Admission
For consideration and admission to the Doctor of Business Administration [DBA] program, applicants must present evidence of the following:
- A master’s degree in business or a related field from a regionally accredited institution, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in work leading to a master’s degree.
- Significant work experience: applicants need to have experience in a management or leadership position, or as an educator in a classroom setting, and have the support of their organization.
- Students will be asked to verify that they have a level of technological literacy adequate to successfully pursue the DBA.
For consideration and admission to the DBA program, applicants should submit:
- A doctoral application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable application fee.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. The transcripts must be from an accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor's and master's degree. Send official transcripts directly from the identified college or university to the Wilmington University Graduate Admissions office or have official transcripts sent electronically from the institution to gradadmissions@wilmu.edu.
- A current resume.
- Three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from an employer who is able to discuss your professional skills. If possible, at least one letter should be from a professor who is able to comment on your academic performance and ability to pursue doctoral studies. All letters of recommendation must be from professional sources.
- Statement of Goals and Objectives. Prepare a two or three page, double-spaced essay covering the following points:
- What are your professional and/or personal reasons for pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration degree?
- Collegial support (helping each other develop as professionals) is fundamental to the DBA program. Provide an example in which you helped a peer solve a career-related problem or strengthen needed skills. What personal skills and insights will be valuable in helping other DBA students succeed in the program and grow professionally?
- The ability to maintain a purpose in spite of difficulties and/or obstacles is essential to the DBA program. Provide an example of a time when you encountered significant resistance or a major setback on a project you were working on, but managed to work through it anyway. What steps did you take to complete the project? What factors did you consider?
- Describe one or two areas of business research that are of special interest to you. Explain why there are interesting research areas.
Your essay will be evaluated for content, organization, and grammar.
The items listed above are minimum requirements for applying. Please note that meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
Program Purpose
The DBA program is designed to facilitate the continuing development of professionals as executives, senior managers or innovative leaders who wish to build upon master’s-level core skills and knowledge. The DBA enables students to develop a higher level of competence in conducting applied research and in the comprehension of theoretical and applied literature in a chosen business discipline. The DBA helps students to develop critical knowledge and skills that will enhance their success in service to their profession and community; in future professional development; and in attaining credentials and skills that are essential to business consulting, management, and academia.
Accreditation
The DBA program is an institutional member of and fully accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Program Competencies
Students will achieve an advanced level of skills and knowledge in key business functions. Upon graduation the student will be able to demonstrate competencies in:
1. Students will create and execute effective oral and written communication strategies, selecting appropriate tools to convey complex business research and ideas. They will evaluate the effectiveness of their communication in professional and academic environments, ensuring clarity, persuasiveness, and cultural awareness.
2. Students will design and evaluate transformational leadership initiatives that promote personal development and drive organizational success. They will synthesize leadership theories and practical strategies, using self-reflection and cultural humility to make a meaningful impact in diverse and multicultural settings.
3. Students will critique existing problem-solving models and develop innovative strategies using critical thinking and scientific reasoning. They will synthesize interdisciplinary theories, including economic, behavioral, and social science concepts, to solve complex organizational problems with adaptability and strategic vision.
4. Students will create comprehensive research strategies using cutting-edge information literacy and technology skills. They will design and implement innovative digital tools and data-driven approaches to contribute original insights to business research and practice, advancing the field of business administration.
5. Students will synthesize diverse ethical frameworks and apply them to complex, real-world business scenarios. They will evaluate the impact of ethical and legal standards on global business practices, fostering cultural sensitivity and ethical leadership in organizational decision-making.
6. Evaluate the theories and tools that are essential to implement change in the business environment and be able to apply them effectively at strategic levels; and formulate an understanding of the issues facing business leaders in a contemporary global environment and develop strategies to effectively address those issues.
Program Design
The DBA degree requires the completion of 48 semester credit hours. The program course work is designed to be completed within a 2½ year time frame. The dissertation or culminating research project will require additional time to complete, typically 1-2 years. The program is organized and scheduled to accommodate the needs of people who maintain full-time employment while pursuing the degree. The program design permits students to complete the requirements for the DBA at their own pace.
Format
Wilmington University is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals by providing high quality programs, affordable tuition, and formats that fit busy lifestyles. In order to achieve this commitment, the DBA program offers two formats in which students can progress through the program: the hybrid face-to-face weeknight format and a 100% online format.
In order to provide a seamless program for our students, your choice of enrollment will remain the same for the entire program. We will make adjustments for a student on an individual basis.
Hybrid Weeknight
Hybrid weeknight classes include a mixture of face-to-face and online learning in each course. Hybrid weeknight classes follow a 7-week block schedule, with seven face-to-face meetings over the 7 weeks. A student in this format will take one class in Block 1 and one class in Block 2, both on the same weeknight. This format is geared towards the working professional from the surrounding area or international students who need to attend classes. All classes take place at the New Castle Campus.
The typical load will be two classes per semester. Including spring, summer, and fall semesters, hybrid weeknight students taking two courses per semester would complete six classes per year.
100% Online
The essence of Wilmington University’s DBA program is fostering a highly participative learning community. Peer interaction and support are key elements of the learning and discovery process. Accordingly, all of the online courses will utilize an online platform to facilitate weekly class meetings that will include short lectures, discussions, debates, and student presentations. All online students are expected to participate actively in these virtual class meetings. In addition to the weekly class meetings, various online learning experiences will be used, including peer coaching sessions or small group discussions. Classes run for 7-week blocks.
The typical load will be two classes per semester. Including spring, summer, and fall semesters, an online student taking two courses per semester would complete six classes per year.
New Student Orientation Requirement
Each student will participate in a new student orientation that is held approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the start of your first semester. Attendance is required in order to be eligible to start the program. Prior to the orientation meeting, students are required to watch a series of videos that orient them to details related to Canvas (the online learning platform), library resources and doctoral writing requirements. The videos can be found on the DBA Organization Site in Canvas. The DBA program’s administrative assistant will provide access to this site when students are fully accepted and have enrolled in their first courses.
Residency Requirement
Residency is an important event for DBA students. It is held on-campus and one time per cohort. For online students, this is a two-day series of workshops, activities, and individual meetings. Residency occurs at the end of Year 2 as students are beginning their dissertation work. Attendance is required. Travel and accommodations are at the student’s expense, while some meals are provided by the DBA program. The goal for Residency is to refine your dissertation research topic area. Following Residency, students are assigned their Dissertation Committee Chairperson.
The Residency in-person format is subject to change and a format change may become necessary based upon campus closure related to inclement weather or public health guidelines (ex: Covid-19 indoor group gathering limits).
DBA Portfolio Project/Comprehensive Assessment
At the end of the first year of coursework, the student is required to achieve a passing grade on a formal Comprehensive Examination, which is the DBA Portfolio Project Comprehensive Assessment. This examination consists of the analysis of one key strategic issue for a chosen industry. The selected issue will be examined through the first six core courses – leadership, ethics, business intelligence, innovation, finance, and organizational strategy. The student will present a paper and presentation to a faculty panel. All students must pass this assessment before moving forward in the DBA program.
Advancing to Doctoral Candidacy
At the conclusion of DBA 8000, the student’s dissertation committee must approve the student’s research proposal for their dissertation research project. Upon completion of this requirement, in addition to the completion of all required courses prior to the 9000 series course, and passage of the Comprehensive Exam, the student will then advance to doctoral candidacy.
Dissertation or Research Project
The DBA dissertation (traditional five chapter or consultancy project) requires a minimum of 3 semester credit hours for completion. A dissertation or research project proposal must be completed, reviewed, and approved by the student’s dissertation committee prior to the beginning of data collection in the area of the research topic. Once the dissertation or research project is complete, the student will present the results before the dissertation committee and colleagues.
Qualifications for Degree
To qualify for the DBA degree, a student must satisfactorily complete 48 credit hours, including 5 research foundation courses, 10 program-specific courses, and a dissertation or research project. The student must: (1) maintain a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0; (2) achieve a grade of at least “B” or better in all courses; (3) achieve satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination; (4) obtain approval of the student’s research proposal; and (5) successfully complete and defend the dissertation or research project. These requirements must be completed within seven years of matriculation into the program.
Course Requirements
Course sequencing
DBA 7200 and DBA 7950 are elective courses and may be substituted with select EDD, DSS, or DNP courses with approval from the program Chair. Reach out to the DBA Chair for more information.
Total Credits required for program completion: 48 credits