Frequently Asked Questions

  • The PhD is an academic doctorate where research and theories are created, while the DBA is a professional doctorate where theories and processes are used to solve real-world issues.

  • To pursue a DBA, a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10-15 years of managerial or consultative experience is required. An MBA is not required; however, it is necessary to have a strong understanding of business fundamentals. The GMAT/GRE is not required.

  • Yes, the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Houston is accredited by AACSB International.

  • The Executive DBA program is designed to be completed in three years. During the first two years, candidates take three classes each in the fall and spring semesters. In the summers of the first and second year, candidates work on Directed Studies and the third year focuses on dissertation work.

  • The Bauer Executive DBA is a terminal doctoral degree. You will earn the esteemed title of “Doctor” after the successful completion of the program.

  • The Bauer Executive DBA tuition for the class entering Fall 2024 is approximately $35,000 per year, for three years. Out-of-state tuition is approximately $44,350 per year, for three years. A non-refundable deposit of $2,500 is required to accept an offer of admission to the Executive DBA program. This deposit will be credited toward your overall 3 years of tuition payment.

  • The Executive DBA program was designed with work-life balance in mind! The program offers a flexible curriculum that’s designed to fit the busy life of executives both in and outside the office using our hybrid model of distance learning and on-campus residencies.

  • The Bauer Executive Doctorate in Business Administration program was developed with today’s business leader in mind. The cutting-edge curriculum provides the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in various business sectors. Tier 1 Bauer research faculty teach and serve as mentors to professionals enrolled in the program. Candidates also have the opportunity to learn from nearly 200 faculty across multiple disciplines.

  • During the first two years of the Executive DBA program, candidates take three classes each in the fall and spring semesters. During each of these four semesters, participants come to campus for three immersive three-day weekends with their fellow DBA colleagues. All other program instruction will be online (two times per course per semester). In the summers of the first and second year, candidates work on Directed Studies and the third year focuses on dissertation work.

  • Executive DBA leadership will begin reviewing applications on January 1 of each year. And, final decisions will be made by June 1. New students begin their three-year journey during the fall semester.

  • Financial aid is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents through the federal government. In addition, educational loans and scholarships are available to assist candidates with the cost of enrollment.

  • Yes! We accept a variety of veteran’s benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Hazelwood Act, and Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30).

  • Due to the academic rigor of the Executive DBA program and the unique design of our seminar courses, transfer credit from another institution is not accepted.

  • Completion of our comprehensive DBA program will open doors to a wide range of career paths. Several in-demand career options include top-level C-suite executives, consultants and professors.

  • Our candidates are well into their careers in the business world and aspire to leverage academic rigor and intellectual advancement to solve real world business problems. Candidates should have a clear understanding of the basic business principles, at least 10-15 years managerial or consultative experience, and the ability to make a credible time commitment to studying throughout the program.

  • Our flexible and personalized curriculum is designed to provide candidates with the research-based tools needed to make critical decisions, the mindset to understand patterns and trends in an increasingly complex business environment and the insight needed to grasp cutting-edge business topics. The DBA program is grounded in faculty research expertise and doctoral education experience. We believe our exceptional research culture gives us the elite status to provide a research-focused DBA program for tomorrow’s business leaders.