The 9 Best Online Doctorates in Marketing

Consumer behavior is ever-changing. Do you have your thumb on the pulse? From social media marketing to global markets and globalization of local products, understanding marketing in this ever-changing atmosphere is an exciting and new challenge. Now more than ever, corporations are looking for individuals who are coming straight out of the gate with the most advanced knowledge of the marketplace. Old had tricks of the trade are getting traded in for innovative thinking that constantly evolves. If you’re ready to lead the way, are self-driven, a great communicator, and someone with a strong grasp on today’s market it’s time to grab hold of an online doctoral degree that will help you skyrocket to the top. These programs have been selected for their affordable tuition rates, flexible online formats that in many cases are tailored specifically to the pace and styles of learning that work well for you. We also selected these courses for their strong dissertation preparation and support, advanced business research methodologies, on target advances marketing research methods and their heavy leaning on economics and business statistics. If you’re ready to get your finger on the pulse and start calling the shots, we recommend advancing your career with one of the following top online doctoral degrees in marketing. Methodology:

• Affordability(1/3):
  • The estimated out-of-state tuition per credit hour rate.
• Flexibility (1/3):
  • The number and quality of the programs flexibility-enhancing components, including the ability to accelerate time-until-degree, the ability to garner credit for life or work experience, generous transfer policies, or competency-based crediting.
• Core Curriculum Areas (1/3):
  • Dissertation required
  • Advanced Marketing Research Class
  • Economics and Statistics Work
  • Advanced Business Research Methods Class

1.) Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university located Phoenix, Arizona. There are 75,834 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits GCU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. GCU offers a wide range of programs in fields like the humanities, business, education, health care, engineering, and more. Online, Grand Canyon University offers an impressive number of degrees that range from the bachelor’s to doctoral level including a PhD in psychology, nursing practice, and management among several others. We not only value GCU for its fantastic online options but also for their student support services that include academic/career counseling as well as employment services. GCU also accepts dual credit, credit for life experience, and AP credits. Grand Canyon University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. This program is suitable for individuals who wish to specialize in consumer behaviors, market research, and those looking to create innovative solutions for a successful business. We selected this program because it’s affordable- just $640 per credit hour and requires 60 credit hours for completion. We also selected this program for its flexible online format and strong course content. The foci of this program includes emerging issues in financial management, statistics, data-driven marketing management, and and in-depth examination of consumer behavior. This program guides you through a variety of research methodologies and the process of creating a research proposal to help you effectively create your personalized dissertations.

2.)Liberty University

Liberty University is a private nonprofit Christian University loated in Lynchburg, Virginia. There are over 80,000 students enrolled at Liberty- the largest evangelical Christian university in the world. In fact, Liberty University is the largest nonprofit university in the world and offers over 245 distance learning degrees. Carnegie classifies Liberty University as a doctoral/research school. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Liberty University to award associate, bachelor’s, mater’s, specialist, and doctoral degree programs. As you may have guessed, the largest non-profit university in the world offers a huge range of degrees. Degrees offered include everything from accounting to zoology for undergraduates, and master’s degrees include unique fields like design, theology and cyber security. Online degrees offered are completely comprehensive and range from high school programs to doctoral to post doctorate and certificate programs. Liberty University offers a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) in Marketing. The format is 100% online. This program is aimed at working professionals who are looking to become leaders in their corporations. You will be able to analyze consumer behavior as well as analyze the market from both a local and international perspective. We selected this program for its affordable rate. The cost of this program is $650 per credit hour and requires 60 credit hours for completion. This program focuses on advanced business research methods and qualitative research methods. The marketing cognate is 12 of the 60 hours and include course material on strategic marketing management, marketing promotions, supply chain management, and marketing research. Three courses are devoted to the student’s dissertation.

3.)LIGS University

LIGS University is an innovative online learning university headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. LIGS University offers degrees in 4 languages. The Accreditation Service for International Schools accredits LIGS University to award master’s and doctoral degrees. LIGS University is currently seeking accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. There are four degree programs offered in the field of business. These flexible programs allow students to enroll any time of the year, adjust programming to meet your needs, adjust the pace of your studies to match your schedule, and to pay tuition in installments. We like the tremendous levels of flexibility afforded to its students. For student support services, LIGS University supplies tutors who serve as both academic support as well a professional and career support. LIGS University offers a Doctorate of Business Administrations with a specialization in Marketing. We selected this program because it’s affordable. The cost of this program is $412 per credit hour and requires a minimum of 60 credit hours for completion. Students may pay for this program in installments- another aspect of this program we love, its flexibility. Students decide the time, length and intensity of their studies- making this program ideal for the working adult. For this specialization, students will gain in-depth knowledge of global marketing, marketing communication, communication with the media, and digital marketing. Four courses may come from their elective modules- giving you an even more tailored and specialized learning experience. Though this program is 100% online, student will each have a personal study counselor to help during their studies. The average students take about 30 months to complete this program.

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4.)Keiser University

Keiser University is a private 4-year university based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 16 locations scattered across the state. There are 18,335 students (16,760 undergraduate) enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The Southern Association of College and Schools- a regional accrediting agency- the highest level of accreditation- accredits Keiser University to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates. There are over 100 degrees taught in fields that range from accounting to sports management. According to U.S. News Keiser University ranks as the 23rd best school in the South and 11th best value school. Keiser University offer a Doctorate in Business Administration (D.B.A.) with a specialization in marketing. This program is targeted to individuals who are aiming to become leaders in the field of business marketing and will prepare you to make ethical informed business decisions using the most advanced research methods. We selected this program for its affordable tuition. The cost of this program is $808 per credit hour and requires 60 credit hours for completion. The D.B.A. in marketing is broken down into 4 components: 21 credit hours of D.B.A., 9 credit hours of research, 18 credit hours in your marketing specialization, and 12 credit hours for your dissertation. The marketing specialization component includes course material on emerging issues in marketing, a seminar in global marketing, marketing models and theory, consumer behavior and practice, strategic service marketing, an a seminar in research analysis in marketing.

5.) California Miramar University

California Miramar University is a private four-year university located in San Diego, California. There are 179 students enrolled, and the student to faculty ratio is just 13:1. The Distance Accrediting Commission accredits California Miramar University to award comprehensive degree pogramming. Students may select courses in the fields of business, computer and information sciences, and homeland security. The most popular degrees are in business management, and criminal justice. In addition to high quality academic education, CMU offers a wide range of student support services that include career and academic counseling, employment services, and placement services for its graduates. California Miramar University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) with a concentration in Marketing. This program focuses on marketing management and marketing strategy. We selected this course for its affordable tuition rate which is $484 per credit hour. This course requires 66 credit hours for completion. This program is broken down into three core component parts: the D.B.A. core course material, marketing core, and the dissertation. For the marketing core, students examine international marketing, consumer behavior, strategic marketing, advanced marketing research, pricing theory and practice, and a practical training. CMU does a great job preparing students for the successful defense of their dissertations with dissertation process, research methods and design, as well as dissertation completion and defense preparation.

6.)Trident University

Trident University is a private 4-year distance learning institution located in Cypress, California. There are 6,948 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 13:1. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission accredits Trident to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. This distance learning institution specializes in career-ready degrees for non-traditional learners. Some of the most popular online degrees are in the fields of business, education, health, and information technology. Online degrees range from the bachelor’s to doctoral level. In fact, Trident University offers 3 doctoral programs entirely online. Trident University offer a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. This program is for the individual who wishes to develop advanced research skills, acquire a comprehension of marketing and consumer behavior. This program is divided into components that include the business administration core and the marketing core. All Ph.D. students will examine organizations, data analysis, research design and field work, data management and more. The marketing component is 12 semester hours and includes marketing management strategy, buyer decision making and behavior, and strategic management. We selected this program for its affordable tuition rate which is just $975 per semester hour and requires a minimum of 56 credit hours for completion. We also like the level of preparation and support given to students for their dissertation. All Ph.D. students will focus 4 of their core classes on their dissertation experience.

7.)Northcentral University

Northcentral University (NCU) is a private 4-year distance learning institution located in San Diego, California. There are 10,916 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 1:1. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Northcentral University to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates. NCU specializes in offering affordable online career-ready degrees for non-traditional learners. They offer degrees in the fields of business, education, health, and psychology. NCU is also Military-friendly offering a reduced tuition rate as well as a reduced rates on materials. We selected NCU not only for its affordability and flexible online options but also for their quality academic programming. NCU offers student support in the form of academic and career counseling, and will accept credit for life experience. North Central University (NCU) offers a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. The aim of this course is to expose students to the correct ethical and legal approaches taken in contemporary marketing practices as well as in research theory. We selected this program for its quality academics and flexible online format. Though our most expensive pick at $1000 per credit hour, this is a high value program. Value is defined as the cost of the program against the quality of its academic components. This course requires 60 credit hours for completions and may be completed in 45 months. This program is broken into component parts that include 15 credit hours of specialized marketing courses. Students may select from the following marketing courses to fulfill that requirement: marketing management, strategic service marketing, strategic sales force marketing, costumer relationship management strategies, advertising and promotion strategies, consumer behavior theory and practice, and brand and product management.

8.)Walden University

​Walden University is a for-profit Public Benefit Corporation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walden is part of a global network of 80 universities located in 29 different countries and enrolls over 47,000 students world-wide. The student body represents over 150 nations. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Walden University to offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Walden’s stated mission wishes to supply programs that “reflect current market trends and promote positive change.” It does so by offering degrees in fields like business management, nursing, information technology, communication and new media, public health and education. There are over 163 degree programs offered in traditional and non traditional formats. Online learning is flexible and is designed to fit the schedule of the individual. We like Walden for its flexible relevant and career-oriented offerings.​ Walden University offers a fantastic online Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) with a specialization in Marketing. This specialization focuses on marketing channels, competitive intelligence, integrated marketing and more. We selected this program for is affordable tuition rate. The cost of this program is $980 per credit hour and requires 60 credit hours for completion. We also selected this course for the quality of education and high levels of academic quality research. This course is broken down into 8 component parts: foundation, DBA core, business strategies course, research methods, marketing specialization, doctoral studies and a doctoral writing assessment. This course is taught entirely online but does require two 4-day academic residencies for a total of 8 days. Specialization course focus on marketing research, B2B marketing, and consumer behavior.

9.)Argosy University

Argosy University is a private for-profit system of universities located across the US and in Canada and online. The online division enrolls 7,117 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 23:1. Argosy was founded in 2001 with the merging of three separate institutions: the American Schools of Professional Psychology, the University of Sarasota, and the Medical Institute of Minnesota. These institutions had a long-term record of serving and working with professional adults who were returning to advance their education and their careers. Argosy University is committed to this goal today by offering programming at a wide range of institutions and through their accessible online degree offerings. When it comes to programs offering online, Argosy is offers comprehensive degrees in fields like business, information technology, education, health, homeland security and more. Argosy University offers a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. AU focuses on the following 6 learner outcomes: strategic thinking, divergent thinking, professional communication, informed decision-making, research, and marketing. When it comes to marketing the focus is on consumer behavior as well as a methodology towards marketing for 21st century organizations. We selected this program for its affordable tuition rate which is $980 per credit hour. This course requires a total of 60 credit hours for completion. Th component parts include the DBA core, marketing core, and research core. All students are required to fulfill 15 credit hours worth of research requirements. We selected this program for the research experience and opportunity gained at AU. Student are required to take an introduction to research methods, methods and analysis of quantitative research, methods and analysis of qualitative research, and advanced academic study and writing. There are multiple opportunities to apply research. The marketing core requirements include holistic management in organizations, managing global challenges, marketing and management, corporate and global finance, advanced operations management, strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation.