Transform your thinking
Simon’s Doctor of Business Administration
Bridge the gap between practice and theory with an AACSB-accredited,
three-year executive doctorate with two outcome tracks designed for senior leaders.
Format:
Part-time,
online and synchronous
Delivery:
Virtual evenings
+ 3–4 on-campus weekends/year
Focus:
Applied research &
evidence-based management
Who it is for
This program is designed for senior leaders with 8–10+ years of experience who are ready to bring doctoral-level thinking to complex challenges their MBA no longer fully answers.
How it works
Part-time and hybrid delivery with asynchronous evening sessions and four weekend intensives per year, half on campus for connection with your cohort and faculty.
Where it takes you
Choose betweeen two paths, each one will elevate your executive authority, consulting credibility, and ability to teach whether on college or corporate campuses.
What you will gain
- Advance your leadership impact within your organization or pivot strategically
- Build or grow a consulting practice backed by doctoral rigor
- Launch or strengthen an academic career
- Bridge theory and practice through applied research
Professionals who benefit most
- 8–10 years in senior leadership, typically with an MBA or other graduate degree
- Employed and ready to learn part-time
- Want research skills for real-world impact
- Looking to teach or boost your consulting practice
| Years 1 & 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|
Virtual evening courses Periodic on-campus weekend intensives Core courses + electives Select track after year 2 | Independent thesis/project research Faculty advising Final HyFlex intensive Thesis defense |
Practice track
For senior leaders who want to bring research-backed authority to their executive role, consulting practice, or board-level work Focus on solving a specific, high-level organizational or industry problem.
- A track for C-Suite Executives, Consultants, and Senior Partners.
- Senior level leaders with management experience looking to maximize their impact.
- Your applied thesis will focus on actionable solutions and evidence-based management.
- Elevate your board-level authority and high-stakes consulting credibility. Implement data-driven strategies in real-time.
Teaching track
For experienced professionals ready to transition into academia and contribute original research to the field of management. Contribute new theoretical knowledge to the field of management.
- This track is for aspiring adjuncts or clinical professors.
- You’ll compete an academic dissertation with original research suitable for journal publication.
- Qualify for faculty positions at business schools.
- Master research methodology and academic writing.
Understanding your investment
Many candidates pursue the DBA with corporate sponsorship or employer reimbursement support. Merit-based funding may be available for qualified applicants. Our admissions team can walk you through your options during your consultation. Applications are currently being accepted with no application fee.
DBA vs. PhD: which degree is right for me?
| Simon's DBA | Simon's PhD |
|---|---|
Practice-oriented: Time to complete: Format: Successful Applicant: Motivation: | Research-oriented: Time to complete: Format: Successful Applicant: Motivation: |
*Applicants with a business-related master’s may also be considered with fewer years of work experience if they bring significant managerial or entrepreneurial achievements.
Study under and work with world-renowned faculty.
In Simon’s DBA program, you will study under and work with the same world-renowned faculty that teach in Simon’s highly ranked PhD, MBA, and MS programs. Faculty teaching in the DBA program include those with a mix of practitioner-oriented experience and doctoral level faculty who regularly research and publish.
It’s the right time for a program like the DBA. Over the last 20 years there’s been an enormous increase in data for companies to use for decision making, but expertise is needed to understand the nuances around extracting insights from that data. Simon’s DBA provides students a working knowledge of the models and methods for doing exactly that.
Ready to take the next step?
The Simon DBA cohort begins May 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — applying early improves your chances of receiving a decision ahead of the final deadline.
Learn more about the DBA
Complete this form to have an application fee waiver added to your account (a $90 value) and receive our DBA program brochure to your inbox with more information about the curriculum, a sample schedule, and details on how to customize your degree by choosing a specialized track.