DBA: Management
Deepen Your Understanding of Strategic Management
Demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence by earning your Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Management. Offered by Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies, the doctorate in management delivers a curriculum that blends transformative business practices with strategic management theory. The goal of this program is to empower executives and those in other leadership roles to apply sound business principles across sectors and within a wide range of industries.
Earn Your Doctor of Management From GCU
Demonstrate your commitment to scholarly growth and forward-thinking flexibility in an ever-changing corporate world with this doctoral program from GCU. Examine emerging trends and concepts in management theory for a global economy through the lens of ethical financial growth. GCU provides flexible learning pathways for working professionals who desire to improve their business acumen while continuing to meet their current responsibilities. Throughout the program, you’ll have opportunities to network with a diverse body of peers and benefit from different perspectives and backgrounds.
Develop Advanced Business Management Skills
To achieve programmatic competencies, you will be expected to continue to develop your skills in areas such as:
- Communications
- Data analytics
- Integration of systematic feedback
- Application of management theories
- Research design
As a private, faith-based school, GCU encourages learners to work through the curriculum with a Christian worldview. There is an emphasis on the role of ethical decision-making and the principles of servant leadership for current and aspiring business leaders.
Key Topics and Coursework Covered in the DBA Program
To earn your Doctor of Business Administration degree in management, you will take a diverse blend of courses cover the following business leadership topics:
- Theories and frameworks that drive financial decision-making in today’s organizations with a focus on the changing business environment
- Seminal management theories and their application to support organizational sustainability in a global economy
- The relationship between organizational design and structures, including the theoretical foundations of decision-making
- The legal aspects of business management with an emphasis on limiting organizational liability in an ethical manner
- Microeconomic principles and their application to the solution of business problems
At key intervals in this program, you will be required to attend two five-day residencies. These are conducted on or near campus to provide networking opportunities, peer feedback and intensive mentorship from faculty members. During the first residency, you will be exposed to advanced skills in academic research that will provide the framework for your dissertation work. During the second residency, you will have the opportunity to present your scholarly work and demonstrate progress in your dissertation.
GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.§
Career Paths for DBA: Management Graduates
This doctorate in management is designed to help you develop a keen understanding of the modern challenges and opportunities in the corporate world. Graduates may pursue opportunities in domestic or international businesses or elect to nurture a career in the consulting field.
Some roles that may be related to the DBA management program include the following:
- Chief executive
- General and operations manager
- Administrative services manager
- Business operations specialist
- Facilities manager
Doctoral graduates may alternatively decide to pursue positions at postsecondary education institutes. There, they may have opportunities to advance the overall knowledge of the field while instructing the next generation of business leaders.
Pursue Your DBA From an Institutionally Accredited School
As a university that prioritizes quality learning experiences and a supportive student community, GCU is proud to be institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
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Doctor of Business Administration in Management FAQs
The decision to go back to school to pursue a terminal degree requires careful reflection about your current career trajectory and your goals for the future. With the following FAQs and answers, you can explore how to align your aspirations for your professional life.
The dissertation is one of the integral learning experiences embedded within most doctoral programs. Conducting your own original research, forming evidence-based conclusions and contributing to the body of knowledge in your field may provide a pathway for establishing your reputation as an expert in your area. GCU’s DBA management program requires a thoroughly researched, well-written and orally defended dissertation. The College of Doctoral Studies integrates the dissertation process directly into the coursework and hosts in-person residencies so that you can begin your research sooner.
The DBA program requires a minimum of 60 credits for completion. To better understand how long it might take to earn your doctorate, visit the doctoral programs page or fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor.
Any type of Doctor of Business Administration program can bolster a graduate’s professional credentials and may help establish their reputation in their field. If you’ve been climbing the corporate ladder but have reached a plateau, then going back to school for your DBA may provide the foundation to position yourself to position yourself for the next level in your career. Earning a doctorate in management requires personal dedication and commitment, and these traits may prove to be useful as you interview for various job opportunities.
The DBA and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are both terminal degrees. That is, they represent the highest level of academic achievement in a field. In other words, these degrees are on the same level of achievement, but they aren’t the same type of program. A DBA is a professional doctorate that focuses on applied knowledge, whereas a PhD is an academic degree that focuses on research and theory.3 One degree is not necessarily better than the other; the best choice for you depends on your career goals.
Fill out the form on this page to learn more about earning your doctoral degree from the College of Doctoral Studies.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Apr2024: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in April 2024. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
1 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Chief Executives, as of May 2022, retrieved on Feb. 29, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as chief executives, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
3 Discover PhDs. (n.d.). DBA vs. PhD – differences explained. Discover PhDs. Retrieved Feb. 22, 2024.
Time to Completion and Dissertation Process
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.
Course Description
This course explores the theories and frameworks that drive financial decision making in organizations today. Students focus on issues facing administrators in the changing business environment.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of seminal management theories and their relevance, applicability, and/or divergence from current business practice. Students focus on understanding the application of management theories to support organizational sustainability in a global economy.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.
Course Description
This residency allows learners to continue developing their skills as academic researchers. Learners will have hands-on experience applying quantitative and qualitative design principals to develop the foundational elements for their potential dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-850, RES-825, RES-831, or RCS-831.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.
Course Description
This course examines the foundational considerations of organizational design and the relationship between design and structures. It presents the key considerations relevant in designing and structuring the optimal organization. The theoretical foundations for such decisions are also presented.
Course Description
Learners explore the legal aspects of business management in a global integrated enterprise. Emphasis is placed on ethically limiting organizational liability in a complex business environment by extending the perspective of business beyond profit.
Course Description
This course provides the student with the skills and competencies needed to be able to apply microeconomic principles to the solution of business problems. Specifically, the course examines the four market structures focusing on competition and utilizes microeconomic theory to provide solutions to business problems.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore the basic components of quantitative research design. Attention is given to variables, instrumentation, and sources of data. Reliability and validity of instrumentation is discussed in the context of GCU core quantitative research designs.
Course Description
In this course, learners interact with statistical tests and statistical analysis software in the context of designing a quantitative research study. Alignment of statistical tests to research questions, hypotheses and design is stressed as is determining the feasibility of a quantitative research study. Ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-842.
Course Description
This course examines organizational sustainability through the lenses of competitive advantage and innovation. It addresses the leadership skills and capabilities required to foster, lead, and sustain innovation in organizations, and it explores how these ideas can be applied to create competitive advantage leading to a sustainable organization.
Course Description
In this residency, learners orally present and defend an expanded design of their preliminary dissertation research from RSD-851. Emphasis is placed on developing the quantitative dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. RES-844.
Course Description
This course provides the doctoral learner the opportunity to manage a fictitious business entity in which they balance conflicting resource requests. The doctoral learner applies the management, financial, marketing, technology, and economic skills acquired during the program of study to recommend policy decisions with the intent to increase stakeholder value, competitive advantage, and long term sustainability.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: RES-871 or RES-885 or RSD-883 or RSD-884.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on data collection, data preparation and management, and the analysis of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-844.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DBA-955.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-874.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DBA-960.
Continuation Courses
The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-965.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-966 or DBA-966E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-967 or DBA-967E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-968 or DBA-968E; RSD-951.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-969 or DBA-969E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-970 or DBA-970E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-971E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-972E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-973E.
Continuation Courses
The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-965.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-966 or DBA-966E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-967 or DBA-967E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-968 or DBA-968E; RSD-951.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-969 or DBA-969E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-970 or DBA-970E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-971E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-972E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DBA-973E.
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* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.