Executive Doctor of Business Administration

The Executive DBA at North Alabama prepares you to address real-world organizational issues and disruptive trends by developing applied executive-level research skills enabling you to solve complex organizational problems and create innovative business solutions.

This EDBA program is an ideal fit for experienced leaders seeking to advance within an organization or transition into a consulting career or higher education.

With an applied dissertation, which can be leveraged to solve an existing organizational problem, the Doctor of Business Administration program is primarily online with on-campus sessions one weekend per month. This prestigious degree will distinguish you in your field by preparing you to implement research projects to impact organizational strategic decisions in an efficient and innovative manner.

time

Time to Complete:
36 Months
Part-time

modality

Modality Offered:
Online with on-campus sessions
once per month

credientials

Credentials:
Executive DBA

Why North Alabama?

The UNA Sanders College of Business and Technology is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This is a highly esteemed accreditation held by fewer than five percent of business colleges worldwide.


image of George Nkosi

“EDBA Classes at UNA are practical and highly relevant with immediate, real-world application. Learning and being mentored by such world-class faculty is priceless. I am excited and privileged to be in the EDBA program at UNA – it has been worth every penny, time sacrificed, and ounce of commitment.”

George Nkosi, Internal Revenue Agent, EDBA '23

Curriculum

This low residency, cohort-based Executive DBA program is primarily online with monthly on-campus sessions over a three-year period. The Executive Doctor of Business Administration program requires 54 post-master’s credit hours and students are expected to complete the majority of their coursework in the first two years and their dissertation in year three.

How much can I make with an EDBA?

EDBA Plan of Study

 1st Term Hours
Spring  
EDBA 800 Discovering Applied Research 3
EDBA 805 Project Management for Applied Research 1
EDBA 810 Exploring Statistical Relationships in Business 3
EDBA 811 Engaging with Applied Statistics Lab 1
  Hours 8
 2nd Term
Summer  
EDBA 815 Prediction and Planning for Business Futures 1
EDBA 820 Organizational Problem Solving; Design and Measurement 3
EDBA 825 Innovation System Solutions (Course may be offered at a different time) 1
  Hours 5
 3rd Term
Fall  
EDBA 830 Advanced Quantitative Analysis 3
EDBA 840 Advanced Qualitative Analysis 3
EDBA 900 Developing Applied Research Skills 2
  Hours 8

Residency

There will be a total of 10 weekend residencies per calendar year, starting midday on Friday and finishing before lunch on Sunday. Some meals will be covered, but overall travel and lodging are not. Weekend residencies include:

  • Class time
  • One-on-one time with faculty
  • Opportunities to engage in group work
  • Team building with fellow classmates
  • Opportunities to explore the campus and city

Faculty

You will learn from dedicated full-time faculty—most holding PhDs and/or terminal degrees from leading universities—as you pursue your doctorate degree in business.

The faculty dedicated to the EDBA program can be found here.

What can I do with an EDBA?

By earning an Executive Doctor of Business Administration, you will differentiate yourself from others with only an MBA because you will have developed the applied research skills needed for solving complex organizational problems and will have learned to develop innovative business solutions based on the most current evidence-based practices.

These qualities are an ideal fit for an experienced professional seeking to further strengthen leadership skills and advance within an organization or transition into a consulting career or higher education.

Accreditations

The North Alabama Sanders College of Business and Technology is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). 

AACSB Accreditation Seal

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for a doctorate degree in business should have previously earned an MBA or master’s degree in a related field from a regionally accredited academic institution. Because of this requirement, no test scores (for example, GMAT, GRE, MAT) will be required for admission into the program.

Doctor of Business Administration applicants should possess at least seven years of substantive work experience preferably with high levels of responsibility, expertise, and leadership.

  • Completed application.
  • Resume.
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professionals in academia or industry who can comment on accomplishments and contributions, leadership, and other potential success factors.
  • One essay outlining goals and motivations for pursuing the EDBA.
  • Virtual Interview with EDBA Admissions Committee

Resources

Executive DBA students are provided with:

  • A laptop and professional EDBA bag
  • All necessary University and statistical software
  • Textbooks
  • Parking passes
  • Research support for academic conferences
  • Executive nameplates
  • EDBA clothing
  • Business cards

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