online phd in innovation and technology management

Ph.D. in Technology Management

The Technology Management doctoral program is designed to produce exceptional scholars with a deep knowledge of technology’s effects on organizations and work, technological change, technology entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled innovation who will go on to conduct research and teach at top universities across the country and around the world.

The deadline to submit your application for Fall 2025 admission consideration is January 15, 2025 (11:59 PM Pacific Time). Please read on for program details or contact the PhD Admissions team at Click here to show mail address with  any questions or to schedule a virtual appointment.

Technology Management invites you to explore the crucial role of technology and technological change in work, organizations, and society. Nelson Phillips , Faculty Graduate Advisor, Ph.D. Program

Curious about how technology and technological change influence people, organizations, and society? The Ph.D. program in Technology Management provides students with a vibrant interdisciplinary environment where they have the opportunity to work with leading scholars in organizational behavior, organization theory, technology management, entrepreneurship, and innovation. If you are interested in technology, regardless of whether you have a background in the social sciences, physical sciences, management, or engineering, we encourage you to apply. Technology Management is accepting applications for its 2025 Cohort in September, 2024. The deadline to submit your application is January 15, 2025 (11:59 PM Pacific Time).

Interested in applying?  Please read on for graduate program details, or contact the PhD Admissions team at Click here to show mail address with any questions or to schedule a virtual appointment.

Technology Management is an academic discipline focused on understanding technology and technology’s effects on society, including how technology is shaping organizations and work, the process of technological change, technology entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled innovation.

The Ph.D. program in Technology Management provides students interested in technology and its role in society with a vibrant interdisciplinary environment where they have the opportunity to work with leading scholars in organizational behavior, organization theory, technology management, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Applicants will be expected to follow their interests and develop their own research program under the guidance of faculty.

We seek excellent students who aspire to become exceptional scholars and go on to research and teach at top universities across the country and around the world. You would fit our program well if you are interested in technology, regardless of whether you have a background in the social sciences, physical sciences, management, or engineering.

The program is designed to prepare students for an academic career as tenure-track professors. Graduates go on to research and teach at top universities across the country and around the world. 

All applications must be received by January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

All applications require a non-refundable application fee. If you are a US citizen or Permanent Resident, the application fee is $135; for all others, the application fee is $155. No application will be processed until the application fee has been received. This fee can be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or with a check/money order using the Check/Money Order Submission Form found on the last page of the application.

Application fee waivers are available to qualified U.S. citizens and permanent resident applicants through UCSB’s Graduate Division, not the Department. International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers. If you are eligible, you must apply for the fee waiver at the end of your application on the payment page. Fee waivers take approximately two weeks to be approved, so please apply early.

• Student profile
• Job Placement

We seek students who want to become exceptional scholars and who will go on to research and teach at top universities across the country and around the world. You would fit our program well if you are interested in technology-related work regardless of whether you have a background in the social sciences, physical sciences, management or engineering.

Our program integrates organizational studies with technology and innovation studies in an interdisciplinary environment that transcends the distinctions between disciplines. If you come from a technology or scientific background we will teach you about the importance of organizations and social systems. If you have a social science or management background you will learn to understand the role of technology and innovation in shaping organizational action.

The job market for interdisciplinary Ph.Ds. with training in technology and organizations is expected to be strong over the next decade. We anticipate that most graduates will pursue academic positions in Schools of Communication (where the study of organization and technology is increasing swiftly), in Schools of Information (which are being rapidly founded across the country), in Schools of Engineering (that are increasingly interested in the social aspects of technical work), and in Business Schools (where the study of technology innovation and entrepreneurship is growing). Unlike the demand for Ph.D. tenure track faculty in many other disciplines, the number of tenure track openings in these schools exceeds the number of Ph.Ds. awarded each year, and that gap is increasing.

UCSB is world renowned for its interdisciplinary culture. Faculty and students are encouraged to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and to pioneer exciting new interdisciplinary fields and programs. The Technology Management Program is just such a program. Our faculty is world renowned for its commitment to interdisciplinarity. The faculty have backgrounds that range from engineering and management to the social sciences. We encourage our students to explore courses and to make links to faculty in the social sciences, environmental science, and other engineering departments. The Technology Management Program is housed in the College of Engineering ranked as the number one in the world among public universities for engineering research. The National Research Council ranks all the College of Engineering’s research programs among the top five for their disciplines.

Stephen Barley, Distinguished Professor, Technology Management

Barley has written over 100 articles on the impact of new technologies on work, the organization of technical work, and organizational culture. He is currently researching corporate power in the United States, artificial intelligence and work. His PhD is from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and he was formerly on the faculty at Cornell University and Stanford School of Engineering.

Matt Beane, Assistant Professor, Technology Management

Beane studies the impact of introducing machine intelligence—and specifically robotics—into the workplace. Matt has done extensive field research in settings such as robotic surgery and robotic materials transport. His PhD is from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Prior to academia, he worked as a strategic advisor with several robotics startups.

Paul Leonardi, Professor, D epartment Chair

Leonardi is the Chair of the Technology Management Department. His research, teaching, and consulting focus on helping companies to create and share knowledge more effectively. He has authored more than 50 articles on how implementing new technologies and harnessing the power of informal social networks can help companies take advantage of their knowledge assets to create innovative products and services. His PhD is from Stanford, and was previously on the faculty at Northwestern University.

Nelson Phillips, Professor, Technology Management

Phillips’ has written over 200 articles and 6 books that cut across organization theory, innovation, and technology. He teaches courses on leadership, strategy, and teamwork. His PhD is from University of Alberta, and was previously on the faculty at Cambridge, McGill, and Imperial College London. His BS is in EE/CS from the University of Calgary and prior to academia worked as an engineer.

Renee Rottner, Associate Professor, Technology Management

Rottner’s research focuses on the dynamics of innovation,  including NASA projects, semiconductor startups, and Federal nanotechnology initiatives. She teaches courses on organizational behavior and negotiations. Her PhD is from UC-Irvine, and was previously on the faculty at New York University. Prior to academia, she co-founded an electro-optics company and an avatar-based educational platform for science education.

Jessica J. Santana, Assistant Professor, Technology Management

Santana studies the role of networks in innovation and entrepreneurship in settings including synthetic biology and cryptocurrency crowdfunding. She develops computational techniques to conduct her research. Her PhD is from Stanford in Sociology, and an M.Sc. Information Science from UC-Berkeley. Prior to academia, she was a Senior Product Manager at Electronic Arts, a consultant with Monitor Group, and a cofounder of a mobile augmented reality startup.

Mary Tripsas, Professor, Technology Management

Tripsas is a leading management scholar whose research and teaching focus on disruptive technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Her PhD is from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, MBA from Harvard, and B.S. in Computer Science and Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Previously, she was on the faculty at Harvard Business School, Wharton (U Penn), and Boston College. Prior to academia, she was a consultant for the Monitor Group and worked as a software and sales engineer for IBM.

Sukhun Kang, Assistant Professor, Technology Management

Kang studies innovation and entrepreneurship within biopharmaceutical and high-tech industries His PhD is from the London Business School, and has a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois, ad a MS from the University of Southern California in Computer Engineering and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Prior to academia, he worked as a semiconductor engineer at Samsung Electronics.

Dr. Virginia Leavell

Job Upon Graduating: Assistant Professor, Judge Business School, Cambridge University

Dissertation: The future isn’t what it used to be: Anticipatory organizing in the digital transformation of water infrastructure.

Primary Advisor:  Paul Leonardi

Dr. Leavell’s research focuses on the relationship between organizational anticipation and digital technologies. Her research investigates both how ideas about the future influence work and organizing during the lead-up to the implementation of digital technologies and also how organizations use digital technologies to make predictions about the future. She uses ethnographic methods and social network analysis. Her dissertation investigated anticipatory organizing in the context of water infrastructure management. Dr. Leavell has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara.

Dr. Danielle Bovenberg

Job Upon Graduating: Postdoctoral Researcher, Yale School of Management  

Dissertation:  The Role of Scientific Support Occupations in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge in Core Facilities

Dr. Bovenberg  studies occupations and technological innovation. Specifically, she studies how scientific support occupations (e.g., staff scientists, equipment engineers and laboratory technicians) connect ostensibly distant domains of science through their knowledge of scientific instrumentation and technique. Her dissertation research was set in a nanofabrication facility, which are key nodes in the United States’ semiconductor R&D infrastructure. Her research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Dr. Bovenberg earned her BA in Social Sciences with a minor in Statistics from Utrecht University  and her MSc. in Culture, Organization and Management from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Ph.D. courses and requirements

Ph.D. Cost and Financial Support

Dean's Research Lecture Series

• Statements and Documents
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Changes to Application

In order to complete your graduate application, you will be required to upload the following four documents in your online application:

• Statement of Purpose
• Personal History and Diversity Statement
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Supplemental Document: Writing Sample

1. Statement of Purpose

Give a brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking a graduate program, your particular area of specialization within the major field (in which you majored as an undergraduate or master's student), your past academic work, and your plans for future occupation or profession. Also include any additional information that may assist the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UC Santa Barbara. In your Statement of Purpose, please clearly emphasize your research interests, experience, and goals.

2. Personal History and Diversity Statement

UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study. For example, please describe if you have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income. Please describe if you have any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bicultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect underserved segments of society, or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations.

3. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

List your positions of employment or volunteer work/community service since high school, either full or part-time, including the hours per week worked and the nature and dates of employment or service.

4. Supplemental Document: Writing Sample

A writing sample of no more than 40 pages in length. Writing samples should be substantial papers written in English in an upper-division or graduate class.

Document Uploads

UC Santa Barbara accepts PDF and Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx) documents for upload in the online application. The maximum file size allowed is 4 MB per document. You may view and replace documents you have uploaded. Once you click the "Lock" button, you will not be able to replace what you have uploaded. Please preview each document carefully to ensure you have uploaded the correct documents. Graduate Division and departmental staff will not be able to replace documents for you once you have locked a document.

Documents must be uploaded to the online application absolutely no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time by the application deadline. Documents received after 11:59 PM on the departmental application deadline may be considered ineligible for review, and your application may be marked as Incomplete, and therefore unreviewable, by the department. The application fee is non-refundable for incomplete applications.

Three letters of recommendation are required as part of your application (at least two from professors). You will be asked to supply the name, email address, and current institution of each recommender. Once supplied, the online application will provide instructions to each of your recommenders via email.

If you are using a Letter Service (such as Interfolio or a university career center) to submit one or more letters, you will be able to indicate this information within the recommender profile. UCSB needs a rating on our rating scale from each recommender you indicate. If the letter will come from a letter service, we will only request the necessary rating from your recommender.

Letters Submitted via Postal Mail

Online submission is the preferred method for submitting letters of recommendation. If your recommender is unable to submit a letter online, a letter of recommendation may be sent directly to the Technology Management Program address below. A Letter of Recommendation Coversheet must accompany the letter. You must still add the recommender's information to your online application.

University of California, Santa Barbara Technology Management Program 1333 Phelps Hall, MC 5129 Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5129

You are required to upload an official transcript created by your university. This transcript will be used to review and evaluate your application. Scan and upload all pages of your official transcript from this institution (including the grading scale, which may be on the backside of the transcript). The uploaded transcript must be an official transcript, produced by the university with all appropriate seals/stamps. Remove your Social Security Number by crossing/blacking out numbers before uploading (if applicable).

International Applicants: Please include your degree certificate within the same file if you have received your degree. You must upload both the original language transcript and certified English translation. English transcripts are required and must be a complete, exact and literal translation of the original transcripts. English translations must be provided by the school or an official agency.

Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). Official transcripts must be sent to the UC Santa Barbara Graduate Division by mail directly from the school in the institution's sealed envelope. Final/Official transcripts must be received before the first day of instruction of the quarter to which you are admitted.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

For all tests, UCSB reviews only the most recent and complete set of test scores reported. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. Official GRE scores are those submitted directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Official GRE test scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which the test was taken (July 1–June 30). There is no minimum required GRE score; however the ideal applicant will score in the top 20 percent of each test. 

TOEFL/IELTS/DET (if applicable)

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam, or the Duolingo English Test. International applicants who have or will have completed the equivalent of a U. S. undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution whose sole language of instruction is English are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/DET exam.

An excellent command of written and spoken English is required prior to enrollment at UCSB. Proficiency is determined using a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

TOEFL Reporting Applicants taking the TOEFL must make arrangements directly with the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Instruct ETS to report scores to UCSB at institution code 4835.  The online application requires you to enter the Test Date and sixteen digit Registration Number found on your official Report of Scores from ETS.

Minimum scores for admission to the Ph.D. program:

Internet-based TOEFL

Minimum Score: 80

Paper-based TOEFL

Minimum Score: 550

Minimum Score: 7 overall band-score

Duolingo English Test

Minimum Score: 120, or higher

All applications require a non-refundable application fee of $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents and $155 for international applicants. No application will be processed until the application fee has been received. This fee can be paid by credit card or with a check/money order using the Check/Money Order Submission Form found on the last page of the application.

Fee Waivers A limited number of application fee waivers are available to qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate evidence of financial need or proof of participation in an undergraduate research program. McNair Scholars and Project 1000 applicants are among those eligible. Fee waivers are not available to international applicants.

You may apply for a fee waiver through the online application. This is reviewed by the Graduate Division. Graduate Division will notify you via online application if they will grant you the fee waiver request or not. Within your application, click on the Payment Information tab and scroll down to the fee waiver information. Submit your request online by selecting the option relevant to you and uploading your supporting documentation. You must submit your fee waiver request at least two weeks before the application deadline. Do not submit a fee waiver request the day before the application deadline; it will not be processed, and your application will not be reviewed.

It is important that proposed departments are notified of any changes in your address, phone number, or e-mail address during the application process. Otherwise, important notifications regarding applications, missing supporting materials, or admissions decisions may be seriously delayed or lost. Departments will notify the Graduate Division of any changes.

Please note that once your application has been submitted, you cannot make changes to the content of your online application. Please review your application carefully before submitting and print out a copy for your files.

Applying to the Ph.D. in Technology Management

If you have any questions about the program, contact an admissions advisor at  Click here to show mail address . 

Assemble all documents and other materials prior to beginning your application. Be sure to carefully read the instructions listed above to ensure that you correctly complete each section of the application properly. We recommend that you keep personal copies of all application materials. A full explanation of the graduate application can be found on the  Graduate Division website . 

Apply Now to UCSB's Ph.D. in Technology Management 

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Technology Management Phelps Hall University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA 93106-5129

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Human-Centered Technology, Innovation & Design, Ph.D.

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Innovations in technologies redefine and reshape people's lives, changing social and cultural practices, norms and values, institutional processes, and economies and infrastructures. Working to develop new applications for existing and emerging human-centered technologies informed through rigorous, interdisciplinary research and managing socio-technical transitions is a fast-growing and highly important area of research across a number of fields and disciplines. The mission of the Tandon School of Engineering's Human-Centered Technology, Innovation & Design Ph.D. program is to educate and train scholars who will produce pioneering research and scholarship at the vanguard of technological practice and theory.

This program fosters student research through its focus on high-quality supervision and training by faculty members with significant research strengths in a diverse range of technology-related fields, including: digital media and creative practice, design and human-computer interaction, science and technology studies, urban and environmental studies, sociotechnical complex systems, and technology management and innovation. Students in the program typically follow an individualized path based in one of four main areas of focus:

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Design Research & Practice
• Management Science
• Computational Social Science

The Human-Centered Technology, Innovation & Design program is a unique interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, offering a rigorous and flexible course of study that unites the strengths of the Departments of Technology Management and Innovation and Technology Culture & Society at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. It is ideal for students who are primarily interested in pursuing teaching and/or research-based careers at higher education institutions. Universities with undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize the integration of design and technology development with the critical study of society and technology or the management sciences are a primary source of career opportunities for our graduates. Similarly, government agencies, not-for-profit research organization, think tanks, corporate research centers, and research-based design and consulting firms also seek our graduates. 

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Admissions/applications requirements.

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Human-Centered Technology, Innovation & Design program is based on an in-depth evaluation of the applicant’s academic record, professional experience, research potential, interest in doctoral study, and overall intellectual and professional qualifications. The GRE is optional, while proof of english language proficiency is required for international students.

Find out more about Admission Requirements and Graduate Admissions .

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

The curriculum for the Ph.D. in Human-Centered Technology, Innovation & Design Program fosters a research-intensive doctoral education relevant to understanding and shaping the impact of new technologies on a complex and rapidly-changing society and its institutions. We focus on how technology shapes and molds society and culture and how, in turn, social and cultural institutions respond to those impacts. 

The core coursework exposes students to advanced design and research skills modulated by the development of a critically reflexive understanding of the ways in which society and technology deeply influence design and development. Research methods courses help students develop advanced qualitative, quantitative, and practice-based research as the basis for inquiring into, designing, and evaluating new technologies in the service of society.

Thematic elective courses help students gain in-depth knowledge in a focused area related to the key themes of human-computer interaction, design research, and management science. Our faculty also specialize in several areas of focus: disability studies and inclusive design, citizen science, urban sustainability, design for social change, science and technology studies, design studies, and technology ethics and politics. Students and doctoral advisers work together to curate and develop a rigorous course of study in the program.

Students are required to complete 75 credits, including 51 credits from the course work, which includes doctoral seminars, research methods courses, and thematic electives, and 24 credits from the dissertation. For more information on specific faculty interests, please refer to the faculty pages under the relevant programs.

Research Training and Interaction with Faculty

Students are expected to work actively with one or more faculty each year, and focus on completing research. Students are strongly encouraged to present research in progress once a year and work towards publishable papers, usually with a faculty as co-author. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their primary advisors to outline a plan of study where they can be involved in institutional research. Every student participates in formal research seminars with departmental faculty and visitors.

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Jenelle Woodrup

Get Your PhD in Technology Management Online

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Become a technology leader in one of its fastest-growing fields with an online PhD in tech management. Explore the flexibility of online programs, allowing you to tailor your studies to fit your goals. Give yourself an edge and stay ahead in the world of technology.

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• What to Expect
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An emerging field in business is technology management, which centers on the relationship between tech advancements and business strategies. Its leaders can positively affect the workplace, other leaders in organizations, and possibly all of society. If this new frontier sounds exciting to you, consider taking a career leap by earning a PhD in technology management.

Tech management is an interdisciplinary field that combines aspects of management , engineering , economics, and innovation that arise from new technological change. Some of the aspects it focuses on include automated business processes and cybersecurity.

The continued growth of AI, machine learning, and big data points to further rapid growth in the tech industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 15% from now through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Another good outlook for the industry: the median pay for this role is $169,510.

It’s clear that there is a growing demand for experts who can lead a strategic approach to technology adoption. Potential careers for people who earn a doctorate in technology management include technology consultant, IT project manager, CTO, or founder.

Read below to learn more about what you can expect in an online PhD program for tech management, including requirements, common courses, costs, and career outlook.

Programs that might interest you:

Program Profile: Online PhDs in Technology Management

If you have a passion for understanding technology’s profound effects on  business , work, and society — and want to be at the forefront of guiding technological innovation — then pursuing a PhD in technology management could be a wise strategic investment in your career.

Below is an example of a best-in-class online PhD program. The details will give you a better understanding of what you could  expect in a doctoral program  for tech management and how it could further your career. 

Indiana State University

Indiana State’s online PhD in technology management is delivered through a consortium model, giving students access to expert faculties across multiple universities while still receiving their degree from a single accredited institution. The program’s interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to address the complex interplay between technological innovation and strategic business practices.

Through this program, you’ll be able to conduct high-quality research and develop an acute understanding and sensitivity to the ethical and moral issues surrounding technology. 

Highlights from the program:

• 66 credit hours
• Six concentration areas: construction management, digital communication systems, human resource development, industrial training, manufacturing systems, and quality systems.
• Dissertation required
• Doctoral residency required
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Cost: Starts at $462/credit hour

Tech Management Doctorate Admission Requirements

Once you begin the application process for a doctoral program, you’ll need several components to complete admission, along with meeting academic and professional criteria. These elements demonstrate that you’re ready for doctoral-level work. 

Though requirements will vary by program, here are some common ones that are expected:

• A master’s degree in a technology, engineering, business, or other related field from an accredited university, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Professional work experience in technology, engineering, or management roles, often three to five years minimum
• GRE test scores 
• Letters of recommendation confirming your skills and your potential to conduct advanced research
• A statement of purpose outlining your academic interests and research goals
• An interview with faculty

Some programs may have additional prerequisites before enrolling, such as completed courses in calculus, statistics, or computer programming. Meeting all of these is crucial for gaining entry to universities that offer doctoral degrees, so be sure to check the program’s website for more information. 

Online PhD in Technology Management Advantages

There are many benefits to earning an online PhD in technology management whether you are a leader in the field or want to pursue in-depth research. Online programs also offer a flexible and affordable way to meet your goals. They are designed for accomplished tech leaders looking to take the next step in their career.

Here are some of the major benefits of earning an online PhD in tech management.

Work-Life Integration

One of the biggest advantages of an online PhD program is the ability to balance your studies with work and life commitments. The flexible format allows you to engage with course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments on your own schedule around professional and personal responsibilities.

Self-paced Learning

While still maintaining structured deadlines, online programs allow you to progress through the curriculum at a pace that works best for your learning style. You can spend more time reviewing complex concepts or accelerate through areas you understand quickly. This self-directed approach can help you focus on research areas that are most of interest to you.

Cost Effectiveness

Removing geographical barriers, online PhD programs tend to be more affordable than residential alternatives. You avoid costs like relocation and can continue working full-time while studying. Many regionally accredited public universities also offer reasonable per-credit tuition rates. You can see more info on tuition and financial aid below.

What to Expect in a Tech Management Program

An online tech management program is a great option for anyone with experience in technology-related work, whether it’s in social science, physical science,  computer science , management, or engineering.

Your specific courses will depend on the path of specialization you choose, such as construction management or quality systems. On a broader level, you can expect to blend organizational studies with technology and innovation courses that are tailored to your needs. 

If you come from a technology or scientific background, you’ll learn about the importance of organizations and social systems. If you have a social science or management background, you will gain an understanding of the role of technology and innovation in shaping organizational action.

Course format for online doctorate programs is often asynchronous, giving you flexibility with your studies. The pacing of the program also varies whether you pursue full-time or  part-time study .

There are also specializations within degree programs that are common for an online PhD in technology management: construction management, digital communications, manufacturing systems, quality systems, and human resource development and training.

Common Courses

Some common themes for tech management programs include business leadership, research core and dissertation, technical specialization, and electives. Many of the leading technology management schools are part of a consortium that shares curriculum and community.

Here are some popular courses that you may encounter in one of these programs. 

Organizational Behavior

This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge of how businesses work, including classic and contemporary theories, potential controversies, and ground-breaking empirical studies. You’ll learn about topics related to individual, team, and organizational processes, perception and personality, motivation, decision-making, and organizational change.

Research and Dissertation

Research core classes will include coursework in research design, methodology, and statistical analysis, all of which is a fundamental portion of your studies. A dissertation (18 credits) requiring original research on technology is typically required to earn your doctorate.

Networks and Innovation

This course explores how organizing processes enable and constrain the development and use of technological innovations. You’ll focus on the role of networks in developing ideas for new technologies and the use of networks to diffuse technologies within organizations.

Technical Specialization

Technical specializations are offered at some schools in five areas including manufacturing systems, construction management, quality systems, digital communications, and human resource development and industrial training.

These opportunities give you the chance to test and experiment in the tech industry, research organizations, government agencies, or other ventures associated with technology transfer and application. An internship may also help you explore technical specializations and topics for your dissertation research.

Frequently Asked Queries: Technology Management Online Doctorate

Do these online programs offer additional certifications.

Certification isn’t necessarily offered as part of the doctoral program. However, there are some technology management professional organizations and other related certification associations that you can explore. 

This includes:

• Certified Technology Management Professional (CTMP)
• International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT)
• Society for Information Management (SIM)
• Technology Management Associates
• Association for Information Systems (AIS)
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

Earning a certification will increase your professional credentials and help you get recognized globally.

Do I Need to Complete a Dissertation or Research Project?

Yes, you’ll typically be expected to complete a dissertation or research project that demonstrates your expertise in the field. A technology management program will involve solving an applied technological concern using analysis, synthesis, and evaluation processes.

Will I need to be available for a residency or any face-to-face components during an online PhD in technology management program?

This can vary between programs, but most online PhDs incorporate at least a minimal residency requirement to facilitate networking, research immersions, or in-person exams. For example, Indiana State’s 66-credit online program has a short residency, while the University of Central Missouri’s part-time, 87-credit track includes 18 residency hours.

Who accredits online technology management programs?

Online doctoral programs in the technology management field are typically accredited by the same regional organizations that oversee graduate degrees. This ensures the program meets established standards for factors such as faculty qualifications, curriculum, and student resources. The Higher Learning Commission and other agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education provide this program-level accreditation.

Additionally, The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) accredits programs that bridge the gap between traditional engineering and business management programs and certifies that graduates are technically adept, technologically literate, and capable of managing personnel and facilities.

Funding a Doctoral Degree in Tech Management

Pursuing a PhD is a significant investment of time and money, so it’s important to understand the financial commitments before you get started.

That commitment starts with a plan for funding your doctorate degree. Many students utilize a combination of financial aid opportunities like private and school scholarships, fellowships providing tuition waivers or stipends, work-study programs, and employer tuition assistance. Exploring all of your options is key to making this advanced credential affordable. 

For even more details, check out our guide to  funding for doctoral students . 

What an Online Program May Cost You

We’ve gathered tuition information from a few schools to help you get an understanding of the average cost of an online PhD in technology management as well as the number of credits required to earn a degree. Use these numbers as a baseline as you compare other programs in your search. Note that these three universities are part of the consortium that offers doctorates in tech management.

*The cost/credit starts at this range but will vary by residency requirements

Technology Management Graduate Career Outlook

Whether you want to go into the tech industry, pursue academia, or find a tech role in another field – you have a wide range of options with a PhD in tech management.

A doctorate can prepare you for leadership roles directing an organization’s technology strategies, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives. 

The skills you’ll develop are in high demand as companies continue to digitize operations and processes. Doctorates in this field typically command higher salaries than those with bachelor’s or master’s degrees and have greater opportunities for executive advancement.

Here are some potential careers for technology management PhD graduates:

• Chief Technology Officer
• Technology Consultant
• IT Program/Project Manager
• Technology Entrepreneur
• University Professor/Researcher

Salary and Growth Potential in Tech

The tech field is rapidly growing and offers high earning potential for specialists and experts. Take computer and information research scientists as an example: the role earns an average of $145,080 a year and is expected to grow more than 23% in the next decade.

Below are other popular careers for those with a PhD in tech management, ranging from higher education to the tech industry to entrepreneurship. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2023

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Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management

Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management (TIES) embraces two areas: the organization, development, and commercialization of technology-based innovation in existing firms; and the formation, development, and growth of technology-based new enterprises. Students can integrate these areas in their studies or approach them as distinct elements.

For 40 years, MIT Sloan faculty and their graduate students have distinguished themselves with the breadth and depth of their managerial research and curriculum on all aspects of the management of research, development, technology-based innovation, and technological entrepreneurship. This group also initiated—and now runs—the  MIT Entrepreneurship Center . The E-Center, with its extensive multi-disciplinary curriculum and its wide-ranging program of student activities, also sponsors the nation's premier business plan competition, the  MIT $100K .

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