Take your business skills to the top with a Hult DBA
The Doctorate in Business Administration is a terminal degree rooted in relevance and applied research. It is a professional doctorate for those made to do – our students come from various backgrounds, from executives in multinational companies, and lecturers at several universities to founders of their businesses. The program leverages Hult’s experience in teaching practical business education and conducting research in a global context to help experienced businesspeople driven to advance their own careers and shape the future of business.
Join your peers in weekly live online sessions and meet in-person, three times a year, on one of Hult’s global campuses. Graduate in 2.5 years with a US-accredited doctoral degree and the skills to improve business practice around the world.
Key program features
Flexible, accelerated study
Hybrid part-time / 2.5 years
A community-based approach to learning
Dedicated supervisor support
Global residency rotation
Access to world-renowned, research-active faculty
Your DBA at a glance
Begin your doctoral journey by identifying and exploring a major business challenge that's directly relevant to you and not currently addressed by contemporary theories. Your research will lead you to create rigorous tools to address that problem and improve the practice of management long-term. Candidates for the Doctor of Business Administration program will receive support to generate new knowledge and become scholar-practitioners who can enhance their organizations’ performance through evidence-based practice. In addition to learning statistical methods and learning how to write three publishable papers, which can be further published in academic or practitioner outlets, you’ll also conduct two practicums. These practicums will guide students, clients, and peers from your own company and industry in recognizing, and solving, the business problem.
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Conceptual Paper
This publishable paper builds upon the concepts of systematic literature reviews and theoretical foundations of researched business problems to derive novel, testable propositions from the author’s experience and extant literature.
Course: Problem Formation
Practicum 1
DBA students will lead a workshop to teach non-DBA students, corporate peers, and clients from their organizations. The purpose of this presentation is to strengthen students’ ability to synthesize several research phases and communicate them to non-academic audiences in a thoughtful, persuasive, and effective manner that can drive impactful change.
Course: Visualization & Communication
Quantitative Paper 1
The second publishable paper is a result of a four-course series focused on statistical analyses, data collection, visualization, and academic writing. Students build upon the conceptual framework laid out in their first paper to produce a full publishable academic paper detailing their primary research methods as it relates to their problem of practice. Students are encouraged to submit this paper to academic conferences.
Course: Quantitative Research Methods 1; Data Collection: Surveys; Visualization & Communication; Academic Writing
Practicum 2
DBA students will lead a second workshop focusing on their conclusions from the execution and evaluation of their applied research on a problem of practice. Like the first practicum, the goal of this workshop is to drive change through impact-driven research presentations.
Course: Data Interpretation
Quantitative Paper 2
This key program assessment is a result of a three-course sequence that trains students to identify and plan the execution of their data-driven solution. Students are also encouraged to submit this paper to academic or practitioner conferences.
Course: Quantitative Research Methods 2; Data Interpretation; Dissemination
Dissertation
The final dissertation is a result of a two-course sequence where students collaborate predominantly with their supervisors to update and integrate the three major academic papers into a single dissertation. Students will be required to present the written document along with an oral defense (viva) to the Dissertation Committee.
Course: Dissertation Construction; Dissertation Defense
Meet the Deans and Faculty
Faculty at Hult teach and help students apply tools and theories to solve major, contemporary business problems. The faculty selected to teach the Doctorate in Business Administration are award-winning researchers in both academic- and practitioner-related channels.
- Dr. Dina Dommett, Dean of Faculty & Doctoral Programs
- Dr. Viktoria Dalko, DBA Associate Dean and Professor of Finance
- Dr. Johan Roos, Chief Academic Officer and Professor of General Management and Strategy
- Dr. Mark Esposito, Professor and Director of the Research Impact Lab on Future Readiness
- Dr. Matt Gitsham, Professor and Director of the Research Impact Lab on Business and Society
- Dr. Vicki Culpin, Professor of Organizational Behavior
- Dr. Alessandro Lanteri, Research Fellow and Professor of Strategy
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FAQs
We're here to help! Find the answers to your most commonly asked questions below.
If you can't find an answer to your question then please contact us.
Where is the program accredited?
The Hult DBA is a US degree, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accrediting organization recognized by the US Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional accreditation is considered the most prestigious form of accreditation in the US. As a US degree, the Hult DBA can be attested anywhere.
Can I become a professor with this DBA?
The DBA is a terminal degree and academic equivalent of a PhD, EdD, etc. DBA graduates are qualified to begin or continue a career in academia as professors and scholars. Therefore, you may apply to academic positions that require terminal degrees. Note that the Hult DBA does not offer content courses or specializations in business and management. Candidates who require postgraduate course credits to teach in this field may take additional courses separate from the DBA.
Can I choose which campus I complete my residencies on?
No. Hult DBA residencies operate in a rotational format and in a specific order.
Can I still apply if I have a master's in a non-business-related field?
Candidates without a business-related master’s degree must provide evidence of at least 12 postgraduate-level credits in business. This could be in the form of a postgraduate certificate or diploma (note that the content must be appropriate and cover all areas of business). Alternatively, you may take courses in one of Hult’s part-time MBA programs.
What is the difference between a PhD and a DBA?
A DBA, like its PhD counterpart, requires advanced research skills that lead to a dissertation or thesis and the conferral of a doctoral title. However, DBA programs often focus on the application of theory to a real-world business problem and are aimed at working professionals with years of extensive managerial experience. For more information on the difference between a PhD and a DBA, take a look at this article on the Hult Blog.
When will my supervisor be assigned?
Supervisor-student matches are communicated to new students immediately after matriculation.
Can I get a scholarship?
Currently, Hult does not provide scholarships for its DBA programs. Note that Hult alumni are eligible for a 10% discount.
Will I need to publish my dissertation to get my degree?
No, we do not require the publication of research output in journals. The Hult DBA requires all research output to be of publishable standard—that is, of a standard that is acceptable by top-tier journals and conferences. While you are not required to publish, students are strongly encouraged to present at prestigious conferences such as the Academy of Management (AOM) annual meetings.
What is the cost of the program? What are the payment options?
The program costs $99,000, inclusive of the confirmation deposit of $5,000 due two weeks after notification of acceptance. Students are responsible for their residency travel costs. Installment plans are available for up to six payments throughout the program. Please speak to an enrollment advisor during the application process to explore what plans are right for you.
How often will I have lectures? When are they held?
The Hult DBA is offered in a hybrid format, with a mix of live Zoom classes and three in-person residencies per year. Hybrid courses will meet once a week on Zoom along with a five-day in-person residency in one of Hult’s global campuses. Courses without a residency will meet twice a week on Zoom. Please note that course schedules are subject to change.
Can I transfer credits from a previous or current doctorate program?
Transfer credits from a previous or current doctorate are not accepted into the program.
I chose the Hult DBA program to broaden my horizons, challenge myself and achieve personal and professional growth; to meet other like-minded people and access relevant research work. For doctoral students, Hult International Business School is a great place to be, with all the resources you need, a strong international presence, and a world-class academic team. The program helps me to take my skills and expertise to the next level in terms of the value that I'm going to bring to my organization and open exciting new opportunities for growth and professional advancement.
Liliana Caimacan
Former Marketing Director (Unilever) and Global Head Of Innovation (Tata)
2024
Accreditation
The Hult DBA is a US degree, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditation body recognized by the US Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional accreditation is recognized as the most prestigious accreditation in the US. As a US-accredited degree, Hult’s DBA can be attested anywhere.
Hult is recognized by business education’s three most prestigious international accrediting bodies: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System). We are the first business school in the US to achieve this triple accreditation, which is held by just one percent of business schools worldwide.
Download Brochure
Download a brochure for an in-depth look at Hult’s DBA program.