The measure of a business leader is the ability and ambition to grow - to get better - and, as a result, make their organization, community and world better. An effective leader has the foresight to see what's next, the intelligence and motivation to prepare for it, and the confidence to embrace it when it arrives.
The Executive Doctorate of Business Administration from the Penn State Smeal College of Business is a flexible, part-time program designed for senior-level leaders around the globe. With Smeal as your business partner, you will develop research skills grounded in theory and methodology for impactful business application.
- Complete in 3 years
- Flexible, part-time format with blended delivery
- Choose from 15 concentrations and opportunities to specialize
- Internationally ranked research institution
- Optional global and leadership immersions
- Personalized adviser matching to your research interests from day one
Penn State Smeal Executive DBA
Let's go into
business, together.
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Don't just take our word for it.
No. 11
for faculty quality
Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.
-The EconomistNo. 24
in faculty research worldwide
Smeal faculty rank internationally for research productivity.
- UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings™No. 3
in supply chain
Professionals rank Smeal as one of the best for supply chain education.
-Gartner, Inc
DBA
Program
Structure
Years 1 & 2
- Complete core courses and your chosen elective
- Attend 3-4 days of in-person instruction at Penn State's University Park campus at the start of each semester. The remaining curriculum for that semester will be delivered in a highly engaging remote synchronous format.
Year 3
- Complete the program's culminating capstone experience by working remotely with faculty advisors on a personalized research project or dissertation
Why partner with Penn State Smeal?
More, better options for specialization.
Penn State Smeal offers 15 different concentrations - more than any other program - and includes focus areas in business analytics, business architecture, sustainability strategy, strategic leadership, supply chain management, and more. Customize your education to be as unique as your ambitions.
An education that covers all disciplines.
Unlike most other programs that focus on a single or narrow array of business disciplines, Penn State Smeal's interdisciplinary approach will connect you with experts in accounting, finance, management & organization, marketing, risk management, and supply chain & information systems.
Reputation matters.
The AACSB-accredited Penn State Smeal College of Business is an internationally ranked research institution. Our world-class faculty are consistently ranked in the top 10 for research published in leading academic journals. We are also a proud member of the Executive DBA Council, whose mission is to foster excellence and innovation in executive doctoral programs worldwide.
DBA or Ph.D.?
A DBA is separate and distinct from a traditional Ph.D. program. Here's how you can tell the difference:
Smeal Executive
Doctorate Degree
- Time to complete: 3 years (part-time)
- Career objective: Advanced executive leadership and/or teaching faculty
- Scope of study: Interdisciplinary approach that covers all business disciplines with an emphasis on applied research
- Culminating project: Complete capstone research project
- Degree awarded: Doctorate of Business Administration
Smeal's Traditional
Ph.D.
- Time to complete: 5-7 years (full-time)
- Career objective: Academic researcher, tenure-line faculty
- Scope of study: Singular focus in a specific business discipline with an emphasis on research and discovery
- Culminating project: Write and defend a dissertation
- Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
92,000 Smeal alumni in your network.
92,000 business partners for life.
Our Penn State Smeal community is your greatest business asset. Our graduates are everywhere in the world and always in your corner - ready to open doors, offer advice and cheer you on.
Penn State Smeal Executive DBA
Preparing you for your next great opportunity.
And the one after that.
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