to enhance their capabilities as researchers, scholars, managers, teachers, or consultants.
Accreditation
Walden University’s PhD in Management program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP is a leading, specialized accreditation association that identifies and supports excellence in business education.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the evolution of the field of management and organizations and its influence on human and societal development.
- Analyze key theories, concepts, and tools as they relate to the functioning of leadership and organizations.
- Evaluate management and systems thinking principles that have influenced the development of organizations and societal systems.
- Evaluate the relevance of seminal, current, and emerging management and organizational change theory and practice from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- Demonstrate the skills needed to conduct research that contributes to positive social change.
Full Program
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 credits)
- Core courses (20 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Foundation Research Sequence (15 credits)
- Advanced Research course (5 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Capstone
- Dissertation Preparation courses (9 credits)
- Dissertation writing course (5 credits per quarter for a minimum of four quarters until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
Curriculum
Core Courses (20 credits)
Specializations Courses (15 credits)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
Foundation Research Sequence (15 credits)
Advanced Research Course (5 credits)
PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.
One of the following three courses is required:
Residency Requirements
- Residency 1 - Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; no later than within 90 days of completing MGMT 8003M.
- Residency 2 - Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310). Completion of Residencies 1 and 2 is required prior to registration in the advanced research course and MGMT 9000.
- Residency 3 - Complete Residency 3 once you have a draft prospectus.
- Residency 4 - Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as:
- Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
- Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
- Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
- A dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during MGMT 9000M in the dissertation writing phase to progress toward completion and defense of the dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
- Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during MGMT 9000M. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition.
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
Dissertation Preparation Courses (9 credits)
Dissertation
(5 credits per quarter for a minimum of four quarters until completion) *
*Students are continuously enrolled in MGMT 9000M for a minimum of four quarters until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence
The recommended course sequence is as follows:
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
MGMT 4990M - Business Essentials |
0 credits |
|
MGMT 8003M - Gateway to Doctoral Management Studies |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; no later than within 90 days of completing MGMT 8003M. | ||
| Quarter 2 |
MGMT 8005M - Organizational Perspectives and Implications for Leaders |
5 credits |
|
MGMT 8007M - Complexity and Systems Thinking Dynamics |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
MGMT 8009M - Organizational Decision Making and Judgment |
5 credits |
|
RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 | MGMT 8xxxM - Specialization Course 1 | 5 credits |
|
RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310). Completion of Residencies 1 and 2 is required prior to registration in the advanced research course and MGMT 9000. | ||
| Quarter 5 | MGMT 8xxxM - Specialization Course 2 | 5 credits |
|
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 6 | MGMT 8xxxM - Specialization Course 3 | 5 credits |
|
MGMT 8920M - Developing the Content Literature Review and Research Method and Design |
3 credits | |
| Quarter 7 |
MGMT 8900M - Prospectus Development and Alignment |
3 credits |
|
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a draft prospectus. | ||
| Quarter 8 |
MGMT 8910M - Dissertation Development Process |
3 credits |
|
MGMT 9000M - Doctoral Dissertation* |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion | |
| Quarter 9+ |
MGMT 9000M - Doctoral Dissertation* |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
|
Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as:
|
||
| Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during MGMT 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. | ||
* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)
Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.
- Students are eligible to apply for this credential while continuing their PhD program once they have completed:
- All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
- All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
- All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
- Program prospectus development course
- Residencies 1, 2, and 3
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
- The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.
Completion Program
The PhD dissertation completion program is designed specifically for returning doctoral degree candidates who have completed all coursework for a PhD, except the dissertation process, at another university.
Minimum Completion Requirements
- Core courses (5 credits)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (minimum 20 credits)
- Residency 3 (face-to-face live experience)
- One dissertation intensive (face-to-face writing retreat)
Course Sequence
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
MGMT 4990M - Business Essentials |
0 credits |
|
MGMT 8551 - Preparing for Dissertation |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 within 90 days of program start | ||
| Quarter 2 |
MGMT 9000B - Doctoral Dissertation* |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| Dissertation Intensive Retreat (in-person writing intensive retreat) | ||
*Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.