So, you’re
looking for an online PhD program in business…but you want to be sure the
school you choose will provide you with a job after graduation. Therefore, you’ve
explored AACSB accreditation and the benefits it provides those that attend an AACSB-accredited
school. However, you can’t seem to find an online version of an
AACSB-accredited doctoral program. Why?
Currently, no AACSB-accredited school offers an online PhD program. The reason for this trend is not that AACSB’s accreditation standards prohibit online delivery methods. In fact, there are numerous AACSB-accredited schools that offer online masters and undergraduate degree programs in addition to their more traditional classroom models. So, why haven’t AACSB-accredited schools ventured into the online doctoral program market?
Importance of First-Hand Learning and
Rigor
High-quality PhD
programs, both in business and other fields, have traditionally been
characterized by strong interpersonal interactions between doctoral students
and faculty. These characteristics hold strong to the important fact that mentoring
and hands-on research training are essential to a program’s ability to
effectively prepare its doctoral candidates. Because a student’s relationship
with his/her mentoring faculty member is so critical to the learning process,
it is virtually impossible for a doctoral candidate to fully benefit without
being completely immersed in the discipline on a daily basis. This type of interaction
allows a student to successfully move through their courses and assignments, as
well as provides a foundation for the development of high-level research and
teaching skills. Therefore, when this type of one-on-one, intensive-learning environment
is absent, a student may not be exposed to the necessary daily communication
and guidance of faculty or the immediate accountability of being “in
residence.” All of which are things that create the rigorous environment that
doctoral programs in business are known for. At this point in time, leaders of
doctoral programs at AACSB-accredited schools have not accepted that such an
environment can be created and sustained in an online context.
Risks Associated with a Program’s
Image
There also are
reputational risks that are behind some of the reasons why schools may choose not
to offer online PhD programs. For instance, most AACSB-accredited schools with
doctoral programs in business have been around for a long time. These schools
have produced PhD graduates that have led business research, management
education, and more. Because their degree programs are so prestigious, schools sometimes
choose to steer away from online offerings at the doctoral level due to the negative
images that have been associated with some online educational programs—particularly
at the PhD level. The last thing a high-quality business school wants is to damage
the reputation of its prize PhD program.
Because of
the intense education that doctoral candidates at AACSB-accredited schools
receive, there are concerns that surround the increasing number of applicants
and corresponding enrollments that an online PhD program would bring. Because Web-based
degree programs have become so popular, an online PhD program at a high-quality
business school would likely become highly demanded. If this were to happen, it
could be problematic for a school to manage a large number of doctoral students
at one time. For example, a business school could risk weakening the one-on-one
mentoring and instruction that doctoral students receive due to a lack of faculty
and resources.
Overall, PhD
programs require significant learning, mentoring, hands-on instruction,
research, teaching, and more. These are altogether characteristics that make
earning a PhD so prestigious. And, all of which are attributes that have yet to
be embraced in an online setting at AACSB-accredited schools.
Learn more about PhD programs in business on AACSB's student website: www.bestbizschools.com/doctorate.
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Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Website Designing Company | December 09, 2010 at 06:03
The world is turning faster then the AACSB. With so much global business, e-commerce, and internet functionality, it only makes sense to have at least one online AACSB Doctorate Program out there. Well then, the other options will just have to do...
Posted by: ESE | December 27, 2010 at 00:59
A lot of people have the same thoughts. It is very difficult for schools to keep the quality in an online PhD.
Posted by: AACSB International | January 03, 2011 at 12:46
In what year did the AACSB begin accrediting doctoral programs as distinct from MBA or bachelors programs?
Posted by: John Nugent | January 07, 2011 at 09:52
When AACSB International goes in for an accreditation review, our teams examine all of the business programs a school has. Therefore, when a school applies it must list all degrees in business, including doctoral programs. We first began accrediting schools in 1919. Some of our first accredited schools included Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, which I imagine had doctorate programs in business in the early 1900s. In 1980, we started our additional accounting accreditation for schools with dynamic accounting programs. I hope this helps answer your question.
- AACSB International
Posted by: AACSB International | January 25, 2011 at 12:05
This was a really honest and eye-opening article. Thanks for sharing. I totally understand the reasoning why online PhD programs have not been accredited by AACSB International (yet!), but I am very grateful that they do accredit some of the best online master degree programs.
Wishing you the best.
http://www.business-school-online.com/
Posted by: Sarah | February 17, 2011 at 11:57
The world is a very large place and unfortunately the majority of the worlds minds are not located within commuting distance from an AACSB school.
The focus should be on the outcomes of the doctoral work; I truly believe there are many ways to achieve success and that we are significantly limiting ourselves by not working diligently to develop rigorous distance learning programs for doctoral programs.
Posted by: Steve Varela | March 06, 2011 at 22:57
In the world of option’s and hope it’s very easy in these day’s to get a degree online on various aspect’s like Online PhD degree in Psychology Education
Earning your master’s or PhD in a counseling graduate program can be a challenging endeavor. However, online classes can make school less stressful on your work and family commitments. There are many online and campus based programs. Some are enrolling now.
Posted by: Psychology Graduate Programs | March 31, 2011 at 06:47
Great information provided, being that I'm having a difficult time finding an online PhD in Accounting program with an AACSB accreditation. Although displeasing, I understand the challenges faced with maintaining the quality of the PhD standards at the AACSB. On the other hand, being that I have a family, an online program would help with my work, school and life balance substantially. Unfortunately, I will have to settle for a Regional Accreditation from an online school.
Thank you all very much.
Posted by: Rico Robb | July 25, 2011 at 12:57
University of Liverpool, UK, has introdduced an online DBA program. Is this online DBA AACSB Accredited?
Posted by: Jonah A.F. | September 30, 2011 at 12:47
Do you need to take a business degree course at an online college in order to start your own internet business? I'm sure if it takes off you will need to know business strategies. Take a leap of faith and start your own business.
Posted by: Ryan Lasher | September 30, 2011 at 21:31
Thank you for sharing this blog to us. Keep posting more.
Posted by: Roderick Parker | October 25, 2011 at 23:55
Jonah A. F., currently (as of 10/2011) the University of Liverpool is not AACSB-accredited. An alphabetical list of AACSB-accredited can be found here: http://www.bestbizschools.com/doctorate/list.asp
Posted by: AACSB International | October 27, 2011 at 09:31
Do you need to take a enterprise stage course at an on the internet higher education as a way to begin your own on the internet business? I'm sure if it requires off you will need to know enterprise techniques. Take a jump of trust and begin your own enterprise.
Posted by: Seo seattle | December 08, 2011 at 04:36
I think the main reason why schools do not offer AACSB-accredited Ph.D. programs has nothing to do with any "quality" issues. On the contrary, there is no reason why an online Ph.D. program cannot be at least as good, if not better than, a "live" interactive on-site program. Rather, the real reasons are likely economic, as they usually turn out to be. In those Ph.D. programs that have standard high tuitions, the schools don't want to cannibalize those sales with a cheaper online alternative. And in those programs that actually pay Ph.D. candidates a stipend, they don't want to lose the free teaching that those candidates would otherwise perform. In the end, it's all about money, not about quality.
Posted by: Ralph Adamo | January 26, 2012 at 19:22
Outstanding discussion - thank you.
Regardless of these facts, which I believe to be true, please give me your opinion of the best online Ph.D. program for Business Administration. I am evaluating Phoenix and Walden - both ogf which are ACBSP accredited.
Posted by: David Smith | February 06, 2012 at 12:50
Great details offered, being that I'm having difficulties discovering an on the internet PhD in Bookkeeping system with an AACSB qualification. Although displeasing, I comprehend the difficulties confronted with keeping the excellent of the PhD requirements at the AACSB. However, being that I have a family, an on the internet system would help with my work, institution and life stability considerably.
Posted by: Web Design Jacksonville Florida | May 01, 2012 at 03:23