Business Administration DBA

Degree Awarded: Doctorate in Business Admin (DBA)
Minimum Required Credits: 40.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.1301
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-1021

About the Program

The Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is a part-time doctoral program designed to equip executives and senior managers with the scientific methods to address complex industry and organizational challenges. The program integrates and leverages Drexel’s more than 120-year history of experiential learning to provide a broad theoretical perspective of current business issues as well as a strong foundation in applied research and analysis to enrich critical knowledge, skills and abilities. Through an integrative framework of empirical exploration and evidence-based decision-making, executives learn the “science of business” and develop successful, data-driven strategies and solutions that can be applied to their respective organizations.

The DBA’s cohorted format is an executive residency and online model. DBA candidates complete a minimum of 40.0 credits beyond the master’s degree. As part of the accelerated nature of the program and focus on complex business challenges, the program employs a mentored dissertation model.

Additional Information

For more information please contact the LeBow College of Business

Admission Requirements

The DBA provides a broad theoretical and practical perspective on current business issues as well as a strong foundation in applied research and analysis. The LeBow College of Business seeks applicants with a minimum of 10 years of senior industry and/or leadership experience, exceptional ability and the motivation needed to successfully complete the DBA. Admission into this part-time cohorted program requires a Master’s degree and is highly selective.

In reviewing an applicant's credentials, the DBA admissions committee will consider:

Completed Application Form
Prior Academic Accomplishments: All course work taken prior to application will be reviewed. Applicants should have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) for all graduate course work completed.

Personal Statement: Explain how the applicant's educational and personal experiences have influenced the decision to pursue a DBA, professional objectives in attaining a DBA, and the applicant’s strategy (time, effort, and organizational and family support) to excel in the program.

Essay(s): Please reference the program webpage for specific essay(s) requirement for the application.
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted in support of the application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek recommendations from professionals who can assess the applicant's likelihood of success in an executive doctoral program.

Current Resume or CV: Include relevant industry positions, achievements or research.
Interview: Upon request of the DBA admission committee, selected candidates will be requested to participate in an admissions interview.

Admission Procedures
The DBA Program admits students each fall. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all transcripts, essays/personal statements and letters of recommendation, as well as the application form and fee, are received by Drexel University by this deadline.

Please contact Mark Dierkes, Director of Executive Program Recruitment, at med24@drexel.edu or at 215-571-3272 directly with any questions.

Degree Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon degree completion, graduates of the DBA program will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of both theoretical and applied business research methodology. 
2. Integrate knowledge from business and non-business disciplines to generate novel ideas, strategies and practical approaches to address business issues faced by senior leadership in organizations.
3. Demonstrate mastery of scientific inquiry methods that examine empirical support for theoretical frameworks as applied to business problems.
4. Demonstrate an ability to address complex industry challenges using frameworks of empirical examination that build prescriptive conclusions and real-world knowledge.