Doctor of Business Administration

Enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills in an online doctorate program

It's time to achieve the highest level you can in business. It's time to implement positive change on the performance of organizations and their employees. Begin your journey to a doctorate in business with our next cohort in January 2024. Connect with other motivated professionals where you will grow your skills and network together for the next three years.

Credits60

Cost Per Credit^$890

Concentrations

Specialize in one of three areas to further build your expertise and skillsets.

Cohort Format

Cohorts create greater learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities for students.

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Our team is available to help you as you consider the next step in your education.

Get answers to your questions

Our team is standing by to assist you with additional program details, financial aid options, and admissions questions.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the highest accredited academic business degree at Concordia University. It is designed to address the current challenges facing organizations, leaders, and teams in today’s business environment. You will develop scholar-practitioner skills as you learn from industry experts skilled in blending applied learning with theory development. The coursework, research, and the dissertation process will equip you with the tools and knowledge to transform organizations and improve performance as an influential and trusted leader.

This three-year, 60-credit (minimum) Doctor of Business Administration program features three concentrations:

Business Sustainability: Examine multiple methods to assess environmental risks and innovate sustainable solutions in order to implement strategies that generate value and increase competitiveness through sustainability.
Financial and Economic Management: Study how the financial and economic theory impacts global and regional organizations. You'll have the opportunity to explore further either financial or economic principles allowing you to apply the concepts to organizational structure and productivity.
Organizational Performance and Change (OPC): Learn applied methods and theories that address organizational improvement by examining individual, team, and organizational analysis and enhancing decision-making techniques.

Regardless of your concentration, you will benefit from the quantitative and qualitative business concepts that will be addressed and taught. You will acquire evidence-based decision-making skills to prepare you for effective leadership in business, healthcare, non-proﬁt, education, government, and other professional industries.

Download the DBA brochure here

NEW - All But The Dissertation (ABD) option

Have you started your doctorate but life got in the way? Have you completed your DBA courses, but never finished your dissertation? Our program provides the opportunity for students who have completed all requirements for a doctorate at another institution except for their doctoral dissertation to earn their degree. Concordia University welcomes all applicants who have achieved this status in their graduate education. We will help you achieve your goal and set you up for success. Now is the perfect time to finish earning your doctorate. Let us help! Click here for more information.

What to Expect

The online courses follow an 8-week format during this three-year program. For your dissertation, you will be assigned a research faculty advisor that has expertise in your chosen dissertation topic. Also, our DBA coordinator will support you as you progress through your courses, projects, and more.

A key component to the DBA program is utilizing a cohort format. It helps optimize your learning as you work to earn your doctorate degree. As a DBA student you are required to attend two in-person residencies at our campus with your assigned cohort. Each residency takes place for three days and consists of courses, networking, and other business-related activities. You will participate in the first residency when you start the program, and the second residency takes place during your final year.

DBA Admission Process

To be admitted into the DBA program, applicants must:

Have a master’s degree with a focus in business or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Submit an application at cuw.edu/apply.
Submit official transcripts from graduate or equivalent coursework.
Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references.
Submit an academic writing sample. (It can be from a recent master's program.)
Participate in a video-conference interview.
No GMAT or GRE required
Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in one’s master’s coursework.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide English proficiency.

Admission to the DBA program is governed by policies and procedures developed by the Batterman School of Business and Concordia University of Wisconsin. The University reserves the right to refuse admission or readmission to any prospective study or re-enrollment to any student. Any applicant who intentionally withholds pertinent information or falsifies information may be required to withdraw from Concordia University. The University and the Batterman School of Business reserves the right to make necessary changes to admission requirement without notice.

The DBA is a competitive admissions process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the DBA program. Concordia University of Wisconsin and the Batterman School of Business may request additional documentation to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admissions decision can be made.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis through the calendar year.

Credit Transfer

Effective in the Fall 2022 semester, students who have taken equivalent doctoral-level courses can submit a DBA Transfer Credit Application to have up to 30 credits count toward DBA program requirements. Courses must be equivalent in scope and rigor to Concordia DBA courses.

Concordia MBA students who receive pre-approval to take up to 12 qualifying DBA credits (at the 8000-level or above) may count these credits toward the DBA program.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to supply official transcripts along with a transfer credit request to have the credit(s) applied to the DBA program. Students may be asked to submit a syllabus for coursework being considered for transfer, along with a rationale as to why the student believes the course(s) meets the DBA requirements. Eligibility of transfer credits will be assessed by the DBA Director and based on relevance to DBA studies.

To take your next step or for additional information, please contact our team at 877-289-1897 or Inquiry.Support@cuw.edu. We are here to help Monday - Saturday 8am-8pm cst.

All But The Dissertation

How does it work?

As an incoming student, you can transfer up to 30 credits into the DBA program.
In addition, 30 credits will be needed to graduate - 24 credits through research courses to help you write your dissertation and 6 topical credits.
Collaborate with other DBA students in one three-day residency in either January or July of the year you begin.
Your faculty advisor will guide you through seven dissertation courses so you make consistent progress from day one.
Average length of completion is 1.5 year.
Upon dissertation completion, you will graduate with a Doctorate in Business Administration.

To be admitted into the DBA program, applicants must:

Have a master’s degree with a focus in business or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Submit an application at
Submit official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Seven year maximum for transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution. Credits aged between 8 and 12 years can be accepted as an exception, with director approval.
- Must have completed all required doctoral program coursework and/or achieved candidacy at another institution
Cannot be academically dismissed from the previous doctoral program
Previous doctoral programs must academically align with a degree program and specialization offered by Concordia
Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references
Submit a personal statement (no more than 3 pages)
- Discuss events that lead to the ABD status
- Explain how the s�� Doctorate of Business Administration ABD pathway can help you meet your goals.
- A research topic or interest area that the applicant plans to study
Participate in a video-conference interview
No GMAT or GRE required
Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in prior doctoral program.Exception with director approval
Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide English proficiency

Informational Webinars

Our webinars help you learn more about the program from DBA faculty and Concordia's admission team. You will get an in-depth overview of program details, the dissertation process, and the support you can expect enrollment until graduation. You'll also learn more about the admission and application process.

Previously recorded webinars:

Doctorate of Business Blogs

How these Army veterans are rising in the ranks with a DBA from Concordia

Creating a positive remote organization

Concordia announces new business school appointments

Equity Leadership: Impact on Employee Engagement

Developing Leaders in a VUCA World from an Online Master's through Doctorate

Cracking the Talent Management Code

Student Spotlight: James Trazile

DBA Student Story: Jennifer Kowal

Getting your DBA at Concordia University: Our Uncommon Approach

Student Spotlight: Kayla Gritzmacher

Demand is Surging for Business Sustainability Professionals

What is a DBA Residency?

Creating a Healing Organization

Facutly Spotlight: Dr. Dana Sendziol

Improving HR's Organizational Performance

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jenny Kehl

Five Contemporary OPC Trends in the Workplace

Uncommon Business Part 1: Business Sustainability at Concordia University

Uncommon Business Part 2: Transforming Business Sustainability through Impactful Education

DBA Students and Residency

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Enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills in an online doctorate program

Questions? We’re here to help

Get answers to your questions

NEW - All But The Dissertation (ABD) option

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