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Ph.D. in Business

Redefine the Business Industry Through Your Calling.

Influence systems and businesses to reach their full Kingdom-potential. Regent University’s full online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business is committed to nurturing business scholars and leaders into excellent researchers of intricate organizational, financial, and technological challenges. This program offers a strong foundation in research and business knowledge from a Christian worldview. You can also gain advice on career choice, networking skills and professional development from seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program.

Online
60
January 13, 2025
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Establish Your Expertise

Become a contributor to the body of knowledge in business research.

Lead the Way of Business

Develop holistic approaches to applying kingdom business strategies as an informed scholar in the field.

Learn from the Best

Receive mentorship from faculty who hold the highest degrees in their field and seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program.

Align Yourself With Excellence Through Regent’s Ph.D. in Business

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 9 consecutive years (2015-23).

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

After completing our Ph.D. in Business, you can:

  • Integrate evidence-based principles and strategies that solve modern business problems. 
  • Make a global impact on businesses from a biblical perspective.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods of business research.

Career Opportunities

  • Executive Leadership
  • University Faculty or Administrator
  • Consulting
  • Research Director
  • Senior Business & Data Analyst
33%
Potential increase in pay for a Ph.D. versus a master's degree. | U.S. Census Bureau

This program is a minimum of 60 credit hours in length, with 27 credit hours of core courses, 6 credit hours of electives and 27 credit hours in research and dissertation courses. The featured courses are outlined as follows:

Students explore the components of a Christian Worldview and its impact on the discovery and use of contemporary business theory and practice. Topics include personal and organizational spirituality, biblically based components of relational behaviors in business dyads, teams, and organizations. The course is interdisciplinary drawing on the disciplines of exegetical study of Scripture, psychology, sociology, organizational behavior, and team development. Cross-listed with DBA 701.
Covers microeconomic theories of the firms, consumer behavior, resource allocation, capital theory, theories of choice under risk and uncertainty, competitive and non-competitive markets. Cross-listed with DBA 702.
Concepts in accounting and financial management. Accounting issues include financial statement reporting, revenue and expense determination and classification of assets. Financial management concepts include capital budgeting and capital sources, equity and bond valuation, working capital management and cost of capital. Cross-listed with DBA 703.
Understanding of global issues and the significance of global leadership competencies. Cross-listed with LDSL 727 and DBA 705.
Effective decision-making, using data, analysis, and systematic reasoning to improve efficiency, risk-management, and profits. Cross-listed with LDSL 730 and DBA 706.
Students explore the intersection of marketing and communication as both relate to understanding customers’ decision-making, consumer behavior, businesses product development, and customers’ brand loyalty. Foci include empathetic thinking about customers, design thinking in product development, human machine interface, sustainability, and the role of marketing research in forecasting demand and production operations. Cross-listed with DBA 707.
Students will be exposed to different business ethics theories and legal frameworks for investigating issues, including, corporate moral agency, corporate social responsibility, theories of values, and corporate governance. Cross-listed with DBA 708.
Strategic leaders’ future orientation as they assess emerging changes in an organization’s external environment, market diversities, competitive complexities, resource changes, socio-political shifts, and across technological discontinuities. Cross-listed with LDSL 711 and DBA 710.
Exploration of manual and computer-assisted thematic coding, Delphi methods, document analysis, and recursive abstraction. Cross-listed with LPHD 757.
The purpose, rationale, and application of quantitative data analysis methods, including descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric analyses of differences and relationships, and factor analysis. Cross-listed with LPHD 754.
The purpose, rationale, and application of advanced quantitative data analysis methods. Prerequisite: LPHD 754. Cross-listed with LPHD 758.
Writing a manuscript for conference presentation, writing journal article or book chapter for publication purposes.
Writing a manuscript for conference presentation, writing journal article or book chapter for publication purposes.
Ph.D. dissertation proposal. Prerequisites are completion of all required coursework and the successful completion of the comprehensive examination. Doctoral students will work with their dissertation committee to write and defend three chapters of their dissertation.
Ph.D. dissertation defense. Prerequisite is the successful completion of BPHD 790. Doctoral students will work with their dissertation committee to research and collect data, write, and defend five chapters of their dissertation.
Ph.D. dissertation defense. Prerequisite is the successful completion of BPHD 790 and BPHD 791. Doctoral students will work with their dissertation committee to research and collect data, write, and defend five chapters of their dissertation.
Ph.D. dissertation defense. Prerequisite is the successful completion of BPHD 790 and BPHD 791. Doctoral students will work with their dissertation committee to research and collect data, write, and defend five chapters of their dissertation.
Doctoral students will work with their dissertation committee to research and collect data, write, and defend five chapters of their dissertation.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: BPHD 793 registered and paid. (Fee-based course).
Centers on effective strategies for planning curricula and assessment procedures to a diverse group of learners---from 18 to adult age categories. Particular emphasis will be placed on: building an effective bibliography and syllabus; finding additional resources outside traditional boundaries of education (i.e. advanced technology application); examining a variety of assessment procedures that would be effective with diverse learners; choosing texts and materials, grading procedures and policies, etc. This course is open to all university doctoral students who are seeking a career in college or university teaching.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

Prerequisites

Doctoral applicants must hold an MBA or a master’s degree in a business-related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Resume

Provide an updated copy of your professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes:

  • Employment history with details of leadership responsibilities, skill sets and results – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of responsibilities
  • School, community and church leadership positions – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of positions
  • Service activities in which you have been involved
  • Academic and non-academic honors and distinctions you have received

Your resume should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

Step 4. Submit a Leadership Essay or Graduate Degree Paper (with Citations)

Writing samples play an important role in helping the Admissions Committee evaluate a doctoral applicant’s research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.

LEADERSHIP ESSAY

Please provide an essay to address the topic with citations: “The most pressing leadership issue of today.”

The body (excludes a title page or a reference page) of this writing sample should not exceed one page in length (single spaced, 12-point type).

The Admissions Committee will evaluate the essay based on the following criteria:

  • Thesis Development and Critical Thinking. The thesis expresses the main idea of the paper in one sentence and informs the reader of the paper’s focus. Critical thinking is the act of examining, analyzing and evaluating information followed by the drawing of accurate conclusions. Thesis development and critical thinking include the following four key elements: (a) thesis, (b) argument, (c) research and (d) analysis.
  • Organization. The structure or outline of apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.
  • Paragraph Development. The structure of each paragraph within the outline is vital to the overall stability of the essay and includes the use of transitions and language within each paragraph.
  • Mechanics. Clarity through spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization is vital in any written document.
  • Style (APA, MLA or other acceptable style). At the doctoral level, it is important to adhere to a particular writing style as required by the specific academic or professional publication in which one desires to be published. Therefore, the applicant should compose the essay in APA, MLA or other acceptable style. In addition, the applicant should identify the style being used in the writing sample. It is important that the writing sample exhibit the style’s guidelines in the areas of: (a) in-text citations, (b) reference list, (c) title, (d) headings, (e) sub-headings, (f) numbers, (g) serial content, (h) quotes, (i) punctuation, etc. While these styles typically require double spacing, we request that, in the case of this writing sample, applicants use single spacing so the essay does not exceed one page.

GRADUATE DEGREE PAPER

If you are opting to submit the Graduate Degree Paper, please ensure this is a submission that contains citations.

Your leadership essay or graduate degree paper should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

“My mentor and I are mutually keeping each other lifted up in prayer and with encouragement in the midst of life's challenges. This mentorship connection has delivered extra focus for me by giving me a living example of what I desire to be engaged in upon graduating from Regent. Since I will be over 55 when I finish, my executive mentor demonstrates how there are decades of fruitfulness ahead of me and that completing this program is worth the rewards and open doors in the future.”

Wade Jensen, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2025 Mentee

“It’s official, I can finally use my new title! Dr. Ashley Dash at your service for all of your career and professional development needs!”

Ashley Dash, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2020 Founder, Career & Professional Development

“The faculty at Regent are exceptional, and of course, everything we learn has a biblical foundation. That's priceless.”

Sam Adeyemi, Ph.D., 2017 DSL

“Regent prepared me for steps I needed to take to start a business, as well as to lead one.”

Hunter Davis, MBA - International Business, 2019; J.D., 2013; B.A. in Government - American Government & Politics, 2010 Director, The American Environment Foundation; Co-Owner, Duck Donuts

“I definitely want to work for corporate America. I want to see what God has for me. I believe I have all of the experience and also have the theory and the biblical principles ― that I've learned from Regent ― to really apply what I've learned in the right way.”

Leo Motta, MBA, 2015