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PhD After MA Universities

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Updated at : June 24, 2025

Ph.D After MA

If you have completed your MA degree and are willing to conduct research in various humanities and social sciences fields, a PhD can be a good option.  It is considered the highest qualification. With 5 to 7 years, this program offers opportunities to conduct theoretical and academic research. However, you can also conduct practical and business-oriented research if you enroll for an Online DBA Doctorate upon completion of your MA degree. This is a highly flexible online doctorate offered by top foreign universities with a duration of 3 years.

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Course Duration

3 - 5 Years

Eligibility

Graduation or Equivalent

Learning Mode

Online

EMI Facility

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PhD After MA Program Overview

Enrolling for a PhD is one of the most common paths pursued by candidates completing their Master of Arts  (M.A.) degree. Opting for a PhD after an MA allows you to conduct in-depth research in various humanities and social sciences domains. With a strong foundation from the MA degree, you can contribute to the knowledge enhancement of your current field with original research. Traditional PhD programs after an MA focus on theoretical and fundamental research. The duration of this program may range from 5 to 7 years with a requirement for full-time commitment. 

A traditional PhD program after a Master of Arts (M.A.) requires a qualification in national-level entrance exams such as UGC NET or university-specific research exams. The exams are highly challenging as the competition level is extreme. The nature of research in traditional PhD programs has only been beneficial for academic careers. However, if you are someone who is looking for a doctoral degree that can offer leadership positions without any entrance exams and industry-oriented business research, you must consider an Online DBA Doctorate after completing your MA degree. This is an online doctoral degree with a duration of just 3 years, offering unparalleled flexibility without any requirement for full-time commitments. 

You can enroll in globally accredited top foreign universities to pursue a DBA Doctorate Online after completing your MA degree. The admission process is very easy and does not include any admission requirements.  This online doctoral degree program offers opportunities to conduct original research just like traditional PhDs. However, the curriculum of this program is more practical and industry-oriented, preparing you for your leadership career. It emphasizes applied research, which allows you to address ongoing problems in the industry.  You will gain advanced expertise with business-oriented and practical research. 

An online DBA Doctorate is an equally valid doctoral degree to a traditional PhD. You become eligible for the prestigious “Dr.” title post completion of this program, just like a traditional PhD after an MA. This online doctorate after MA is offered through the cutting-edge Learning Management System (LMS), where you can seek 1:1 research guidance from highly qualified faculty members. Post completion of this program, you can navigate your career to the top positions in a wide range of industries. Business-specific knowledge and expertise gained through this online doctorate allow you to stand out for highly rewarding career opportunities in diverse industries. 

Key Highlights of PhD After MA In India

  • Pursue a PhD after an MA in a completely online mode through Onlineb DBA Doctorate. 
  • Earn an equally valid doctoral degree without any full-time commitments. 
  • Effectively utilize the unmatched flexibility to complete your doctoral research and other commitments. 
  • Enroll in some of the best foreign universities, renowned for their excellent education and research focus.
  • Get prepared to tackle modern problems in diverse industries with applied research. 
  • Work real-world case studies and projects with business-oriented and practical research.
  • Become entitled to the most reputable “Dr” title with 3 years. 
  • Get hired in leadership positions by the top recruiters in the global business landscape. 

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PhD After MA Course Subjects/Syllabus

The curriculum structure of a conventional PhD after an MA focuses on fundamental and theoretical research. The duration of this program is 5 to 7 years with a full-time research commitment. However, the curriculum of the Online DBA Doctorate focuses on applied and practical research, which is highly business-oriented. The duration of this program is only 3 years with flexible learning schedules. You can get a detailed overview of the curriculum structure provided below- 

Curriculum Structure 

Semester 1

Semester 2    

  Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

1. Research Methods

Data Collection and Analysis

Doctoral Thesis (Dissertation)

2. Qualitative Methods & Techniques

3. Quantitative Methods & Techniques

4. Research Tools

5. The Research Proposal

1. Study Section (Modules)

2. Study Section (Thesis)

30 ECTS / five modules at 6 ECTS each

150 ECTS - The thesis contributes around 85% to the overall result of the doctoral studies.

 

Duration Wise Details 

Within 1st Month

Within 2nd - 7th Month

  • Invitation to Enrollment for the DCS Program.
  • DCS Program Entrance Test.
  • Personal Interview by the Department Research Committee (DRC) for the entrance test-qualified candidates.
  • Selection For Course Work.
  • Fee Submission For Coursework.
  • Beginning of Coursework and Allocation of Supervisor / Research Faculty.

Within 8th - 10th Month

Within 10th - 12th Month

  • Synopsis Submission in five copies.
  • RDC (Research Department Committee) work starts.
  • Fee Submission after 3 months of RDC.
  • 5-6 monthly progress reports submitted duly signed by the supervisor electronically.

Within 13th - 33th Month

Within 34th - 36th Month

  • Fee Submission after 6 months of RDC.
  • 6 monthly progress report submissions, duly signed by the supervisor, electronically.Pre-Submission Defence Committee (PSDC)
  • Thesis Submission in five copies, duly signed by the supervisor.
  • Final Viva-voice (after receiving reports from External Examiners).
  • Award of Doctorate.

Note- The above curriculum for Online DBA Doctorate pertains to EIMT University. However, it may not be the same for universities.

PhD After MA Eligibility & Duration

If you are looking to enroll in the conventional PhD program after completing your MA degree, you have to fulfill the following eligibility requirements-

  • Master’s degree in arts, humanities, or social sciences from a recognized higher education institution. 
  • Must have 55% marks or above in the master’s degree. 
  • Qualified for entrance exams such as UGC NET or university-centric entrance exams.
  • Commitment to Full-Time research while meeting the residency requirements. 

However, you can bypass all these requirements if you enroll for an Online DBA Doctorate after an MA. With a master's degree in the arts, you can enroll in this online doctorate without any entrance exam. Moreover, you can easily secure admission if you have a bachelor’s degree with work experience of 3 to 5 years. 

Duration: In the traditional PhD, after completing the Master of Arts (M.A.), the course duration ranges from 5 years to 7 years. However, the duration of the DBA Doctorate Online after the M.A. degree is just 3 years. Moreover, you can complete this online doctorate before this duration if you fulfill all the credit requirements. 

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Program Fees for PhD After MA

Starting at ₹ 6,776/month

Program Fee: NA

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The fee structure of a PhD after an MA ranges from INR 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 per year. Also, there are additional expenses that occur for travelling, relocation, food, etc. Given the long duration of this program, it can pose a significant financial burden. In contrast, an Online DBA Doctorate after an MA can cost you around INR 6,50,000 to INR 10,00,000 for the entire course. 

PhD After MA Admission Procedure

The PhD after an MA in a full-time mode has a lengthy and complex admission process. It requires an entrance examination qualification, which is highly competitive. In contrast, the admission process of the Online DBA Doctorate is very simple and easy to complete without any entrance requirements. Here is the complete admission process for this online doctorate after MA- 

  • Application Submission- To start with the admission process, you need to fill out the online application form on the official website of an appropriate university. Fill out the application form with the correct details and documents, and pay the application fees. 
  • Application Review- A thorough review of the application form is done by the university admission committee. This is done to ensure it meets all the requirements.
  • Personal Interview- If the application is selected in the review, an invitation is sent to the applicant for a personal interview. Interview is conducted online only.
  • Admission Offer- An admission offer is prepared and sent to the applicant depending on the performance in the interview and the application form.
  • Start the Program- Start learning remotely with the cutting-edge LMS of the university.
 
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  • The advantage of flexibility in terms of time and location is the key highlight.
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Education Loan/EMI Facilities for PhD After MA

Normally, EMI and Educational loan facilities are not available if you enroll for a traditional PhD after an MA. However, you can avail of a range of EMI and educational facilities to pay your course fees in simple installments. 

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Is PhD After MA Worth it?

If you are some who wants to make a career in academia and research, pursuing a PhD after an MA can be the right option. However, it is not appropriate for the corporate world.  To make a strong career in the corporate sector, you will need a highly industry-oriented doctoral degree. Pursuing an Online DBA Doctorate after an MA can be a great decision for navigating your career in the global business landscape. This online doctorate will prepare you for leadership careers. The program is highly flexible and accessible with a complete online mode of learning. This means you can easily balance your doctoral research and other commitments at the same time. Considering this, this online doctoral program seems a perfect option for professionals' endeavors. 

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Job Opportunity after PhD After MA

You can pursue careers in academia and research after completing a PhD. However, post completion of Online DBA after MA, you can pursue highly rewarding careers in leadership positions across the global business landscape. Here are some of the top careers for this doctorate online after an MA-

Career Opportunities 

C-Suite Executive

Chief executive officer (CEO)

Chief operating officer (COO)

Chief financial officer (CFO)

Professor 

Entreprenuer 

Top Recruiters for PhD After MA

PhD after MA offers placement opportunities in education and research institutions. However, an Online DBA Doctorate after an MA offers placement opportunities in the leading companies across the world. Here are a few of them.

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Cognizant

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Ey

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HCL

Let's clear up some doubts about PhD After MA

A PhD degree after an MA is the highest qualification one can pursue. Enrolling in this program allows you to conduct original research that can contribute to the knowledge enhancement of the field. 

Yes, absolutely! If you have completed your Master of Arts (MA) in humanities or social sciences, a PhD is a great way to dive deeper into research. A traditional PhD will allow you to explore your field further, contribute original knowledge, and possibly pursue a career in academia. If you're more interested in industry-focused research, you could consider an Online DBA as well.

If you’re looking for a flexible and business-oriented doctoral program, the Online DBA is an excellent choice. It helps you gain leadership and practical research skills without the heavy commitment of a traditional PhD. Moreover, it is a globally recognized and allows you to tackle business problems while working on your research. For anyone wanting to take on high-level management or executive roles, the DBA after an MA is a solid career move.

Traditional PhDs after an MA usually take anywhere from 5 to 7 years. This includes time for coursework, research, and the dissertation. You’ll need to pass entrance exams like the UGC NET or university-specific exams. In contrast, an Online DBA typically takes 3 years, offering a faster path to a doctoral degree with no entrance exams. It's much more flexible and tailored for working professionals.

The fee structure of a traditional PhD after an MA can vary, but typically it ranges from INR 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 per year. Moreover, it also has additional costs for travel, accommodation, and living expenses. If you go for an Online DBA, the entire course fee might be between INR 6,50,000 to 10,00,000.  The Online DBA is more affordable, and you can manage your studies alongside your professional commitments.

No entrance exams are required for an Online DBA Doctorate after your MA, making it an easier path compared to traditional PhDs. You just need to submit an application and go through a personal interview. It's a much more straightforward process, especially for those with some professional experience or a strong academic background.

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