Doctor of Business Administration

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)​ in Temple’s Fox School of Business is designed to provide executive-level professionals with the applied research theories and tools necessary to keep up with the evolutionary nature of industry, and continue to advance in their companies and respective fields.

Those who choose to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration are driven by a desire to ignite real change in their companies or fields through data-driven decision-making. Fox’s accredited and rigorous program provides business professionals with the power to transform today’s business environment through academically rigorous and practice-focused business research.

The DBA curriculum uses applied theory and extensive data-driven research to educate students on methods of advanced critical reasoning to solve the complex challenges facing today’s businesses.

In addition to translatable decision-making and problem-solving skills and managerial techniques, the program provides hands-on industry experiences and examples, as well as valuable alumni connections and networking opportunities. Find out more about the current Business Administration DBA cohort

What sets the Fox DBA apart?

The Fox School of Business's collaborative, cohort-style environment provides ample opportunity to work directly with other students, as well as experienced faculty who

  • are highly awarded and frequently published in their fields;
  • serve on regional and national organizational boards and have consulted for large corporations; and
  • represent an overall wealth of knowledge and experience in executive-level business administration.

The school’s personalized mentorship program is available to help navigate academic, research and professional processes, and Fox’s state-of-the-art research centers and institutes provide the support and resources needed to tackle some of the most complex questions facing the business world today.

The three-year, part-time executive DBA program is conveniently delivered through six on-site weekend residences per year (Friday through Sunday) for the first two years, with additional online components.

Classes are offered in-person at Convene Commerce Square, Temple's convenient Center City location, affording students the benefits that come with an urban university, including public transportation, proximity to regionally based corporations, national conferences and ample opportunities to engage in professional events.

Finally, students leave the program well-prepared to advance as executives, consultants and researchers, possessing the valuable experience and confidence that comes with a Temple education.

Deciding Between the DBA and PhD

The Doctor of Business Administration differs from the Business Administration PhD program in several key ways.

  • The DBA is an executive-level program designed for working professionals with extensive managerial experience—usually 10 to 15 years—as well as an MBA or equivalent master’s degree, who are looking to advance further in their career and respective fields. DBA students investigate applied research problems, and their work usually addresses issues within their current professional organization or field. The DBA can be completed in three years on a part-time basis, whereas the average PhD program takes five years to complete on a full-time basis.
  • The PhD program is targeted toward those interested in pursuing research-focused careers in academia. Students in the PhD program focus on broad, theoretical issues and questions relating to business.

Learn more about the differences between a DBA and PhD.

A Temple professor smiles during a student presentation.

Classes & Curriculum

The DBA curriculum includes coursework and hands-on field experience, with the aim of providing professionals with new insights into their own business. Students will also be required to complete a dissertation. Courses available include the following.

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the New Economy
  • Integrative Perspectives on Business Knowledge
  • Navigating the Global Marketplace
  • Understanding the Firm through Management and Organizational Theory

Learn more about Doctor of Business Administration program courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Business Administration offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $2,200.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $2,200.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Any alumnus of Temple University will receive a 5% scholarship.

BU-BA-DBA

Additional Program Information