Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at William Howard Taft University is designed for experienced professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, enhance leadership capabilities, and contribute to business research and practice. This fully online program offers the flexibility needed for executives, educators, and consultants aiming to drive innovation and solve complex business challenges.
Through a curriculum rooted in strategic decision-making, organizational leadership, and applied research, the DBA program fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills that translate directly into high-level business environments. Graduates of this program emerge as industry thought leaders equipped to influence corporate strategy, academic research, and entrepreneurial ventures.
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A Program Designed for Leaders
WHTU’s DBA program is structured to accommodate professionals with demanding schedules while providing a challenging and immersive doctoral experience. Students can choose between two learning modalities—Independent Study for self-paced learning or Directed Study for a more structured experience.
Through coursework exploring advanced business concepts, leadership theory, and global economic trends, students develop the expertise to drive meaningful organizational change. The program culminates in a doctoral dissertation or applied doctoral project (ADP), providing an opportunity to contribute original research or practical solutions to real-world business challenges.
What You'll Learn
The DBA curriculum is designed to bridge business theory with practical application. Students will explore:
Strategic Business Models and Competitive Advantage
Learn how to position organizations for long-term success.
Leadership and Organizational Change
Develop insights into leading teams and managing transformation in a dynamic business landscape.
Financial Management and Economic Trends
Gain expertise in corporate finance, risk management, and global economic forces.
Applied Research Methods
Master qualitative and quantitative methodologies to conduct impactful business research.
Curriculum
The DBA curriculum integrates advanced research, leadership theory, and strategic business practices. Designed for experienced professionals, it emphasizes critical analysis, applied research, and the development of innovative solutions to complex organizational challenges. Students engage in rigorous coursework and a doctoral project that contributes meaningful insights to their chosen field of business.
Filter By:
- Qualifying Courses
- Core Courses
- Dissertation/ADP
Global Business Practices & Challenges
MGT604 | 3 credits
Global or international business is a hot topic. Most businesses know they must join the globalization process, but many don’t know how. This course will provide insights on how managers can begin to develop international business projects by knowing how to do it and knowing some of the downside issues.
Leadership Theory & Practice
MGT605 | 3 credits
This course offers a comprehensive study of leadership theory and practice. Topics include the leader-follower relationship, the effects of gender, personal qualities that affect leadership, positive and productive leadership styles and strategies, and substitutes for leadership.
Organizational Design
MGT607 | 3 credits
A key to business success is building an organization that meets the market and business philosophy. Managers are constantly watching and adjusting their organizations. This course will provide insights on how to build, change, and organize business structures.
Designing Economic Business Strategies
FIN602 | 3 credits
Most managers have been developing budgets and looking at the business financial structure. Managers need a broader perspective so they can raise additional capital for expansion, plan for economic shifts in the national or world economy and insure financial stability for the entire business entity.
Negotiations & Dispute Settlement
BUS606 | 3 credits
Negotiations and dispute settlement are part of every business. Negotiations can be with suppliers, distributers, employees, or foreign governments. This course provides managers with theory and philosophy of negotiations and dispute resolution so they can provide a total organization policy on how their employees are to operate in these situations.
Global Economy
FIN604 | 3 credits
This course will be useful for managers who are, or will be, exploring international trade. The course focuses on the philosophies and actual operations of different foreign economic models. Using this knowledge will improve the decision-making process for making the international move.
Corporate Social Responsibility & Ethics
HMR605 | 3 credits
The old concept of laissez-faire in business is a thing of the past. Businesses are under pressure from many sectors. One of them is corporate social responsibility and ethics. This course explores the definition of these terms, how the concepts have evolved over the recent decades, and how managers must incorporate them as part of their business operations.
Business Law
BLW603 | 3 credits
Everything a manager does will have legal implications for the business. Personnel, contracts, product liability, international trade, taxes, and financial development are some of the key areas. This course explores the critical areas of business law with a focus on providing managers with enough knowledge to know how to avoid the obvious legal problems and when to bring in the legal experts.
International Marketing
MKT604 | 1 credits
International marketing in the context of this course is the process of making leadership decisions in the international business world that will benefit the corporation. The manager has many issues to consider when moving into foreign markets, starting with the questions “should we,” “if so, where,” and “what’s in it for us.” Additional considerations include legal, financial, and organizational impact.
Leadership Solutions for Innovation, Change, and Decision Making
MGT603 | 3 credits
One of the most difficult tasks of any manager is implementing change. In reality, some of the best change can come from the ranks. Managers must know how to bring the ideas for change to the surface, organize them, and then present them in a manner that encourages the employees to adopt them. The course will explore techniques to help maximize this process.
Competitive Analysis & Strategy
MKT606 | 3 credits
Dealing with competition is fundamental to operating a business. This course demonstrates how managers must be able to look at the competitive environment. It includes a more sophisticated perspective on how to recognize the value of competitors, how competitive decisions can have both positive and negative consequences, and how to lead the business to gain competitive positions.
Comprehensive Examination (Pass/Fail)
BUS699 | credits
This proctored examination, which can be taken anytime between the completion of the core courses and the Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) Proposal, is designed to measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of the curriculum content that has been covered in the program. Students must pass the examination prior to beginning the Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) Proposal.
Dissertation Proposal
DIS700 | 6 credits
This course assists students through the process of organization and design of a formal proposal, including a substantive research topic of original work. An accepted proposal constitutes the framework for the Statement of the Problem(Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), and Research Methodology(Chapter 3).
Dissertation
DIS703 | 9 credits
The successful completion of a dissertation results in a quality research effort, documented and written following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, an oral defense consisting of a PowerPoint presentation presented to the student’s dissertation committee, and written in a format ready for publication. The completed dissertation document is a five-chapter dissertation beginning with the Introduction to the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature(Chapter 2), Research Methodology (Chapter 3), Research Findings (Chapter 4), and Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the Researcher (Chapter 5). In addition, the final document will include the frontal pages as described in the University’s Dissertation Handbook, as well as necessary appendices, references, and other appropriate documents.
Applied Doctoral Project Proposal
BUS705 | 6 credits
The commencement of the Applied Doctoral Project begins with development of the ADP Proposal. The Proposal consists of three phases: Phase 1 is the Project Justification; Phase 2 is the Review of the Literature; Phase 3 is the Project Approach. The Project Justification should include a discussion of the specific problem you propose to address. You should then provide a brief description of the methodology you plan to use and why the methodology is appropriate (for example, review and analysis of previous work versus new research). The Review of the Literature entails a critical analysis, synthesis and integration of work that others have done in order to show where the proposed study fits into current debates and inquiries. Phase 2 is thus a formal summary and analysis of the literature directly related to your particular study. The Project Approach describes the procedures that will be followed in conducting the study. The format and content of this phase will vary depending on the nature of the study. For example, a project that requires collection of data will differ significantly from a project that analyzes data from a third party or a study that relies on a scholarly review of the literature.
Applied Doctoral Project
BUS706 | 9 credits
The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) is an alternative to the traditional dissertation in the Doctor of Business Administration program. The ADP students are expected to expand and apply existing knowledge and research to existing problems in their professional field. It allows a student to apply theories, principles, and processes they have learned in the Taft DBA program to an actual problem in business or an issue of interest and relevance to them in their professional activities. The focus of the work in the ADP is on development of an extensive scholarly document that will provide a professional value to the student’s work.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
PLO1
Apply advanced knowledge in business operations, legal, theoretical, and practical aspects.
PLO2
Evaluate complex business ethical issues and related legal issues and make appropriate decisions and recommendations based on sound reasoning and analysis.
PLO3
Make appropriate decisions and recommendations based on sound reasoning and analysis.
PLO4
Make socially responsible and environmentally sustainable choices when designing and implementing business strategies.
PLO5
Communicate effectively in a variety of modalities.
PLO6
Manage individuals and teams effectively by applying contemporary leadership theories and concepts.
PLO7
Author a properly formatted and presented dissertation representing a substantive research topic of original work OR develop an applied doctoral project.
Tuition and Admissions
Investing in your future has never been more accessible. The DBA program is competitively priced to offer a high-quality doctoral education at an affordable cost.
- Tuition Per Credit: $450
- Credits Required: 60
- Total Program Tuition: $27,000
- Learning Modalities: Independent Study and Directed Study
- Program Duration: Can be completed in as little as 30 months, and must be completed within 60 months
Required Course Materials
Each program has a list of required textbooks and resources for its courses. Textbook information, including titles, authors, and ISBNs, is updated regularly to ensure accuracy. Before purchasing materials, we recommend confirming the list with Student Support or reviewing your course syllabus in the e-learning platform.
Resources and Support
At WHTU, your success is supported at every stage of your academic journey. From advising and career planning to writing help and technical support, our student services are designed to meet the unique needs of online learners. Explore the full range of resources available to help you stay on track and reach your goals.
What Sets WHTU’s DBA Apart?
Beyond academic excellence, the WHTU DBA experience is centered around practical application, flexible learning, and personalized mentorship.
Our faculty comprises business leaders and scholars who bring real-world expertise into the classroom, helping students translate theory into tangible results.
Unlike many traditional doctoral programs, WHTU’s DBA offers an applied learning approach, enabling students to immediately apply concepts in their careers. Additionally, our emphasis on research and critical thinking prepares graduates to contribute meaningful insights to their industries.
Explore Further
Whether you are looking to enhance your leadership abilities, transition into academia, or drive business innovation, the Doctor of Business Administration at William Howard Taft University provides the tools and expertise to help you reach your goals.