DBA
Self Design
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Program Overview
The Doctor of Business Administration program offers a unique, self-design option for candidates seeking to customize the specific area of emphasis. As a multidisciplinary, 100% online program designed for professional administrators, executives, and leaders in both public and private industry, the self-design emphasis offers an opportunity to tailor specialization coursework to meet the individual career needs of doctoral candidates. As with traditional DBA programs, the self-design option highlights the practical application of research to organizational challenges and emphasizes the importance of positive social impact. Students benefit from a curriculum focused upon real-world knowledge creation, executive-level problem-solving, thought-leadership in practice, and an intensive focus on applied research. The multidisciplinary approach to the curriculum prepares candidates for executive and/or administrative roles in government, corporate, nonprofit, educational, or community organizations.
Program Highlights
- All coursework is delivered 100% online.
- All textbooks and course materials are included with the cost of tuition – students NEVER pay for a textbook!
- Free laptop is included with the first course.
- No residencies required. Students have the option to participate on-campus or “virtually” via video teleconference residency or a 8 week seminar course. That’s right – the entire program can be completed 100% online. Our goal is to make doctoral-level credentials accessible to working executives on their terms.
- Includes a turnkey program price with tuition at $799/cr. and no hidden fees.
- Includes access to an industry-leading software platform designed to guide students through the dissertation process.
- Possible transfer credits (up to 12 credits) from a business related Master's degree earned at a regionally accredited school (e.g. MBA)
Admission Criteria
Required:
- A conferred master’s degree from a regionally accredited university;
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or higher, on a four-point scale in all graduate coursework;
- Three years, or more, of industry experience in the selected field of study;
- Official transcript(s) for Master's Degree;
- Program admission application;
- Program admission essay*, Resume/CV and 2 letters of reference
*Program admission essay is an opportunity to demonstrate to the committee why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of the Southwest and showcase graduate-level writing abilities for their consideration. The essay should be 1,000-1,500 words explaining what you hope to achieve by pursuing a doctoral degree, the personal strengths that will help you succeed in a doctoral program, and describe how obtaining a DBA will help you institute a positive social change within your chosen field or industry.
The College of Business Administration at the University of the Southwest has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE Member status page.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
University of the Southwest admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the institution. USW does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, physical handicap, or sex in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics and other university-administered programs.