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Doctor of Business Administration

Missouri’s first and only AACSB-accredited DBA program offering research concentrations in all areas of business administration.

Accelerate your career without disrupting it.

The UMSL Doctor of Business Administration program gives senior managers the knowledge and applied research tools to solve high-level business problems in their companies or industries. The DBA program helps candidates gain expertise in applied research by improving their methodological and analytical skills, through practical application of academic theory.

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UMSL DBA PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

The UMSL Doctor of Business Administration program is a three-year, cohort-based program that offers a flexible format, with limited visits to campus. Over the course of the program, participants make only two weekend trips to campus per term.

UMSL DBA students move through the program in a cohort and meet face-to-face two weekends each semester, then engage and collaborate with faculty and students in the online learning platform for discussions. The first two years cover an array of cutting-edge business and management topics and the third year is spent focusing on the candidate’s dissertation research.

The UMSL DBA is designed to train engaged management scholars in a learning community supported by select internationally renowned faculty with close ties to business and recognized for their research impact and expertise in graduate education.

The UMSL DBA is a member of the Executive DBA Council, an international organization of executive-format doctoral degrees. Dr. Ekin Pellegrini, Founding Director of UMSL DBA, serves as President of the EDBAC Board.

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On-campus residencies per semester

3
Year program, online and on-campus

61
DBA Alumni 

48
Average student age at degree completion

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SUSTAINED PROGRAM Success

  • AACSB accredited in both business and accounting
  • Board member of the Executive DBA Council
  • Recognized as a premier global DBA program by CEO magazine
  • 95% retention rate
  • 90% three-year graduation rate
  • 96% four-year graduation rate

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Student & Alumni Impact

  • Professionally diverse cohorts: Students hail from 19 states across the country bringing a wide range of professional experiences and perspectives.
  • Alumni Mentoring: Alumni mentor new doctoral students creating a vibrant community of scholar practitioners 
  • Impactful award-winning Research across 10 emphasis areas
  • Active DBA Alumni Network with in-person and online events throughout the year
  • Research partnerships with faculty-alumni and student-alumni continued after graduation

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umsl DBA FACULTY MENTORS

  • Renowned Research: Faculty mentors are globally recognized for creating impactful business knowledge through rigorous research.
  • Interdisciplinary Expertise: Faculty specialize in various business areas, including AI, finance, marketing and more. 
  • Cross-Disciplinary Focus: Dissertation chairs support research that integrates business with fields like sociology and psychology. 
  • Personalized Guidance: Faculty provide tailored support to students and alumni, fostering their growth in multiple dimensions. 

 

DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (DBA) vs Ph.D.

The Doctor of Business Administration program provides participants with the skills needed to conduct rigorous research with the objective of applying the findings to real-world decision-making in industry and government. DBA graduates will be equipped for high-level positions in higher education, consulting, or career advancement in their industry.

Compare DBA vs Ph.D. 

Download Admission Requirements PDF Guide

Screebshot of the admissions criteria PDF document

 

Interested in learning more about the UMSL DBA program application process?

Download a free copy of our eligibility and requirements PDF guide.


Important Dates to Know for the Class of 2028

April 1, 2025
Application deadline for early decision
August 15, 2025
Application deadline for domestic applicants

International applicants: Please contact dba@umsl.edu

Learn How to Apply

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