Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
Earn your Doctorate of Business Administration 100% online from California Intercontinental University, a program built for experienced professionals ready to lead at the highest level. Strengthen your decision-making, sharpen your research and writing skills, and position yourself for lasting impact in business or academia.
Pursue the career you envision, on your schedule, with CIU’s accredited Doctorate of Business Administration.
Designed for working professionals, this program prepares you to advance in your current role or explore new opportunities. You’ll master advanced decision-making techniques, refine research and writing skills, and be ready for high-level responsibility in both academic and business environments.
Career Outcomes:
Graduates of this program are prepared for roles such as:
Management
Consultant
College
Professor
C-Level
Executive
Financial
Manager
Health Services
Manager
Who Is the DBA For?
Whether your goal is to lead large teams, launch and grow your own business, or teach and conduct research at the university level, this degree is designed to help you reach it.
The DBA program invites executives, professors, and consultants to leverage their experience to design and manage large-scale systems in today’s complex, multi-sector economy.
What you’ll learn:
• Communicate effectively to assess business challenges and identify opportunities in a global economy shaped by competition, change, and uncertainty.
• Build and apply data-driven insights to deliver competitive market analysis.
• Use applied research and proven business strategies to drive growth and development.
• Analyze complex organizational challenges and evaluate multiple solutions.
• Apply critical thinking, ethical and legal perspectives, and proven management practices to make sound, strategic decisions.
Online Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA-GEN) Course Curriculum:
The DBA requires 60 semester credits, including 30 credits of Business Core courses, 15 credits of Specialization Electives, a Comprehensive Competency Assessment, and 15 credits dedicated to your dissertation.
1. Business Core Courses: 30 Credits/10 Courses
- ECO 615 – Global Economy
- FIN 605 – Global Business Finance
- GRC 600 – Doctoral Academic Study and Writing
- GRC 605 – Business Research Methodology and Quantitative Statistics
- MGT 616 – Organizational Change and Development in Management System
- MGT 610 – Mastering Leadership: Theories and Concepts
- MGT 618 – International Business
- MGT 662 – Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- MKT 640 – E-Commerce Models and Applications
- ACC 601– Advanced Accounting
2. Specialization Courses: 15 Credits/5 Courses
- Specialization Elective
- Specialization Elective
- Specialization Elective
- Specialization Elective
- Specialization Elective
3. Comprehensive Competency Assessment: 0 Credits/1 Course
- Comprehensive Competency Assessment
4. Research Project or Doctorate Dissertation Courses: 15 Credits/5 Courses
A. Research Project
- DRP 801 – Introduction to Doctoral Research Project
- DRP 802 – Doctoral Research Project Literature Support
- DRP 803 – Doctoral Research Project Research Methodology
- DRP 804 – Doctoral Research Project Results and Findings
- DRP 805 – Doctoral Research Project Conclusions and Recommendations / Final Oral Presentation
B. Graduate Level Research
- GRC 641 – Chapter 1 Dissertation Introduction
- GRC 642 – Chapter 2 Dissertation Literature Review
- GRC 643 – Chapter 3 Dissertation Methodology
- GRC 644 – Chapter 4 Dissertation Results and Findings
- GRC 645 – Chapter 5 Dissertation Conclusions and Recommendations / Dissertation Oral Defense
Admission Requirements
1) Master’s Degree
2) Curriculum Vitae / Professional Résumé
3) Completed Application for Admission
Online DBA Degree Tuition
| Tuition Per Credit | $528 |
| Total Tuition Per Course Including E-Books | $1,779 |
| Total Tuition | $36,675 |
Online DBA Degree: Accredited Programs
Click a specialization option to learn more:
With an Accredited Doctorate in Business Administration Online Degree, Your Effort Matters
California Intercontinental University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Our business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Earn Your Doctorate in Business Administration Online Degree
Earn your doctorate 100% online while managing work and family commitments. At CIU, you’ll take one course at a time, each just six weeks long, building industry-specific expertise that propels your career forward. Study from anywhere in the world, at your pace.
Start at CIU Now!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is CIU accredited, and by whom?
California Intercontinental University is:
- Institutionally Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- A recognized member institution of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Licensed to operate by the California Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE)
- Programmatically Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
What support services are available for students?
CIU offers various support services, including an extensive online LIRN Library.
Are there networking opportunities for DBA students?
Yes, CIU’s DBA program is designed to create valuable connections that advance students’ career goals, fostering meaningful networking opportunities.
Can I access course materials and lectures from anywhere?
Absolutely, CIU’s 100% online programs provide flexibility for students to access course materials and lectures from anywhere at any time.
How can I apply for financial aid or scholarships?
CIU’s Financial Aid Department assists eligible applicants with FAFSA applications, directs them to scholarship programs, and provides information about financial aid packages.
What are the admission requirements for CIU's Online DBA program?
To enroll in CIU’s Online DBA program, applicants need:
- A properly completed Application Form, available at CIU’s website.
- An in-depth interview with a CIU Admissions Advisor
- An application fee of $45
- A clear and legible copy of government-issued photo identification
- Completion of an Enrollment Agreement
- A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional resume
- At least 3-5 years professional experience in a corporate, business, or entrepreneurial environment
- Documentation of an official transcript evidencing completion of a Master’s degree
Can I transfer credits to the DBA program, and what is the process?
Yes, CIU’s Transfer Credit policy allows for evaluating transfer credits based on guidelines from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The process involves submitting documentation, including transcripts and course outlines.
How does a DBA differ from a PhD in Management?
A DBA focuses on applied research and practical knowledge, preparing graduates for high-level roles in business. In contrast, a PhD in Management emphasizes theoretical study and academia.
How do you choose a DBA program?
When selecting a DBA program, consider factors such as accreditation, flexibility, curriculum, and support services, ensuring it aligns with your career goals and learning preferences.
What jobs can you have with a DBA?
Graduates with a DBA can pursue various high-level positions, including C-Level Executive, Management Consultant, College Professor, Financial Manager, and Health Services Manager.
How do you choose a DBA specialization?
To choose a DBA specialization, consider your interests, career goals, and the specific focus areas offered by the program. Evaluate how each specialization aligns with your professional aspirations and skill development needs.
Does this program require a dissertation?
This is a doctorate program without a dissertation. Instead, it is designed to be finished with a Doctoral Research Project.
