Why Choose the DBA Program at Excelsior
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a commitment to leading at the highest level. DBA programs are grounded in research and real-world impact, creating a strong foundation for those looking to move from executing strategy to shaping it. The right DBA program should meet you where you are, respect your experience, fit your schedule, and offer you a unique, supportive experience. Here’s why Excelsior University’s DBA program might be the perfect fit for where you want to be.
What You Can Expect from Excelsior’s DBA Program
Excelsior’s DBA program is built for working professionals who are ready to lead at the highest level: executives, consultants, industry specialists, and military leaders who bring years of experience and want to sharpen it into something more. The 60-credit program blends eight-week courses, which are primarily online, with two immersive in-person residencies held in Albany, New York, and/or St. Petersburg, Florida. Students choose two concentrations from seven options, including Data Analytics, Cybersecurity Operations, Healthcare Management, Enterprise Risk Management, Finance and Accounting, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Sustainability, and have the option of completing either an applied organizational dissertation or a three-paper research model. With three start dates per year and the flexibility to take one or two courses per term, you can finish in as little as two years without putting your career on hold.
Benefits of Excelsior’s DBA Program
Excelsior’s Doctor of Business Administration program is designed to support students all the way through to successful completion. From flexible course scheduling to hands-on residency experiences, here’s what sets this program apart.
Designed for Senior Managers and Executives
With eight-week online courses, three start dates per year, and the option to take one or two courses per term, Excelsior’s DBA program fits around your schedule rather than demanding you fit around it. A dedicated faculty mentor and academic advisor are assigned from day one, ensuring you have the guidance and support to balance your professional, academic, and personal commitments throughout the entire program.
Dedicated Dissertation Support from Faculty Mentors
Dissertation support at Excelsior begins on the first day of the program, when you’re assigned a faculty mentor who provides research guidance, helps develop your dissertation focus, and often transitions into the role of your dissertation chair. As you progress, a full dissertation committee, including a chair and two additional members, meet with you regularly to keep your research on track. This layered, sustained support system means you’re never navigating the hardest parts of doctoral work alone.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
Core courses like Contemporary Business Theory and Application, Strategic Foresight and Strategy Formation, and Marketing for Competitive Advantage give students a rigorous, forward-looking foundation in the disciplines that drive organizational decision-making. Beyond the core, seven concentration options, including Cybersecurity Operations, Data Analytics, Enterprise Risk Management, Finance and Accounting, Healthcare Management, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Sustainability, allow students to go deep into the areas most relevant to their industries and career goals. This combination ensures graduates are equipped to anticipate and shape what comes next.
High-Impact, Immersive Residencies
The two in-person residencies are among the most distinctive features of Excelsior’s DBA program. Held in Albany and/or St. Petersburg, each residency is a multiday, structured experience designed to deepen your research skills, advance your dissertation work, and connect you with faculty, peers, and industry leaders. Residency 1 focuses on building your research foundation: developing your problem statement, refining your methodology, and exploring concentration paper strategies. Residency 2 shifts toward execution and defense preparation, with sessions on data analysis, dissertation writing, and presenting your findings with confidence. Both residencies also include networking events, expert speakers, and field experiences that bring your academic work into direct contact with the professional world.
Flexible, Transparent Degree Pathway
Excelsior’s DBA program is designed to give you control over your journey. You can progress at your own pace, taking one or two courses per term, and can transfer in up to 15 credits, reducing time and cost if you have relevant prior graduate work. The fully online course format means you can engage with your studies from anywhere, while residency scheduling offers options across multiple locations and tracks. Concentration choices, dissertation formats, and start dates can all be tailored to your professional goals, and a clear program map ensures you always know exactly where you are and what comes next.
How to Get Started at Excelsior
Getting started begins with meeting a few key requirements: a master’s degree from an accredited institution, five or more years of professional experience, and a background managing people or projects. Applicants will also submit a CV/resume, a letter of intent, two letters of recommendation, and a short portfolio of professional writing samples.
Choosing a doctoral program is one of the most significant professional decisions you’ll make. Excelsior University’s Doctor of Business Administration program is built for people who take that decision seriously, experienced leaders who want a program that matches their ambition, respects their time, and delivers real results. If that sounds like you, Excelsior is ready when you are.
