Program Structure

Discover the Penn State Smeal Executive DBA program, a flexible, hybrid program designed for working business leaders worldwide. With a blend of in-person and remote instruction, this program offers a comprehensive curriculum and culminating capstone experience. Explore the program's structure, class schedules, and residency dates designed to accommodate busy senior executives. Join a cohort of ambitious professionals and engage with renowned faculty to elevate your business expertise and contribute to groundbreaking research projects. Download the Class of 2027 Calendar for a detailed overview of the program's timeline and plan your educational journey toward earning an esteemed Executive DBA degree from Penn State Smeal.

The Penn State Smeal Executive DBA is delivered in a flexible, hybrid format to accommodate working business leaders across the globe. Approximately 25 percent of the program instruction occurs on Penn State’s University Park campus located in State College, Pennsylvania. The remaining instruction is delivered on alternating weekends remotely with the full cohort during designated times.  

Years 1 & 2

  • Complete core courses and your chosen elective
  • Attend 4-5 days of in-person instruction at Penn State’s University Park campus at the start of each semester.

Year 3

  • Complete the program's culminating capstone experience by working remotely with faculty advisers on a personalized research project or dissertation

All students are required to attend the campus-based portions of the program and will go through all the courses in the program together with the exception of the elective courses.

Class Calendars

As a hybrid program, the Executive DBA program schedule is designed with working senior executives in mind. Residencies during the first and second year of the program will take place on Penn State's University Park campus typically from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. The remaining classes will take place roughly every other week on Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. These classes will be delivered in a live remote fashion. Note: Calendar dates are subject to change. 

Download the Calendar
- Penn State Smeal Executive DBA Class of 2026 Calendar PDF
- Penn State Smeal Executive DBA Class of 2027 Calendar PDF
- Penn State Smeal Executive DBA Class of 2028 Calendar PDF

 

2024-2025 Academic Calendar
Class Fall 2024 Spring 2025 Summer 2025
Residency (in-person) Aug 17-21 Jan 9-12 May 15-18
Class 1 Sep 6-7 Jan 24-25 May 30-31
Class 2 Sep 20-21 Feb 7-8 June 6-7
Class 3 Oct 4-5 Feb 21-22 June 13-14
Class 4 Oct 18-19 Feb 28 - Mar 1 June 27-28
Class 5 Nov 1-2 Mar 28-29 July 11-12
Class 6 Nov 15-16 Apr 11-12 July 25-26
Class 7 Dec 6-7 Apr 25-26 Aug 8-9

 

2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Class Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Summer 2026
Residency (in-person) Aug 16-20 Jan 7-11 May 14-17
Class 1 Sep 5-6 Jan 23-24 May 29-30
Class 2 Sep 19-20 Feb 6-7 June 5-6
Class 3 Oct 3-4 Feb 20-21 June 12-13
Class 4 Oct 17-18 Feb 27-28 June 26-27
Class 5 Oct 31 - Nov 1 Mar 27-28 July 10-11
Class 6 Nov 14-15 Apr 10-11 July 24-25
Class 7 Dec 5-6 Apr 24-25 Aug 7-8

 

2026-2027 Academic Calendar
Class Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Summer 2027
Residency (in-person) Aug 15-19 Jan 7-10 May 13-16
Class 1 Aug 28-29 Jan 22-23 May 21-22
Class 2 Sep 18-19 Feb 5-6 June 4-5
Class 3 Oct 2-3 Feb 19-20 June 11-12
Class 4 Oct 16-17 Mar 5-6 June 25-26
Class 5 Oct 30-31 Mar 26-27 July 9-10
Class 6 Nov 13-14 Apr 9-10 July 23-24
Class 7 Dec 4-5 Apr 23-24 Aug 6-7