2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Doctor Business Administration (DBA)

DBA-6950: Independent Study in Business Administration (1-6 hours)

DBA-7000: DBA Residency Experience I (1 hour)

The residency occurs during the first term of a student’s enrollment in the DBA program. It provides students the opportunity to meet professors and peers, as well as build a community that they can access throughout their program and beyond. Residencies provide a rich learning experience. Some of the competencies students will develop in Residency I include an introduction to the DBA research and dissertation process.

DBA-7010: Foundations of the Doctoral Experience (2 hours)

This course orients and provides students with the foundational tools they will need for success in writing course assignments, literature reviews, and the dissertation. APA style, scholarly writing, academic integrity, library literacy skills, and writing for an academic audience will be reviewed.

DBA-7020: Ethical Decision Making Within the Organization (3 hours)

A critical examination of the creative tension among the three principal components of organizational performance: leadership, social responsibility, and ethical decision making. This course examines the leader as the principal driving force of global performance, the role of sustainable social responsibility in the global world and the intricacies of ethical decision making in diverse cultures.

DBA-7030: Strategy and Innovation (3 hours)

This course reviews the key elements of strategy formation around innovation, its deployment and evaluation. Considered are the applications of strategic management with respect to innovation, the unique elements of innovation strategy deployment and the measurement and evaluation of strategy, once deployed.

DBA-7035: Strategy and Innovation (3 hours)

This course reviews the key elements of strategy formation around innovation, its deployment and evaluation. Considered are the applications of strategic management with respect to innovation, the unique elements of innovation strategy deployment and the measurement and evaluation of strategy, once deployed. Replaces: DBA-7030.

DBA-7040: Business Operations (3 hours)

This course provides the tools and knowledge to enable leaders to synchronize and optimize value from existing human, physical, and intangible resources. Such knowledge facilitates prudent deployment of organizational assets, including an understanding of the cultural context in which the organization operates.

DBA-7050: Business Analytics and Financial Decision Making (3 hours)

This course provides experience and application in predictive analysis and advanced data analytics to discover new business trends. It provides for powerful new visualization that empowers the use of big data in reaching financial decisions that support effective global planning strategies for identifying and taking advantage of new global market opportunities.

DBA-7060: Strategic Marketing (3 hours)

In this course, students will evaluate marketing challenges that require strategic thinking, creativity and an innovative mindset. . The contemporary technology-driven nature of business requires innovative thinking in marketing strategies; thus, students will formulate strategic marketing solutions to effectuate change.

DBA-7070: Strategic Marketing (3 hours)

In this course, students will evaluate marketing challenges that require strategic thinking, creativity and an innovative mindset. The contemporary technology-driven nature of business requires innovative thinking in marketing strategies; thus, students will formulate strategic marketing solutions to effectuate change. Replaces: DBA-7060.

DBA-7200: DBA Residency Experience II (1 hour)

Students who have approved prospectuses will emerge with a plan for writing chapters 1-3 of the proposal. Pre- and post-work encompasses the term. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7000.

DBA-7300: DBA Residency Experience III (1 hour)

This course is taken after the proposal is written, with the goal of preparing students to collect data and write chapters 4-5 of the dissertation. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7200.

DBA-7401: Mentor Course Room 1 (3 hours)

This course is the first of three 8-week classroom experiences required to complete the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program. In these virtual courses learners work intensively to complete foundational elements of their applied business studies to advance the progress of their research. In this course room, the learner works with his or her mentor to: a) obtain final mentor approval of all sections of Chapter 1, b) Draft Chapter 2: Literature Review following the DBA Rubric, and c) Outline Chapter 3: Methodology Plan Document to meet the DBA Rubric. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7405.

DBA-7402: Mentor Course Room 2 (3 hours)

This course is the second of three 8-week classroom experiences required to complete the Doctor of Business (DBA) Program. In these virtual Course Rooms learners work intensively to: a) finalize and obtain committee approval of the research proposal (Chapters 1, 2, and 3) b) prepare a presentation for the proposal defense and c) schedule the proposal defense. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7407.

DBA-7403: Mentor Course Room 3 (3 hours)

This course is the third of three 8-week classroom experiences required to complete the Doctor of Business (DBA) Program. In these virtual Course Rooms learners work intensively to complete foundational elements of their applied business studies to advance the progress of their research. In the course, the learner works with his or her mentor to a) revise Chapters 1, 2, and 3 as needed for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and b) begin data collection. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7408.

DBA-7404: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 1 (1 hour)

This course is the third of three 8-week classroom experiences required to complete the Doctor of Business (DBA) Program. In these virtual Course Rooms learners work intensively to complete foundational elements of their applied business studies to advance the progress of their research. In the course, the learner works with his or her mentor to a) revise Chapters 1, 2, and 3 as needed for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and b) begin data collection. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7408.

DBA-7405: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 2 (1 hour)

This course is the second dissertation research and writing processes. In the course the learner works with his or her mentor to a) develop an appropriate scholarly foundation for the proposed study, b) draft to meet the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Rubric all sections of Chapter 1. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7404.

DBA-7406: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 3 (1 hour)

This course is the third accompanying mentor course room in the dissertation research and writing processes. In the course the learner works with his or her mentor to a) obtain final mentor approval of all sections of Chapter 2: Literature Review. b) Draft Chapter 3: Methodology and c) complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certification programs, Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7401.

DBA-7407: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 4 (1 hour)

This course continues the dissertation research and writing processes. In the course the learner works with his or her mentor to a) obtain mentor approval of all sections of Chapter 3: Methodology, and share the research proposal (Chapters 1, 2, and 3) with committee members for review and comment. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7406.

DBA-7408: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 5 (1 hour)

This course continues the dissertation research and writing processes of the Doctor of Business (DBA) Program. In the course the learner works with his or her mentor to: a) complete oral proposal defense of the research proposal (Chapters 1, 2, and 3) before committee members, and b) obtain approval from committee members for submission of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 (the dissertation proposal) to the Institutional Review Board. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7402.

DBA-7409: Accompanying Mentor Course Room 6 (1 hour)

This course continues the dissertation research and writing processes of the Doctor of Business (DBA) Program. In the course the learner works with his or her mentor to: a) finish the data for the study b) draft Chapter 4: Data Results and Analysis following the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Rubric c) draft Chapter 5: Implications and Conclusions following the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Rubric. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the proposed study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7403.

DBA-7605: Quantitative Data Analysis for Applied Business Research (3 hours)

This course builds on concepts of quantitative data analysis provided in previous doctoral coursework. Students will examine critically literature of statistical theory related to quantitative applied business research. Independent evaluation of underlying assumptions and requirements of statistical design and techniques offers students opportunities to assess global trends and formulate innovative business solutions. Coursework will incorporate the use of statistical software to construct a data-driven approach to business and leadership inquiry. Students will evaluate the worth of descriptive and inferential statistics using both non-parametric and parametric techniques utilized by business scholars and practitioners to effectuate change in global business environments.

DBA-7700: Qualitative Data Analysis for Applied Business Research (3 hours)

Builds on concepts of qualitative data analysis provided in previous doctoral coursework. Students will examine literature of social science theories and conceptual models used in applied business research. Independent evaluation of underlying assumptions and requirements of qualitative designs, data collection, and coding.

DBA-7705: Qualitative Data Analysis for Business Research (3 hours)

Builds on concepts of qualitative data analysis provided in previous doctoral coursework. Students will examine literature of social science theories and conceptual models used in applied business research. Independent evaluation of underlying assumptions and requirements of qualitative designs, data collection, and coding. Replaces: DBA-7700.

DBA-7901: Doctoral Research Design for Business (4 hours)

Research methods and designs for contemporary business applications require an approach suitable for inquiry by social scientists that is grounded in the scholarly and practitioner literature. In this course students will consider both theoretical foundations and practical considerations in undertaking qualitative and quantitative research studies. The placement of this course early in the DBA program offers students the opportunity to consider prospectively the attributes and qualities offered by research designs as they undertake drafting the DBA research proposal.

DBA-8000: Dissertation Session 1 (3 hours)

This course is first of two final classroom experiences in which learners finalize their research study. In the course, the learner works with his or her mentor to: a) finalize Chapter 4: Data Results and Analysis to meet the Doctorate of Business ("DBA") Rubric, b) finalize Chapter 5: Implications and Conclusions to meet the Doctorate of Business ("DBA") Rubric, and c) revise Chapters 1, 2, and 3 to the past tense, as well as draft remaining portions of the study such as the abstract, dedication, acknowledgements, table of contents, reference page, appendices, and the like. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: B or higher in DBA-7409. Pass/Fail only.

DBA-8010: Dissertation Session 2 (3 hours)

This course is the final classroom experience for the dissertation research and writing process. In the course, the learner works with his or her mentor to: a) submit the entire study to the members of the Committee for review and comment, b) make revisions as required to study based on Committee review, c) complete the oral argument of entire study before Committee members, and d) obtain final approval of entire study and oral argument from Committee, and e) complete any remaining graduation requirements. Interaction between the learner and mentor is facilitated through written submissions of the study elements, as well as biweekly virtual conferences between the mentor and learner. Prerequisite: P in DBA-8000. Pass/Fail only.

DBA-8020: Dissertation Continued Studies (0 hours)

An 8-week course where students work intensely with their mentor and committee to complete the dissertation graduation requirements. Students must remain continuously enrolled each term and complete DBA-8020 until they obtain final approvals and qualify to graduate. Students will be charged one billing hour for each registration in the course until the students have successfully defended their dissertation. There is no limitation on the number of terms a student may enroll although there is a limit to the number of years a student may continue working on their dissertation. This course is not credit bearing. Prerequisite: P in DBA-8000 and DBA-8010. Pass/Fail only.

DBA-8021: Dissertation Continued Studies (0 hours)

Like DBA-8020, this is an 8-week course, offered in the second 8-weeks of every term. Students must remain continuously enrolled each term and complete DBA-8020/ DBA-8021 until they obtain final approvals and qualify to graduate. Students will be charged one billing hour for each registration in the course until the students have successfully defended their dissertation. There is no limitation on the number of terms a student may enroll although there is a limit to the number of years a student may continue working on their dissertation. This course is not credit bearing. Prerequisite: P in DBA-8020. Pass/Fail only.