Best Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programs

While a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) can open doors to leadership positions, it may take a DBA degree to be competitive for a seat in the C-suite, one of the coveted chief executive positions. These advanced degrees demonstrate crucial decision-making and management skills beyond the level attained by most job candidates, including those with an MBA. A DBA also offers greater earning potential than an MBA, increasing from the average of about $90,000 for an MBA to around $102,300 for a DBA, according to Payscale.

For those considering pivoting to a teaching role, most postsecondary business education roles require a Ph.D. However, there may be some opportunities for DBA holders at community colleges. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected employment demand for these roles is growing much faster than average.

Finally, online DBA programs offer valuable networking opportunities with people at a similar level in their career.

Students considering an online business administration doctorate program should have a master's degree from an accredited university. Many programs, but not all, require this degree to be in a business concentration.

Universities may also require some or all of the following as part of the admissions process:

• Resume
• Interview
• Essay or personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• GMAT scores
• Previous academic record (minimum grade point averages)
• Professional achievements
• Prerequisite courses

In addition to the educational credentials, many DBA programs either prefer or require applicants to have at least 10-15 years of hands-on senior management or C-suite experience. Prospective students may also need to pay an application fee.

Students in online Doctor of Business Administration programs should expect to learn research methods and conduct business-related research projects. Beyond research, courses often cover a range of business topics from organizational change and risk management to management theory. These programs are extremely rigorous, taking students beyond what they may have learned in an MBA program.

Online DBA programs may not be entirely online. Many programs require a few face-to-face sessions over the course of study, so potential students should be sure to note whether this is the case in their shortlisted programs and determine whether it's possible to travel to campus.

How Long is an Online Doctor of Business Administration Program?

Online DBA programs require 48-60 credits. Students pursuing this degree could complete it in three to five years, depending on how the program is structured, whether they opt for a full-time or a part-time program, and their dissertation results. Typically, it is offered as a three-year program, with the first two years focusing on study and preparation for the third year's dissertation.

Courses for online Doctor of Business Administration programs vary by university, but the common thread is a strong focus not only on business but also research. This degree requires strong critical thinking and applied research skills.

With the heavy focus on research, it should come as no surprise that courses focusing on research skills or methods comprise the bulk of the curriculum common to online DBA programs. Even courses focusing on other areas may be presented as foundational to answering research questions. For example, a course about marketing may offer coursework around how to research marketing strategy as a dissertation topic.

Programs with greater specialization will include more courses supporting the selected topics. Below are a few courses that are fairly common across many programs.

Research Methods

Due to the need to produce original research for the dissertation, research methods courses are included in online DBA programs. This includes both qualitative and quantitative research, as well as statistical analysis. Students may expect to learn how to apply the scientific method to business and how to carry out advanced research methods like regression analysis.

International Business

Many organizations are multinational, and even those that aren't global need to consider factors beyond the local in today's fast-changing business landscape. Coursework in international business prepares DBA students to think critically about business operations from a variety of angles, including finance, market entry, and innovation.

Marketing

Programs including marketing courses tend to focus on marketing strategy. Students may be asked to consider how marketing resources can best support organizational objectives, or critically examine the decision-making process behind goal setting, market selection, and industry analysis. Some programs include ethics as marketing considerations, as well as executing an analysis of marketing frameworks.

Leadership

With many DBA holders pursuing C-suite or other leadership roles in companies and nonprofit organizations, leadership or management theory frequently appear in course catalogues. Leadership courses might include evaluation of various theories, succeeding with global or diverse teams, or change management. Students may also be asked to consider leadership ethics.

Where the MBA tends to be a more general degree, the DBA offers more opportunities to specialize. For example, students might consider a doctorate in the following areas:

• Strategic management: Focusing on the organizational strategic objectives, goals, and activities.
• Healthcare management: Administration and management of healthcare systems, hospitals, or public health systems.
• Supply chain management: Managing the process of moving resources and inventory for an organization's production needs.
• Business analytics: Applying statistical methods to business data to determine the best courses of action for an organization.

Students could also look beyond roles focusing on business functions. With the BLS showing the projected growth in cybersecurity and information technology jobs to be over 30% from 2019-2029, information security and management could be another area of specialization, particularly for those with a technical background who are looking to move into leadership roles.

Students will complete their doctoral program with a dissertation. The entire last year of a three-year program is usually devoted to the dissertation which draws heavily on the research method courses taken earlier in the degree program. The professional experience and personal interests of the student can be pulled in here as well to inform potential research topics.

The dissertation should explore an original, unique research topic since doctoral students are expected to produce new additions to the academic literature. A faculty chair, along with a dissertation committee, will have the final say over the topic's approval.

Getting approval requires writing a proposal, which is effectively the early stages of the research paper. Proposals include the reason or gap prompting the research, a literature review, and the research design and methodology. Due to the human nature of business, candidates should be sure to consider ethics as they design their projects. When the proposal is complete, it is submitted for approval by a review board. Upon approval, the research can begin.

Doctoral candidates will also need to orally defend their completed dissertation. A dissertation defense involves presenting and discussing the research and findings with the dissertation committee. In some programs, students may also participate in a symposium where the research of a cohort is presented.

Choosing the best online DBA program can be challenging. Some factors to consider include the following.

Cost: Program costs vary by institution and region. There may also be additional costs associated with getting to campus, for those online programs that have an in-person or on-campus component.

Coursework: Some programs focus on a wider variety of business topics, while others emphasize research more. Think about personal strengths and interests, and how coursework could support both.

Specializations: Which specializations are offered? Are there any that are niche or unique, which could help with standing out in future job searches? Given the intensive research focus, applicants should also consider how their personal experience and investigative interests align with specializations.

Graduate outcomes: What's the institution and program's track record for ongoing support, employment, salaries, and networking upon graduation? Make sure these are in line with personal and professional goals.

Enrollment limitations: Programs may only be available to apply or start at certain times of the year. Many programs require a business-focused master's degree, while some allow greater flexibility.

Technical limitations: Given the digital and virtual nature of an online DBA program, prospective students should also consider any potential technical concerns with the internet or hardware.

Life fit: Doctorate programs are hard work. Consider how much flexibility a given program offers and how that fits into life and employment needs. For example, are weekend classes required by the school (or desired by the student)?

When researching online DBA programs, it's important to find options offered by accredited schools. Accreditation is optional, but it ensures certain educational quality standards have been met.

Institutions may have accreditation awarded at different levels: regional and national. Cost, tuition reimbursement, and standards vary depending on the accreditation method. If prestige, financial aid, or credit transfers are important, look for a school that is regionally accredited by one of the following agencies.

• The New England Accreditation of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accredits learning institutions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
• The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accredits institutions in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits institutions in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
• The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) covers Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
• The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits academic institutions in California, Hawaii, and Pacific US territories

Accreditation needs to be renewed on a regular basis. It is not an indication of an institution's ranking, only the quality of the education they provide.

Jobs which either require or are supported by business administration doctorate degrees tend to have average or better-than-average growth projections ranging up to 14% from 2019-2029 according to the BLS. As may be expected, these roles also tend to come with salaries averaging in the six figures. Some of these roles will have higher demand or offer more pay depending on the industry or sector of both the organization and the job seeker.

While the C-suite might be the first role that comes to mind for DBAs, there are other areas both within businesses and outside of business where this degree can apply.

Chief Executive

Chief executives include not just the CEO, but also the chief financial officer, chief information officer, chief marketing officer, and other C-suite roles. These individuals make the tough calls that can lead a company to success, not only for their departments but for the organization as a whole.

Salary for these roles varies depending on the specialization, with chief information officer and chief technology officer coming in a little higher than chief executive officer. According to Payscale, CEOs earn $155,700 per year as an average base salary while the BLS gives a median salary of $175,110. Many chief executives can also earn bonuses, profit sharing, and commission, depending on the company and industry. Chief executives with leadership, strategy, investment, and management skills may earn above-average pay.

Demand for top executives is anticipated to grow at about 4% (as fast as average) from 2019-2029, according to the BLS.

Management Consultant or Analyst

Management consultants work with companies in need of support with identifying, researching, analyzing, and finding solutions to organizational problems and risks.

Payscale reports that management consultants can earn an average of $88,310 per year, with additional income from bonuses, profit sharing, or commissions. Important skills for management consultants include project management, business strategy, and process improvement.

According to the BLS , demand for management consultants is anticipated to grow 11% between 2019-2029, which is much faster than average.

Economist

This might not be the first job a business doctorate would think of, but demand is expected to grow 14% between 2019-2029 according to the BLS - much faster than average.

Working as an economist typically requires a great deal of research and analysis, skills that are honed by DBA programs. Expect to dig into economic issues at the local or federal level, analyze market trends, and write articles. Economists with a business background can bring their real-world experience into the theoretical considerations that inform big-picture employment concerns. The BLS says the average salary is about $108,350 per year.

Financial aid is available for students in doctoral programs. One common option is US federal aid in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, or loans, which can be applied for via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The federal government also offers special programs for military families and veterans. FAFSA deadlines vary by state and school.

Another federal option is the PLUS Loan, which covers tuition, fees, and other expenses for graduate and professional students. Be sure to check whether shortlisted schools participate in the application process for this loan.

Other financial aid options include:

• Fellowships and scholarships offered by the university, for example, these by Temple University
• Grants, some of which focus on specific or niche areas of research
• Payment plans
• Working as a teaching assistant

Applicants from under-represented populations may be able to find scholarships or fellowships designed exclusively to support them, so it's worth taking a look for assistance options that take this into consideration. The Ph.D. Project offers a number of starting points for research. With many online DBA programs being part-time, some students may opt to continue working if they are already doing so.