Online Schools Center

The Top 20 Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programs in 2021

online dba

Today’s business world is fluid. Exciting new trends and opportunities constantly burst onto the scene. Tried and true ethical and applicational principles remain the perennial bedrock of business leadership. However, business leaders must be ready to adjust to changing trends that affect their management style and strategies.

Business leaders must be able to juggle and manage finance, personnel, customers, ethics, and law, among many other areas. The best online DBA programs will teach sound principles along with preparing its students to respond effectively to the latest business trends. In 2020 several developments are growing in importance, including Artificial Intelligence, Edge Computing for Video, 5G, Autonomous Automobiles, New Tech in Retail, Decentralized Finance, and Smart Home Software. The outstanding online DBA degrees on this list will equip their graduates for top business leadership positions with solid grounding, tech-savvy, and a keen eye for recognizing and reacting to major business trends in ways that improve the financial strength of their institutions.
A Doctor of Business Administration online program can provide business professionals with the theoretical knowledge, critical thinking skills, research tools as well as application opportunities to advance their careers, achieve greater stability and earn higher pay.

********************

Recommended Schools

Check out our “Things to Consider” section:

Is getting a DBA worth it?

Yes, a substantial pay raise is good, right? In addition, you will add to your credibility, as well as qualify for advanced career opportunities.

How long will it take to earn a Doctor of Business Administration degree?

Earning a doctoral degree can be time-consuming. Typically, it will take a full-time student three to five years to complete; earning 54 to 60 credits.

How much will earning an online doctorate in business administration cost me?

Doctoral degree programs can be pricey. Depending on your school and area of study, you can expect to pay between $27,000 to $60,000, which averages between $500 to $1,000 per credit.

********************

quick links

For more information, see:

3 Best Online Schools for Doctor of Finance Programs

9 Best Online Schools for Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs

4 Best Online Schools for Doctor in Computer Science Degree Programs

TOP 7 HIGHEST EARNING PROFESSIONS WITH A DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

Want to put your distinguished Online Doctorate degree in Business Administration to good use?  Of course, you do! Consider these fine career choices and their annual salary range in which your expertise will be appreciated and rewarded:

  • Chief Executive Officer –    $189,600 – $208,000
  • Information Systems Manager –    $142,530 – $157,810
  • Vice President of Business Development –    $145,127 – $234,000
  • General & Operations Manager –    $123,880 – $157,120
  • Human Resources Manager –    $113,300 – $201,380
  • Medical Health Management –    $94,500 – $165,380
  • Business Administration Professor –    $78,470 – $83,960

Indeed, there are plenty of amazing career opportunities that will be up for grabs when you complete an online doctorate in business degree! You may even use it as a highly-sought after business consultant, a self-employment path that provides high rewards, too. 

Top 20 Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programs

METHODOLOGY: This program ranking presents the Top 20 Online Doctor of Business Administration Degree Programs currently available. Note that many of these programs are also included in the top online DBA programs 2019. This isn’t surprising as the best programs strive to maintain their status lest their students also suffer from the compromised quality of education and prestige. We have attempted to include only those programs that have absolutely zero onsite or on-campus requirements. Furthermore, for the sake of completeness, this ranking does include a few DBA degree programs that have minimal on-campus requirements; however, these few exceptions are very high-quality programs, which have very small non-online demands. The following list is presented in random order but highlights many important factors to consider, such as:

online dba
  • Gain valuable business skills needed to excel in any business or industry setting,
  • Interactive 100% Online availability; utilizing collaborative learning and support through asynchronous coursework, online resources and close communication with faculty, doctoral counselors, mentors, and advisors; (some programs may be considered Hybrid classes due to their on-campus requirements),
  • Presents opportunities for career advancement or new business ventures in the field of Business Administration,
  • Sharpens critical thinking, as well as, written and oral communication, decision-making, and problem-solving techniques; all used daily in business operations,
  • Promotes management or leadership skills for large-scale multifaceted business operations of all types,
  • Combines intensive research skills in Business Administration with real-world work experience needed to excel in solving issues in the world of business,
  • Adheres to proper Accreditation requirements,
  • Honors transferred credits according to Accreditation guidelines,
  • Offers Financial Aid options; Scholarships, Grants and Military Discounts,
  • Choices of Dissertation, Capstone projects, or Residency to fit your needs, your schedule and your professional career goals; depending on your school’s requirements,
  • Provides many offers of specializations in the field of Business Administration,
  • Maintains easy-to-use Learning Management Systems, 24/7 Student Help Center support, and Networking opportunities.

We suggest using our methodology when considering the merits of the online doctoral programs in business administration presented here. In the end, you must make a choice based on your unique circumstances including your personal schedule and professional goals. 

To learn more about our school selection process, please see our Methodology page.

California Intercontinental University

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

Irvine, California

“Built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs”

California Intercontinental University (CIU) was incorporated in the state of California in 2003, and in 2005 gained state approval for granting undergraduate and graduate degrees. Since 2009, CIU has been granting university degrees through a distance education model accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. A CIU education is oriented to working professionals seeking alternatives to onsite models of higher education. The student demographic of CIU is predominantly mid-life adults, and 64% of the total student body is enrolled in the CIU DBA business administration online program. According to CIU’s about page, 93% of CIU students reported achieving their educational goals, and 95% of students reported being satisfied with their studies.

CIU is committed to equipping the next generation of business professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs with the confidence, qualifications, and competence to succeed in the global business community and economy. 

DBA Program

CIU’s only doctoral program is the doctor of business administration and is 100% online. CIU’s focus on its DBA makes it one of the premier degrees offered at CIU. CIU’s doctorate in business administration has five areas of specialization:

The DBA Leadership online program is notable because it’s the breeding ground for stronger and better leaders in the business world. The curriculum provides students with world-class skills in business management and consulting, application architecture and enterprise architecture. 

Admissions Requirements

Across these five areas of special admission requirements are the same:

  • 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 (CGPA) of B (3.0 on a scale of 4.0) grade or higher.

Course Schedule

CIU’s doctor of business administration degrees comprises 60 credits and is broken down in the following manner:

  • Business Required Courses: 30 Units / 10 Courses
  • Elective Courses: 15 Units / 5 Courses
  • Dissertation: 15 Units
  • Competency Assessment
  • Qualifying Exam

There is one difference in terms of requirements between the DBA in Global Business and Leadership and the four other DBA tracks at CIU. The DBA in Global Business and Leadership requires 14 credit hours for the dissertation and 1 credit hour for the competency exam. Each of the other DBA tracks requires 15 credit hours for the dissertation and the competency exam is not taken for credit. CIU will accept up to 9 transfer credits.

Graduation Requirements

The Graduate will have:

  • Successfully completed all required courses of the Doctorate curricula and have completed the minimal required Learning Time for each course and program
  • Met the study time residency requirement for degree completion and award
  • Achieved at least 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
  • Successfully passed the Competency Assessment
  • Successfully passed the Qualifying Examination
  • Be cleared of all indebtedness and other obligations to CIU
  • Be recommended for graduation by the Faculty and Academic Department
  • Successfully completed and passed an Oral Defense of the Dissertation and submitted two bound copies of the final Dissertation

Tuition and Time Frame

Tuition is $495 per credit and the program is expected to take 2 years to complete.

Walden University

ONLINE DBA DEGREE PROGRAM

Minneapolis, Minnesota

“Create the change you want to see.”

Walden University, founded in 1970, has been offering online degrees since 1995. Walden’s mission is to provide “career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.” Walden’s DBA degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, ensuring that Walden offers a nationally recognized DBA degree that meets standard requirements of business, government, and other institutions. Walden promises to equip their student professionals with the “skills needed to compete in today’s global market place.” Ninety percent of Walden graduates say their Walden education “enhanced their professional performance,” and “almost 95% of graduates report Walden helping them to advance social change.”

DBA Program

Walden’s DBA program is available online, with two brief face-to-face residency requirements. Walden offers 16 different DBA specializations, allowing student professionals to find a degree track that will specifically suit their career needs and aspirations:

The DBA information systems online program is popular among tech-savvy students. The courses prepare students for the ever-evolving world of ICT and, thus, make them more effective business professionals. 

Admissions Requirements

  • A masters degree in business or its equivalent
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume showing work history
  • Employment history and educational history

Course Schedule

Specialized courses vary across the different DBA specializations students can pursue. Walden’s DBA program comprises 60 credit hours broken down as follows:

  • 60 semester credits
  • Foundation course (3 sem. cr.)
  • Core business courses (15 sem. cr.)
  • Business strategy course (3 sem. cr.)
  • Research methods courses (11 sem. cr.)
  • Doctoral Mentoring (4 sem. cr.)
  • Specialization courses (9 sem. cr.)
  • Doctoral studies courses (15 sem. cr.)
  • Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 cr.)
  • Two 4 day residencies

Walden has a strong desire to work with students with background doctoral and/or graduate studies in business from other institutions and will accept up to 30 transfer credits.

Graduation Requirements

  • Students must maintain minimum GPA requirements
  • Complete DBS Course work
  • Complete approved dissertation
  • Meet all financial obligations

Tuition and Time Frame

Walden’s DBA degree program will take an expected 50 months to complete. Tuition for all of Walden’s programs are dependent on the program (https://www.waldenu.edu/financial-aid). The Walden University DBA cost may seem expensive considering that it’s a prestigious private institution. Surprisingly, it isn’t! Federal loan options are available for this degree program. New students in the DBA program can apply for one of twenty $12,500 scholarships offered by Walden University.

top online dba programs

LIGS University

DOCTORATE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ONLINE DEGREE

Honolulu, Hawaii

top online dba programs

“LIGS University is a modern university combining effective methods and innovative approaches of the American and European system of education.”

LIGS University is a 100% online university that specializes in training experts in the field of business. The DBA degree is the crown jewel of LIGS’s unique educational focus and methodology and, thus, it’s considered as the premier DBA online university in the country.  All courses at LIGS are self-paced, allowing working professionals to adjust their course work to fit their pace and responsibilities. And the LIGS educational method follows the Oxford University tutorial approach. This aspect affords each student with a highly interactive educational experience and a great deal of one-to-one interaction with highly qualified tutors who are themselves experts and professionals in their fields. Students can choose from a number of DBA specializations and can choose to study in English, Spanish, Czech, or Slovak. LIGS University allows students to enroll in the DBA program anytime all year long. LIGS’s DBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges & Universities.

DBA Program

LIGS University’s DBA program is described as an “interactive online DBA program.” LIGS Oxford-style tutorial system makes the DBA degree truly interactive. This is because “For every course or module, there is one particular tutor assigned. Tutor consults the student about any questions and guides him/her in the course of the thesis completion.” LIGS offers five DBA specializations:

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

Admissions Requirements

LIGS lists the following educational and professional requirements for admission to the DBA degree program:

  • Language proficiency in the chosen language of study
  • Master’s degree from a university or college
  • Managerial experience of at least 5 years

LIGS requires these documents for admission:

  • Enrollment agreement
  • Dissertation proposal and draft (approved by LIGS University),
  • Copy of a document proving the highest degree earned,
  • Curriculum vitae (including your photograph) reflecting your scientific and publication activity.

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

Along the lines of the Oxford-European model, LIGS University’s DBA program focuses upon research and professional application rather than course work. This means that LIGS requires fewer courses than many other DBA programs. LIGS requires a total of 10 courses, along with publication requirements and writing a dissertation.

The course schedule is broken into six core modules and two “specialization” courses and two “elective” courses, which can be selected from a number of options.

Core Modules:

  • Research Methodology
  • Project I – Proposal
  • Project II – Literature review and theoretical background
  • Project III – Methodology
  • Project IV – Survey and data analysis
  • Project V – Consultations and manuscript of the dissertation thesis

Specialization Courses:

  • Management
  • Project Management
  • Finance
  • MarketingHuman Resources Management

Over 20 Elective Courses

Publications:

During the time of the study, each student must publish four works.

Dissertation:

The dissertation is to be original research on a topic of a practical impact. The length of the dissertation must be between 30,000 and 50,000 words.

Tuition and Time Frame

LIGS University’s DBA degree program is a great value for the level and quality of the educational experience students receive. Tuition is $990 per credit hour, making LIGS one of the least expensive online DBA programs. The total expected time needed to complete the DBA program is 2-3 years.

California Southern University

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM

Irvine, California

CalSouthern “is dedicated to providing a rich and dynamic educational experience to those who choose the freedom and flexibility of distance learning to satisfy their educational and professional goals.”

California Southern University (CalSouthern) was founded in 1978. As a 100% online university CalSouthern offers convenience and accessibility along with strong strong individualized support. CalSouthern requires no entrance exams for the DBA, and the monthly course starts to allow students to study and complete the DBA at their own pace. Even with such flexibility, however, CalSouthern makes sure “a team of dedicated professionals—faculty, advisors, deans and support staff—will be with [students] every step of the way” from enrollment to graduation. CalSouthern’s DBA degree online program is accredited by the Western Association Of Schools And Colleges, the Accreditation Council For Business Schools And Programs, and the Council For Higher Education Accreditation.

DBA Program, Course Schedule, and Graduation Requirements

“CalSouthern’s DBA gives working professionals the advanced business knowledge and practical skills they need to rise to a leadership position in their current organization, make a career change or start a business of their own.” 

CalSouthern’s DBA degree is an applied doctorate that provides students with a wide range of skills and knowledge as well as the personal mentorship and support that will position the CalSouthern graduate to achieve his or her highest level of success. The DBA finance online courses prepare students to make informed decisions regarding financial statements, a must in business success. The program consists of 60 credits. Up to 30 credits can be transferred from other qualifying institutions.

CalSouthern DBA program is divided into three years of course work. The fourth-year is given to the completion of a “doctoral project”:

Year One

  • Organizational Development and Design
  • Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Governance
  • Consumer Behavior, Theory, and Analysis
  • Managerial Economics
  • Technology Concepts for Managers
  • Financial Statement Analysis

Year Two

  • Management of Finance and Control
  • Year Three
  • Quantitative Research Methods
  • Managing, Organizing & Negotiating for Value
  • Coordinating and Managing Supply Chains
  • Comprehensive Exam
  • Doctoral Project
    • Doctoral Project I
    • Doctoral Project II
    • Doctoral Project III
    • Doctoral Project IV
    • Doctoral Project V

Admissions Requirements

CalSouthern has the following requirements for admission to the DBA program:

  • 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 will be 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 courses. Such courses must have earned a “B” grade

Tuition and Time Frame

CalSouthern’s DBA degree program is among the cheapest online DBA programs on our list. Tuition is $525.00 per semester credit. Forms of financial aid are available through:

  • Military Programs
  • Employment Voucher
  • Rehabilitation program

The expected time to complete the DBA program is 4 years.

University of Management and Technology

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Arlington, Virginia

“The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at UMT is a practice-oriented, professional doctoral program intended for scholars, executives, and senior managers who want to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to the fullest extent possible.

The University of Management and Technology (UMT) was founded in 1998 and offers many excellent online degree programs. Among its many online offerings is UMT’s DBA degree program. The UMT Doctorate of Business Administration is 100% online. As an online doctoral program, the DBA earned through UMT will engage students in an educational model that seeks to balance theory and application. The theory at UMT is ultimately to be implemented and applied in professional business practice, and UMT seeks to place its graduates in the best possible position to succeed. UMT is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

DBA Program

UMT’s Doctorate of Business Administration is primarily focused on educating its students to manage in a professional world driven and dominated by technology. Not only managerial know-how is necessary, however, in declaring UMT as offering one of the best online DBA programs in the US! 

Ethical and legal considerations must also influence every facet of the business world. UMT’s DBA program addresses technology, ethics, law and interpersonal relations as these areas pertain to professional management and the actions and decisions business leaders are called upon to make in their professions.

UMT’s DBA degree comprises 60 credits. UMT does not accept transfer credits. The DBA program requires each student to compose a dissertation as the final degree requirement. The UMT DBA core courses are the following:

  • Analytical Techniques in Research
  • Philosophical Foundations of Knowledge & Research
  • Evolution of Management Thought
  • Management as a Behavioral Science
  • Current Issues in Management
  • Managing Modern Business Operations
  • International Management
  • Economic and Financial Theory
  • Leadership and Ethics
  • Business-Government Relations
  • Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
  • Directed Readings and Research
  • Special Topics in Research
  • Dissertation Research

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to UMT Doctor of Business Administration degree program must possess

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

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA program at UMT requires students to complete at least 45 credits hours of course work at UMT and complete and defend a doctoral thesis-dissertation. The DBA program is designed to take 3 years of full-time study to complete.

Tuition 

Tuition for the University of Management and Technology’s DBA program is very affordable at $390.00 per credit hour. It’s made a more affordable online DBA program with federal aid being available for this degree.

Westcliff University

DOCTORAL DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ONLINE

Irvine, California

“Westcliff University’s College of Business mission is to deliver a high-quality business education that can improve the lives of students, personally and professionally.”

Westcliff University (WU), founded in 1993, specializes in educating business professionals and educators. Located in Irvine California, WU has two colleges, one of which focuses on education and the other, business. WU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. WU offers a DBA degree program that, unlike many other schools, allows the student to complete his or her doctoral studies 100% online or in a hybrid format. In WU DBA program students will learn to:

  • Apply theory to real-life through professional business case
  • Advance leadership and teaching potential
  • Enhance practical job skills for career advancement
  • Be creative and innovative with an entrepreneurial mindset

DBA Program

WU’s doctor of business administration program seeks to advance each student’s professional and practical skills in business management by both advancing students in knowledge and training students required ethical and professional practices and application. This makes for business leaders who can apply their knowledge and skills in innovative ways that unites people and makes achieving goals attainable. WU’s DBA program is tailored “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.”

Admissions Requirements

For admission to WU’s competitive doctorate in business management online program the student must have an:

  • Interview with an Admissions Representative
  • Earned a Master’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Provide a personal statement of professional goals
  • Provide official transcripts from previous institutions

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

WU requires 60 credit hours of “core courses.” These include credits towards course work as well as dissertation research and writing. The DBA program at WU is as follows:

  • Year 1
    • Finance for Managers
    • Global Economics
    • Marketing Strategy & Consumer Behavior
    • Business Intelligence & Information Systems
    • Management Strategy for Performance
    • Leading Change
    • Doctoral Qualifying Exam
  • Year 2
    • Global Business Initiatives
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Statistics for Business
    • Strategic Planning & Implementation
    • Creative Solutions Leadership
    • Management of Technological Innovation
  • Year 3
    • Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis
    • Transformation & Execution Strategies
    • Organizational Development
    • Doctoral Comprehensive Exam

Tuition and Time Frame

WU’s DBA degree is designed to take three years to complete both the required course work and dissertation. Tuition at WU is $700.00 per credit hour.

International University of Leadership

ONLINE DBA DEGREE PROGRAM

Orlando, Florida

“Our primary goal is to make American higher education systems accessible to students worldwide.”

The American University of Leadership (AUL), founded in 1998, is an online university that seeks to be international in outreach, offering education to everyone including the less fortunate and minority groups. AUL trains its graduates in the skills they need to reach and advance their professional goals and the goals of their organizations. AUL seeks:

  • “To be a concerted scholarly community distinguished by partnerships with international institutions and organizations, to cross inter-institutional boundaries and offer our students the best educational experience and most innovative instruction possible.”
  • “To graduate leaders who value interdependence and global competence, who will be productive citizens with a great sense of social responsibility and skills to build a sustainable community.”

AUL offers a 100% online DBA degree that combines “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.” AUL’s DBA degree program is accredited by the Florida Department of Education, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

DBA Program

AUL allows their doctoral students to focus and develop their own interests and strengths, without, however, neglecting the entire range of theory and application needed for success in today’s business world. Areas of concentration include:

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

Admissions Requirements

Not all applicants will be admitted into AUL’s doctorate degree in business administration online program! Aside from the high academic requirements, professional experience in a related field is a must. Preference will likely be given to applicants in leadership positions. 

To be admitted to AUL’s DBA applicants must have earned a Master’s degree at an accredited university or licensed foreign university. Up to 9 credit hours may be transferred to AUL from another, accredited institution. All applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

  • A complete AUL Agreement
  • A current resume
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Recommendation letters -AUL Recommendation Forms are preferred
  • A letter of intent to join the DBA program
  • Three years’ professional experience

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA degree has three components: 45 credit hours of coursework, 16 credit hours of dissertation research and writing, and dissertation defense and publication.

  • Coursework, including “core” and “concentration” requirements total of 45 credits
  • The dissertation includes 15 credit hours
  • AUL will assist each student in the publication of his or her dissertation.

Tuition and Time Frame

The DBA at AUL may not be completed in fewer than 3 years. Seven years is the longest a student may take to complete the degree. The DBA program is designed, however, to be completed in 3 years. Tuition at AUL is very competitive at $250.00 per credit hour for in-state residents and $300 for out-of-state residents. AUL offers a number of merit and need-based grants and scholarships, which further strengthens its reputation as the best university with the cheapest online DBA program. 

William Howard Taft University

ONLINE DOCTORATE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM

Denver, Colorado

online dba

“The best investment you can make is in yourself.”

Founded in 1976, William Howard Taft University (WHTU), is an online university offering totally online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in education and business. WHTU’s mission is to:

“offer unique and innovative distance learning educational programs at a reasonable cost to qualified applicants, with a particular focus on those who are mature adults, employed on a full-time basis, or for whom place of residence, travel requirements or finances are constraining factors.”

WHTU’s Doctoral Degree in Business Administration is specially oriented to mid and upper-level managers, seeking to advance their knowledge and skills. The primary focus of WHTU’s DBA program is business in the United States. However, the program is open to students from virtually any region and culture.

The DBA study format is directed to study via distance learning. This means that students work at their own pace and all courses and assignment are taken and/or submitted electronically. As a directed study program, WHTU doctoral students work closely with and remain continual communication with advisor-mentors who engage the students in work situation scenarios and assist with research and writing. The effective and efficient mentoring services are among the reasons for WHTU’s perennial inclusion in the list of the best DBA online schools. 

The DBA program at William Howard Taft University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and is recognized as an authorized post-secondary institute of education by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

DBA Program

WHTU’s DBA courses contain lesson assignments of reading and research projects, which are evaluated through examinations and/or research assignments that are submitted for faculty evaluation. These assignments are intended to:

  • “To offer a program of coursework and practical exercises in business administration, leadership, management and sound operational practices that will enhance the professional and personal lives of its students”
  • “To prepare professionals to serve in upper-level management and entrepreneurial objectives with a background of sound practices backed by current research and theory”

In addition to coursework, the DBA program requires each successful doctoral student to research, write, and defend a dissertation thesis. The student may also elect to complete a “major practical project” instead of a dissertation.

Admissions Requirements

The admission requirements for the DBA program are:

  • A 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

At the discretion of the University, up to 9 credit hours (15% of total coursework) can be transferred from accredited institutions.

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

To earn the DBA the student must

  • Complete the required courses outlined below in good academic standing
  • Pass the Comprehensive Examination
  • Present a successful oral defense of the Dissertation or Major Personal Project
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.

The course schedule of the DBA program is broken into three main areas and 45 credit hours are distributed throughout the three areas:

  • Qualifying Courses (10 units)
    • Business Research
    • Strategic Planning and Implementation
    • Problems and Methods in Marketing Management
    • Qualifying Exam pass/ no pass
  • Core Courses (20 units)
    • Organizational Design
    • Leadership Theory and Practice
    • Designing Economic Business Strategies
    • Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics
    • Marketing Research for Managerial Decision Making
    • Business Law
    • Comprehensive Examination
  • Elective Courses (Select 15 Units – 5 courses)
    • Legal Environment for Managing Employees
    • Global Strategic Management
    • Negotiations and Dispute Settlement
    • Conceptual Foundations of Accounting & Finance
    • Global Economy
    • Management of Organizations
    • Leadership Solutions for Innovation, Change, and Decision Making
    • Global Business Practices and Challenges
    • International Marketing
    • Competitive Analysis and Strategy

Coursework is followed up by 15 credits of:

  • Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation
    OR
  • Major Practical Project Proposal and Major Practical Project

Tuition and Time Frame

WHTU has an uncommon tuition setup. The DBA tuition is billed at the rate of $650.00 per month during the entire term of a student’s enrollment in the program. Students pay this amount per month until:

  • The satisfaction of all degree requirements
  • 48 billing months (four years)
  • Withdrawal from the Program
  • Academic Dismissal from the Program.

WHTU’s DBA requirements may be completed in as few as 27 months. The 48-month billing program suggests the University expects its DBA students to finish the degree within 4 years. All requirements, however, must be completed within 7 of enrollment.

Recommended Schools

online dba

Anaheim University

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Anaheim, California

anaheim university

“Students First, Always.”

Anaheim University is an online institution of higher education founded in 1996 that uses state-of-the-art technology to provide an online learning experience of the highest quality for students worldwide. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Anaheim University’s programs are focused on English teacher education, business, and filmmaking. Anaheim’s DBA degree program offers four areas of specialization in a 100% online setting.

DBA Program

Anaheim University’s DBA program seeks to give full-time professionals the opportunity to continue in their professions while gaining new skills and knowledge that will advance their careers. Keep in mind that these are all accelerated online DBA programs and, thus, students can earn their degree in a shorter period. But with an accelerated format comes a more fast-paced rigorous curriculum. 

  • Carry out a detailed literature search of business administration topics using relevant bibliographical resources from print and online resources;
  • Discuss current conceptual and theoretical models, issues, and concerns in business administration;
  • Describe current practices, issues, and concerns in business administration;
  • Apply current business practices to the management of businesses;
  • Summarize significant differences in business practices in different parts of the world and understand how these differences affect managing companies in various countries;
  • Evaluate and critique business practices to determine the better practices in use;
  • Devise appropriate strategies for ongoing professional development and implementation of these strategies upon successful completion of the DBA.

The Anaheim University online DBA offers:

  • Accelerated learning in six week-long courses
  • Two live online webcam seminars per week for each course
  • The beginning of new terms every 6 weeks

Admissions Requirements 

Admission requirements to Anaheim University’s DBA program are:

  • Application form
  • Application fee ($75)
  • Official transcripts, licenses or certificates
  • The DBA program requires a Masters 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

Up to 6 credit hours can be transferred from an accredited institution to the DBA Program.

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

Classes are offered year-round in a 90-minute live video seminar format. Course schedules for the different DBA concentrations can be found through this link.

Anaheim’s online DBA contains 4 basic elements, which together total 60 credit hours.

  • 6 Foundation Courses
  • 4 Concentration Courses
  • 2 Elective Courses
  • Dissertation

Anaheim University’s four concentration areas and each’s concentration’s course offerings are as follows:

  • Management
    • Organizational Development and Change Management
    • Human Resource Management Science
    • Ethics in Business and Management
    • International Business Law and Practice
  • International Business
    • International Financial Management
    • Ethics in Business and Management
    • International Business Law and Practice
    • Seminar in International Business
  • Global Sustainable Management
    • Sustainable Lifecycle Management
    • Sustainable Project Management
    • Sustainable Accounting Management
    • Seminar in Global Business Sustainability
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Creative Entrepreneurship
    • Entrepreneurial Funding
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Organizational Change and Development

All of these concentrations including the DBA project management online program requires the completion of nine core courses. Each course consists of three credits, and these courses include Intellectual Property, Supply Chain Management and International and Multinational Marketing. 

For additional information on course, offerings see this link.

Graduation from one of these online doctorate degrees in business programs requires successful completion of all required coursework, successful exams, and the writing and defense of a dissertation thesis.

Tuition and Time Frame

Anaheim University has a very competitive tuition rate of $500.00 per credit hour. The program is designed to take 3 years of full-time study to complete. There is a tuition relief program that reduces the total fees to $10,975 for 100 students.

Baker College

DBA ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

Flint, Michigan

“Every online course we offer is based on a fully accredited core curriculum, so it’s easy to combine online and on-ground courses if that works best for you.”

Baker College is a private non-profit institution whose physical location is in Flint, Michigan. Founded in 1911 as a career college Baker has expanded into 13 different locations, offering 150 programs. Baker College has also developed a very strong online program with an excellent DBA degree program. Baker online undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

DBA Program

Baker’s online DBA is delivered 100% online and is designed to train its graduates on how to lead in the “complex process of managing workers and allocating resources effectively to achieve common business goals.” Baker DBA graduates will learn the ins and outs of resource and technology management as well as specific areas of finance and human resources management. The curriculum encompasses theoretical and practical fields, and the student engages in research and writing along with hands-on business applications and scenarios.

“The program builds expertise through an effective combination of courses, seminars, professional residencies, research papers, and a final dissertation. Working with faculty members, who have extensive academic and practical experiences, you gain an understanding of critical foundation theories and the ability to immediately apply creative solutions to existing problems.” 

Admissions Requirements

Admission to one of the top DBA programs requires:

  • An MBA degree or equivalent
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in business or management is required.

The following materials application materials must be submitted:

  • Completed Graduate College Application form submitted electronically
  • Nonrefundable $35.00 application fee.
  • Official transcripts indicating an MBA or related master degree from an accredited school
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.25 in their master course work is required.
  • A current resume indicating a minimum of five years of professional experience in business, management, or administration.
  • Three professional references on the application.
  • A 500–1000 word essay on your motivation for doctoral study

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

Baker’s DBA degree program comprises 90 quarter credit hours blending

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

The impetus of Baker’s DBA program is for the students to gain the skills over the course of the program to be able to work more and more independently. This allows the student to engage in his or her own research as well as gain the critical skills of taking leadership roles.

Students may specialize in one of five areas of management.

Tuition and Time Frame

The DBA program scheduled to take 3 years of full-time study to complete. Tuition is $915.00 per credit hour.

Colorado Technical University

DOCTORAL DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ONLINE

Colorado Springs, Colorado” Colorado Technical University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program offers business professionals the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of core administration practices while focusing their expertise through research and writing.” 

Online accessibility and academic excellence meet in Colorado Technical University’s (CTU) many online degrees. Founded in 1965, CTU has given special focus to providing distance education in business, management, and technology. CTU’s 100% online DBA carries out the university’s academic mission. CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

DBA Program

The DBA program at CTU is designed to allow full-time professionals to achieve the highest level of education in their field while continuing to work. CTU’s DBA emphasizes business and management strategizing, and strives to provide students with the proper mix of theory and practice that will allow CTU DBA graduates to be the most effective leaders they can be in every phase of the business world.

The DBA coursework seeks:

  • To mold CTU students into “thought-leaders” with an
  • Understanding of new and emerging theories and practices which relate to
    • Optimization
    • Supply chain management
    • Marketing

There are no residency requirements for the DBA. However, students are required to be active in networking and attending symposia and workshops.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to CTU’s DBA program must:

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

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA program requires 96 total credit hours. Credits are broken down into 15 core courses (4 credits each) and 9 research courses (4 credits each). In addition core courses CTU offers three concentration courses:

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

In order to graduate students must:

  • Complete all required course work, maintaining an acceptable GPA
  • Research and write a dissertation
  • Defend dissertation
  • Attend required symposia

Tuition and Time Frame

CTU’s DBA program is designed to take students 36 months of full-time study to complete. Total tuition for the online DBA program at CTU is $59,800.

Wilmington University

ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

New Castle, Delaware

“The Doctor of Business Administration degree program (DBA) is designed to facilitate the continuing development of professionals as senior managers or innovative leaders who wish to build upon masters-level core skills and knowledge.” 

Wilmington University (WU), established in 1968, is a consortium of 12 locations in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey along with a large offering of hybrid and 100% online courses. WU offers a DBA online degree program that can be earned in either a hybrid, online and on campus, or 100% online format. The DBA at CTU is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

DBA Program

Graduates with a DBA from WU will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete business situations and scenarios. Graduates will be given access to the latest research in every realm of business management. WU focuses upon:

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

WU seeks to make their DBA highly interactive and has designed the online DBA program to at the same time offer greatest possible accessibility and convenience to working professional and maintain a high level of peer interaction and group learning. Semesters run for 15 weeks, and students meet with their online classes and instructors twice per week. Each semester is broken into two 7 week blocks. DBA students interact through discussion boards and course assignments. Students taking 2 courses per semester would end up taking 6 courses per year.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to WU’s DBA requires:

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

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA curriculum comprises 54 credit hours, which are divided into

  • 7 “common core courses”
  • 8 “program core courses”
  • 9 credit hours of dissertation research

The DBA graduate will have completed:

  • 54 credit hours of coursework, which includes
    • 4 research foundation courses
    • 11 program-specific courses
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.0
  • Comprehensive examination
  • Approved research proposal
  • Dissertation
  • Dissertation Defense
  • Required symposia

Tuition and Time Frame

The tuition for the DBA is $1,941.00 per course. The program will take three years of full-time study: Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Students must complete the DBA program within 7 years of entering the program.

top online dba programs

Apollos University

DBA ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

Helena, Montana

top online dba programs

“Apollos University is an academic institution of higher learning that is dedicated to the principle of providing the highest quality education at an affordable tuition rate for students who seek to increase their career advancement opportunities and enhance their leadership skills.”

Apollos University (AU) is an online university founded in 2004, which awarded its first degrees in 2007. For this reason, its offerings are fairly new DBA programs in comparison with the other colleges.  AU was established with the distinct mission to offer college-level education to students who otherwise would be able to afford or attend a traditional college. AU’s online DBA degree fits these criteria of convenience and affordability, thereby giving business professionals the chance to advance both their educations and careers while keeping their regular occupations. In 2010 AU achieved accreditation with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

DBA Program

Doctoral students in AU’s DBA program engage in asynchronous online classes that can be completed at any time of the day. Students interact with professors through personal communication and assignments. Courses are 8 weeks long. Assignments are required throughout each course.

Admissions Requirements

While admission to the DBA program has certain standard requirements, AU realizes that each applicant has unique educational and professional goals and seeks specific ends. With this in mind, AU admissions counselors and members of the DBA faculty treat applications on a case by case basis in order to ensure each student achieves his or her educational and career goals.

“The application process focuses on assessing the student’s unique academic and professional history in determining whether Apollos is an educational fit.”

Applicant must submit:

  • Completed Application
  • Transcripts for all degrees earned
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Successful completion of the AU Orientation Program Class
  • Possess a master 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

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

  • The online DBA program at AU is made up of 61 credit hours broken down into
    • Prerequisite Courses (6 credits)
    • Core Courses and Seminars (33 credits)
    • Research Seminars (6 credits)
    • Dissertation Project (10 credits)
    • Elective Courses (15 credits)

In order to graduate students must:

  • Fulfill all DBA graduate course requirement (61 Credits)
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better for all graduate-level coursework applying toward the degree.
  • Successfully complete the DBA Doctoral Project (dissertation).
  • Pay all tuition and fees.

Tuition and Time Frame

The DBA program is designed to be completed in 2-3 years of full-time study. Two years is the minimum amount of time a student can take to complete the degree, and 7 years is the maximum. AU’s DBA tuition is $307.05 per credit, making it one of the most affordable DBA programs delivered exclusively online.

online dba

Athabasca University

ONLINE DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

online dba

“Athabasca University is a leader in the world of online learning and distance education. We have developed the tools, resources, and support you need to succeed in a digital learning environment.”

Let’s look beyond the best online DBA programs in USA and into our neighbor to the north. Athabasca University (AU) was the first Canadian university to offer an online DBA. Athabasca university maintains very high academic and research standards, and carefully considers candidates in terms of professional experience, academic achievement and demonstration of his or her ability to engage in research, learn new skills and apply them to real-life business situations. Athabasca DBS students are trained to make an immediate and direct impact upon their sphere of employment, whether that be business, government, or non-profit. The DBA program is approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology of the Province of Alberta and is evaluated by the Campus Alberta Quality Council.

DBA Program

AU’s DBA degree program is based upon a proven distance learning model. With over 30,000 online students AU has demonstrated its capacity for and commitment to delivering high-quality online university education to students wherever they may be, 24 hours a day. The AU DBA aims for its graduates to make a:

  • Direct impact on organizations by focusing upon researching practical and applicable business and managerial issues
  • AU offers a collaborative model of 24-hour online learning, connecting students, faculty, and staff and providing online academic and technical support
  • AU fosters and supports leading-edge research, which brings innovation and experience, solving problems in new ways.

Admissions Requirements

Successful applicants to Athabasca’s DBA degree program will have:

  • An MBA or equivalent master’s degree from an accredited university
  • Five or more years of significant management and/or professional work experience
  • An acceptable university-level course in statistics
  • English language proficiency

Each applicant must provide:

  • An expression of research interests (1,000 – 1,500 words)
  • Three reference letters, preferably two business and one academic

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

AU’s DBA course schedule is divided into four years of course work, dissertation research, and writing. In the second and third year, there is a short onsite component. The course schedule is as follows:

  • Year One
    • Orientation
    • Conceptual Foundations of Organizational Research
    • Current Research
    • Management Research in Practice
  • Year Two
    • Year Two Research Workshop – on-site
    • Quantitative Research Methods
    • Qualitative Research Methods
    • Advanced Readings
  • Year Three
    • Year Three Research Workshop – on-site
    • Dissertation Proposal
  • Year Four
    • Candidacy Exam (on-site)
    • Dissertation Defense (on-site)

Tuition and Time Frame

Athabasca’s DBA degree is designed to take 4 years to complete. Students have a maximum of 7 years to complete the program. Total cost for the DBA program is $57,340 (Canadian)/ $41,000 U.S.

City University of Seattle

ONLINE DBA DEGREE PROGRAM

Seattle, Washington“The School of Management advances professional development and competencies of ethical leaders.”

City University, founded in 1973 in Seattle, is set up to cater to the needs of working adults. The university’s entire mission is to facilitate convenient course work coupled with high academic standards. With 91% of alumni reporting that City University courses effectively integrated theory and practice in courses directly relevant to their career goals, City University’s method and approach is a proven success. This experience gives City University many advantages in comparison to other online DBA programs. City University offers a strong, fully online DBA degree program that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

DBA Program

City University DBA degree program is designed specifically to meet the needs of professionals in developing:

  • Advanced skills in organizational thinking
  • Agile business practices
  • Leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Specialized knowledge in area/s of personal interest

City University’s DBA program is part of the very strong business school that features a nationally recognized top MBA program. DBA courses are delivered according to a live, interactive model, and live chat is used for students to be able to actively engage professors. Ninety-two percent of alumni of the DBA program report being “highly satisfied” or “satisfied” with their experience in the DBA program at City University. Graduates have gone on to work in the business field as:

  • CEO
  • CFO
  • President
  • Executive Director
  • Director
  • Business Consultant

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants must provide and/or complete:

  • Completed application form
  • Nonrefundable application fee
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Evidence of completion of program-specific prerequisite
    courses, as applicable

Students entering one of City University of Seattle’s Doctoral programs must meet the following admissions criteria:

  • Master’s degree in the field of Business
  • Provide a resume/CV that demonstrates two or more years in a leadership capacity
  • Provide 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
  • Complete an interview with a member of the program faculty

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA program comprises 91 credits. Requirements are broken down into the following areas:

Program Orientation (1)

Business Administration Core

  • Organizational Development Theories and Trends (6)
  • Financial Decision-Making (6)
  • Organizational Identity and Culture (6)
  • Technology Implementation and Change Management (6)
  • Industry Analysis and Market Innovation (6)
  • Business Process Analysis and Strategic Management (6)

Research Core

  • Research Fundamentals (3)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (3)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (3)
  • Research Design (3)
  • Advanced Research Design (3)
  • Application Block
  • Organizational Development Project (6)

Residencies

  • Residency 1 (1)
  • Residency 2 (1)
  • Residency 3 (1)

Dissertation

Tuition and Time Frame

The estimated time to complete City University’s DBA is between three and four years. Tuition for City University’s DBA program is $742.00 per credit hour. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities at City University are explained here.

Liverpool University Online

ONLINE DBA DEGREE

“Students of the DBA program develop a deep understanding of the challenges and risks faced by businesses in the 21st century, and the ability to continuously apply this knowledge in practical contexts.”

Liverpool University Online (LU) is a recognized world leader in online education. Liverpool is ranked in the top 1% of world universities and so it comes as no surprise that it offers the best online business doctoral programs.  The university’s Management School is in an elite group of schools accredited by AACSB. LU’s DBA degree program is 100% online that can be earned in the United States.

DBA Program

LU’s DBA program is designed for senior professionals looking to bring their professional experience to in-depth research, leadership development, and critical thinking. The DBA at LU approaches contemporary management through a distinctive process of “Critical Action Learning and Critical Research”. The online DBA can be completed fully online or students can opt to participate in two on-site residencies.

The jobs of LU’s DBA program are typical:

  • CEO
  • Chairman
  • President / Vice-President
  • Managing Director
  • Business Owner / Entrepreneur
  • Management Consultant / Consultants
  • Strategy Director / Manager
  • Finance Director / CFO
  • Head of Operations / COO

Admissions Requirements

  • A master’s degree from a recognized institution comparable and/or equivalent to a UK master’s degree
  • A minimum of five years of management experience at a senior level
  • Completion of an Academic Writing Skills assessment

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

LU’s DBA degree course schedule and requirements are as follows:

  • Change and Crisis Management (10 weeks)
  • Knowledge Creation (10 weeks)
  • Management Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods (10 weeks)
  • Leadership and Community (10 weeks)
  • Ethics, Sustainability and Social Impact (10 weeks)
  • Complex Adaptive Systems (10 weeks)
  • Decision Making with Risk and Uncertainty (10 weeks)
  • Action Research and the Action Research Thesis (10 weeks)

The thesis phase of the DBA will take between 18 and 30 months.

Tuition 

The estimated cost for the DBA is $88,450.

Felician University

DOCTORAL DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ONLINE

Rutherford, New Jersey

“Our First Priority is Our Students. Our Second is Their Future.”

Felician University was founded in 1942 by a group of Franciscan sisters called the Felician Sisters and is the only Franciscan university in New Jersey. A small, private, well established traditional university that is home to 2,300 onsite undergraduate and graduate students, Felician also offers a large number of online and blended learning degree programs. Among those online offerings is Felician’s online DBA degree program, which is fully online save one brief residency requirement. Felician is accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Business School is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

DBA Program

Unlike many online DBA degree programs, Felician appeals to not only active and experienced business professionals. Felician also seeks applicants who are:

  • Thinking of a career change to a new business field or…
  • limited in their current situation due to a lack of academic credentials

Felician looks for motivated students who desire an innovative DBA program that stands out even from the best DBA programs. Another advantage of Felician’s DBA program is that motivated students can develop and apply their research at their own pace, making the dissertation writing process potentially faster than in many other DBA programs. At Felician students experience an online DBA program that is:

  • Fully online with a brief residency requirement.
  • Self-paced
  • Where students receive Personalized motivation
  • In Relevant courses and research
  • With Immediate results
  • In an Innovative study environment

Admissions Requirements

Admission at Felician University is highly individualized. General admission requirements for the DBA program include:

  • MBA degree
  • Resume
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal statement

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

Part of the uniqueness of Felician’s approach is that students move at their own pace. Hence, time frames and calendars are not a focus of the DBA program. Students are free to advance at the pace their ability and time allows.

The programs break down into four basic components:

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

A successful graduate from Felician University’s online DBA program will have completed all course work, written and defended a dissertation, maintained adequate grades, and met all financial obligations.

Tuition and Time Frame

Tuition for Felician’s DBA program is $945.00 per credit hour. 

Liberty University Online

ONLINE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DOCTORATE DEGREE PROGRAM

Lynchburg, Virginia

“Pioneering distance education since 1985, we offer a unique and proven approach to online education.”

Liberty University is the largest evangelical university in America with over 100,000 onsite and online students throughout the world. Since 1985 Liberty has been a pioneer in distance education, and now offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Liberty’s online DBA is part of Liberty’s excellent set of online degree program offerings. Liberty’s online program is almost 100% online, requiring three one-week on-campus sessions. Although not fully online, because of its recognized excellence and affordability, Liberty’s distance DBA is included in our ranking. 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 Programs.

DBA Program

In Liberty University DBA degree program, the courses are given online except for the three on-site sessions. The DBA program provides advanced training and instruction in:

  • Professional management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing
  • And many other business-related fields

Along with excellent training, Liberty offers specialized courses based upon biblical principles that “supply the values, knowledge, and skills needed to advance your career and leadership at the highest levels of business.” The DBA offers six areas of specialization:

Admissions Requirements

Admission to Liberty’s online DBA is a competitive process. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Earned 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 a Doctorate in Business Administration.
  • Personal worldview statement that discusses how your moral/ethical foundation relates to the study and practice of business.
  • Recommender Contact Information for 2 professional references that demonstrate character
  • Biography

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

Liberty’s online DBA requires 60 credit hours. Up to 15 hours can be transferred, and 12 hours from an MBA degree specialization be applicable. In place of a dissertation, Liberty’s DBA program requires each student to complete an applied doctoral research project. For more information on courses and graduation requirements see the link.

Tuition and Time Frame

Tuition for full-time students is $595.00 per credit hour, and for part-time students, tuition is $650.00. The course is designed to take 3 years of full-time study to complete.

George Fox University

ONLINE DBA DEGREE

Newberg, Oregon” Join a Christian community that takes students on a rigorous educational journey that hones their decision making, analytical and critical-thinking skills while also preparing them to write and publish their own work.”

George Fox University (GFU), founded in 1885, is a nationally recognized institution, offering degree programs praised by Forbes and U.S. World News and Reports. GFU’s academic excellence carries over into its DBA program. The DBA degree at GFU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

DBA Program

The GFU DBA is designed for those who desire to continue their full-time employment while working on their degree part-time. Course work is almost entirely online. However, as a hybrid program, there is 2 on-campus residency requirement per year. GFUS’s DBA teaches future and academic business leaders how to research, communicate, and lead in the business world. GFU seeks to give an excellent academic and practical formation that integrates Christian values into business practice and theory.

 Graduates from the DBA program have gone on to work in:

  • Higher Education
  • Corporate Leadership
  • Consulting

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have a full-time faculty appointment or five years of professional experience
  • Must possess a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from regionally accredited colleges or universities (minimum GPA of 3.0).
  • Must show evidence of completion of undergraduate or graduate-level courses in Accounting, Economics, and Finance

Applicants must supply the following:

  • 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

Course Schedule and Graduation Requirements

The DBA at George Fox requires students to engage in 3 component areas:

  • A business core
  • A research core with a dissertation
  • An education core that includes a teaching practicum

The student chooses one of the three following concentrations:

  •  Accounting
  • Management
  • Marketing

The program schedule is as follows:

  • 48 semester units of coursework
    • Doctoral Core (21 credits)
    • Education Core (9 credits)
    • Concentration – Accounting, Marketing or Management (9 credits)
    • Research (9 credits)
  • Comprehensive Exams
    • Dissertation (8 credits)
    • Proposal
    • Dissertation Research
    • Final Defense

For more information on courses see the link.

Tuition and Time Frame

Tuition is $954.00 per credit. The DBA program is designed to take four years: years 1-3 for coursework and year 4 dissertation.

Saint Leo University

DBA ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

Saint Leo, Florida

“Saint Leo University offers a practical, effective model for life and leadership in a challenging world.”

Saint Leo University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is an advanced degree program that provides graduates with research, critical analysis, and application skills to make intellectual contributions to their fields of business study. The DBA prepares graduates for teaching, academic leadership, or consulting. This program leverages Saint Leo’s expertise in delivering flexible graduate programs that are student-centered, application oriented, and outcomes driven.

Admissions Requirements

To apply for enrollment in Saint Leo University’s online DBA program:

1.) Graduate Application for Admission; $80 application fee
2.) 3.25 or higher GPA in a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited
university
3.) Two Recommendations (Professional & Academic accepted)
4.) Resume
5.) Official graduate transcripts
6.) Professional Goal Statement (3 pages- see below)
    a. Explain how your professional experience and academic
background make you an ideal candidate for doctoral study (page
one).
    b. Describe your specific area of interest. Explain how conducting
research in this area will help you fulfill your career objectives
(page two).
    c. Describe your future career goals upon completion of this program
(page three).
7.) Mandatory $500 seat deposit

Curriculum Outline

57 Credit Hours

Year 1
• DBA 701 – Doctoral Success Lab: Resources, Processes and Support – 3 credit hours
• DBA 705 – A History of Applied Management Theory – 3 credit hours
• DBA 710 – Global Leadership and Ethics – 3 credit hours
• DBA 715 – Organizational Behavior and Social Responsibility – 3 credit hours
• DBA 721 – Global Perspectives in Human Resource – 3 credit hours
• DBA 730 – Research Methods-Qualitative – 3 credit hours

Year 2
• DBA 735 – Research Methods-Quantitative Research Foundation – 3 credit hours
• DBA 736 – SPSS – 3 credit hours
• DBA 738 – Applied Research – 3 credit hours
• DBA 740 – Analytics For Decision Making – 3 credit hours
• DBA 750 – Strategic Management in Global Organizations – 3 credit hours
• DBA 755 – Management Learning Seminar – 3 credit hours
• DBA 756 – Consulting Best Practices

Years 3 & 4
• DBA 760 – Management Teaching Practicum – 3 credit hours
• DBA 761 – Consulting Practicum – 3 credit hours
• DBA 765 – Doctoral Written Comprehensive Exam – 3 credit hours
• DBA 770 – Dissertation Seminar – 3 credit hours
• DBA 780 – 789 – Directed Research – 12 credit hours
• DBA 801 – Dissertation Oral Defense – 0 credit hours

Frequently Asked Questions

DBA

WHY SHOULD I EARN AN ONLINE DOCTORAL DEGREE IN THE FIELD OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION?

dba doctorate in business administration

Earning an online doctoral degree (in any subject) is one of the most prestigious accomplishments one can obtain within their lifetime. It displays your commitment to a degree of academic excellence that only a few will pursue.  

Perhaps the most motivating advantage to earning a DBA is an increase in salary. Many doctoral degree holders contribute to their higher earning potential to their graduate degree. Another contributing factor includes opportunities for career advancement, particularly in a leadership capacity. Without a doubt, you will qualify for many management positions and make lifelong networking contacts who have shared interests in business management.

But why should you pursue a doctorate degree in a specific field such as Business Administration? An online Doctorate degree in Business Administration program instructs students on advanced practices used in all types of business applications, anywhere from accounting to human resources.  As a DBA program covers a wide array of resources, you can count on learning the dedicated skills needed to excel and expand your knowledge in the field of business administration.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN A DBA AND A PH.D. IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR ME?

doctorate in business administration dba

Generally, an online DBA program will prepare students for a comprehensive and challenging adventure.  The Doctorate of Business Administration degree, which is the most popular of the two, is designed to equip graduates for a leadership role in the commercial business sector, such as needed to be a management executive.  

A Ph.D. program prepares students for a career in research or in education, such as needed for teaching as a professor at the university level. Other career options include business consultants or positions within a government capacity.

Which one is best for you? The type of degree you should choose will depend on your end career goal, of course.  Rest assured, whichever degree path you follow; you can be proud of your accomplishments and the prestigious title of “Doctor” that you have so deservingly earned!

WHAT AREAS OF CONCENTRATION SHOULD I CONSIDER WHILE EARNING AN ONLINE DBA?

doctorate in business administration

If you intend to earn an online Doctorate in Business Administration degree, without a doubt, you probably already have a career goal in mind.  In addition, you may have a job promotion in mind or, perhaps you would simply like to make yourself more marketable in all things “business related.”  In any capacity, earning your DBA will be advantageous to your career.

While some degree programs cover “all the bases,” you may also want to consider choosing a concentration to pursue; therefore, opening up job advancements in a specific area for you.  What specializations are available? Here are a few to consider: Healthcare Management, Accounting, Finance, Advertising & Marketing, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Computer Information Systems, Economics, International Business, Sales, and of course, General Business Management, among others. And… why not customize your degree to your own career goals? Don’t be afraid to work closely with school counselors to develop an online doctoral program that is entirely specific to your needs and your career goals! 

“AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST.” – BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Find Your Degree Program!