Are you planning your next steps after an MBA? Or just assessing different pathways, including an MBA and a PhD? In both cases, it’s useful to know that an MBA and a PhD lead to different career paths:
- MBA students typically have work experience and are aiming to pursue leadership-level roles.
- PhDs are research-based and aim to contribute new knowledge to a field.
That said, a PhD after an MBA can be a good choice for those switching from industry to research, aiming to teach at universities, or specialising in research in a certain business area. In this article, we’ll cover degree terminologies, best practices to study a PhD after an MBA, and alternatives to PhDs.
A note on the terminology: Doctorate vs PhD vs MBA
PhD and Doctorate are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same.
A Doctorate is the highest level of academic degree. PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, and is just one type of Doctorate.
During a PhD, you’ll specialise in a specific research area, aiming to contribute new knowledge to the field. PhD graduates often pursue careers in academia and research, becoming university professors, lecturers, and researchers. Other types of doctorates have a more professional focus.
A postgraduate degree, MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. Entry requirements typically include work experience, and many MBA graduates work towards moving into management and executive leadership. You can see this pattern in the educational backgrounds of many CEOs. For example, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, first studied technical subjects (Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and Master’s in Computer Science), and then an MBA.
Can you do a PhD after an MBA?
Technically, an MBA can qualify you to apply for a PhD, provided the MBA is an accredited Master’s degree or officially recognised as equivalent to one. The exact rules depend on the country and university. Some PhD programmes also require:
- a minimum number of university credits;
- a research-based dissertation or equivalent preparation;
- relevant academic background;
- specific grades or entrance exams.
Moreover, if you have an MBA it doesn’t mean you are limited to doing a business PhD, but if you choose an unrelated field, they might ask for extra proof that of subject knowledge or research experience.
When considering a PhD after an MBA it’s important to first think if it’s the right path for your goals. If you want to pursue executive positions in a company or move into leadership, you won’t need a PhD after your MBA.
If you realise during your MBA that you would like to work in research or university-level teaching, then a PhD can be your next step. From an admissions perspective, an MBA is generally considered a valid Master’s degree that can qualify you for PhD programmes.
How to apply for a PhD after an MBA
While MBA programmes focus on developing business and leadership skills, PhDs are designed for students who want to conduct research and contribute new knowledge to their field. This requires a mindset change.
Here’s what you should know about applying for a PhD after an MBA, based on insights from Professor Margee Hume from Torrens University Australia.
1. Understand the challenges of transitioning from an MBA to a PhD
Unlike previous degrees, where you typically learn and apply established concepts, a PhD involves making a new contribution to your field. This means there might be a steep learning curve, depending on your background.
“Many applicants assume the workload resembles previous study, but creating original research is far more demanding,” says Professor Margee Hume.
2. Learn more about research proposals for PhDs
In most cases, you’ll need to write a research proposal to apply for a PhD.
Professor Hume highlights that research proposals are different for professional doctorates and PhDs, with the former focusing on candidates’ industry expertise and the latter on a gap in the literature:
“Proposals cannot simply revisit established topics without offering fresh insight. A strong PhD proposal introduces a novel angle, perspective, or theoretical contribution that advances knowledge rather than re‑packaging what is already known.”
For students transitioning to a PhD from a business background, Professor Hume recommends studying extensively to understand where gaps lie:
“The global research landscape is vast, and most workplace problems have already been studied extensively. Applicants must conduct thorough literature reviews to understand what has already been done and to identify a genuine gap that warrants investigation.”
3. Familiarise yourself with academic research expected at the PhD level
Although many MBA programmes include introductory research modules, PhD-level research requires much more advanced knowledge. It helps to familiarise yourself with:
- Reviewing and evaluating academic literature
- Identifying research gaps and developing original research questions
- Understanding theory building and theory testing
- Designing research methods and analysing evidence
4. Consider whether a PhD or a DBA is the better fit
“For those coming from a business background, a professional doctorate is often the more natural fit because it allows you to leverage your industry experience and focus on applied, practice‑based research,” says Professor Hume.
If professional doctorates pique your interest, you’ll want to learn more about the difference between a PhD and a DBA.
While a PhD usually aims to expand academic knowledge and develop new theories, a DBA focuses on researching real-life situations or companies. For this reason, many DBA programmes require at least 5-6 years of senior-level work experience. Here is a realistic pathway to a DBA:
- 1. Bachelor’s degree
- 2. Work experience
- 3. MBA
- 4. More work experience
- 5. DBA
- 6. Work in senior leadership, consulting, or specialist roles
5. Think about your career goals
If you see yourself working in industry, your MBA may already provide the skills needed.
Consider a PhD if you are interested in conducting original research and pursuing careers in academia, research institutes, public policy organisations, think tanks, and, in some cases, consulting.
PhD vs MBA vs DBA summed up
For quick reference, here’s a table summarising all the degrees we talked about.
MBA | PhD | DBA | |
Stands for | Master of Business Administration | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctor of Business Administration |
Degree level | Postgraduate | Doctoral | Doctoral |
Typical duration | 1-2 years | 3-7 years | 3-7 years |
Main focus | Business management and leadership | Original academic research | Applied business research |
Learning style | Taught courses, group projects, case studies | Independent research and dissertation | Research combined with practical business application |
Typical content | Finance, strategy, marketing, operations, leadership | Research methods, academic theory, dissertation | Leadership challenges, organisational issues, applied research methods |
Research orientation | Moderate | Very high | High |
Industry orientation | Very high | Moderate | Very high |
Work experience | Usually required | Usually not required, depending on programme | Usually required |
Typical student profile | Professionals seeking career advancement | Students interested in research and academia | Experienced managers and executives |
Main outcome | Develop business and leadership skills | Contribute original insights to academic research | Solve real-world business problems through research |
Common career paths | Management, consulting, entrepreneurship, executive roles | Academia, research institutions, policy, specialised consulting | Senior leadership, executive consulting |
Ideal for students who… | Want to advance their business careers | Want to become researchers or university professors | Want business research expertise for their industry |
Final thoughts
Think about your career goals and assess which degree can get you there: an MBA, a PhD, or a DBA? For those pursuing doctoral studies, Professor Hume has a final piece of advice:
“Above all, be committed, be realistic, and be prepared for sustained hard work. Doctoral study requires discipline, curiosity, and resilience, regardless of the pathway you choose.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a PhD after an MBA take?
A PhD typically takes 3 to 7 years, but the exact duration depends on your country, discipline, and whether you’re studying part-time or full-time.
Is a PhD after an MBA worth it?
It depends. A PhD after an MBA can be worth it if your future plans include research-based careers or academia. If you’re aiming for corporate careers or senior executive roles and want to continue studying after your MBA, a DBA is probably the best next step.
