If you’re interested in furthering your expertise and advancing your career in mathematics, business operations, and research and data analysis, then pursuing an online PhD in Business Analytics may be the right path for you.
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With a PhD in Business Analytics, you may be equipped for a rewarding career across a variety of industries and positions, from teaching and research in academia to roles in management and business operations, data science, economics, and leadership.
Online Doctorate in Business Analytics Programs
A doctorate in business analytics is considered a Big Data PhD. You may be required to complete a variety of advanced-level courses that cover topics such as supply chain management, business analytics, business operations, and project management.
Other courses may cover research methodology, empirical analysis, data modeling, and advanced statistics. In addition to standard coursework, some PhD programs in business analytics may require you to complete a research-based dissertation in order to complete the program and obtain your degree.
With a PhD in Business Analytics, you may be prepared for a rewarding career in academia as a professor, a researcher, or even both. As a professor, you would instruct students in various content areas related to your business analytics specialty and participate in the development of the course curriculum.
Choosing a career as a researcher may allow you to conduct research, collect and analyze data, report research findings to various stakeholders, and contribute to growth and progress in your field.
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There are also a number of positions outside of the realm of academia that may be open to you with a doctorate in business analytics. These positions include economist, management analyst, data scientist, statistician, mathematician, and actuary. You may also qualify for top-level executive positions, such as a chief data officer.
In these positions, you may be responsible for analyzing data using statistical and analytical software and making recommendations to business leaders based on data, trends, and forecasts in relation to business operations.
With a PhD in Business Analytics, you may also lead the collection, analysis, evaluation, and reporting on various types of data within a business.
The evaluation of risks faced by businesses concerning finance and operations, the creation of statistical models for use in data analysis, and the implementation of information systems may also fall under your job description.
Business Analytics Careers & Salaries
Positions for business analytics expertise exist within a diverse range of industries, including academia, finance and business firms, and public and private businesses. You may even become an independent consultant operating your own business.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a number of career options to choose from if you pursue a PhD in Business Analytics.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Actuary | $111,030 |
| Mathematician | $110,860 |
| Economist | $108,350 |
| Econometrics Professor | $107,260 |
| Statistician | $92,270 |
| Banking and Finance Instructor | $88,010 |
| Management Analyst | $87,660 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $86,200 |
| Financial Analyst | $83,660 |
| Business Operations Specialist | $77,420 |
A number of positions that suit a PhD in Business Analytics are forecast to see significant job growth over the coming decade. For example, job growth is predicted for financial analysts (5%), postsecondary teachers (9%), management analysts (11%), economists (14%), and actuaries (18%).
Careers including operations research analysts and mathematicians or statisticians are expected to experience remarkable growth, with increases over the next several years projected at 25% and 33%, respectively.
PhD in Business Analytics Curriculum & Courses
A doctorate program in business analytics will include coursework that covers advanced mathematics, business operations, decision-making, and data analysis and visualization.
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Courses included in a doctoral business analytics program may include those listed below:
- Supply Chain Analysis: An in-depth look at supply chain management strategies, decision-making, planning and forecasting, and asset control systems
- Microeconomics: Analysis of decision-making within businesses, utilizing various economic theories
- Multivariate Statistical Analysis: An overview of several multivariate methods and the hands-on application of related techniques, building on existing knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and algebra
- Data Structures: Analysis of different data structures and the ideal uses for each structure type within a business.
- Advanced Decision Technologies: Review of available decision support technologies, including a look at the limitations of use and possible alternatives
- Management Theory in a Global Economy: Exploration of management theories in relation to existing business practices and in the context of global trade and economics
- Decision Analysis: Overview of predictive analytic methods, data mining, and a review of technologies used in the analysis process
- Data Visualization: A review of data modeling methods and best practices, the use of R software for data analysis, and approaches for the presentation of data and findings
- Professional Ethics: Exploration of ethical practices in business and the impact decisions have in a cultural, legal, and social context
- Information Systems Implementation: Exploration of organizational change management practices in relation to design, implementation, and use of new information systems to improve organizational performance
While the specific structure of each degree program differs, earning your PhD in Business Analytics may also require you to complete a significant amount of research and to complete a formal dissertation.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements for online PhD in Business Analytics programs vary from school to school, but they may include the items listed below.
- GMAT or GRE scores, if required: Schools may require your GMAT or GRE score, and in some cases, they may have specific score thresholds or requirements for admission.
- Letter of recommendation: One or more letters of recommendation may be requested to provide detail around your strengths, weaknesses, and experience in relation to the program.
- Interview: An in-person interview may be required to assess your fit for the program, along with your overall purpose and motivation for enrollment.
- Transcripts: Transcripts from previous studies in a bachelors or masters degree program may be requested to verify the quality of your previous education.
Similar to a masters in business analytics online, additional admission standards may be required depending on the schools you’re applying to. Other requirements may include a statement of purpose, your resume, or a verification of English proficiency.
Accreditation
Regional accreditation certifies that the quality of an academic program meets a predetermined set of standards. The overall regard of an academic program, including the ability to transfer credits completed in that program, is impacted by its accreditation status.
Accreditation may also be an important consideration for employers, playing a key role in hiring decisions made by the recruitment team or hiring manager. Additionally, various certification associations or professional societies may require members to hold a degree from an accredited institution in order to be eligible for membership with the association.
Before applying to or enrolling in a doctoral program in business analytics, you may consider reviewing the accreditation status of the program via the website for the US Department of Education.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
While pursuing a PhD in Business Analytics may be a costly undertaking, you might be eligible for financial aid and scholarships that can help ease the financial burden of your degree.
You may qualify for federal or state aid programs in the form of loans and grants. While loans generally require repayment after a certain time period, grants usually do not need to be repaid once your studies are completed.
Additional funding support may be available to you in the form of scholarships, which can be offered by private organizations to fund your studies and do not require repayment. Some schools may offer funding packages to help cover the cost of your doctorate.
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The structure of funding packages and eligibility may vary from school to school, but they often include coverage of tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses incurred while completing your degree, and access to health and dental benefits.
You can explore various financial aid and scholarship opportunities via the Federal Student Aid website, and here you can also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Business Analytics?
With a PhD in Business Analytics, you may be qualified for a career in various sectors, such as academia, public or government organizations, private businesses, financial firms, insurance agencies, consultancies, and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in the field of business analytics may include actuary, mathematician, economist, management analyst, business operations specialist, and data analyst.
Earning your PhD in Business Analytics online may also allow you to become a faculty member within a postsecondary institution. As a member of the faculty, you would be a professor in content areas related to your expertise.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online PhD in Business Analytics?
If you enroll in a full-time PhD program in business analytics, it may take between 3 to 5 years to obtain your degree. The length of a program will vary from school to school and depend on the overall program structure and graduation requirements.
Some schools and programs may allow you to complete your PhD on a part-time basis. This may increase the amount of time it takes for you to complete your degree. In some cases, part-time studies in a PhD program may take 6 to 8 years to complete.
A beneficial move may be to first earn an on-campus or online graduate certificate in business analytics, which is earned after completing a masters degree, to see if this field is the one you want to pursue. In many cases, the credits earned in a certificate program will transfer to a doctorate program.
Certain PhD programs may require you to finish all program components within a specific time frame in order to obtain your degree, so it may be strategic to review all school and degree details before enrolling in a program.
What’s the Difference Between Business Analytics vs. Business Intelligence?
An online business intelligence degree program uses descriptive analytics and places importance on the collection and storage of data and information. Business analytics, on the other hand, focuses on the use of that information to make informed decisions for a business.
Both business intelligence and business analytics are used to help organizations make better decisions. The key difference is that business intelligence uses past and current data while business analytics uses predictions and future case analysis.
Due to the intricate nature of business intelligence and analytics, an online PhD in Business Intelligence may be a stand-alone program or part of a comprehensive doctoral program in business intelligence and business analytics.
What’s the Difference Between Business Analytics vs. Data Analytics?
Business analytics places greater emphasis on the role of data within a business or organization for decision-making. This includes those related to supply chain management, market trends, business operations, and project management.
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Data analytics refers to the technical process of working with data and preparing it for the business analytics and decision-making process. Data analytics is also used more broadly than business alone and plays an important role in science, healthcare, and government organizations.
What’s the Difference Between Business Analytics vs. Data Science?
Data science involves the analysis of data and information using mathematical and statistical methods and programs. Unlike business analytics, data science does not narrow in on the use of that data in decision-making for a business.
In contrast, business analytics incorporates the analysis of data using statistical approaches with insights gained from the analysis process to help make better and more informed business decisions.
Business analytics can contribute to decision-making in relation to management and business operations, logistics, economics, market trends, and financial risk.
Is a PhD in Business Analytics Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in Business Analytics is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and financial jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.
Common business analytics careers in this field include postsecondary teachers, economists, researchers, statisticians, and business operations specialists.
In a business analytics career, you may work on projects that require regular use of mathematical expertise, business operations knowledge, research skills, and advanced understanding of data analysis practices.
Universities Offering Online PhD in Business Analytics 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.
American Public University’s Doctor of Strategic Intelligence program is an option for students interested in careers in analytics and intelligence.
The curriculum focuses on the organizational, cultural, and intellectual barriers in the field. Students learn about both domestic and global intelligence through a mixture of research, hands-on practice, and multidisciplinary studies.
- Doctor of Strategic Intelligence
APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Doctor of Business Administration in Business Intelligence program at Capella University is accredited by the ACBSP and features a diverse faculty of distinguished scholar practitioners.
The program consists of 8 core courses and 4 specialized courses, and students must complete a doctoral research project to graduate. There are also 2 required residencies.
- DBA in Business Intelligence
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students in Capitol Technology University’s PhD in Business Analytics and Data Science program can tailor their elective courses to reflect their own personal career goals.
The curriculum includes courses such as management theory in the global economy, analytics and decision analysis, professional research theory and practice, and management of information.
- PhD in Business Analytics and Data Science
Capitol Technology University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Colorado Technical University’s Doctor of Computer Science in Big Data Analytics program includes symposium experiences, an online curriculum, and a residency component.
The program can potentially be completed in 3 years, and grants and scholarships are available for qualifying students. There is an emphasis placed on research, and the curriculum reflects that.
- Doctor of Computer Science – Big Data Analytics
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Dakota State University’s PhD in Information Systems program teaches students to develop, support, master, and maintain new innovations in the field of information technology.
The program is flexible and can be undertaken part- or full-time, either on campus or online. There are also three concentration options: health care, security, and analytics.
- PhD in Information Systems – Analytics
Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students enrolled in George Fox University’s Doctor of Business Administration can choose from three concentrations: accounting, management, or marketing.
In addition to concentration-specific courses, students will also take core business courses, education and teaching courses, and courses concerning doctoral research and their dissertations. The degree program requires 56 credits for completion.
- DBA in Management – Strategic Management
George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The Doctor of Business Administration in Data Analytics degree at Grand Canyon University is a quantitative research degree that equips students to create, interpret, and share data in professional settings. Students should gain foundations in analytics and prescriptive modeling and come to understand emerging issues in finance.
- DBA in Data Analytics
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University’s Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Management program is 100% online, is accredited by the ACBSP, and provides students with the procedure and policy skills necessary for business leadership positions.
Notable courses include ethical leadership, strategic leadership and management, organizational and executive coaching, and workforce planning and employment.
- DBA in Strategic Management
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
National University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science that can typically be completed in 40 months. The program requires the completion of 20 courses for a total of 60 credits.
The curriculum explores topics such as predictive analytics, data visualization, data curation, critical analysis, and quantitative research.
- PhD in Data Science
National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Regent University offers a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree program that takes a Christian approach to structure, leadership, communication, cultural understanding, and team building.
There are ten concentrations from which students can choose, including an individualized concentration that allows them to customize their curriculum to meet their unique career objectives.
- Doctor of Strategic Leadership
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The PhD in Computational Science and Statistics program at South Dakota State University features a concentration in Data Science for students interested in business analytics.
Applicants are encouraged to have strong quantitative, communication, and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to unravel complex situations. Statistical methodologies and research are key curriculum components.
- PhD in Computational Science and Statistics – Data Science
South Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southeastern University’s strategic leadership doctoral program features mostly online coursework with a few one-week intensives mixed in as well.
Courses in this program include leadership theory, situational and transformational leadership, cultural intelligence, followership, teamwork dynamics, and servant and authentic leadership. The university accepts financial aid and offers payment plans to students who qualify.
- Doctorate in Strategic Leadership
Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Students interested in business analytics at Temple University can enroll in the PhD in Business Administration program and select the Strategic Management concentration.
The program has AACSB accreditation and must be undertaken in a full-time capacity. It generally takes 7 years for completion, and financial aid and assistantships are available for qualifying students.
- PhD in Business Administration – Strategic Management
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
University of Central Florida’s PhD in Big Data Analytics provides students with statistics foundations and teaches them to analyze large amounts of data. Students should learn about data mining, statistical analysis, computer science and text, and predictive analytics. After graduating, students should be equipped for careers as data analysts and scientists.
- PhD in Big Data Analytics
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Walden University offers a PhD in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Management.
It examines business organizations from every aspect, including management, technology, processes, systems, and the people who work there. Course topics include cloud computing, strategic direction, big data, systems integration, and systems architecture. Four residencies are required.
- PhD in Management – Information Systems Management
Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Doctorate in Business Analytics Online
Earning a PhD in Business Analytics may offer you a challenging opportunity to advance your career and expertise in mathematics, research, and data analysis. You could grow your skill set and explore the impact that data has on the decision-making process within a business or organization.
Accredited PhD programs in business analytics may include coursework that covers data analysis and visualization, statistical and mathematical analysis, business operations, management theory, and use and implementation of information systems.
Positions in the field of business analytics offer an above-average annual salary and are predicted to see significant growth over the coming years. Earning your doctorate in the field of business analytics may allow you to lead a rewarding career in academia, research, business, and public or government institutions.
