Best Online Doctorate in Project Management
Updated October 19, 2023
If you have a knack for leadership and strategy, have completed a master’s degree in your current field, and have a desire to advance your career, then a doctorate in project management online may be what you are looking for.
The demand for experienced and talented project managers is growing. According to a recent gap analysis published by the Project Management Institute, the demand for roles in project-oriented industries like finance and construction is projected to grow by 33% over the next few years.
The Best Online Doctorates in Project Management Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Online Doctorate in Project Management
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The DBA in project management program at Liberty University appeals to doctoral students seeking an online route to their degree. At the private university, degree-seekers participate in virtual classroom work to earn a doctorate. Doctoral students receive support services like career advising and research assistance.
In the online project management program, learners complete doctoral coursework and strengthen advanced skills. Doctoral candidates advance in the program by passing comprehensive exams and writing an original dissertation. Graduates with a project management doctorate can pursue roles in research, academia, and leadership.
Online doctoral students can pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.
Liberty University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 78,511
Online Master's Programs: 67
Online Doctoral Programs: 9
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,980
Accepts Transfer Credits: Accepted
#2 Best Online Doctorate in Project Management
National University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online
National University offers a top-ranked online DBA in project management program. The private university provides flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of diverse degree-seekers. Doctoral students receive research support, library access, and career advising.
The online project management program incorporates 48 credits of doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates complete an original dissertation that contributes to the field. A doctorate in project management prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and leadership.
At the accredited institution, doctoral students can qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid options.
National University at a Glance:
Online Master's Programs: 26
Online Doctoral Programs: 15
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,983
Accepts Transfer Credits: Accepted
Online Doctorates in Project Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
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While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
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Academics -
Affordability -
Online Enrollment
Data Sources
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Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
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Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%
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Featured Online Doctorates in Project Management Programs
Choosing a Program
Project management is a useful skill in many industries. While your career path depends on your field and area of expertise, the insights from core doctorate coursework apply to almost any project management position. Common course topics include strategic thinking and organizational alignment, management and ethics, and risk and quality management.
Doctorate in project management concentrations are uncommon due to the cross-industry nature of the coursework. However, some programs offer concentration options, such as information technology or construction, for a doctorate in project management degree. Business and finance doctoral programs commonly offer project management as a concentration.
All doctoral programs require students to complete and present a research-based dissertation; other aspects, like admissions requirements or program length, vary by school. For example, some online programs include a residency component where students collaborate with faculty.
Some doctor of project management online programs allow students to begin classes at any time, while others only offer admission one or two times per year. When researching programs, you should consider these variables to determine which programs work with your schedule, learning style and career goals.
Return to the topOnline Doctorate in Project Management Concentrations and Curriculum
Concentrations for an online doctoral degree in project management are usually industry-specific (e.g., IT or construction). Most online Ph.D. programs in project management align with business and professional services industries. A sampling of concentrations is provided below.
Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Project Management
Agile Project Management
Many industries use the Agile project management methodology to handle transitions and hedge against uncertainties. The Agile project management life cycle can be applied on both small, specific projects and large, enterprise-level decisions.
- Careers: project managers with a background in Agile project management are prepared for a variety of leadership positions, which include work as senior business analysts and IT project managers.
Information Technology
A concentration in IT project management focuses on specialized software-risk and quality-management skills; it may also include project management strategies that oversee geographically diverse teams.
- Careers: with a specialization in IT, you are prepared to lead software development projects as a computer research scientist or an information systems manager.
Construction Management
Project management with a construction emphasis focuses on the management skills you need to handle construction projects; this includes creating energy efficient designs and managing international projects.
- Careers: Professionals with a background in construction, architecture or urban planning should pursue a construction emphasis in their project management degree.
Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Project Management
- Project Cost-Benefit Analysis: A central component of effective project management is understanding how to analyze the costs and benefits of a project. This course teaches students how to run cost-benefit analyses.
- Leadership Theory and Development: In leadership theory and development courses, students study models of leadership and applications of these concepts in real-world scenarios. A solid understanding of leadership development prepares you to be a more effective leader.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Students in this course study the history of and current developments in data analytics. They learn about effective frameworks that use data to make business decisions.
- Organization Innovation Thinking: Innovative or creative thinking at an organizational level involves finding solutions to complex challenges, which may include building an effective team culture or designing new processes. This course’s skillset prepares leaders for a variety of fields, such as marketing and education.
Careers With a Doctorate in Project Management
With a Ph.D. in project management online, you will be highly qualified to serve as a project manager or as an executive leader in business, manufacturing or other related industries. There is a particular demand for project management skills in fields that involve complex projects which evolve over time, like IT and healthcare.
IT Project Manager
An IT project manager, or information systems manager, is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing technological projects within an organization. IT project managers also help to both influence and shape an organization's short-term and long-term IT goals.
Construction Manager
Construction Managers work on green energy construction or international construction projects. Construction managers are often employed by large construction firms to coordinate budgets and supervise projects. Managers regularly collaborate with engineers, architects and other specialists.
Training and Development Managers
Training and development managers are hired by organizations to both direct and oversee the effective training of employees and to run professional development programs. In addition to managing logistics, such as training budgets and program implementation, this role usually requires a high level of person-on-person interaction.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Featured Image Credit: SrdjanPav | E+ | Getty Images
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