The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program at Concordia University will prepare you as a leader to make data-informed decisions.
What is the DBA Program?
Through a balanced approach of theory and practice, studying trends, and real-life case studies, you’ll gain the skills you need to lead at the next level. You’ll gain knowledge of quantitative and qualitative business concepts which will prepare you to become a scholar-practitioner. A scholar-practitioner is able to both conduct and read research. Additionally, they can apply the research to their own context.
How does a DBA benefit me?
“A DBA degree can benefit individuals who serve in various capacities and come from varied professional backgrounds,” states Dr. Matthew Hurtienne, Concordia’s School of Business Dean. “Many of our current students are looking for ways to better themselves and the teams that they serve. Most serve in a leadership capacity and have master’s degrees. They’re often looking for ways to stand out above a master’s degree that set many apart from a few years ago. In a sense, the DBA is the new MBA.”
Why Choose Concordia?
Concordia takes an Uncommon approach to the DBA model. We’re here to support you from beginning to end. You’ll have faculty support as you choose your classes and your dissertation topic.
You’ll get the chance to network with our industry partners and learn from the best. Additionally, we have a scholar-practitioner focus and concepts that you can use in the workplace quickly.
One unique aspect is the approach to the dissertation. Our DBA students begin working on their dissertations at the start of the program versus other programs that wait until the end.
Concordia’s program is built on our solid educational foundation. Our legacy and program strength are second to none, but the interpersonal experience at Concordia is what truly makes us Uncommon.
Check out our DBA program webinar to learn more.
Passionate Faculty
All of the faculty are scholarly practitioners, meaning they have their doctorates and are industry experts. The professors bring their own experiences to class, and you should do the same.
“Concordia’s DBA faculty are well established in their fields of study and embody the scholar-practitioner approach espoused in the program. We have leading faculty in organizational performance and change, sustainability, healthcare, and finance and economics” states Hurtienne.
What is Concordia’s curriculum model?
“All aspects of our coursework are able to be applied at work immediately.” -Dr. Matthew Hurtienne, Program Director
The DBA program uses an Applied Learning Model, which means that all of the coursework should relate to real life on the job. For example, if you gain new insight into an economic theory or you interact with an industry expert who was guest lecturing, you will be able to apply whatever you learned to your work right away. You’ll not only learn from faculty but also from peers in your cohort.
The Cohort Model
You’ll benefit from the small cohort size. This allows you to build lifelong relationships, receive peer mentoring, and collaborate on case studies and projects in a meaningful and effective way. In addition to peer support, you’ll get a mentor for one-on-one guidance to help with your research process and capstone.
Choose from four Concentrations
Within the DBA, you’ll choose a concentration to focus on during your degree. There are four to choose from and are specialized to give you the skills and insights you need to achieve your goals.
Financial & Economic Management:
Choose this concentration if you love finance and economics and want to make data-based decisions. You’ll be well-versed in business and industry, and you’ll have the tools to stay current with the trends. You want to think critically about economic concepts like free enterprise.
Organizational Change & Performance:
Choose this concentration if you want to improve productivity and effectiveness as a leader. You want to learn the skills you need to do this at the employee level, team level, and/or organizational level. You’ll learn to unleash your expertise so a change can be made. This is ideal for you if you see yourself in HR, learning & development, C-suite, consulting, etc.
Healthcare Administration:
Choose this concentration if you want to analyze the current state of healthcare and become well-versed in management and the healthcare delivery system. You’ll be fluent in the economics of healthcare, as well as the financial limitations of healthcare. You’ll get the chance to learn from the significant number of healthcare administration organizations in Concordia’s network.
Business Sustainability:
Choose this concentration if you want to examine multiple methods to assess environmental risks and innovate sustainable solutions in order to implement strategies that generate value and increase competitiveness through business sustainability.
What is the workload like for the DBA program?
As you probably guessed, a doctoral program requires a high level of commitment. During your residency, we will set the workload expectations and give you tools to help you manage your time and coursework.
Each class is 8 weeks and is interactive. These courses are not self-paced, so you’ll be experiencing the content along with your classmates. At the minimum, you should expect 10 hours per week of coursework.
How long is the DBA program?
This is a 3-year program at the minimum, and it’s built this way for you. We want you to start this program to finish this program and not get derailed during your research process.
The program could take you longer, depending on how aggressive you are with your research topic. You’ll actually take research courses as a part of the core curriculum. These classes are built to help you write your dissertation’s literature review and methodology section.
At Concordia, you get to research your topic while taking courses as opposed to waiting until you’re at the end of your coursework. You’ll work with us to build up your faculty review committee for your dissertation along the way.
How much does the DBA program cost?
This program is $890 per credit hour, and it’s 60 total credits. If you plan to use FAFSA, remember that you can use these funds to help cover room and board and travel expenses during your residency.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes. If you’re an alumnus of Concordia, you’re eligible for the Alumni Scholarship, which is $500 per course. We also have numerous Business Community Partners, so if you work at one of these businesses, you are eligible for our Business Community Scholarship. Concordia also offers Veteran scholarships and scholarships for those in public and Christian places of education.
When it comes to funding your education, be sure to check with your employer to see if they will pay a portion of your tuition.
Learn more about our Uncommon Scholarships.
Application Requirements
Here is a list of what you need to do to apply:
- Apply at cuw.edu/apply
- Submit the following:
- Official Transcript
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Candidate Interview
Once you’re accepted, you’ll pay a $250 deposit that secures your seat within 30 days which goes toward your tuition.
Feeling Inspired?
Learn more about the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program here.
This blog was originally published on December 14, 2020, and is updated to reflect current information.