Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Admission Requirements

Candidates must be committed to a rigorous program of study requiring periodic residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Business Administration as well as substantial reading and academic inquiry throughout the program. Applicants are expected to hold an MBA or other relevant advanced degree from an acceptable academic institution and to have ten years of significant professional and/or senior level management experience with high levels of responsibility. In exceptional cases, individuals without an advanced degree but other forms of advanced education and substantial managerial experience may be considered; other experience or qualifications may also compensate for less than 10 years of professional or managerial experience. Applicants must submit

• Most recent transcript(s). Scanned transcripts will be sufficient for the preliminary application. Official Transcripts in sealed envelopes will be required for final acceptance.
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
• Names and contact information of two people who can provide insights into the applicant’s academic potential and ability to think critically.
• Two essays (Statement of Commitment & Statement of Research Interest)

For more information and application deadlines, visit the Doctor of Business Administration website.

Degree Requirements

The DBA in the College of Business Administration requires completion of 60 credit hours. To ensure sufficient background for doctoral-level courses, students must demonstrate appropriate competence in quantitative reasoning, which is evidenced through completion of BUS AD 7301 and BUS AD 7109 or their equivalent to be determined by the DBA Director.

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
BUS AD 7301	2	BUS AD 7100	3	BUS AD 7101	3
BUS AD 7109	4	BUS AD 7102	3	BUS AD 7600	3
	6		6		6
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
BUS AD 7103	3	BUS AD 7104	3	Selected Topic I1	3
BUS AD 7400	3	BUS AD 7106	3	Selected Topic II1	3
	6		6		6
Third Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
BUS AD 7107	6	BUS AD 71082	6	BUS AD 71082	6
Development and Defense of Proposal for Dissertation
	6		6		6
Fourth Year
Fall	Hours
BUS AD 71082	6
Final Dissertation Defense
	6
Total Hours: 60

¹

Selected Topics courses are BUS AD 7700, BUS AD 7500, BUS AD 7300, BUS AD 7800, and BUS AD 7105. Two of these courses will fulfill the Selected Topics option.

²

Students who need additional time to complete the dissertation are required to enroll in an additional credit hour per semester they are working on the project. A minimum of 18 hours is required.

Students will be evaluated annually for satisfactory progress.  Students deemed not to be making adequate progress are subject to the policies of the Graduate School and the College of Business Administration regarding probation and dismissal from the program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to:

• Design research studies based on sound methodological considerations
• Exhibit expertise in a stream of academic research
• Apply theory to address business problems
• Apply advanced quantitative methods to conduct original research
• Apply advanced qualitative methods to conduct original research
• Communicate research findings in both oral and written formats in a public forum
• Develop pedagogical skills for disseminating information in educational settings