Introduction The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctoral degree program designed to advance a candidate’s knowledge of business administration through applied research. Designed with working professionals in mind, the DBA is a part-time program offered through a combination of online coursework and Zoom enabled remote delivery, with on-campus engagement opportunities for local students to allow faculty and students to interact and form connections in real time. DBA graduates may seek careers as business leaders, consultants, or business educators. DBA Program The DBA curriculum is designed to blend theory and practice to provide students with the ability to deeply examine all the functional areas of business. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate and solve real-world problems and create new knowledge. The program is 60 semester hours. After completion of the Research and Methods courses, DBA students will be required to take and pass a Preliminary Exam within two semesters of having completed RES 714. Upon successful completion of the Preliminary Exam, students will begin the 15 hour dissertation process.
Program Time Limits and Residency Requirements All students enrolled in the program must successfully complete all required coursework, pass the Preliminary Exam and Proposal Presentation Defense within a maximum of seven years (84 months) after commencing the program. The Doctoral Committee will review any exceptions beyond the stated criteria.
Admitted students will receive a handbook containing other information pertinent to the doctoral program.
The Doctoral Handbook serves as program guidance and governance for doctoral students. The Doctoral Handbook will cover course and grading policies; academic progress structures; Preliminary Exam and Proposal Presentation Defense requirements; program governance and student compliance details; and dissertation specifications.
*ACBSP requires new programs to be in place for two years and have graduates from the program before it will be reviewed for accreditation.
Online Course Orientation The free and no credit Moodle orientation (MDL*001*R1) is mandatory for all students. MDL*001*R1 must be taken prior to the start of the first course.
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Students must complete the prescribed requirements to graduate with a doctoral degree from Walsh:
Complete the program of study within a period of 84 calendar months (seven years) from the initial date of course enrollment (as designated by the first semester attended on the student’s Walsh transcript). Extensions to this time requirement will only be granted upon review of the request by the Doctoral Program Director or designee.
Students preparing for graduation must file an official Application for Graduation Form with the Records and Registration office. Students can make an appointment with the Doctoral Program Advisor to review graduation requirements.
Earn a minimum 60 doctoral semester credit hours, which may include up to a maximum of 30 semester credit hours of advanced standing, therefore requiring 30 semester credit hours in residence in the doctoral program.
Prepare and successfully defend the Dissertation Proposal.
Prepare and successfully defend the final Dissertation.
Achieve a cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.000) or better within the degree requirements at Walsh.
Students can view their program completion progress any time by logging into Self-Service for Students through the portal and clicking on “My Progress.”