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In the online doctorate in entrepreneurship and innovation program at Grand Canyon University, entrepreneurs working in an existing company will learn how to deploy quantitative research methods to identify, propose, pilot and then deploy brand new technologies, organizational structures, products, processes and support structures that achieve significant market potential. Students will use statistical tools to analyze and interpret numeric-driven data for their dissertations.
This program, slightly different than the qualitative DBA entrepreneurship degree program provides the same foundational courses but is geared for students interested in researching concepts, opinions and experiences as they relate to business innovation.
Students of GCU's Doctor of Business Administration: Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship program are taught how to create a company-wide innovation culture. Students are led to encourage and reward participation in the process of proposing new products or processes that result in significant competitive advantage that is difficult for other companies to replicate.
GCU’s doctorate in entrepreneurship online program requires a minimum 60-credits to completion and provides flexibility for working professionals to earn their doctoral degree. Gain expertise from knowledgeable faculty in the design and execution of structures that enable everyone in the organization to be advocates of the innovation process.
As a learner, you will study the following innovative entrepreneurship topics:
Critical Reading
Critical reading and synthesizing of scholarly quantitative literature to identify problem areas that emerge to form a researchable topic of study
Theories and Frameworks
Theories and frameworks that drive financial decision-making in organizations today, focusing on issues facing administrators in the changing business environment
Organizational Structure
The history and influence of organizational structure and culture on intrapreneurial innovation
Macroeconomic Principles
Macroeconomic principles and how they can be applied to solve common business problems
Organizational Sustainability
Organizational sustainability through the lenses of competitive advantage and innovation
Organizational Innovation
Structures, conditions, rewards, principles, practices, information systems that influence organizational innovation
Market Opportunities
Inquisitive creative approach to uncover important new sizable market opportunities
Identify and Prototype Innovations
Established organizational structures used to identify and prototype disruptive innovations for the purpose of securing initial entrepreneurial commitment, and building a process to gain committed support from internal and external stakeholders
During this DBA degree in innovation and entrepreneurship program, you will network and collaborate with other doctoral students and faculty during two five-day residencies on or near GCU’s campus in Phoenix.
During the first residency, you will apply research design principles to develop foundational elements for your potential dissertation. Research skills will continue to be developed through hands-on activities. In the second residency, you will present and defend a preliminary design of your dissertation research from the first residency. By the second residency, all learners will be placed in either the quantitative or qualitative program based on their selected research methodology.
All learners in GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies receive faculty support, resources, personal guidance and access to the innovative Doctoral Community Network (The DC NetworkTM) throughout their academic journey.
GCU provides a private, faith-based education that allows students to study the curriculum through a Christian worldview. Current and future business leaders will learn the importance of human value and dignity, ethical decision making and the principles of conscious capitalism.
Rooted in research, this DBA quantitative program introduces students to the foundations of research design, particularly the design and development of quantitative methods often initiated through standardized statistical tests. Learners develop research competence by using specially designed curriculum augmented with learning guides and detailed dissertation templates — all enabled through the use of robust technology. As a learner, you are guided throughout the process by dissertation research faculty with specific expertise in the research process.
Graduates of this doctorate in entrepreneurship online program will gain core competencies in these three domains:
Research
Advance the study of leadership dynamics that drive the field with an in-depth, quantitative, research-based approach to facilitate the leader’s abilities and role as a strategic professional.
Theory
Explain the historical and theoretical foundations and assumptions of business and develop, extend or modify them for practical application.
Application
Consider the complexity of contemporary business and determine the appropriate situational application of theoretical principles in varied business environments.
This Doctor of Business Administration: in Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship Program can prepare current and aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders for today’s corporate challenges and opportunities. Graduates with a DBA degree become keen quantitative researchers who can pursue opportunities in the upper echelon of the business world.
Some roles that are related to this DBA degree include the following:
DBA graduates may also pursue careers in postsecondary education, helping to train the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
Learn more from our answers to these frequently asked questions about becoming an entrepreneur and earning a doctorate in entrepreneurship and innovation.
While there is a relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship, the two related concepts are different. The key difference is innovation involves the tactical process of creating and refining something new or improving an idea, product or process. It is often an idea demonstrated as a prototype, conceptional design, or in some cases, a minimum viable product. Entrepreneurship has a broader strategic focus on taking a new product, idea or service and turning it into a business opportunity. This involves validating the existence of a sizable market opportunity, soliciting advocates who support the proposed innovation, validating the innovation with customers and establishing metrics to measure the effectiveness of proposed innovation.
The salary of an entrepreneur is often in question because there is typically no precise answer. Corporate entrepreneurs who successfully identify new products, processes and markets that generate significant organization market growth generally receive substantial recognition promotion and financial benefits. Salary and bonus compensation vary greatly by industry and company size.
Corporate entrepreneurs often begin their education with a bachelor’s in business degree or a bachelor’s degree focused on entrepreneurship. Then, many entrepreneurs choose to further their education and develop advanced business skills in an MBA program. An MBA in entrepreneurship helps students draw upon their innovation and business skills to build ventures. For those interested in applying research skills to make a difference in the business world, a DBA in innovation and entrepreneurship is a great choice for executives and business educators.
Graduates who hold a DBA degree in innovation and entrepreneurship receive a well-rounded business education that allows them to pursue jobs in various capacities and industries. Many choose to achieve prominence by pursing executive positions in the organizations that they are employed in. Others may choose to become business consultants, either working for themselves or for a consulting firm. Some may pursue the education path, teaching business in postsecondary institutions.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. 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.
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertations process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Up to 9 doctoral credits
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Doctoral)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.
