Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

YOUR TIME TO LEAD, ACHIEVE, AND TRANSFORM.
Dynamic global market conditions require credentialed, seasoned and informed leaders. Professionals must be prepared to craft visionary strategies and implement innovative practices focused on analyzing and addressing complex challenges. Earning your Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree is a defining executive credential.
The DBA degree program at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a fully online doctoral degree program that enables business- and management-oriented professionals, industry executives, business managers, military leaders, higher education administrators and consultants to advance their careers. You'll undergo rigorous coursework in business and management through one of our areas of study: Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Management. In addition to being an exceptional value, our courses follow an eight-week schedule and are entirely online with occasional synchronous class meetings.
Why Earn Your Doctor of Business Administration at TESU?
Acquiring a DBA degree is a key professional differentiator. The DBA degree program at TESU provides you with the business theories and practices you need to overcome the complex institutional issues confronting businesses today. Our qualified mentors are dedicated to expanding your knowledge with seminal topics from the liberal arts and sciences with contemporary theories, models, tools and best practices associated with 21st-century leadership, culture and change.
This unique learning approach provides students with an adaptable and customizable doctoral experience. The cohort-based, scholar-practitioner learning community is enriched by a professional network of student colleagues, maximizing the potential for individual growth and career advancement.
Throughout your entire doctoral experience, you will receive highly responsive guidance and focused attention to help you reach this career-defining educational achievement. You will gain access to exclusive scholarly and professional communities for life.
What You'll Learn
Your DBA degree will give you the advanced knowledge you need to lead organizations and make critical decisions. Discover the learning experiences that await you at TESU.

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Program Highlights
When you choose a DBA at TESU, you'll receive benefits that further add to the exceptional value of your degree.
Concierge Student Engagement and Service Model
The school’s Concierge Student Engagement and Service model provides responsive and comprehensive academic and operational support throughout the doctoral program.
Unique Curriculum Design
Our scholar-practitioner and interdisciplinary curriculum is comprised of five unique content domains.
Orientation Research Symposium and Networking: On-site and Virtual
Incoming cohort members participate in a comprehensive orientation introducing students to key dimensions of the university and school of business and management, including, but not limited to; degree program, mentoring, performance expectations, and offer best practices associated with time-management, critical thinking, academic writing, and research. The event includes DBA and Ed.D. degree current students, alumni, mentors, and staff.
Low-cost Educational Resources
TESU provides a portfolio of academic and applied course resources organized using a high-quality cost-effective blend of e-books, articles and Open Educational Resources.
Early Access to the First DBA Course (DBA-8000)
As a DBA student, you'll have a preliminary view and early navigation of Moodle, TESU's learning management system, to get a head start in inspecting the DBA course structure. You'll have access to examine syllabi, modules, grading rubrics, discussion forums, mentor office hours and course resources — all in one place.
Access to Doctoral Scholar-Practitioner Community of Practice Platform
Exclusive to School of Business and Management students, the platform provides academic and professional learning opportunities for you. The repository provides access to innumerable resources and tools to deliver quality business and management education that is industry-relevant and career-enabling.
Dean-Associate Dean Seminar Series
The Dean, Associate Dean and staff delivery focused seminars throughout the academic year. Several seminar series include Dean’s Research Seminar, Academic Writing Seminar, Scholar-Practitioner Field Project, Adjunct Teaching Seminar, Publishing and Presenting Seminar, Accepted Student Seminar Series, and New Student Cohort Seminar.
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Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the Doctor of Business Administration program, you will be able to:
- Integrate financial, operational and cultural data analysis in organizational strategic planning and management.
- Analyze the global competitive environment to plan for sustainable organizational growth.
- Employ interpersonal, instructional and consulting skills to communicate effectively in key industry, education and market related formats.
- Demonstrate ethical behavior in organizational governance, leadership and engagement.
- Synthesize theory, research, technologies and experiential data in making evidenced-based decisions.
- Evidence commitment to and support of diversity, multiculturalism, equity and social justice.
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Courses and Credit Allocation
The Doctor of Business Administration degree is composed of Five Domains and sixteen 3 credit courses (48 credit) program.
The Domains are:
- Domain I: Inquiry Systems and Models: Critical Thought and Action in Global Leadership and Organizations (3 Credits)
- Domain II: Integrated Orientations: Leadership, Business and Culture (21 credits)
- Domain III: Leadership, Culture, and Research Methods (9 credits)
- Domain IV: Instructional and Consultative Professional Practice (6 credits)
- Domain V: Scholar-Practitioner Field Project (9 credits)
*DBA-9050: Seminar in Scholar-Practitioner Research
This course can be registered for two (2) consecutive terms. If after two (2) registrations, two (2) eight (8) week registrations, a student has not passed the course, the student will be withdrawn from the program and referred to the dean to determine continuance in the program.**Scholar-Practitioner Field Project
The final three courses (DBA-9100, DBA-9200 and DBA-9300) can be completed in the 8-week course format. For students requiring additional course time to complete these courses, they can petition the Dean to re-register in a course. Students can register for these courses for three (3) consecutive terms, first (1) registration and two (2) additional registrations. If after three (3) eight (8) week registrations, a student has not passed the course, the student will be withdrawn from the program and referred to the dean to determine continuance in the program.One 3-credit course per term
Domain I: Inquiry Systems and Models: Critical Thought and Action in the Global Leadership and Organizations – (3 credits)
Domain II. Integrated Orientations: Leadership, Business and Culture – (21 credits)
- Term II
- Term III
- Term IV
- Term V
- Term VI
- Term VII
- Term VIII
Domain III. Leadership, Culture, and Research Methods – (9 credits)
- Term IX
- DBA-8800 Cultural Competency in the 21st Century (3)
-or- - OML-8020 Seminar in Leadership and Culture: Organizational and National Perspectives (3)
- DBA-8800 Cultural Competency in the 21st Century (3)
- Term X
- DBA-8100 Qualitative Research Method and Application (3)
- Term XI
Domain IV. Instructional and Consultative Practice – (6 credits)
- Term XII
- Term XIII
Domain V. Scholar-Practitioner Field Project - Field Research: Research Methods, Application and Completion* – (9 credits)**
- Term XIV
- Term XV
- Term XVI
Total Credits: 48
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Meet the Mentors
Dr. Eric T. Brey
Education
- Ph.D., Purdue University
- M.S. and B.A., Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Dr. Eric T. Brey focuses his work on the implementation of customer-centric strategy and service design influences on organizational success. He has been recognized for innovation as an AT&T Technology Fellow and an extraordinary marketing mind by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), while being quoted in various international media outlets on his research and work on customer needs. He has received numerous scientific awards for his research and has been published in various top-tier journals for the same work. Brey currently serves as an advisor to the Chief Marketing Officer Council. As a teacher-scholar passionate about engaging with industry, he has had the privilege of working with Fortune 500 companies, globally-based companies, international associations and numerous governments through the world.
Dr. Cheryl Chance
Education
- Ph.D., Global Leadership (Corporate and Organizational Management), Lynn University
- M.S., Health Care Management and Policy, New School University
- M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Wilmington University
Dr. Cheryl Chance has been with Thomas Edison State University since 2009 and has contributed to developing the health care management program. She has held leadership roles in higher education, including at Kaplan University, Lincoln College, and Independence University. Dr. Chance has also taught at various institutions, such as SUNY Empire State College and Colorado State University Global Campus.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Chance has held executive positions in healthcare and human services organizations, including Director of Social Services at Life Care of PSL and Director of Support Services at Unity House of Cayuga County. She also served as Unity House Board of Directors president from 2009 to 2012.
Dr. Chance is also a licensed therapist in Delaware and Florida, where she operates a private practice. Her research interests include online classroom success and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals.
Dr. John Machnic
Education
- Ph.D. Economics (Public Finance, Public Choice, Urban and Regional Economics), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- M.A. Economics and Political Science, Ball State University
- B.A. Political Science, Niagara University
Dr. John Machnic is a business consultant and educator with significant experience in private industry as a chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as well as with nonprofits, having served as an executive director for two different organizations. His academic interests include research methods, economics and finance. Machnic has developed online courses for Wester University, Capella University and Thomas Edison State University.
Dr. Garry McDaniel
Education
- Ed.D. (Human Resource Leadership), The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- M.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling), Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
- B.S. in Education (Environmental Management), Texas State University
Dr. Garry McDaniel is the MBA Academic Director and professor of leadership, management, organizational change, business communication and coaching at Wroclaw School of Banking in Wroclaw, Poland. He is an executive board member for the International Coaches Union and frequent presenter at workshops and conferences across Europe and the Middle East. Garry led the global leadership and management training programs for a $4 billion semi-conductor company. Garry has written six books including Conflict Management in Healthcare: Creating A Culture of Cooperation, The Dog’s Guide to Your Happiness: Seven Secrets for a Better Life from Man’s Best Friend, High Performance Coaching Activities, and Team Activities for Coaches.
Dr. Erin Rybicki
Education
- DBA, Thomas Edison State University
- J.D., Delaware Law School
- M.Ed., Widener University
- B.A., Rowan University
Dr. Erin Elizabeth Rybicki is a professor, author, and attorney. She currently teaches at Thomas Edison State University and serves as a tenured Associate Professor of Business Law & Legal Studies at Mercer County College. Previously, Dr. Rybicki was faculty and Assistant Director at Delaware Law School, where she received the Widener University LEI Faculty of the Year award twice. She has extensive experience in assessment, external accreditation, and chairing reviews for Middle States and the American Bar Association.
A licensed attorney with a strong focus on personal finance, Dr. Rybicki advocates for accessible business education and emphasizes teaching personal finance and money management to college students. Her work often explores the intersection of business and law. Since 2017, she has been a staff editor for the Atlantic Law Journal. A frequent conference presenter, Dr. Rybicki is passionate about sharing her expertise in business, legal, and personal finance education.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Rybicki is a business consultant and co-author of Legal Ethics, 4th ed. (Cengage). She is committed to accessible education and has developed numerous OER courses in business, law, and ethics.
Dr. Paul Sam
Education
- Ph.D. in Organization and Management (Specialization: Information Technology Management), Capella University
- MBA, Amberton University
- Master of International Business, University of St. Thomas
- B.S. in Economics and Finance, University of Texas-Dallas
Dr. Paul Sam is chief operating officer for a Global Energy Company and an educator with significant experiences in leadership, global business, project management, information technology development and management. His 29 years of management includes executive positions managing global projects in Fortune 100 companies. Academic interests include project management, international business, information technology and operations management. Sam's research interests include global cultures, business intelligence (BI), global supply chain and information technology (IT). Sam says he uses formative evaluation technique to locate areas for improvement in his students and uses learning/teaching adjustments to correct any observed areas of opportunity.
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Credit Transfer
- A total of six (6) doctoral level credits; equivalent courses and/or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may be transferred to the DBA degree.
- Doctoral-level course equivalent transfer credit and /or PLA credit accepted only through evaluation and approval by the Dean, School of Business and Management or designate.
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Program Progression
- Students admitted to the DBA degree program progress through the DBA curriculum with the cohort to which they were admitted.
- Students earning a C grade in a course will follow the C grade policy.
- The program must be completed within seven years of admission into the program.
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Graduation Requirements
- DBA students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good standing at TESU to be certified for graduation.
- All program requirements must be successfully completed, including the final Scholar-Practitioner Field Project.
Career Outlook
141k
median starting salary
600+
annual job openings
4.3%
job growth expected through 2025
Tuition & Financial Aid
At TESU, we’ve been empowering adults toward brighter futures for more than 50 years. Learning the total cost of attending TESU is an important step in your college search. See our tuition rates and explore financial aid options to start planning your future.
Admission Requirements
Earning a Doctor of Business Administration degree requires commitment, persistence and dedication.
Read through our DBA degree program requirements to ensure you meet our admissions criteria and start your application today.
Take the Next Steps
Ready to invest in your future by earning a DBA degree? Learn more about what sets TESU apart and request information about our program. Take the next step toward a future in leadership today.
Telephone Appointment with Dean
You are invited to speak with Dean Williams concerning the Doctor of Business Administration degree program. Use the "Schedule an Appointment" button below to request an appointment via email.
Be sure to include your area of interest (DBA), phone number, and 3-5 dates and times that you can meet virtually. You will receive a confirmation email with the selected date and time within 2-3 business days, including a Teams meeting link.
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