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 14 concentrations and opportunities to specialize
- Internationally ranked research institution
- Optional global and leadership immersion experiences available
Penn State Smeal Executive DBA
Let's go into
business, together.
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Introduce Yourself
Don't just take our word for it.
Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.
-The Economist
Smeal faculty rank internationally for research productivity.
-KUBS Research Rankings
Professionals rank Smeal as the best for supply chain education.
-Gartner, IncDBA
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 14 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.
DBA or Ph.D.?
A DBA is separate and distinct from a traditional Ph.D. program. Here's how you can tell the difference:
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
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
88,000 Smeal alumni in your network.
88,000 business partners for life.
Our 740,000-strong Penn State community is your greatest business asset. Smeal 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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Introduce Yourself
