Executive DBA
Chart your course to high-level leadership.
At Saint Mary’s College, our innovative EDBA track is designed for experienced business professionals and managers who want to become practitioner-scholars, helping forge a more thoughtful, equitable economy and society.
Guided by our seasoned faculty, you will expand your theoretical and analytical understanding and apply your new knowledge to complex business situations. Ultimately, you will leave our program well-equipped to be “thought leaders”—whether running your own company, starting a consulting firm, or training the next generation of professionals.
Program Duration
3 Years - Classes begin October
Year 1: Coursework
Year 2: Coursework + dissertation proposal defense
Year 3: Dissertation defense
Learning Environment
Flexible Class Schedule
Online/in-person hybrid
Small class cohort
Ample networking opportunities
Return on Investment
Salary Outcomes
$193,000 for CEOs with a DBA - (Payscale, 2019)
Program Details
Applicants for the Executive DBA Program are a diverse group of highly motivated senior executives, representing a wide range of industries and backgrounds.
Academic preparation:
- Applicants for admission to the Executive Doctorate of Business Administration program must hold a master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
- Applicants must have at least ten years of work experience.
- December 10
- February 25
- June 10
- September 9
About the Hybrid Program
You will gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to be successful in advanced graduate business courses. You must meet the requirements for all seven foundation courses; however, you may qualify to have these courses waived based on previous academic work.
Year 1
| First year | Course 1 | Course 2 |
| Quarter 1 – Oct-Dec | ORB 901 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior: Theory and Practice | ORB 902 - Becoming an Applied Scholar Through Scientific Inquiry |
| Quarter 2 – Jan-Mar | OPS 903 - Quantitative Research Methods and Statistical Analysis | OPS 904 - Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis |
| Quarter 3 – Mar-Jun | OPS 905 - Integrative Research design | MGT 906 - Strategy & Business Models for a Global Marketplace |
| Quarter 4 – Jul-Sep | EDBA 991 - Dissertation Proposal Research Practicum 1 |
EDBA 991 - Dissertation Proposal Research Practicum 1 |
Year 2
| Second year | Course 1 | Course 2 |
| Quarter 5 – Oct-Dec | MKT – 907 Marketing: Applied Theory and Practice | MGT 908 - Innovation: Theory and Silicon Valley Perspectives |
| Quarter 6 – Jan-Mar | FIN 909 - Corporate Finance Seminar | OPS 910 - Operations and Supply Chain: Research and Practice |
| Quarter 7 – Mar-Jun | EDBA 992 - Dissertation proposal Research Practicum II | ACCTG 911 - Accounting Theory and Application |
| Quarter 8 – Jul-Sep | EDBA 993 - Dissertation Proposal Research Practicum III | EDBA 993 - Dissertation Proposal Research Practicum III |
Year 3
| Third year | Course 1 | Course 2 |
| Quarter 9 – Oct-Dec | EDBA 994 - Dissertation Research Thesis I | ORB 912 - Knowledge Dissemination From Theory to Practice |
| Quarter 10 – Jan-Mar | EDBA 995 - Dissertation Research Thesis II | EDBA 996 - Research Colloquium |
| Quarter 11 – Mar-Jun | EDBA 997 - Dissertation Research Thesis III | EDBA 997 - Dissertation Research Thesis III |
| Quarter 12 – Jul-Sep | EDBA 998 - Dissertation Research Thesis IV | EDBA 998 - Dissertation Research Thesis IV |
Saint Mary’s offers generous financial assistance to both undergraduate and graduate students, through grants, scholarships, work-study and loan programs.
Tuition for the Executive DBA Program:
- 2022-23 Academic Year: $122,400 total