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About the Program

The Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business Executive Ph.D., also known as the Ph.D. concentration in Executive Business Research, launched in 2016 to serve experienced executives who seek the advanced knowledge and skills needed to conduct high-quality research on critical, emerging issues facing the business community.

The hallmark of the Executive Ph.D. program is its part-time format — a unique opportunity that attracts students with a variety of career goals. While many students are on an academic path that will see them as qualified faculty at R1/R2 business schools, the program equally welcomes students who will continue in their professional careers and contribute to industry knowledge from their high-level positions in business and government.

No matter the path you are on, the Executive Ph.D. program curriculum will challenge you to dive deeply into the scholarly literature and master advanced research methods in your chosen business discipline. You will be encouraged to blend this scholarly knowledge with your business experience to create research that provides insightful, evidence-based, and enduring explanations of business phenomena. Importantly, you will develop the skills needed to publish your research in leading-edge research journals.

A dedicated student can complete this Ph.D. degree in three years.  Throughout your time in the program, the schedule is specifically designed to provide you with the flexibility needed to balance your professional and personal life. The hybrid delivery merges online sessions and in-person, weekend residencies so you can become integrated into Pamplin’s academic community without having to relocate for a traditional full-time program. The in-person residencies take place primarily at Virginia Tech’s extended campus center just outside Washington, D.C. to provide a highly accessible location that attracts an exclusive group of students from a cross section of key industries in the local region and beyond.

When you earn an Executive Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, you join the vast Virginia Tech alumni network and Hokie Nation. With more than 100,000 alumni in the Mid-Atlantic Region alone, Virginia Tech provides you with the extended professional network you need to achieve your career goals both now and in the future.

Use the Explore bar at the top of this page to navigate the site to learn more or take your first step today by requesting information or connecting with our team at executivephd@vt.edu.