The 20 Best Online Schools for Doctorate in Business Administration

A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) makes a person a great asset in any institution, whether it be private, government, for-profit, or non-profit. The DBA program gives its graduates the knowledge and skills for business research, analysis, critical thinking, and decision-making, all to the end of helping institutions be successful.

The curricula of DBA programs focus on business theory and practice, law and ethics, and financial and personnel management. With a DBA, graduates are able to take on top-level business leadership roles such as top executives or university professors, among many others.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that positions as top executives will expand by 6% by 2032, and university teaching posts will increase by 12% in the next 10 years. Business professors can earn on average upwards of $108,060 per year, and top executives earn $100,090 per year.

These schools were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online programs—due to the: nature of the coursework, degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum, 100% online availability, sufficient financial aid availability, and an education that gives students more than just classroom experience.

In developing this list, Business-Management-Degree.net chose not to list the schools in an ordered way but instead highlighted twenty of the very best programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.

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20 Best Online Schools for Doctorate in Business Administration

ANAHEIM UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Anaheim University’s DBA program is 100% online and offers various courses that combine excellent instruction with advanced communication technology. This program offers accelerated 6-week courses, 2 live weekly webcam seminars, and new terms commence every 6 weeks.

Anaheim University has a strong focus on business education. The university offers degrees in business and education.

Campus Location: Anaheim, California

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Tuition and Fees:

• $500.00 per credit hour
• $75.00 application fee
• $100.00 registration fee
• $200.00 records fee per term

Types of Aid: Tuition relief program of up to $10,975 off total tuition for early applicants.

Admission Requirements:

• Application form
• Application fee ($75)
• Official transcripts, licenses, or certificates
  • The DBA program requires a Master’s degree in business administration, a JD degree, or other degree relating to managerial functions from an accredited institution
  • GPA of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent from non-USA Institutions
• At least one course in each of the following:
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Economics
• A resume documenting a minimum of 5 years of work or teaching experience in a relevant area of business

Program Specialization Options:

• Management
• International Business
• Global Sustainable Management
• Entrepreneurship

The Final Result:

Graduates of this program carry out detailed research in:

• Business literature
• Discuss current conceptual and theoretical models, issues, and concerns in business administration
• Gain an understanding of current practices, issues, and concerns in business administration
• Apply the best current business practices to management
• Digest and summarize significant differences in business practices in different parts of the world and understand their roles in managing companies in various countries
• Evaluate and critique business practices
• Devise appropriate strategies for ongoing development and implementation.

MORE INFORMATION ON ANAHEIM UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA IN MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM

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APOLLOS UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Apollos University provides working professionals the ability to gain a DBA degree through a totally online degree program. Through various courses and research projects, this program emphasizes deep engagement with business literature and analysis of many case studies. Research in this program culminates a major research project in the form of a dissertation that demonstrates competency and literacy in the field.

Campus Location: Helena, Montana

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Tuition and Fees:

• $350 per credit hour
• $25.00 application fee
• $100.00 one-time library fee
• $200.00 registration fee

Types of Aid: Private loans; External scholarships; Employer payment plan; Organizational reimbursement plan; Tribal aid plan

Admission Requirements:

• Completed Application
• Transcripts for all degrees earned
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Successful completion of the AU Orientation Program Class
• Possess a master’s degree awarded by institutions accredited by agencies that are recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Sample Program Courses:

• Corporate Managerial Finance and Accounting
• Leadership: Concepts and Theories
• Survey of American Business and its Leaders
• Survey of Global Business Opportunities and Issues

The Final Result:

This degree program equips graduates to:

• Integrate and synthesize theory and practice
• Explain ethical questions and their resolutions
• Demonstrate practical competency as a business leader
• Formulate strategies for business and career advancement

MORE INFORMATION ON APOLLOS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

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UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Prominent Program Features: 

The University of Management and Technology offers various courses and projects in a 100% percent online format that seeks to balance theoretical and practical considerations in business management.

The place of technology in a global economy is a key focus of this program. This program will give its graduates the skills and knowledge to balance and integrate technology, law and ethics as these apply in concrete business scenarios.

Campus Location: Arlington, Virginia

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Tuition and Fees:

• $390.00 per credit hour
• $250.00 per credit hour for students with a UMT military scholarship
• $780.00  per credit hour for International Students with F-1 or J-1 visa
• $30.00 application fee
• $30.00 continuing enrollment fee

Types of Aid:  Federal aid is available for this degree as  well as military scholarships

Admission Requirements:

• A master’s degree, or
• At least 30 credit hours of graduate studies in a business-related field

Sample Course Options:

• Evolution of Management Thought
• Management as a Behavioral Science
• International Management
• Economic and Financial Theory
• Leadership and Ethics

The Final Result:

This program will teach students to:

• Adapt the scientific method to various management problems
• Develop an understanding of the evolution of management theory
• Employ analytical thinking to solve problems
• Master research techniques in various fields related to business.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY’S ONLINE DBA DEGREE PROGRAM!

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BAKER COLLEGE

Prominent Program Features:

Baker College’s online DBA degree program equips business leaders for independent thinking and research. This program emphasizes the interface between business theory and practice in a global market dominated by rapidly developing technologies.

Baker’s DBA program is designed to train its graduates how to lead in the “complex process of managing workers and allocating resources effectively to achieve common business goals.”

Campus Location: Flint, Michigan

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Tuition and Fees:

• $750.00 per quarter credit hour
• $244.00 per credit GoArmy Ed program
• $244.00 per credit Active Military
• $244.00 per credit Guard and Reserve

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• MBA degree or equivalent
• Five years of professional experience in business or management is required
• Official transcripts indicating an MBA or related master’s degree from an accredited school
• A minimum grade point average of 3.25 in their master coursework is required
• Current resume indicating a minimum of five years of professional experience in business, management or administration
• 500–1000 word essay on motivation for doctoral study

Program Core Focuses:

• Interdisciplinary Content
• Research Seminars
• Scholarly and Professional Activities
• Research-based Dissertation

The Final Result:

This program through coursework, seminars and research projects builds expertise in business and management. Graduates have acquired academic and practical experience based upon sound theory and its application to a variety of business leadership contexts. In applying theory this program provides tools to address and solve real-life business problems with creative solutions.

MORE INFORMATION ON BAKER COLLEGE’S ONLINE DOCTORATE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM!

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WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Wilmington University offers a totally online DBA degree program that is designed for working professionals. Various courses and projects give students an integrated knowledge of business management and practice. The latest technology is used to make instruction as interactive and engaging as possible.

Formatted on a 15-week semester basis, students and instructors ‘meet’ with their online classes twice per week. Each semester is divided into two 7-week blocks, allowing students to take a large number of courses per year.

Campus Location: New Castle, Delaware

Accreditation: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Tuition and Fees:

• $696.00 per credit hour
• $300.00 per credit hour for military students
• $35.00 application fee
• $25.00 registration fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Complete DBA application
• Official Transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• Current resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Professional and Educational goals and objectives

Program Focuses:

• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Disciplined Inquiry and Application
• Information Literacy
• Ethics
• Professionalism

The Final Result:

This program develops:

• Competence in theoretical apprehension and application within a chosen business concentration,
• Critical knowledge and skills that will improve professional success and community service,
• Credentials needed for business consulting, management and academics.

MORE INFORMATION ON WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA PROGRAM!

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LIGS UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

LIGS University’s DBA program is an Oxford-style tutorial-based system that places priority upon one-to-one interaction between a professor (tutor) and student, affording a very high degree of personalized instruction.

LIGS offers a rolling admission schedule, which allows students the greatest convenience in scheduling their studies. LIGS is 100% online and allows students to study in English, Czech or Slovak. Fewer courses than average are required in this DBA degree program.

Campus Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Accreditation:  Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges & Universities

Tuition and Fees:

• $8,400.00 one-time fee for the entire program
• $3,500.00 one-time fee for the entire program for Hawaii residents

Types of Aid: Tuition is quite low at LIGS, making financial aid less necessary. Only the Hawaii Scholarship Bonus is offered to Hawaii residents.

Admission Requirements:

• Language proficiency in the chosen language of study
• Master’s degree from a university or college
• Managerial experience of at least 5 years
• Enrollment agreement
• Dissertation proposal and draft (approved by LIGS University),
• Copy of a document proving the highest degree earned,
• Curriculum vitae reflecting your scientific and publication activity.

Sample Course Options:

• Management
• Project Management
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human Resources Management

The Final Result:

Students will be able to:

• Identify and appropriately use sources of knowledge,
• Analyze and synthesize wide-ranging and often conflicting data.
• Effectively lead while remaining a team player.
• Gain a global view of business ethics.

MORE INFORMATION ON LIGS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTORATE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM!

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ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Athabasca University’s online DBA is the only Canadian degree program on this list. This program offers 24/7 online support. Athabasca emphasizes practical research that directly impacts its students’ place of employment through leading-edge knowledge and practical know-how.

Campus Location: Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

Accreditation: Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology of the Province of Alberta; evaluated by the Campus Alberta Quality Council

Tuition and Fees:

• $18,848.00 total tuition for the entire year
• $200.00 application fee
• $800.00 admission fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans;  institutional and outside scholarship opportunities

Admission Requirements:

• MBA or equivalent master’s degree from an accredited university
• Five or more years of significant management and/or professional work experience
• Acceptable university-level course in statistics
• English language proficiency
• An expression of research interests (1,000 – 1,500 words)
• Three reference letters, preferably two business and one academic

Sample Program Courses:

• Conceptual Foundations of Organizational Research
• Current Research
• Management Research in Practice
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Qualitative Research Methods

The Final Result:

This program through coursework and research assignments trains its graduates in additional areas of:

• Competency
• Develop scholarship and communicate findings
• Create new solutions, and derive sanctification from the process of higher learning itself.

MORE INFORMATION ON ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM!

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AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF LEADERSHIP

Prominent Program Features:

American University of Leadership’s online DBA offers various courses and specializations that combine “analytical, practical, and research-based approaches… to equip graduates with an understanding of management thought and practices, as well as a theoretical, philosophical, and real-world understanding of business administration principles and practices.”

This program seeks to accommodate the widest range of students, including those less economically fortunate.

Campus Location:  Orlando, Florida

Accreditation: Florida Department of Education, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Tuition and Fees: 

• $545.00 per credit hour
• $150.00 registration fee

Types of Aid: A variety of merit-based and need-based scholarships are available.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed American University of Leadership Agreement
• Current resume
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Recommendation letters
• Letter of intent to join the DBA program
• Three years of professional experience

Program Options:

• Entrepreneurship
• Project Management and Acquisition Management
• Human Resources Management
• International Management

The Final Result: 

Graduates will be able to:

• Identify, research, and solve business problems “with the highest value-adding solutions”
• Perform analysis and research in a global, market-based economy
• Demonstrate business knowledge and expertise
• Formulate and re-design industry rules and standards

MORE INFORMATION ON THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF LEADERSHIP’S ONLINE DBA PROGRAM!

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COLORADO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Colorado Technical University offers a totally online DBA that emphasizes networking between students and faculty. Symposia and workshops provide students of this degree program with opportunities to interact critically with other graduate professionals.

Various courses and assignments are designed to make “thought leaders” in the field of business management. Such leaders will be able to optimize supply chain management and marketing.

Campus Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Total Tuition:

• $59,800 for total tuition and fees over a three-year period

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Interview with an admissions advisor in person or by phone
• Submit a complete online graduate admission application
• Submit official transcripts
• Submit an entrance essay
• Interview with a representative from the DBA degree program

Program Concentrations:

• Strategic Management
• Human Capital Management
• Supply Chain and Logistics Management

The Final Result:

Graduates of this degree program demonstrate fluency with business knowledge and application; use critical thinking to analyze and solve complexities in business management scenarios; apply knowledge to a global and multicultural business context; and contribute to and advance current scholarship.

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WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

William Howard Taft University’s DBA degree is an online program that focuses on United States business practice and management. The courses and projects of this program also give consideration to the global business situation.

This program is specially designed for currently employed mid and upper-level managers looking to advance their business knowledge and leadership skills.

Campus Location: Denver, Colorado

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The university is recognized as an authorized post-secondary institute of education by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

Tuition and Fees:

• $360.00 per month until
  • Satisfaction of all degree requirements
  • 48 billing months (four years)
  • Withdrawal from the Program
  • Academic Dismissal from the Program
• $75.00 application fee

Types of Aid: Military benefits; Partners in Professional Education Program.

Admission Requirements:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Application Fee
• Student copies of transcripts reflecting the applicant’s highest relevant degree
• Documentation of the applicant’s professional work experience
• Two completed Doctoral Applicant Reference Forms

Core Program Courses:

• Organizational Design
• Leadership Theory and Practice
• Designing Economic Business Strategies
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics
• Marketing Research for Managerial Decision Making
• Business Law

The Final Result:

Students through various courses and projects gain knowledge in business administration and leadership according to sound operational practices. Graduates will be able to contribute to the business world as upper management with entrepreneurial objectives “backed by current research and theory.”

MORE INFORMATION ON WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA (DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION) PROGRAM!

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CALIFORNIA INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features: 

California Intercontinental University (CIU) offers an excellent online DBA degree program that is oriented to working professionals seeking alternatives to onsite models of higher education.

CIU has a strong focus on the DBA program with 64% of all CIU  students enrolled in the DBA program. According to CIU’s About page, CIU students report a high level of educational satisfaction (95%) and 93% of students report achieving their educational goals.

Campus Location: Irvine, California

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Tuition and Fees:

• $528.00 per credit
• $75.00 application fee
• $125.00 one-time registration fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae or professional resume
• Two or more years of full-time, occupational experience, preferably at a managerial level, related to the Business Administration field
• Official transcripts showing the completion of a Master’s degree from an approved or accredited college or university/institution
• Prior college academic records must show a minimal Cumulative Grade Point Average of B (3.0 on a scale of 4.0) grade or higher

Program Options:

• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Business Administration
• Doctor of Business Administration in Global Business and Leadership
• Doctor of Business Administration Healthcare Management and Leadership
• Doctor of Business Administration Information Systems and Resource Management

The Final Result: 

This program offers various courses and projects to equip graduates to respond effectively in a rapidly changing business world. Students acquire research, writing, communication and leadership skills needed for high-level business practice and responsibility. Graduates will gain the opportunity to advance their current careers or launch into a new career.

MORE INFORMATION ON CALIFORNIA INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTORATE OF BUSINESS ADMIN DEGREE PROGRAM!

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CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE

Prominent Program Features:

City University of Seattle’s online DBA degree offers courses and projects designed for working professionals. Classes are delivered live, and live chat options make this a highly interactive degree wherein students have easy access to prompt feedback from their professors. Over 90% of graduates from this program express a high degree of satisfaction with the program.

Campus Location: Seattle, Washington

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Tuition and Fees:

• $935.00 per credit hour
• $50.00 application fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Evidence of completion of program-specific prerequisite
  courses, as applicable
• Master’s degree in the field of Business
• Resume/CV that demonstrates two or more years in a leadership role
• Three references with name, title, email, and phone contact information for professional, academic, or other associates who can attest to the student’s ability to be successful in a doctoral program
• Submit responses to the Admissions Statement Questions
• Proof of English proficiency according to established University policy
• Interview with a member of the program faculty

Sample Course Options:

• Organizational Development Theories and Trends
• Industry Analysis and Market Innovation
• Business Process Analysis and Strategic Management
• Research Fundamentals

The Final Result:

This program provides courses, research projects, and three brief onsite residencies to equip its graduates to:

• Analyze business information
• Develop business strategy
• Serve business stakeholders
• Recognize ethical courses of action and strong ethical leaders
• Develop innovative projects
• Use data to drive and modify business practices
• Conduct new and significant research

MORE INFORMATION ON CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM!

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CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

California Southern University’s DBA program is totally online and courses begin each month, affording students a great deal of convenience and flexibility. They require no entrance examinations.

California Southern University’s DBA degree program combines cost-effective convenience with continual high-quality coursework and personal educational guidance.

Campus Location: Irvine, California

Accreditation:

• Western Association Of Schools And Colleges
• Accreditation Council For Business Schools And Programs
• Council For Higher Education Accreditation

Tuition and Fees:

• $545.00 per credit hour

Types of Aid: Financial aid is available through Military Programs; Employment Vouchers; Rehabilitation programs

Admission Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Business or a related field
• One may petition for admittance if a Master’s Degree is in a different field. In such a case:
  • Prerequisite courses needed
    • Business Organization and Management
    • Ethics in Business
    • Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
    • Economics for Organizational Management
    • Marketing Management
• Up to 30 credits may be transferred to courses. Such courses must have earned a “B” grade

Sample Program Courses:

• Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Governance
• Management of Finance and Control
• Global Business Strategic Management
• Quantitative Research Methods

The Final Result:

This program will help students gain communication skills for a variety of situations and scenarios. Critical thinking and information literacy are points of focus. Students will also gain skills in quantitative, scientific and ethical reasoning for a wide array of business applications as well as a global perspective on business conditions and ethics.

MORE INFORMATION ON CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S DISTANCE LEARNING DBA DEGREE PROGRAM!

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FELICIAN UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Felician University’s DBA degree is offered in both online and hybrid formats. This program is designed to appeal to both experienced business professionals and those looking to change career paths.

Students progress through the program at their own pace, giving them the opportunity to move very quickly or more slowly through the program. This degree program can be taken completely online with one brief residency requirement.

Campus Location: Rutherford, New Jersey

Accreditation: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; Business School is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Tuition and Fees:

• $1,025.00 per credit hour
• $290.00 per semester comprehensive fee
• $55.00 per semester mandatory fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits

Admission Requirements:

• MBA degree
• Resume
• Official transcripts
• Personal statement

Program Outline:

• Phase I: Foundation Online Courses
• Phase II: Core Knowledge Projects
• Phase III: Concentration Mastery Demonstration
• Phase IV: Dissertation

The Final Result:

The courses, assignments and schedule are designed to give its graduates a business knowledge base and a skill base that are developed through personal motivation. Relevance, innovation and immediacy in business research and application express the desired outcomes of this degree program. These three outcomes are common features of Felician’s four-phase DBA program.

MORE INFORMATION ON FELICIAN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA DEGREE PROGRAM!

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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

In Liberty University’s online DBA students have the opportunity to take courses and earn a degree at one of the world’s largest evangelical universities in a well-established online format.

Quality is high and cost-affordable in this DBA program. Coursework is entirely online with three intensive residencies spaced throughout the program.

Campus Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Accreditation: The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Business School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Program

Tuition and Fees:

• $595.00 per credit hour full-time
• $650.00 per credit hour part-time
• $50.00 application fee
• Miscellaneous course fees

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) or earned MS in Information Systems or earned MS in Management Information Systems
• A cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above is required for entrance into the program from any of the acceptable degrees
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Scores (Official Copies Required)
• Statement of purpose essay – Two parts with a 500-word limit for each part
• Statement of the reasons you are pursuing the Doctorate in Business Administration
• Personal worldview statement that discusses how your moral/ethical foundation relates to the study and practice of business
• Recommended Contact Information for 2 professional references that demonstrate character

Program Specialization Options:

• Accounting
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Project Management

The Final Result:

The courses and assignments of this program provide advanced training in professional business management, human resources and other related areas. Business professionalism is acquired in the light of biblical principles that provide knowledge, values and skills that inform business leadership and ethics.

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WESTCLIFF UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Westcliff University’s DBA program offers both a 100% online DBA degree as well as a hybrid (mainly online with residencies) model. WU’s DBA program is specially designed “for candidates who, having already completed a Masters program, are looking to further develop their practical and theoretical knowledge of the principles that govern global business.”

This program through a variety of courses and projects seeks to form business leaders who apply theory to real life through professional business cases; possess improved leadership and teaching potential; improve practical job skills and are leaders with a creative and innovative mindset.

Campus Location: Irvine, California

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

Tuition and Fees:

• $780.00 per credit hour
• $855.00 per credit hour for F-1 international students
• $30.00 application fee
• $25.00 registration fee

Types of Aid:  Financial aid is available through federal and private student loans. Westcliff also offers occasional merit and community-based scholarships.

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants must complete an interview with an Admissions Representative
• Possess a Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Provide a personal statement of professional goals
• Provide official transcripts from previous institutions

Sample Course Options:

• Finance for Managers
• Marketing Strategy & Consumer Behavior
• Global Business Initiatives
• Creative Solutions Leadership

The Final Results:

This program’s graduates will gain an understanding of business management according to seven criteria:

• Graduates will be able to assess and interpret foundational material for communications
• They will be able to form conclusions on the basis of a wide diversity of cultures
• They will be able to formulate leadership strategies on the basis of teamwork
• Graduates will be able to think critically and problem-solve in a balanced and integrated manner
• They will be able to think critically and problem-solve in terms of internal and external criteria
• Graduates will be able to explain and justify ethical choices
• They will be able to advance current business management knowledge through research.

MORE INFORMATION ON WESTCLIFF UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS (DBA) PROGRAM

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SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

Saint Leo University’s online DBA program is part of the Donal R. Tapia School of Business, which is the largest Catholic School of Business in the United States. The courses and requirements of this program are totally online, except for 3 one week residencies.

Saint Leo stands out in offering a strong business education to working professionals that emphasizes business leadership framed according to a Catholic vision that is global in scope.

Campus Location: Saint Leo, Florida

Accreditation: The Business School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs.

Tuition and Fees:

• $965.00 per credit hour
• $80.00 admission/application fee
• $500.00 tuition deposit reservation (one-time fee)

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Complete online application
• Current resume that demonstrates two or more years of progressively responsible professional work experience
• Two professional recommendations
• Statement of Professional Goals of 500 words or more that outlines how your educational and career goals match Saint Leo University’s program
• Transcript Release Form for each regionally accredited college or university you attended or in which you were enrolled
• GMAT scores

Sample Course Options:

• Global Leadership and Ethics
• Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Global Perspectives in Human Resource
• Strategic Management in Global Organizations

The Final Result:

This program, through various courses and assignments, provides graduates with excellent knowledge and skills for business leadership. This program provides graduates with the ability to analyze data and think critically about a wide range of interrelated business activities. Finally, this program provides an integrated understanding of business management in terms of Saint Leo’s Catholic ethical values.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAINT LEO’S ONLINE DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

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GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY

Prominent Program Features:

George Fox University’s online DBA is designed for professional academics and business professionals. George Fox is considered a first-tier regional university by US News & World Reports and possesses a highly regarded business school. Students pursue courses and assignments entirely online. Two yearly on-campus sessions are also required.

Campus Location: Newberg, Oregon

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Tuition and Fees:

• $1,010.00 per credit hour
• $40.00 application fee

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans;  institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Full-time faculty appointment or five years of professional experience
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from regionally accredited colleges or universities (minimum GPA of 3.0).
• Completion of undergraduate or graduate-level courses in Accounting, Economics and Finance
• Online Application
• Resume or CV
• 3 Reference forms
• 3 Short Answer Essay Questions
• Official Test Scores – Peregrine, GMAT, or GRE
• Academic Writing Sample
• Official (Unopened) Transcripts

Program Specialization Options:

• Accounting
• Management
• Marketing

The Final Result:

This program is designed to give working professionals the knowledge and skills needed to move to higher levels of business management. This program is also designed to train future professors of business. Finally, this program allows those seeking a change of career to transition out of the business sector into the academic sector.

All courses in this program seek to apply and integrate Christian values and ethics into sound business management theory and practice.

MORE INFORMATION ON GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA PROGRAM

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Prominent Program Features:

The University of South Florida’s Muma School of Business offers a DBA program that emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach with a strong research and publication component. The program takes three years and meets 10 weekends per year.

The bulk of coursework is completed online. However, there are 5 face to face Friday/Saturday meetings per semester. Although this program is not fully online, because of its high quality and because the vast majority of the program is conducted in an online format, it is included in this list.

Campus Location: Tampa, Florida

Accreditation: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Tuition and Fees:

• $30,000 total tuition per year (three years)

Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.

Admission Requirements:

• Master’s degree or under exceptional circumstances, candidates with an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited, or equivalent, institution with a minimum US GPA of 3.00 or equivalent
• At least 12 years of work experience, at least 5 of which must be at a senior managerial or executive level
• Personal statement
• Interview

Areas of Program Courses:

• Regular Courses
  • Quantitative
  • Qualitative
• Publication Courses
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Peer Review
  • Publication
• Issue Courses
  • Special Topics and Problems

The Final Result:

This program offers a variety of courses and research assignments and problems designed to give its graduates the skills to do rigorous research in order to apply knowledge to real-life business situations.

Through courses, seminars, and assignments this program is designed to provide a broad range of business knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied to business management. The DBA at the same time is excellent training for positions in clinical research.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA’S HYBRID/DISTANCE LEARNING DEGREE PROGRAM IN DBA

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UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS

Prominent Program Features:

Highly ranked among doctoral degrees in business, the University of Dallas provides an exceedingly professional, rigorous, and rewarding Doctor of Business Administration that is gaining excellent notability. It is specifically designed for working professionals, and there are full-time and part-time schedules available, offering minimal disruption to students’ everyday lives.

It is a three-year, 61-credit curriculum completed both online and on-campus in a blended learning format. The classes build upon previous knowledge and experience in business and refine individuals’ understanding of both the research and practical components of the discipline.

Campus Location: Irving, TX

Accreditation: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Tuition and Fees:

• $1,625 per credit hour

Types of Aid: Federal, state, and institutional loans; programmatic and outside scholarship opportunities; payment plans.

Admission Requirements:

• $100 application fee
• A completed application
• Current resume or CV with relevant professional and educational experience
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals in either industry or academia
• Interview

Areas of Program Courses:

• Content Courses
  • Becoming an Applied Researcher
  • Strategic Perspectives
  • The Engagement Factor
• Research Methods Courses
  • The Craft of Research and Writing
  • Designing Applied Research
  • Qualitative Methods for Diagnosis and Assessment
• Doctoral Colloquia
  • Doctoral Colloquium I
  • Doctoral Colloquium II
  • Doctoral Colloquium III
• Doctoral Dissertation
  • Dissertation I
  • Dissertation II
  • Dissertation III

The Final Result:

Upon completing this excellent Doctor of Business Administration, students have the research, teaching, and practical skills, as well as the experience, to take on employment positions in academia, consulting, and executive leadership.

Many go on to accept full-time teaching positions at prominent colleges and universities across the entire globe or those as CEOs in global corporations. Past and present students at the University of Dallas report only the most exciting and high-quality learning experiences.

MORE INFORMATION ON UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS’ BLENDED CLASSROOM AND ONLINE LEARNING DBA PROGRAM

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How important is a Doctorate in Business Administration degree today?

Companies and organizations consider holders of a Master’s in Business Administration or Business Management degree as valuable assets. The job market is a massive one and graduates have a wealth of career options.

This graduate-level study has various concentrations that students can specialize in based on the career path they choose to take. A Master’s in Management is often considered a career-boosting decision.

The idea behind earning a Doctorate in Business Management is to develop among students their in-depth expertise in the managerial roles they play in businesses or organizations in both the private and public sectors. They learn and apply advanced techniques for controlling, overseeing, and organizing marketing and organizational operations to achieve specific objectives.

As leaders, they also see to it that they streamline and facilitate the processes while monitoring their outcomes. Managers are constantly on the lookout for better ways to improve the systems in place and address their complexities.

In graduate study, Business Management students earn the competencies to perform exceptionally as professionals. Now more than ever, there is a need for proficient researchers, problem-solvers, negotiators, analytical thinkers, data interpreters, leaders, and decision-makers.

Some universities provide Doctorates in Business Management students with the tools they need to create a business plan or continue to run their existing business. They get access to possible seed funding from investors.

For students who already run their own business, acquiring a Doctorate in Business Management degree is a definite plus. Because students gain in-depth practical knowledge and enhanced skills with the help of current tools and techniques, they become even more effective in managing the business processes for a profitable venture in a highly dynamic and challenging business landscape.

What are the requirements for enrolling in a Doctorate in Business Management program?

A Doctorate in Business Administration degree is usually pursued by students after earning their master’s degree from a duly accredited institution in the United States or its counterpart on the international front.

Work experience of at least two or three years, subject to the employer’s evaluation, is required as well. Protocol dictates that Doctorate in Business students submit personal statements, a comprehensive resume, and at least two professional recommendations.

There may be other requirements and documents required of applicants depending on their chosen concentration, including:

• Business Management,
• eCommerce,
• Accounting,
• Entrepreneurship,
• Global Management,
• Finance,
• Economics,
• and Human Resource Management.

How soon can I complete the Doctorate in Business Management program?

Students typically complete the Doctorate in Business Management program in about two years.

In the first year, they learn about business concepts and management procedures on more advanced levels to develop a more in-depth understanding of subject matters. These included global economics, business ethics, strategic planning, innovation, business law, and business planning.

During the last semester, students conduct research and submit a report of their study. Depending on the university, students may also be asked to accomplish internship requirements before graduation.

Online Doctorate in Business Management programs may run on program durations that are different from traditional brick-and-mortar counterparts. Flexible scheduling and pacing may affect the length of time it would take for a student to finish the master’s degree. That said, however, online Doctorate in Business Management programs are as rigorous as their brick-and-mortar equivalent.

What are the differences between a DBA or Ph.D. in Business Administration or Business Management?

A DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) is a research-oriented doctoral degree focusing on applying scientific research techniques to answer business problems. The program focuses on courses in business administration, quantitative research methods, executive leadership, strategic management, and behavioral economics.

A Ph.D. in Business Administration or Business Management is a doctoral degree that focuses on developing a more theoretical understanding of business practices. The program focuses heavily on courses such as managerial economics, financial theory, advanced accounting, and organizational behavior. The degree typically requires a dissertation in which a proposed business problem is researched and analyzed.