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.
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 the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). 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
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:
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.
Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
---|---|---|
Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, 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
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
Part-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |