Business Administration, Doctor of Business Administration

Admission

Please refer to www.wilmu.edu/admission/dba_admission.aspx for general doctoral admission information and requirements.

For consideration and admission to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, applicants must present evidence of the following:

1. A master’s degree in business or a related field from a regionally accredited institution, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
2. A grade point average of at least 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0) in work leading to a master’s degree.
3. A minimum TOEFL® score of 173 on the computer-based version for applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution where English is the language of instruction.
4. Significant work experience: applicants need to have experience in a management or leadership position, or as an educator in a classroom setting, and have the support of their organization.
5. Students will be asked to verify that they have a level of technological literacy adequate to successfully pursue the DBA.

For consideration and admission to the DBA program, applicants should submit:

1. A doctoral application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. The transcripts must be from an accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor's and master's degree. Send official transcripts directly from the identified college or university to the Wilmington University Graduate Admissions office or have official transcripts sent electronically from the institution to gradadmissions@wilmu.edu.
3. A current resume.
4. Three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from an employer who is able to discuss your professional skills. If possible, at least one letter should be from a professor who is able to comment on your academic performance and ability to pursue doctoral studies.
5. Statement of Goals and Objectives. Prepare a two or three page, double-spaced essay covering the following points:

• What are your professional and/or personal reasons for pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration degree?
• Collegial support (helping each other develop as professionals) is fundamental to the DBA program. Provide an example in which you helped a peer solve a career-related problem or strengthen needed skills. What personal skills and insights will be valuable in helping other DBA students succeed in the program and grow professionally?
• The ability to maintain a purpose in spite of difficulties and/or obstacles is essential to the DBA program. Provide an example of a time when you encountered significant resistance or a major setback on a project you were working on, but managed to work through it anyway. What steps did you take to complete the project? What factors did you consider?
• Describe one or two areas of business research that are of special interest to you. Explain why there are interesting research areas.

The items listed above are minimum requirements for applying. Please note that meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

Program Purpose

The DBA program is designed to facilitate the continuing development of professionals as senior managers or innovative leaders who wish to build upon master’s-level core skills and knowledge. The DBA enables students to develop a higher level of competence in conducting applied research and in the comprehension of theoretical and applied literature in a chosen business discipline. The DBA helps students to develop critical knowledge and skills that will enhance their success in service to their profession and community; in future professional development; and in attaining credentials and skills that are essential to business consulting, management, and academia.

Accreditation

The DBA program is an institutional member of and fully accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). 

Program Competencies

Students will achieve an advanced level of skills and knowledge in key business functions. Upon graduation the student will be able to demonstrate competencies in:

1. Oral Communication

   Demonstrate advanced oral business communication skills by selecting appropriate communication tools and utilizing them in a highly effective, professional manner.

2. Written Communication

   Demonstrate a high skill level in academic writing by properly utilizing information literacy and research methods, critically analyzing results, and expressing findings using clear, concise tools and writing styles and proper academic writing formats.

3. Disciplined Inquiry
   1. Exercise critical thinking strategies, including scientific reasoning for business problem definition, problem analysis, and evaluation of solutions, and be able to appropriately apply them at high levels in organizational settings.
   2. Select appropriate research methods and be able to properly apply them to the economic, behavioral, and social science theories that provide the foundation for strategic research in business administration.
4. Information Literacy

Demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, and use information and information technologies to enhance the effective utilization and practice of business research.

5. Ethics

Properly evaluate and apply high ethical and legal principles to guide professional behaviors and decision-making in business organizations.

6. Professional
   1. Evaluate the theories and tools that are essential to implement change in the business environment and be able to apply them effectively at strategic levels.
   2. Formulate an understanding of the issues facing business leaders in a contemporary global environment and develop strategies to effectively address those issues.

Course Requirements

Course sequencing