THH Zhidao Education

Doctor of Business Administration

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is designed for working professionals who wish to make a lasting contribution to the field of business through high-level positions in upper management, consulting, research, or teaching in academic institutions.

Students in the DBA program graduate with valuable skills and knowledge they can immediately apply to real-world problems and career opportunities, including how to:

integrate the theory and practice of business;

generate solutions for complex business problems;

build and grow sustainable businesses and organizations; and

critically review contemporary business research and literature.

Program Highlights

The University of La Verne’s DBA program is for professionals with five or more years of work experience who are motivated to develop a deeper knowledge of business disciplines and ideas through applied research and other advanced skills. The DBA curriculum emphasizes an understanding of the relationship between business theory and functional areas of business so graduates have the ability to innovate and create solutions for complex business problems.

The first year lays the foundation for the program and prepares students for the core of the DBA program, which happens during year two. The third year marks the beginning of the research and dissertation phase of the degree. A comprehensive exam after the fall term of year three determines which students will continue on to write dissertations.

The program consists of 54 units, with three years of coursework and additional time to complete the dissertation. Students take three classes per semester, with classes taking place in the evenings and on Saturdays to accommodate full-time work schedules. The program is offered in a hybrid format on the La Verne Campus as well as fully online.

Careers in Business Administration

Graduates of the DBA program will be prepared to expand their career options into the top level of the business profession. Analytical skills learned in the program will give graduates the confidence to lead and guide organizations with strategic thinking and operational know-how in upper-level management. Meanwhile, business proficiency and applied research will prepare other graduates to transition into consulting, research, or teaching careers, so that others may benefit from their vast experience and knowledge.

At A Glance

Total Units

45 — Course Work

9 — Research Specialization

Time to Completion

3 years of coursework

Campus Locations

Online

Start Terms

Fall

Program Director

Issam Ghazzawi, PhD

Curriculum

Prerequisites:Applicants should possess a master’s degree, ideally in business administration or a closely related field. Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of work experience.

First Year

DBA 628 Applied Managerial Economics

DBA 643 Ethics and Social Responsibility

DBA 656 Advanced Topics in Leadership and Management

DBA 674 Qualitative Research

DBA 675 Quantitative Research I: Applied Regression Analysis

DBA 681 Nature of Inquiry

Second Year

DBA 615 Collaborative Technology and Commerce

DBA 635 Finance

DBA 647 Business Law

DBA 651 Seminar in Organizational Behavior

DBA 665 Marketing Theory

DBA 694 Seminar in Strategic Management

Third Year

DBA 676 Quantitative Research II: Advanced Topics in Regression Analysis

DBA 684 Dissertation Seminar A

DBA 685 Dissertation Seminar B

DBA 686 Research: Specialization I

DBA 687 Research: Specialization II

DBA 688 Research: Specialization III

Admission Requirements

Completed application and application fee

Current résumé

Statement of Purpose

Three letters of recommendation

Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university

Application Deadline: Rolling

Application Process