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Many established professionals who are interested in advancing their career often consider enrolling in an MBA program that will work towards a doctorate program. Performing an appropriate amount of due diligence from the onset is advisable for those looking for an MBA program that sets up well for obtaining a doctorate degree. However, there are a few tips that aspiring students can use to make their search for the right business school more efficient.
Accredited by the AACSB
Students will have an easier time matching an MBA program with their PhD aspirations if the focus remains on institutions that are fully accredited. Students may benefit from limiting the search of MBA and PhD programs under consideration to only those accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The AACSB has been responsible for accrediting business programs in the United States since 1919. One of the first steps students should take towards finding the right university is to divide the list of prospect schools by those accredited by the AACB and those that are not.
Accredited by the AMBA
The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is another organization that is responsible for accrediting business schools. The AMBA is a charitable organization that is one of the main accrediting bodies for business education institutions worldwide. Unlike the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) or AACSB, the AMBA specifically accredits the programs that are a part of a business schools’ postgraduate portfolios. The AMBA accredits business organizations in 52 countries worldwide, while the AACSB only accredits schools in 42 countries and the EQUIS accounts for schools in 38. Students should be aware that there are only 59 business programs in the entire world have received triple-accreditation from all three organizations, the AMBA, the AACSB and the EQUIS.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Aside from limiting the list to the most reputable institutions, another effective way to find an MBA curriculum that can transition into a Doctorate degree is to focus on universities that offer quality interdisciplinary programs. The business schools with these types of programs may be best equipped, and likely to have the most options available for people looking for specific MBA-PhD tracks. Some business schools offer dual PhD-MBA programs, while others offer advanced business degrees like PhD of Management or Doctor of Business Administration. Some of the business fields that students can achieve PhDs in include accounting, marketing, management, economics, finance and decision, risk and operations. Students with a focus on healthcare may also be able to receive a PhD in Nursing at several universities.
Students concerned about how to approach their own MBA and PhD aspirations can benefit from limiting their list of prospects to the most reputable and accredited business school in the United States. Students can then benefit from focusing on schools’ interdisciplinary programs to help discern which institutions have the most to offer towards achieving long-term career goals. Students who are serious about finding what MBA program that will work towards a doctorate program may benefit from starting the search as soon as possible.
