Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The world of business can be incredibly competitive, and many accomplished executives and high-level professionals are looking for a way to distinguish themselves and what they can bring to the table for an organization. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program at Salem University builds off of the knowledge and curriculum of an MBA program to give you a deeper understanding of theory, research, current practices, and professional standards. Using a combination of analytical, practical, and research-based approaches to education, the students in our practice-oriented DBA program discover how to objectively analyze quantitative or qualitative data, assess it without bias, and present findings to a wide range of stakeholders in relevant, understandable ways. We also encourage students to add to the current disciplinary body of knowledge through publications and presentations.

The DBA degree program at Salem is divided into three phases: Phase 1, which includes both core and specialized coursework, as well as participation in the first residency and a comprehensive exam; Phase 2, which consists of the development and defense of the student’s dissertation proposal; and Phase 3, which includes the researching, writing, and defense of the full dissertation.

Salem University’s Doctor of Business Administration program is consistent with the guidelines set out by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ABCSP), with a curriculum that includes coverage of global issues; the influence of political, social, legal, environmental, and technological issues; the impact of demographic diversity on organizations; and the history and foundation of management theory and practice. All of these elements ensure that graduates are well-prepared to be effective leaders in the modern, technology-driven world.

Why Salem University

Like our MBA program, Salem University’s Doctor of Business Administration program is available fully online, combining our long history in the field of higher education with the flexibility and ease of access of distance education. This means you can pursue your DBA degree wherever and whenever you need to without having to quit your full-time job or uproot your current life and responsibilities. We also deliver our online programs in a unique one-course-a-month format that allows students to measure their progress and focus on one section at a time, building their knowledge as they go. DBA applicants can submit a portfolio for a prior learning assessment based on relevant professional experience totaling at least five years for up to nine credits total. This includes experience in leadership positions with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A Proud History Built on Academic Tradition

Salem offers master's, bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs as well as post-master's certificate programs in a wide array of subject areas and specializations.

Undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Salem generally require successful completion of a set of liberal arts foundation courses that includes English, mathematics, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities. The fundamental roles of these general education courses are to:

• Support the Mission of the University.
• Emphasize the liberal arts, which are directed to general intellectual growth and development.
• Integrate the various disciplines.
• Offer philosophical, ethical, social, historical, literary, or aesthetic components.
• Provide the tools and concepts for analyzing culture and society in an international context.

In addition students are expected to gain the following competencies:

• Writing, listening, and speaking skills
• Critical thinking ability
• Quantitative and technological proficiencies
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills
• International and multicultural awareness
• Leadership and citizenship skills

Consistent with and in support of the Mission, most undergraduate students will complete several general education courses that focus on global information and perspectives.

Most programs of study offer additional recommended courses that are meant to expand students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in support of their major

The goals of the University are to:

• Serve the public good through academic scholarship and community engagement;
• Create an environment conducive to multicultural understanding;
• Continue professional development of faculty and staff;
• Enhance student learning, teaching and institutional effectiveness; and
• Maintain fiscal integrity through sound financial stewardship.