Doctor of Business Administration
Advance your evidence-based decision-making skills to be more impactful in business.
Earn an online doctorate in business
It is time to achieve the highest level you can in business. It is time to drive positive transformations in organizational performance and employee success. Enhance your skills and expertise with research, courses, and a dissertation. Your educational journey will be enriched by peers who share your passion for learning and achieving more within your cohort.
Submit your DBA application by November 1 for January 2025 start.
Join us for an informational webinar on October 22 @ 12 PM CST.
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Please note - this program is offered online through our sister campus at Concordia University Wisconsin.
In this program, you will identify and research the challenges organizations are facing in today's evolving business environment. There is a focus on developing applicable knowledge and skills that you can take back to your workplace and make an immediate difference. Your growth as a scholar-practitioner will change your mindset when encountering complex issues and new business opportunities. With the completion of a dissertation, you will gain the confidence and expertise to a be an impactful leader in business.
This three-year, 60-credit program features two concentrations:
- Financial and Economic Management: Study how the financial and economic theory impacts global and regional organizations. You'll have the opportunity to explore further either financial or economic principles allowing you to apply the concepts to organizational structure and productivity.
- Organizational Performance and Change (OPC): Learn applied methods and theories that address organizational improvement by examining individual, team, and organizational analysis and enhancing decision-making techniques.
Concordia University offers another doctoral degree with the more research-intensive Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Discover the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and dive into high-level research.
DBA Student Discussion
Listen to current students explain their reasons for pursuing a DBA and why they chose to earn their doctoral degree at Concordia University.
NEW - All But The Dissertation (ABD) option
Have you started your doctorate but life got in the way? Have you completed your DBA courses, but never finished your dissertation? Our program provides the opportunity for students who have completed all requirements for a doctorate at another institution except for their doctoral dissertation to earn their degree. Concordia University welcomes all applicants who have achieved this status in their graduate education. We will help you achieve your goal and set you up for success.
Be a part of a doctoral program that is focused on your goals, your learning needs, and your overall well-being. At Concordia, we understand that you have commitments outside of school that will need to take priority at times. This flexible approach will provide an easier pathway to earning your DBA.
- 60-credit program
- 8-week online sessions
- Cohort format
- 3-year expected completion
- Complete and defend your dissertation
- Attend two in-person residencies at our Wisconsin campus when you start the program and when you begin your final year of the program
- January and July start dates
Hear from our students
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This doctoral program is making a difference in your life, and you’re instantly making a difference in your team, and your organization.
Matthew Harwell / Current DBA Student, Organizational Change and Performance -
The DBA is a practical doctorate. It is a practical endeavor. You get to choose what you want to study. You get to choose what makes a difference to you.
Christopher Duncan / Current DBA Student, Business Administration
Please note: this program is offered online through our sister campus at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Entrance requirements
- Must have a master's degree with a focus in this doctoral program or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in one's master's coursework. (A lower GPA will be considered on an individual basis.)
- Provide proof of English proficiency if English is a second language.
- No GMAT or GRE is required.
Admissions process for graduate school
- Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Submit official transcripts from graduate or equivalent coursework
- Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references
- Submit an example of scholarly writing from graduate-level courses or other related work
- Participate in a video-conference interview
Accepted into the program
- An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID number.
- An email from your Admissions Counselor will be sent to you with Next-Step details and you will need to submit your tuition deposit.
- Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you with access to Blackboard, your Concordia email account, and your student portal.
Please note:
- Uncommon Scholarships: If you meet the qualifications, please complete the Uncommon Scholarship application
Admission to the DBA program is governed by policies and procedures developed by the Batterman School of Business and Concordia University of Wisconsin. The University reserves the right to refuse admission or re-admission to any prospective study or re-enrollment to any student. Any applicant who intentionally withholds pertinent information or falsifies information may be required to withdraw from Concordia University. The University and the Batterman School of Business reserve the right to make necessary changes to admission requirement without notice.
The DBA is a competitive admissions process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the DBA program. Concordia University of Wisconsin and the Batterman School of Business may request additional documentation to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admissions decision can be made.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis through the calendar year.
Effective in the Fall 2022 semester, students who have taken equivalent doctoral-level courses at a different university can submit a DBA Transfer Credit Application to have up to 30 credits count towards Concordia's DBA program requirements. Courses must be equivalent in scope and rigor to Concordia's DBA courses.
Concordia MBA students who receive pre-approval to take up to 12 qualifying DBA credits (at the 8000-level or above) may count these credits toward the DBA program.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to supply official transcripts along with a transfer credit request to have the credit(s) applied to the DBA program. Students may be asked to submit a syllabus for coursework being considered for transfer, along with a rationale as to why the student believes the course(s) meets the DBA requirements. Eligibility of transfer credits will be assessed by the DBA Director and based on relevance to DBA studies.
International students should contact the Office of International Admissions at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional information on eligibility and application requirements. For more details, please visit our International Admissions page.
Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.
Angela Belz
Ph.D., M.S.
Department Chair - Qualitative Programs, Associate Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2174
Bio
Angela Belz teaches marketing, public relations, business communication and leadership administration. Her research focuses on how organizational systems and business principles can improve the conditions of under-served populations. She recently initiated and was approved to create a neuromarketing lab in the School of Business in order to enhance the scientific quantitative research into consumer decision making and human behavior.
Education
- Ph D - Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service, Cardinal Stritch University (2018)
- MS - Student Personnel Administration, Concordia University Wisconsin (2007)
- BA - Business Administration , Ottawa University (2004)
Research Interests
- Social media and consumer behavior
- Social media and mental health
Teaching Interests
- Marketing Research/Neuromarketing
- Public Relations
Gerard Isaac Bolling
Adjunct Professor
Phone: (347) 257-7599
Bio
Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Leadership and Theology at Concordia University Texas, and also as an LCMS Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis. His professorship is fully online, and teaching remote students is a major a passion of his. Dr. Bolling is a proud CUW EdD LICI 2020 program graduate. He has been married to his lovely wife, Lorenda, for six years and they have two young children.
Education
- EDD - Leadership, Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI), Concordia University Wisconsin (2020)
- M Div - Pastoral Theology, Concordia Seminary (2016)
Research Interests
- Leadership
- Urban Ministry
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Teaching Interests
- Leadership
- Business/Nonprofit leadership
- Theology/Religion
David Borst
BS, MBA, EDD
Adjunct Professor
Phone: (414) 828-9298
Bio
Dr. David Borst is the Executive Director and COO of the Family Business Leadership Partners (FBLP). Prior to joining FBLP as the director, Dr. Borst served 18 years at Concordia University Wisconsin, the last six as dean of the School of Business. Dr. Borst left CUW fulltime in 2014 to run multiple businesses under his label of borstthebrand.com. He is a regular columnist in Biztimes magazine , and is the Director of the Raabe Honors Academy.
Education
- EDD - Higher Education, Argosy (2003)
- MBA - Business Ethics, Marquette (1987)
Research Interests
- Economics
Teaching Interests
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
Kenneth E. Harris
Ph.D; MBA; BA; BS
Department Chair - Justice and Public Policy
Phone: (262) 243-4365
Bio
Kenneth Harris, Jr., Ph.D. is Department Chair - Justice and Public Policy; Chief Strategist of Talented Strategies; retired Police Lieutenant; President - Launch MKE; President - 100 Black Men of Greater Milwaukee; Commissioner - City of Milwaukee Civic and Safety Commission.
Education
- Ph D - Leadership Studies, Marian University (2009)
- MBA - Finance, Concordia University Wisconsin (2002)
- BA - Management of Criminal Justice, Concordia University Wisconsin (2000)
- BS - Mass Communication, Illinois State University (1984)
- Diversity and Inclusion, Cornell University (2019)
Research Interests
- African American Law Enforcement Officers
- Self-Leadership
Teaching Interests
- Criminal Justice
- Leadership
Laura E. Hurtienne
Ed.D. Transformational Leadership
Director - DBA Program, Assistant Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2093
Bio
Dr. Laura Hurtienne is an educator and researcher. She earned her Ed.D. in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University Portland and is an alumna of Concordia University Wisconsin, where she earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. As a professor, she teaches and writes doctoral and undergraduate courses in leadership, change, research, and innovation. Dr. Hurtienne also supports doctoral students as a dissertation advisor. She is fully engaged in the fields of equity leadership, change management, employee engagement, and organizational development. Dr. Hurtienne has experience owning her own healthcare business and has consulted with businesses and organizations during critical times of transformation.
Education
- EDD - Transformational Leadership , Concordia University Portland (2017)
- MS - Education, Concordia University Wisconsin (2012)
- BA - Music, University of Wisconsin Parkside (1999)
Contributions
- Hurtienne, L. & Hurtienne, M. (2024). An introduction to equity leadership: Meeting individual employee needs across organizations. In Dr. Thomas Garavan (Ed.), (5/6 ed.,vol. 48,pp. 609-624). European Journal of Training and Development. http://doi.org/1...
Presentations
- Hurtienne, L. (2022). Preliminary Findings of the Theory of Educational Change.. Other. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference. Moved from in person to online.
Research Interests
- Employee Engagement
- Organizational Change
Teaching Interests
- Leadership and change
- Leadership and engagment
Matthew Hurtienne
Ph.D.
Dean - Batterman School of Business, Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2024
Education
- Ph D - Education and Human Resource Studies, Colorado State University (2015)
- MS - Organizational Leadership, Norwich University (2009)
- BS - Management, Southern Illinois University (2007)
- Instructional Design Mastery Series , Online Learning Consortium (2016)
Contributions
- Hurtienne, L. & Hurtienne, M. (2024). An introduction to equity leadership: Meeting individual employee needs across organizations. In Dr. Thomas Garavan (Ed.), (5/6 ed.,vol. 48,pp. 609-624). European Journal of Training and Development. http://doi.org/1...
Research Interests
- Employee Engagement
- Organizational Effectivness
Teaching Interests
- Human Resource Development
- Organizational, Performance, and Change
Oleg Ivanets
Ph.D.
Department Chair - Quantitative Business, Assistant Professor
Office: Student Services - CUAA SS134
Bio
I have 7 years of industry experience in private equity followed by 8 years of university teaching experience. My research interests are macroeconomics and monetary policy; financial stability; long-term investments and sustainable development.
Education
- Ph D - Economics, University of Hawaii at Manoa (2018)
- MS - Economic cybernetics, Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (2006)
Presentations
- Ivanets, O. (2022). A road to hell is paved with good intentions: an empirical investigation of the macroeconomic impact of mortgage loans using VAR. Case of Australia.. Oral Presentation. 97th WEAI (Western Economic Association International) Conference. Portland, Oregon.
Research Interests
- Financial stability
- Sustainable development
Teaching Interests
- Finance
- Economics
Jennifer Knowles
Ph.D, M.S.
Assistant Professor
Bio
Assistant Professor Faculty in the School of Business who teaches primarily in the Doctor of Business Administration program.
Education
- Ph D - Organizational Learning, Performance and Change, Colorado State University (2017)
- MS - Human Resources and Organizational Development, Eastern Michigan University (2003)
- BS - English, University of Michigan (2000)
Contributions
- Knowles, J. & Mainiero, L. (2021). "Authentic Talent Development in Women Leaders Who Opted Out: Discovering Authenticity, Balance, and Challenge through the Kaleidoscope Career Model." In Special Issue Editors: Dr. Justin Irving and Dr. Christopher Howard, of the Special Issue: Servant Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (Ed.), no. (2 ed.,vol. 11). Basel: Administrative Sciences. http://doi.org/1...
Research Interests
- Authenticity, Balance and Challenge
- Women in the Workforce
Teaching Interests
- Organizational Performance and Change
- Social Entrepreneurship
Daniel Sem
PhD, JD, MBA
Associate Vice President - Academics for Research and Innovation, Research Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2778
Education
- JD - Intellectual Property; Corporate Law, Marquette University (2015)
- Ph D - Biochemistry, UW-Madison (1990)
- MBA - Marquette University (2013)
- BS - Biochemistry, UW-MIlwaukee (1986)
Contributions
- Sem, D. & Beck, J. Academic Freedom in Private Religious Universities.
- Usai, R., Kaluka, D., Cai, S., Sem, D. & Kincaid, J., (2023). Solution phase refinement of active site structure using 2D NMR and judiciously 13C-labeled cytochrome P450. (vol. 241,pp. 9). Elsevier. http://www.scien...
- Wetzel, E., Marks, K., Gleason, A., Brown-Ford, S., Reid, T., Chaundhury, S., Lindeman, S., Sem, D. & Donaldson, W., (2022). Discovery of two novel (4-hydroxyphenyl) substituted polycyclic carbocycles as potent and selective estrogen receptor beta agonists. (vol. 73,pp. 5). Elsevier.
- Sem, D. (2021). Chronic oral administration of a novel estrogen receptor beta agonist enhances memory and alleviates drug-induced vasodilation in young ovariectomized mice. (vol. 130,pp. 10498). Hormones and Behavior.
- Sem, D. (2020). Synthesis and evaluation of 17a-trazolyl and 9a-cyano derivatives of estradiol. . (vol. 28,pp. 115670). Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry.
Research Interests
- Drug design and development
- Intellectual property
Teaching Interests
- Entrepreneurship
- Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Martin Zummersch
Adjunct Professor
Phone: (920) 400-0563
Bio
For the last 20 years, Dr. Zummersch has been involved in the development of new product development strategies, the creation of successful product portfolios, and the development and launch of large product platforms in the industrial and consumer goods industries in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Dr. Zummersch is member of the Project Management Institute PMI, and the American Society for Quality ASQ.
Education
- DBA - Business Administration, Case Western Reserve University (2008)
- MBA - Operations Management, Case Western Reserve University (1999)
Research Interests
- Group Decision Making
- Organizational Frontlines
- Design Thinking
Teaching Interests
- Project Management
- Operations Research
- Statistics
How does it work?
- As an incoming student, you can transfer up to 30 credits into the DBA program
- In addition, 30 credits will be needed to graduate - 24 credits through research courses to help you write your dissertation and 6 topical credits
- Collaborate with other DBA students in one three-day residency in either January or July of the year you begin.
- Your faculty advisor will guide you through seven dissertation courses so you make consistent progress from day one
- Average length of completion is 1.5 year
- Upon dissertation completion, you will graduate with a Doctorate in Business Administration
To be admitted into the DBA program, applicants must:
- Have a master’s degree with a focus in business or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Submit an application at mohicantunesrecords.com/apply
- Submit official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Seven year maximum for transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution. Credits aged between 8 and 12 years can be accepted as an exception, with director approval
- Must have completed all required doctoral program coursework and/or achieved candidacy at another institution
- Cannot be academically dismissed from the previous doctoral program
- Previous doctoral programs must academically align with a degree program and specialization offered by Concordia
- Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references
- Submit a personal statement (no more than 3 pages)
- Discuss events that lead to the ABD status
- Explain how the CUW Doctorate of Business Administration ABD pathway can help you meet your goals
- A research topic or interest area that the applicant plans to study
- Participate in a video-conference interview
- No GMAT or GRE required
- Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in prior doctoral program.Exception with director approval
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide English proficiency
Upcoming Webinar
Date: October 22, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM CDT
Get a detailed overview of our PhD and DBA programs in Business Administration from the program director, Laura Hurtienne, current doctoral students, and admissions.
Previously recorded webinars:
- New DBA concentration in Business Sustainability
- The DBA experience from a current student's perspective
- What is a DBA and why Concordia?
- In-depth look at the three concentrations
- How to successfully complete your dissertation - includes cohort 1 student feedback
- DBA overview
- Overview of the three DBA concentrations
- The doctorate experience- What to expect
- How to complete your dissertation successfully