Doctor of Business Administration - Business PhD Programs

City University of Seattle’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is a terminal business degree designed for working business, non-business and STEM professionals seeking to advance their business knowledge and expertise; completing the program in as little as 3 years. Emphasis is placed on exploring multi-disciplinary topics in Leadership, Technology, Finance, Operations, Strategy, DEI, Marketing, Innovation, ESG, and Ethics. Throughout the program, you will be able to integrate your work experience by applying theory and research to define your specialization as a consultant, leader, or educator. Become an expert in a specialized area of business through our flexible and affordable program. Explore the possibilities. Inquire today!

Business Professionals

The onramp to a DBA for business professionals is an easy pathway to accentuate advanced business skills. Collaborating with a diverse cohort of professionals from various industries and geographic locations develops advanced knowledge in agile processes, practical insights, and theoretical frameworks through research. Completing the program expands a business professional’s knowledge while honing skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and the ability to drive change.

Non-Business and STEM Professionals

Individuals with broad experience in roles outside of traditional business disciplines (scientists, healthcare workers, lawyers, IT workers, engineers, artists, educators, technicians, social workers, journalists, and more) who may be looking for a career change or a way to advance their business knowledge and influence can find success in the CityU DBA program. The curriculum advances a student’s knowledge and skills through an interdisciplinary perspective, enabling a career transition into entrepreneurship, management, or leadership roles. There is an increasing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between their non-business or STEM expertise and business, creating unique career opportunities. Leverage your skills with applied business principles, leadership agility, and strategic thinking to navigate complex business challenges, drive innovation, and shape the future of business.

Drive Organizations to Success

City University of Seattle’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed for professionals to develop advanced skills in organization interventional thinking, agile business practices, leadership, and critical thinking while developing specialized business knowledge in the area of their choice.

Through coursework, you’ll be supported through a highly interactive teaching model that includes three+ hours of live interaction with the professor and classmates through video conference protocols. The opportunity to complete the program in three years is achievable for invested students!

Practicality and Implementation: Gain consultative and educational skills that can be directly applied to business, education, or organizational situations.
Quality of Instruction: Doctoral faculty are subject-matter experts who bring course content to life by providing relevant connections with difficult-to-grasp content.
Relevant and Flexible: Relevant course content is delivered through a flexible 100% online mode, fitting professionals’ schedules, and enabling a work/school balance.
Fast-Track Options: MBA or EMBA graduates can bring in up to 18 credits in a specific content area for their Specialized Study. Specialized master’s in business topics and all other masters-level can transfer up to 15 credits allowing you to shorten your doctoral program completion timeline.

The Doctor of Business Administration will prepare you to:

Integrate leadership theories, business models, and ethical principles for improved operational performance.
Formulate business strategies that guide organizations to change and adapt to emerging global challenges.
Improve cultural competency, equity, diversity, and inclusion through leadership, governance, and policy.
Establish technology-oriented, project-based initiatives that transform organizations.
Demonstrate thought leadership, founded in research, that contributes to organizational and societal solutions.
Develop ethical leaders who incorporate social, economic, and environmental values into responsible business strategies.

Support: The CityU team supports you personally with small class sizes, and a dedicated Academic Advisor assigned to each student.
3-Year Program Plan: Designed for the most ambitious; Work with your advisor to plan your timeline.
Transfer: Apply 15-18 graduate credits to your degree specialization, reducing time to completion.
Online: Engage with your professor and classmates through virtual video discussions.
Students in the Program: 74 (FT = 6 credits per quarter).
Student Retention (2023): 86.49%

Interested in continuing your education beyond a DBA? Check out our postgraduate certificate options!

Total Required Credits (91 Credits)

For full course descriptions please refer to the current catalog.

Pre-Entry Requirement (1 Credit)

DBA 600 Introduction to Doctoral Program (1)

Business Administration Core (42 Credits)

DBA 605 Organizational Development Theories and Trends (6)
DBA 610 Financial Decision Making (6)
DBA 615 Organizational Identity and Culture (6)
DBA 620 Technology Implementation and Change Management (6)
DBA 625 Industry Analysis and Market Innovation (6)
DBA 630 Business Process Analysis and Strategic Management (6)
DBA 671 Doctoral Seminar I (2)
DBA 672 Doctoral Seminar II (2)
DBA 673 Doctoral Seminar III (2)

Research Core (12 Credits)

DBA 640 Quantitative Research for Business Administration (3)
DBA 643 Qualitative Research Methods for Business Administration (3)
DBA 645 Advanced Topics in Business Research (3)
Select one of the following:
- DBA 647 Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis for Business Studies (3)
- DBA 649 Advanced Statistical Analysis for Business Research (3)

Specialized Study Concentration (18 Credits)

Graduate level credits of coursework may be completed through independent study, current course offerings, and/or transferred in from another accredited institution. Students entering the DBA with an MBA or EMBA can bring in up to 18 credits in a specific content area for their Specialized Study with PD Approval. Specialized master’s in business topics and all other masters-level transfer credits are based on PD approval, up to 15 credits. All courses must be approved by the program director.

Dissertation (18 Credits)

Prospectus

Under the supervision of a Doctoral Chair, the student completes a concept paper (Prospectus) that presents his/her proposed research idea including the statement of the problem, its background and significance, a brief review of the literature and a proposed methodology or research design to address the problem. This milestone (Prospectus) is complete when the student’s Chair and CityU Institutional Reviewers give their approval.

Proposal

During this phase of the dissertation process, the student builds on the concept paper and completes the first three chapters of the final dissertation (Introduction, literature review, and methods). The literature review will be exhaustive, containing sufficient references to allow the student to establish expertise related to the research problem. The methods section provides sufficient detail to allow for replication of the proposed research. This milestone (Proposal) is complete when the students Chair, committee, and CityU Institutional Reviewers have given their approval.

Dissertation

During this final stage, the student builds upon the completed and approved proposal, gathers research data, analyzes these data, and begins to draw conclusions based on the findings. The students prepare the final sections of the dissertation and make appropriate modifications to the proposal to complete the preparation of the full dissertation. This milestone is complete when the student receives final Chair, committee, and CityU Institutional Reviewer approvals. Continuing Dissertation Services courses are available to students who need more time to complete the Milestone within a specific lettered course. They until work on the final dissertation report has been completed.

RESR 694A Dissertation 1 (3) Milestone: Prospectus
RESR 694B Dissertation 2 (3)
RESR 694C Dissertation 3 (3) Milestone: Proposal
RESR 694D Dissertation 4 (3)
RESR 694E Dissertation 5 (3) Milestone: Dissertation
RESR 694F Dissertation 6 (3)
RESR 99: Continuing Dissertation Services (0) – Optional course used for continuing enrollment and services as needed beyond provided Dissertation courses.

A Doctor in Business Administration will give you the in-depth business education required to take your career to the top. Upon completion of this program, you will be well prepared to take on a management and leadership role, including:

CEO
Company president
Management analyst
Professor
Executive director

Networking Opportunities

At CityU, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your professional network by connecting with faculty working in your field, students from around the globe, and alumni employed at Seattle’s top companies. Plus, you’ll be part of a supportive community that’s dedicated to helping you reach your career goals.

Tuition Cost

Learn more about tuition and fees for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

2026-27 Cost of Attendance (per quarter)

	Living with Parent	Not Living with Parent
Tuition & Fees	See Tuition Calculator	See Tuition Calculator
Supplies**	$176	$176
Housing	$1,278	$4,216
Food	$1,870	$1,870
Transportation	$860	$932
Misc./Personal	$656	$656
Total	$4,840	$7,850

**Supplies include books, course materials, course supplies, and equipment.
Student budget values are established using student surveys, CPI index, and actual institutional expenses. Books, Course Materials, Supplies, & Equipment component will be prorated based on enrollment intensity. Students in a high-cost region may appeal and request a 10% increase to their housing and food budget component. Students living in a rural area may appeal and request a 10% increase to their transportation budget component.

Financial Aid Opportunities

At CityU, we are committed to helping students achieve their academic goals no matter their economic situations. Our financial aid counselors are here to find the resources you need to pay for your education, including grants, loans, work study, and scholarships. Learn more about financial aid opportunities at CityU, or contact our Financial Aid Team at 800.426.5596, 206.239.4540, or [email protected].

Military Tuition Benefits

As a Yellow Ribbon school, CityU is proud to serve those who have served in the military. We offer military tuition discounts for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and accept military benefits such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Tuition Assistance. Learn more about military tuition benefits, VA benefits, and military partnership programs designed to help you reach your military and career goals.

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