Online DBA: Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship
Explore How Ideas Are Brought to Life
GCU's online(See disclaimer 1) Doctor of Business Administration: Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship (Quantitative Research) program is designed for entrepreneurs aiming to drive transformative change in established organizations. This rigorous program focuses on entrepreneurial theory and venture development. It can equip students to employ quantitative research methods to identify, propose, pilot and implement new technologies, organizational structures, products and processes with significant market potential.Â
The quantitative track is designed for those who want to leverage data-driven insights to enhance entrepreneurial strategies and promote sustainable growth. In contrast, the qualitative track shares the same foundational courses but focuses on exploring concepts, opinions and experiences related to business innovation.Â
Innovate With Purpose and Integrity
Students enrolled in GCU’s DBA: Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship program are taught how to cultivate a culture of innovation within organizations. The curriculum emphasizes organizational leadership, change management and entrepreneurship, which can equip graduates to lead transformative initiatives for sustainable growth. GCU’s private, faith-based education integrates a Christian worldview, centered on ethical decision-making and the principles of character development and conscious capitalism.
Online learning at GCU offers flexibility through interactive digital platforms. Students can access engaging coursework, collaborate with peers and receive support from experienced faculty. This online(See disclaimer 1) DBA program is designed to foster a sense of community, provide personalized assistance and deliver a rigorous curriculum. This approach can empower learners to balance their education with their professional and personal commitments.
All learners in GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies can benefit from faculty support, personalized guidance and valuable resources. A key feature is the Doctoral Community Network (DC Network™), which connects students with peers, faculty and research tools to foster collaboration and academic excellence. This support system can help ensure doctoral candidates receive the mentorship and resources needed, from enrollment through to dissertation completion.
Coursework for the DBA in Entrepreneurship Program
The curriculum combines advanced research skills with practical applications, allowing students to master the design and execution of organizational structures that promote innovation at all levels. Learners can gain expertise in strategic management and corporate growth and create systems that empower employees to advocate for new ideas and processes, providing a lasting competitive advantage. Additionally, the program can equip students with advanced statistical tools to analyze and interpret data for both their dissertations and practical business decisions.
As a learner, you will study the following topics:
Critical Reading
Develop the ability to analyze and synthesize scholarly quantitative research, identifying gaps and problems of practice that can be transformed into viable research topics.
Theories and Frameworks
Explore foundational theories and frameworks that influence financial decision-making while addressing the challenges faced by administrators in business environments.
Organizational StructureÂ
Examine the historical development and impact of organizational structures and cultures, and how they drive entrepreneurial innovation within companies.
Identify and Prototype Innovations
Leverage established systems to identify and prototype disruptive innovations, secure entrepreneurial commitment, and build processes to gain support from internal and external stakeholders.
Macroeconomic Principles
Understand how fundamental macroeconomic principles can be applied to address everyday business challenges and guide decision-making.
Organizational Sustainability
Explore approaches to achieving long-term organizational sustainability through competitive advantage and continuous innovation.
Organizational Innovation
Analyze the structures, conditions, incentives, practices and information systems that shape and drive organizational innovation.
Market Research
Develop a creative, inquisitive mindset to uncover significant new market opportunities through effective research and analysis.
Utilize Residency Opportunities To Develop Your Skill Set
As part of this DBAÂ program, you will participate in two immersive five-day residencies held on or near our Phoenix campus. These residencies provide invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration with fellow doctoral students and faculty while refining your research and leadership skills.
Rooted in rigorous research, this program emphasizes innovation and design thinking, preparing you to create solutions that drive organizational transformation. You also have the opportunity to develop competencies in ethical leadership and global business practices, which can equip you to lead with integrity in diverse and complex environments. Throughout the process, you’ll be supported by faculty mentors and the DC Network, with access to resources and guidance from concept to completion.
Career Paths With a DBA: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Earning a DBA in entrepreneurship from GCU can position graduates to tackle complex corporate challenges and capitalize on emerging business opportunities. This advanced degree can foster the development of leaders who excel in business research and data-driven decision-making, offering them the opportunity to create strategies that promote innovation and sustainable growth.
Career paths for DBA graduates can include strategic, developmental and consulting roles across industries, such as:(See disclaimer 2)
Management consulting
Technology and software
Healthcare
Financial services
ManufacturingÂ
Supply chain management
Retail and e-commerce
Corporate training
Estimated openings for top executives each year expected from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 3)
Median annual wage for top executives in May 2024(See disclaimer 4)
Earn Your DBA From an Accredited University
Grand Canyon University has maintained institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to academic quality and continuous improvement. This accreditation ensures that GCU meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications and student support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to these frequently asked questions about earning an innovation and corporate entrepreneurship doctoral degree.
Can I complete a DBA in entrepreneurship online?
What careers can you pursue with a DBA in entrepreneurship?
Time to Completion and Dissertation Process
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertations process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Continuation Courses
Expand your perspective on innovation, strategy and leadership through a DBA in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship at GCU.
(See disclaimer §) MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Feb2026: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in February 2026. 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.
Program has residencies that take place on or near GCU's campus.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April). Top Executives. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 2025.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives, retrieved November 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Top Executives as of May 2024, retrieved November 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 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 top executives, nor does it reflect the 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 is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. 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.      Â