We can carry more as leaders when we choose the right partners
Penn State Smeal
Executive DBA
The measure of a business leader is the ability and ambition to grow - to get better - and, as a result, make their organization, community and world better. An effective leader has the foresight to see what's next, the intelligence and motivation to prepare for it, and the confidence to embrace it when it arrives.
The Executive Doctorate of Business Administration from the Penn State Smeal College of Business is a flexible, part-time program designed for senior-level leaders around the globe. With Smeal as your business partner, you will develop research skills grounded in theory and methodology for impactful business application.
- Complete in 3 years
- Flexible, part-time format with blended delivery
- Choose from 15 concentrations and opportunities to specialize
- Internationally ranked research institution
- Optional global and leadership immersion experiences available
Don't just take our word for it.
No. 11
for faculty quality
Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.
No. 11
for faculty quality
Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.
No. 11
for faculty quality
Smeal professors rank among the best in the world.
DBA
Program
Structure
Years 1 & 2
- Complete core courses and your chosen elective
- Attend 3-4 days of in-person instruction at Penn State's University Park campus at the start of each semester. The remaining curriculum for that semester will be delivered in a highly engaging remote synchronous format.
Year 3
- Complete the program's culminating capstone experience by working remotely with faculty advisors on a personalized research project or dissertation
Why partner with Penn State Smeal?
More, better options for specialization.
Penn State Smeal offers 15 different concentrations - more than any other program - and includes focus areas in business analytics, business architecture, sustainability strategy, strategic leadership, supply chain management, and more. Customize your education to be as unique as your ambitions.
More, better options for specialization.
Penn State Smeal offers 15 different concentrations - more than any other program - and includes focus areas in business analytics, business architecture, sustainability strategy, strategic leadership, supply chain management, and more. Customize your education to be as unique as your ambitions.
More, better options for specialization.
Penn State Smeal offers 15 different concentrations - more than any other program - and includes focus areas in business analytics, business architecture, sustainability strategy, strategic leadership, supply chain management, and more. Customize your education to be as unique as your ambitions.
DBA or Ph.D?
A DBA is separate and distinct from a traditional Ph.D. program. Here's how you can tell the difference:
Smeal Executive
Doctorate Degree
- Time to complete: 3 years (part-time)
- Career objective: Advanced executive leadership and/or teaching faculty
- Scope of study: Interdisciplinary approach that covers all business disciplines with an emphasis on applied research
- Culminating project: Complete capstone research project
- Degree awarded: Doctorate of Business Administration
Smeal Executive
Doctorate Degree
- Time to complete: 3 years (part-time)
- Career objective: Advanced executive leadership and/or teaching faculty
- Scope of study: Interdisciplinary approach that covers all business disciplines with an emphasis on applied research
- Culminating project: Complete capstone research project
- Degree awarded: Doctorate of Business Administration
92,000 Smeal alumni in your network.
92,000 business partners for life.
Our Penn State Smeal community is your greatest business asset. Our graduates are everywhere in the world and always in your corner - ready to open doors, offer advice and cheer you on.
