Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The hybrid Doctor of Business Administration program will be lockstep with a new cohort beginning each fall semester. The coursework will be completed in two years, with students enrolling in two courses conducted during fourteen-week sessions per semester (fall, spring and summer) with a final year for focused dissertation work. The part-time online program includes intensive in-person weekend residencies (Friday and Saturday) each semester, allowing you to build key relationships with faculty and your peers. 

The Doctor of Business Administration program features intensive coursework and residency engagement with ethical practices and produces high-quality application-based research. This type of hands-on experience prepares students for real-world applications.

Saint Joseph’s University’s Erivan K. Haub School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the gold standard of business school accreditation. Recognized among the best business schools in the world, Saint Joseph’s graduate programs rank in the top tier by U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review and other respected ranking organizations.

The courses in this program are taught by full-time, tenure-track faculty who are experts in both theory and practice and have national and state reputations in scholarly publications, community engagement, professional organizations and/or teaching.

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition options start at $2,040 per credit
*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information. Tuition and fees include: textbooks; instructional materials; lodging (for those traveling from outside of the Philadelphia region); the global residency costs; parking permits; student ID; library and computer lab fees; breakfast and lunch on class days, networking opportunities and executive coaching. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information.

Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.

Discount Eligibility
Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.

Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.

Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs. 

Note: discounts cannot be combined.

SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Service can help you access and understand your benefits.

To be considered for admission, you must demonstrate at least 10 years of management experience with at least seven at a senior or executive lever, have an MBA or equivalent MS in a business-related field from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Student transcripts must reflect the successful completion of master’s level core courses in any of the following disciplines (plus electives):
 

• Accounting Concepts
• Information Technology/Systems Managerial
• Economics
• Financial Management
• Managing Work Organizations
• Marketing Concepts
• Social Responsibility/Ethics
• Business/Data Analytics

• Apply online.
• Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Submit a personal statement.
• Submit resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Complete interview with program director

Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.
 

Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall semesters only. The fall terms begins in August. 

If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the Graduate Admission page for more information about the application process and additional requirements for international students.

A Doctor of Business Administration provides leadership, communication and research skills that can be directly applied in the workplace. A master of business administration provides training in investment analysis, data management, leadership, business, finance and marketing.

Professionals who earn a Master of Business Administration may choose to continue their education by pursuing a DBA degree. According to U.S. News & World Report, DBA programs “typically enroll accomplished executives who have master's degrees and transform them into better problem-solvers and business leaders.”

According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for those who pursue a Doctor of Business Administration are as follows:

• Vice President (VP), Operations earn an average salary of $159,678 per year
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) earn an average salary of $134,206 per year
• Executive Directors earn an average salary of $103,919 per year
• Training & Development Managers earn an average salary of $107,700 per year
• Senior Vice President (SVP), Operations earn an average salary of $129,270 per year
• Senior Project Manager, IT earn an average salary of $108,525 per year

Additionally, according to Salary.com, a professor with a Doctorate in Business Administration earns an average salary of $138,144 per year.

A DBA is designed for professionals seeking to develop their business skills. The degree focuses on theoretical knowledge used in business practice. A PhD is designed for those seeking careers in research or tenure/non-tenure track faculty positions in higher education.