Doctor of Business Administration

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Choose a DBA degree program that empowers you to drive positive change at the executive level.

Choose a DBA degree program that empowers you to drive positive change at the executive level.

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based

    Courses with a set schedule

    January 09, 2023

Accreditations

ACBSP Accredited

Transfer Credits

Up to 17 Credits

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Become a Force for Business Success With Our Online DBA Program

Are you ready to gain sought-after business expertise that can help you take a seat at the table? Become the leader and influencer you want to be with Walden’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. We’ve spent the last 50 years supporting busy professionals as they strive to reach their goal of earning a doctorate.

Designed for experienced business professionals and academics, our DBA online program empowers you to envision and implement thoughtful, creative solutions to today’s complex business challenges. Choose from multiple specializations and capstone options to tailor your studies to your personal interests and career goals.

An online DBA program prepares professionals to apply theory and research to practical problems found in all areas of business and management.

Why Choose Walden

LEARN FROM A LEADER

Walden is the No. 1 granter of doctoral research degrees in the U.S.1

CUSTOMIZE YOUR PATH

Choose from three DBA capstones and 11 specializations to tailor your coursework to fit your career plan.

CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM

Our DBA online program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

BE SUPPORTED AT EACH STEP

The Walden Doctoral Degree Coach™ helps you find the right support when you need it and stay on track throughout your journey.

PROGRAM SAVINGS

Receive up to a $5,000 Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on January 9, 2023. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.

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Program Details

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

Your Doctoral Journey

At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field?

LEARN MORE
A smiling woman wearing a graduation gown.

 

A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate

Earning your online Doctor of Business Administration requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

  • Map and track milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.

  • Meet weekly targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.

  • Connect with faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.

  • Access helpful resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction.

Specializations

Accounting

Enhance your knowledge of managerial accounting methods to elevate your organization’s competitive position. 

Entrepreneurship

Explore the entrepreneurial concepts and processes that are found in both established companies with a pioneering spirit and startups. 

Finance

Gain the finance tools that help managers maximize their firm’s value, including valuation, capital budgeting and structure, working capital management, multinational concepts, and Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). 

Healthcare Management

Expand your core business management skills in the healthcare field by learning to apply managerial decision-making skills to healthcare policy and economics. 

Human Resource Management

Get the theoretical knowledge, industry insights, and capabilities to be an authoritative voice in the field of human resource management, whether you’re looking to pursue executive leadership, teaching, or research.

Information Systems Management

Develop your expertise in information systems management with this specialization that addresses the management challenges facing technology-based businesses.

International Business

Learn the skills necessary to manage and lead diverse workers, managers, and teams in a global marketplace.

Leadership

Explore new frameworks and perspectives that will help you to lead and manage change effectively.

Marketing

Learn the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an international marketplace, including leveraging strategies in global marketing and international pricing.

Project Management

Study the processes for successfully managing a complex portfolio of projects and analyzing opportunities for improved portfolio performance.

Self-Designed

Create your own specialization based on your individual goals and interests in business administration.

Program Outcomes

Unravel Complex Business Challenges With Our DBA Program

In our Doctor of Business Administration online program, you’ll build your leadership confidence as you expand your knowledge of business best practices. Gain advanced skills in research, critical thinking, communication, analysis, and management. Apply what you’ve learned to become a role-modeling, problem-solving force within your organization and your community.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of Walden’s online Doctor of Business Administration program will be prepared to:

  • Evaluate the relevance of current and emerging business theory and practice from an interdisciplinary perspective.

  • Formulate effective solutions to complex, real-world problems common to the practice of business and management.

  • Apply current research literature to practical problems found in business and managemen

  • Evaluate scholarly research in business and management.

  • Design rigorous research that contributes to the professional body of knowledge of business and management.

  • Design rigorous research that contributes to positive social change.

  • Apply professional ethics appropriately.

What’s the Career Impact of Earning a DBA?

Become the Visionary Leader You’re Meant to Be

Now more than ever, organizations need experienced leaders who can assess situations, understand current and potential business issues, and put bold solutions into action. They want confident, proactive problem-solvers who can serve as a force for real change.

A Doctor of Business Administration online degree not only shows that you’re knowledgeable in your field; it signals your readiness for senior-level leadership roles. Expand your opportunities within your own organization or in other companies and industries.

WALDEN IS THE

#1

GRANTER OF DOCTORAL RESEARCH DEGREES.1

An online DBA program can prepare you to work in settings such as:

  • Educational services

  • Finance and insurance

  • Public administration

  • Healthcare and social assistance

  • Self-employed professionals

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Resources

Meet Your Doctor of Business Administration Academic Team

Testimonial

I enrolled at Walden after researching online programs and determining that Walden was one of only a few accredited online schools to offer doctoral studies in leadership.

Krista LaursenDoctor of Business Administration (DBA) Graduate

The tools I gained from the DBA program have enabled me to analyze and present solutions to complex problems with professionalism and confidence.

Raymond MarburyDoctor of Business Administration (DBA) Graduate

Walden is an exceptional learning community composed of knowledgeable program directors, faculty members, and support staff who truly want to see students succeed.

Ronald JonesDoctor of Business Administration (DBA) Graduate

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FAQ About Walden’s Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

What can you do with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)?

From senior management positions to consulting, a DBA degree can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings. Popular choices include consultant, entrepreneur or business owner, corporate director, analyst, and more. Some of the highest paying career paths for those with a DBA include healthcare management, business planning, procurement, and compliance and regulatory.

What is the difference between a DBA and a PhD in Management?

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the PhD in Management both provide an in-depth understanding of business administration and management. A DBA degree provides practical knowledge that you can apply directly to the workplace, whereas a PhD in Management is designed for those who prefer a more academic focus. If you enjoy conducting original research, analyzing data, and evaluating theories, you will likely prefer the more academically oriented PhD in Management. If you enjoy applying research to practical problems, formulating solutions to complex issues, and designing effective business practices, the more professional orientation of the Doctor of Business Administration may be the best fit for you.

How do you choose the best DBA program?

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree-seekers have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the program that is best for them. However, five key factors should always be considered before making a decision: accreditation, specializations, flexibility, diversity, and support. First, look for a DBA program that is accredited. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation affirms the quality of a university’s DBA program and support services, as well as the university’s commitment to continuous assessment and improvement. As you search for the best degree program, be sure to select one that offers a number of specializations, allowing you to match your education to your career goals. Flexible scheduling can be key for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. It’s also important for you to be able to connect with other professionals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which can greatly enhance your DBA experience. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed.

What is the best way to choose a DBA specialization?

Walden’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program offers a number of specializations.

Here are some things to consider when deciding how to focus your studies.

  • Give thought to your aspirations, passions, and career goals, and look for a specialization that aligns with them.
  • Think about research topics you might wish to consider for your doctoral study. The information you gain in your specialization courses can be leveraged as you complete your research.
  • Keep in mind that, if you don’t find the perfect fit for your choice of specialization, Walden’s flexible online DBA options also include a Self-Designed specialization that allows you to choose a variety of courses from different focus areas.

Have a Question?

Chat with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Enrollment Specialist

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Questions about our Doctor of Business Administration?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

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By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University and its affiliates and contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden University, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time.

1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Database (IPEDS) database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using all classifications of instructional programs (CIP) codes. A doctoral research degree is a PhD or other doctoral degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Available at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. (Retrieved January 2021; may consist of or include provisional release data.)

Walden’s BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The MS in Accounting and BS in Accounting programs are also accredited by the ACBSP and have earned the organization’s separate accounting accreditation.

Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.