Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Degree Program
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program is designed to transform mature learners into leaders. Doctoral candidates study industry-relevant decision making techniques, while also working to develop the research and writing skills that accompany high level responsibility in the academic and business environments.
Business executives must be able to perform in a dynamic environment where market expansion is global, where competition presents ever-changing decision-making challenges, and change is the norm. Excellence in leadership, strategic management, and organizational change management are essential to develop effective corporate executives and hence organizational viability.
- Credits Required: 60
- Cost Per Credit: $645
- Program Length: 4 to 5 years (full-time status)1
- Max Transfer Credits: 30 credits2
1Many factors can impact your time to completion such as course loads, course extensions or repetitions, transfer or proficiency credits, and approved leaves of absence. The program length provided does not include these adjustments. Program completion time also depends on an individual learner’s time needed to complete all required doctoral project requirements which varies by learner.
2Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Program Outcomes
Employ written communication skills in a variety of modalities to communicate strategic approaches to business practices and translate research findings into actionable guidelines for management.
Employ appropriate oral communication skills to successfully interact with people from a variety of experiences and backgrounds in presentations, discussions, negotiations, and conflict management situations.
Apply advanced critical and conceptual thinking skills in analyzing the effective handling of business problems and opportunities.
Acquire an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the interconnectedness of the social and cultural dimensions within communities and their impact on business theory and practices.
Identify the nature and scope of the information needed in relation to accessing and evaluating scholarly materials and applying current research to business and management.
Integrate formal academic learning to align with personal experiences in business administration, leadership, and management so that learning is meaningful and relates to personal and/or professional goals.
Apply qualitative and quantitative tools to Integrate internal and external data to support evidence‑based decision making and to perform effective business analysis.
Utilize the requisite research skills and generate empirical evidence to apply situational analyses and evaluate the impact of managerial actions.
Demonstrate ethical behavior as it relates to legal and ethical principles, professional standards of practice, social responsibility, and corporate governance in business situations.
Potential career paths may be found in the following industries:
CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement.
Doctor of Business Administration Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements | Credits |
---|---|
Required Core Courses | 30 |
DBA Elective Courses | 15 |
Comprehensive Examination | 1 |
Doctoral Project Courses | 14 |
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE DBA | 60 |
Courses + Credits
Below, you’ll find the required courses offered by the CalSouthern School of Business and Management for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. The DBA consists of an integrated sequence of doctoral courses, a comprehensive essay examination, and a doctoral project that encompasses 60 credits beyond a master’s degree.
- ACT 6515Financial Statement Analysis – 3 credits
- FIN 6514Financial Institutions – 3 credits
- HRM 6503Labor Relations – 3 credits
- MGT 6529Project Management – 3 credits
- SLDR 6602Effective Human Relations Skills for Leaders – 3 credits
- ACT 7530Management Finance and Control — 3-credits
- BUS 7300Advanced Measurement and Statistics for Business — 3-credits
- BUS 7305Ethnography of Corporate Culture — 3-credits
- MGT 7500Organizational Development and Design — 3-credits
- MGT 7525Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Governance — 3-credits
- MKT 6505Consumer Behavior, Theory, and Analysis — 3-credits
- IB 6516Global Business Strategic Management — 3-credits
- MGT 7515Information, Organization, and Strategy — 3-credits
- MGT 7520Business Research Methods — 3-credits
- MGT 6540Quantitative Research Methods — 3-credits
- BUS 7805Comprehensive Examination — 1-credit
- MGT 9001Doctoral Project Phase 1 – Prospectus Development – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9002Doctoral Project Phase 2 – Chapter 1 Development – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9003Doctoral Project Phase 3 – Literature Review Development – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9004Doctoral Project Phase 4 – Methodology Development – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9005Doctoral Project Phase 5 – Academic and Institutional Review Board Approval – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9006Doctoral Project Phase 6 – Evidence of Data Collection – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9007Doctoral Project Phase 7 – Analysis and Results – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9008Doctoral Project Phase 8 – Interpretation and Findings – 1.5 credits
- MGT 9009Doctoral Project Phase 9 – Final Defense and Manuscript Submission – 1.5 credits
- BUS 7806Doctoral Research Orientation – 0 credits
View the University Catalog for full course descriptions, prerequisite information, and program details.
View CatalogRecent Doctoral Projects
The culmination of the DBA program, these projects represent the research, efforts, and academic contributions our learners are making in the field of business and management. These projects have officially been added to the CalSouthern Library and the ProQuest global database and will serve as academic resources for current and future learners.
April-May 2021
- Bradshaw, JuneSuccess strategies for small business sustainability in Trinidad.
- Carges, StephenFaculty retention of full-time faculty at for-profit university.
- Ejigu, AkawakInvestigating poverty and politics as barriers to international investment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Krnac, Rachel A.B2B telecommunications pricing and promotions to appeal to the millennial generation.
- Lewis, CamishaApplying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to determine the factors influencing the acceptance and use of online Patient Electronic Payment Portals.
- Mahabir, GaitriThe link between inexperience and ethics in auditors.
- Rose, Teresa M.Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in emerging adults.
- Sarangi, SunilEmployees’ perspectives about corporate social responsibility practices and impact on corporate finance.
- Singh, Nadira D.Investigating employee engagement, job satisfaction and retention in the information technology sector.
- Taylor, Robert ScottExploring the impact of the Small Business Development Center Program on entrepreneurial activity.
- Tillman, Hannah K.Supply chain management in a virtual marketplace.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a degree program designed for learners who want to further develop their leadership skills and decision-making techniques through research and writing.
Candidates in this degree program participate in comprehensive courses, dba concentration/elective courses as well as doctoral project courses and a comprehensive essay examination. Courses include business management, statistics, leadership ethics, and business research methods. Candidates will study effective communication skills for a global culture, ethical and legal principles, professional standards of practice, and social responsibility.
You can begin your online education at CalSouthern now. Classes at CalSouthern begin monthly. Completion of the CalSouthern admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the application process. You may speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-800-477- 2254, ext. 47822) or request information online. Once you’ve completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
CalSouthern’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) requires a total of 60 hours. You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts. CalSouthern accepts up to 30 hours of the qualifying credits you need toward your degree.*
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
CalSouthern’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program is designed for learners interested in further developing their business leadership skills and the application of data to drive organizational operations. We offer flexible courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and training utilized in the education industry today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Degree candidates can pursue this degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own schedules.
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The educational experience at CalSouthern changed the way I look at a business problem, its deconstruction, and subsequent reconstruction. The experience gives me the confidence to articulate solutions. I am now an informed skeptic and a Doctor of Business Administration. Since earning my degree at CalSouthern, I have started a private equity firm that develops major master-planned communities.
Accreditation
California Southern University is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
CalSouthern’s Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Business Administration degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Please visit the Accreditation & Licensure page to learn more.
CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all jurisdictions. CalSouthern does not accept applications from residents of Massachusetts, New York, and certain foreign countries.
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