Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Develop and implement high-quality and emerging research methods at an advanced level for business.
Pursue an online PhD in business
Learn how to utilize research to advance theories that can solve complex business issues in this doctoral program. Enhance your abilities and confidence to lead strategic decisions that impact the performance of an organization. Earn your PhD in a 3-year program that will prepare you to be an innovative and ethical research leader.
Join our first PhD classes starting June 2024. Application deadline is May 22.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) & specialized accreditation through the IACBE.
Engage in a challenging research agenda that will build your skillsets to effectively lead and implement high-level research projects. Throughout this program develop your ethical stance on best practices for research within our faith-based learning environment. Our faculty wants you to advance professionally and personally, and empower you to achieve at the highest level.
You will be part of a cohort with your peers who are also working to earn a doctoral degree. Together, we can do more is our belief. This cohort format is a support structure that will be with you from day one, through online courses and discussions, and as you complete your dissertation.
Your success is important to us and you will have Concordia's full support in this online doctoral program. You will be assigned a research advisor, academic advisor, and student engagement specialist who will each play an integral role in your doctoral journey.
Concordia University offers another doctoral degree if the research-intensive PhD doesn't fit your needs and goals. Discover the Doctorate of Business Administration to become a scholar-practitioner.
Be a part of a PhD program that is focused on your goals, your learning needs, and your overall well-being. At Concordia, we understand that you have commitments outside of school that will need to take priority at times. This flexible approach will provide an easier pathway to earning your PhD in business administration.
- 60-credit program
- 8-week online sessions
- Cohort format
- 3-year expected completion
- Complete a comprehensive exam to earn your PhD
- Submit one scholarly submission article to a peer-reviewed publication
- Complete and defend your dissertation
- Attend two in-person residencies at our Wisconsin campus when you start the program and when you begin your final year of the program
- Fall and spring start dates
- Online
Entrance requirements
- Must have a master's degree with a focus in this doctoral program or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in one's master's coursework. (A lower GPA will be considered on an individual basis.)
- Provide proof of English proficiency if English is a second language.
- No GMAT or GRE is required.
Admissions process for graduate school
- Application form available at www.cuaa.edu/apply
- Select the Graduate option
- Submit official transcripts from graduate or equivalent coursework
- Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references
- Submit an example of scholarly writing from graduate-level courses or other related work
- Participate in a video-conference interview
Accepted into the program
- An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID number.
- An email from your Admissions Counselor will be sent to you with Next-Step details and you will need to submit your tuition deposit.
- Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you with access to Blackboard, your Concordia email account, and your student portal.
Please note:
- Uncommon Scholarships: If you meet qualifications, please complete an application Uncommon Scholarship
Admission to the PhD program is governed by policies and procedures developed by the Batterman School of Business and Concordia University of Wisconsin. The University reserves the right to refuse admission or re-admission to any prospective study or re-enrollment to any student. Any applicant who intentionally withholds pertinent information or falsifies information may be required to withdraw from Concordia University. The University and the Batterman School of Business reserve the right to make necessary changes to admission requirement without notice.
The PhD is a competitive admissions process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the PhD program. Concordia University of Wisconsin and the Batterman School of Business may request additional documentation to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admissions decision can be made.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis through the calendar year.
Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.
Amber Gray
EdD, CPA, MSA
Assistant Dean - for Graduate Programs, Assistant Professor
Office: Student Services - CUAA 135
Phone: (734) 995-7315
Bio
Dr. Gray is currently the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies for the School of Business, and Director of the MS in Accountancy program. She is a CPA and has over 10 years of professional accounting experience, including both public and corporate accounting positions. She is the author of The Handy Accounting Answer Book and loves working with students in the classroom.
Education
- EDD - Leadership, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement, Concordia University Wisconsin (2021)
- MS - Accountancy, Western Michigan University (2003)
- BBA - Accountancy, Western Michigan University (2003)
Contributions
- Gray, A. (2021). "Changing workplaces: Emotional intelligence training more vital than ever in virtual work environments." ForwardHR. (vol. Spring 2021,pp. 15-16). Appleton, WI: Insight Publications. http://www.insigh...
- Gray, A. (2019). "The Handy Accounting Answer Book." No. (pp. 397). Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press.
- Gray, A. & Todaro, S. (2016). "Technology in the accounting classroom: Practitioner expectations and educator practices." No. (1 ed.,vol. 2,pp. 30-44). International Journal of Business and Applied Social Science. https://ijbassnet...
Presentations
- Schave, K., Gray, A. & Bialkowski, J., (2023). The Future of the MBA is Flexible. Oral Presentation. 2023 GBC Roundtable Symposium and 2023 PMBA/OMBA Conference. Minneapolis.
- Gray, A. (2023). From Numbers to Insights: Building an Accounting Data Analytics Course. Oral Presentation. MICPA Spring Accounting Educators Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
- Gray, A. (2023). Preparing to launch: CPA evolution blasts off . Oral Presentation. MICPA Spring Accounting Educators Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
- Gray, A. & Todaro, S. (2023). Increasing analytics skills: One lesson at a time. Oral Presentation. 2023 Midwest Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. South Bend, IN.
- Dvorak, L., Gray, A., Holtan, S. & Johnson, B., (2023). Finding resiliency during the great resignation. Oral Presentation. Advancing Women in Leadership 2023 Conference. Elgin, IL.
Research Interests
- Auditor Professional Skepticism
- Emotional Intelligence
Teaching Interests
- Managerial Accounting
- Accounting Data Analytics
Laura E. Hurtienne
Ed.D. Transformational Leadership
Director - DBA Program, Assistant Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2093
Bio
Dr. Laura Hurtienne is an educator and researcher. She earned her Ed.D. in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University Portland and is an alumna of Concordia University Wisconsin, where she earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. As a professor, she teaches and writes doctoral and undergraduate courses in leadership, change, research, and innovation. Dr. Hurtienne also supports doctoral students as a dissertation advisor. She is fully engaged in the fields of equity leadership, change management, employee engagement, and organizational development. Dr. Hurtienne has experience owning her own healthcare business and has consulted with businesses and organizations during critical times of transformation.
Education
- EDD - Transformational Leadership , Concordia University Portland (2017)
- MS - Education, Concordia University Wisconsin (2012)
- BA - Music, University of Wisconsin Parkside (1999)
Contributions
- Hurtienne, L. & Hurtienne, M. (2024). An introduction to equity leadership: Meeting individual employee needs across organizations. In Dr. Thomas Garavan (Ed.), (5/6 ed.,vol. 48,pp. 609-624). European Journal of Training and Development. https://doi.org/1...
Presentations
- Hurtienne, L. (2022). Preliminary Findings of the Theory of Educational Change.. Other. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference. Moved from in person to online.
Research Interests
- Employee Engagement
- Organizational Change
Teaching Interests
- Leadership and change
- Leadership and engagment
Matthew Hurtienne
Ph.D.
Dean - Batterman School of Business, Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2024
Education
- Ph D - Education and Human Resource Studies, Colorado State University (2015)
- MS - Organizational Leadership, Norwich University (2009)
- BS - Management, Southern Illinois University (2007)
- Instructional Design Mastery Series , Online Learning Consortium (2016)
Contributions
- Hurtienne, L. & Hurtienne, M. (2024). An introduction to equity leadership: Meeting individual employee needs across organizations. In Dr. Thomas Garavan (Ed.), (5/6 ed.,vol. 48,pp. 609-624). European Journal of Training and Development. https://doi.org/1...
Research Interests
- Employee Engagement
- Organizational Effectivness
Teaching Interests
- Human Resource Development
- Organizational, Performance, and Change
Jennifer Knowles
Ph.D, M.S.
Assistant Professor
Bio
Assistant Professor Faculty in the School of Business who teaches primarily in the Doctor of Business Administration program.
Education
- Ph D - Organizational Learning, Performance and Change, Colorado State University (2017)
- MS - Human Resources and Organizational Development, Eastern Michigan University (2003)
- BS - English, University of Michigan (2000)
Contributions
- Knowles, J. & Mainiero, L. (2021). "Authentic Talent Development in Women Leaders Who Opted Out: Discovering Authenticity, Balance, and Challenge through the Kaleidoscope Career Model." In Special Issue Editors: Dr. Justin Irving and Dr. Christopher Howard, of the Special Issue: Servant Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (Ed.), no. (2 ed.,vol. 11). Basel: Administrative Sciences. https://doi.org/1...
Research Interests
- Authenticity, Balance and Challenge
- Women in the Workforce
Teaching Interests
- Organizational Performance and Change
- Social Entrepreneurship
The Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration will prepare learners for the rigors of a career in academia, consulting, and scholarship. The curriculum is infused with a Christian ethical framework and requires students to utilize research to advance theories and solve complex organizational business problems. Students will perform high-quality, interdisciplinary quantitative and qualitative research using innovative and emerging research methods to build a research agenda at an advanced level.