DBA — Penn State Smeal Executive DBA

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.

Request Information Introduce Yourself

Don't just take our word for it.

No. 4 for faculty quality

Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.

-The Economist

No. 2 in faculty research

Smeal faculty rank internationally for research productivity.

-KUBS Research Rankings

No. 1 in supply chain

Professionals rank Smeal as 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 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:

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

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.