DBA 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:

In addition to our English-language degrees, a bilingual Mandarin and English Doctor of Business Administration is available fully online. This degree, taught in both Mandarin and English and awarded by the University of La Verne from the US working in partnership with Zhidao Education, is designed for senior executives working full-time in China.

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. View the entire DBA curriculum.

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.