Student Services
Online DBA program
The challenges facing the business world are numerous and complex, but they aren’t impossible to overcome. Concordia's online DBA program will transform your leadership skills, empowering you holistically. You will graduate ready to address challenges head-on, rooted in integrity, vigor, and passion.
Choose from one of our four concentration areas to step forward in your calling and career:
- Business Sustainability
- Financial & Economic Management
- Healthcare Administration
- Organization Change & Performance
Fast Facts
Customizable
Four distinct concentrations to customize your degree to transform your leadership and career.
Accelerated
Graduate in just 3-years with accelerated 8-week courses. Do you have transfer credits or completed ABD at another university? Learn about our transfer policy!
Accelerated
Transfer credits & All But Dissertation (ABD) pathway
Have you started your doctorate but never finished your dissertation? Our new ABD program provides an opportunity for students who have completed requirements for a doctorate at another institution, except your doctoral dissertation, to transfer in up to 30 credits to our DBA.
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.
- The average length of completion is 1.5 years.
- Upon dissertation completion, you will graduate with a Doctorate in Business Administration.
- Learn more!
Not sure what you can qualify for?
Book a call with our Inquiry Support Team and tell us your story.
Personal
Our unique cohort model enables you to get to know your classmates, professors, and dissertation chair. From the moment you request more information, you'll feel connected and supported at Concordia.
Get the information you need
We're here to help you discover your future
Program Features
Credits
60Online
Fully online courses with two short residencies, one at the beginning and one at the end of your program, enabling you to meet your cohort & professors
Dissertation
You'll be assigned a dissertation chair committed to helping you break your dissertation down into digestible pieces so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.
Online DBA 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.
Want to learn more about our DBA in sustainability? Register for our free upcoming webinar.
Financial & Economic Management
A DBA in finance will allow you to study how financial and economic theory impacts global and regional organizations. You’ll graduate well-versed in business and industry with the tools to stay current with trends while applying the concepts to organizational structure and productivity.
Healthcare administration
A doctorate in healthcare administration will allow you to study the administration of global healthcare systems while becoming well-versed in management and healthcare delivery. You’ll graduate fluent in the economics, financial limitations, and ethical and legal considerations of healthcare. Plus, you’ll learn from the significant number of healthcare administration organizations in Concordia’s network.
Organizational Change & Performance
Looking for a DBA in leadership? Learn the applied methods and theories addressing organizational improvement. Graduate with the skills you need to improve productivity and effectiveness while minimizing resistance to change at the employee, team, and organizational levels while unleashing your expertise. This is ideal for you if you see yourself in HR, learning & development, C-suite, consulting, etc
Credit breakdown
Year 1
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Scholarship | 3 |
| Organization Learning, Performance, & Change | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Statistics for Research | 1 |
| Quantitative Research Design | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Total Credits 20 | |
Year 2
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership | 3 |
| Scholarship Inquiry | 3 |
| Qualitative Research Design | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Doctoral Research & Writing I | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 |
| Doctoral Research & Writing II | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Total Credits 20 | |
Year 3
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Research & Writing III | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 |
| Servant & Ethical Leadership | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Business Intelligence & Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| Quantitative Business, Quality Management & Productivity | 3 |
| Dissertation Seminar & Advising | 1 |
| Dissertation DBA Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits 20 | |
Uncommon Support
What makes us different?
At Concordia, we understand obtaining your doctorate is no small feat. It's impossible to go at it alone, which is exactly why we are committed to supporting you no matter where you're at in your doctoral journey. From the moment you request information, throughout enrollment and your dissertation, you'll have someone with you every step of the way.
Our unique cohort style enables you to meet your professors and classmates and wrap up at a short 3-day residency at the beginning and end of your DBA program.
You'll feel connected and supported during your time at Concordia, and you'll graduate with a diverse network of cross-sector professionals.
Our program will prepare Christian leaders to make data-informed decisions through the study of real-world business and organizational trends. We will address not only quantitative business concepts but qualitative concepts as well. Our doctorate is much more balanced. The qualitative aspect of teaching the human element and a holistic approach sets us apart from other schools.
Cost Conversation
Tuition Deposit
$250Cost Per Credit
$867Funding your DBA
Concordia's payment plan allows you to break tuition into automatic monthly payments
Scholarships and financial aid are available for qualifying students.
Funding your DBA
Uncommon Scholarships
Concordia offers Uncommon Scholarships to help bring this investment in your future within reach. These scholarships, which range from $150-$500 per three-credit course, are available for:
- Concordia alumni
- Employees of our corporate and academic partners (AAH, Edcor, Bright Horizons, & more)
- Employees of qualifying Christian churches and schools
- Veterans and dependents
Tuition Reimbursement
Your employer/school district may offer tuition reimbursement, minimizing the cost to you. Ask your HR department if you are eligible.
Payment Plans
Concordia's payment plan allows you to break tuition into automatic monthly payments, making budgeting for your new career a reality.
Financial Aid
Qualifying students may be eligible for Federal Aid. When you fill out the FAFSA make sure to select Concordia University Wisconsin.
- CUW FAFSA code: 003842
Learn more about what our students are saying
On-demand DBA webinars
Learn about our new program director, the curriculum structure, new concentrations, dissertation, admissions process & more
On-demand DBA webinars
Previously recorded webinars:
- New concentration in Business Sustainability
- Meet Dr. Dana Sendziol, our new DBA director
- DBA experience - from a student's perspective
- What is a DBA and why Concordia?
- In-depth look at the three concentrations
- How to successfully complete your dissertation - includes cohort 1 student feedback
- DBA overview
- Overview of the three DBA concentrations
- The doctorate experience- What to expect
- How to complete your dissertation successfully
Frequently asked questions
The dissertation will typically range from 100 - 300 pages, it depends on your research topic and how you plan the study. The dissertation is divided up into five chapters. Intro, literature review, research methods, results, and discussion. You will walk with your faculty advisor to plan every step of your dissertation, so it's not a daunting project.
To be admitted into the DBA program, applicants must:
- No GMAT or GRE required
- Submit an application
- Master’s degree with a focus in business or another relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Obtained a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Submit official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Provide supporting evidence that you have completed an intermediate-level statistics course (MBA 510 or equivalent), or have equivalent work experience.
- Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references.
- Option to participate in a video-conference interview.
- 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 reserve the right to make necessary changes to admission requirements 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.