Innovate to Shape the Future
The LMU Doctor of Business Administration offers an integrative and transformative experience, shaping seasoned working professionals into innovative problem solvers and globally responsible leaders. Our program is dedicated to fostering individuals committed to creating meaningful global, social, and economic impact through a synergy of research, education, and practical application.
Our DBA program prepares you to:
- Fuse empirical exploration with evidence-based decision-making for informed and strategic choices.
- Employ advanced research methods to effectively address challenges within industries and organizations.
- Utilize data-driven insights to make positive contributions to social and environmental sustainability in modern business culture.
- Design and deliver impactful and meaningful learning experiences.
DBA versus Ph.D. versus MBA
While both a DBA and a Ph.D. are terminal degrees focused on research, a Ph.D. is designed to contribute primarily to theoretical discovery, whereas a DBA centers on practical application — using research to address contemporary business challenges. An MBA focuses on developing industry leaders by imparting existing business knowledge, teaching effective application of that knowledge, and nurturing practical skills. A DBA can be completed while maintaining professional work in 3 years, while a Ph.D. requires students to study full-time for 4–7 years. An MBA can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, taking as few as 1–2 years to complete.
Program Delivery and Schedule
The LMU Doctor of Business Administration is designed to be completed in 3 years. Your first two years are focused on coursework and seminars to develop skills in research inquiry and analysis. The third year is focused on research and the dissertation. Students requiring more time to complete their dissertation may take an additional fourth year and have the ability to petition for a fifth year. Admission is offered for fall enrollment.
Courses are delivered online blending synchronous class meetings (3 hours a week) with asynchronous content. In-person residencies take place once per semester, Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon, throughout year 1 and 2. The program includes a week-long pre-program residential. Students are also expected to engage in professional development opportunities, including attending and presenting at conferences and symposiums, as well as building relationships with LMU faculty who share similar research interests.
A Dynamic Classroom Environment
The teaching approach within the DBA program is distinctive. Our curriculum utilizes collaborative teaching pods, where faculty members work together to develop and deliver each course. These pods consist of 2–3 members from different disciplines, providing DBA students with the unique advantage of learning from multiple instructors within a single course. This innovative approach fosters an environment for active learning, encouraging interdisciplinary connections and applications, and, in turn, contributes to more engaging discussions and a vibrant learning environment.
Our Southern California Campus
LMU is an ideal location for DBA students. With easy access to freeways and LAX just 10 minutes away, our beautiful Westchester campus is conveniently located for working professionals throughout Southern California and beyond. We're surrounded by more than 500 technology startups including some of the nation's most exciting and creative companies. This dynamic region is the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem in the U.S. and a thriving hub for synergistic learning.
By taking advantage of our location, the College of Business Administration provides extensive research opportunities in a region boasting a diverse array of industries and fields, including aerospace, entertainment, technology, fashion, international finance, biotechnology, manufacturing, and marketing. We cultivate close relationships with L.A. business leaders, gaining access to the most innovative and dynamic organizations in the creative capital of the world.