Delivery
In-person, on campus in Uptown Charlotte ten times a year over three-day weekends
Business Administration, DBA
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Why get a DBA at UNC Charlotte?
The Difference is Charlotte
Located in one of the nation’s leading financial centers, the program connects you to organizations where applied research can drive real impact across industries.
Practitioner-Scholar Model
You’ll combine academic research with professional experience, developing insights that address real business challenges within your organization and industry.
Cohort-Based Experience
You’ll progress through the program with a cohort of experienced professionals, gaining diverse perspectives and building a strong professional network.
Comparison
DBA vs. Ph.D.
Both the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration are doctoral degrees grounded in research, but they are designed for different professional goals and career paths.
- The DBA is designed for experienced professionals who want to apply research to real-world business challenges while continuing to work full time.
- The DBA is a part-time, 3-year program designed for working professionals, while the Ph.D. is typically a full-time program requiring several years of study.
- In the DBA, your research is applied, focused on generating insights that inform decision-making in organizations and industries.
- In a Ph.D. program, research is generally more theoretical, contributing to scholarly knowledge and academic literature and preparing graduates for academic research careers.
If your goal is to use research to drive strategy, solve complex problems and create impact within your organization or industry, the DBA offers a direct path to that work.
Have questions about the DBA or want to explore whether it’s the right fit? Connect directly with the program to learn more about the curriculum, research focus and expectations for doctoral study.
If you’re ready to deepen your expertise, apply research to real-world challenges and contribute meaningful insights to your organization or industry, the DBA offers a clear path forward.
DBA
Curriculum
The 54-credit-hour curriculum combines shared research coursework, specialized courses within your chosen concentration and original dissertation research. The curriculum has three major components:
Shared DBA coursework
Regardless of concentration, all DBA students complete the following courses.
Research Methodology Courses
- BDBA 8100 – Introduction to Experimental Design and Measurement
- BDBA 8130 – Introduction to Business Theory
- BDBA 8150 – Business Statistics and Data Analysis
- BDBA 8350 – Dissertation Proposal Development
Seminars in Applied Research
- BDBA 8110 – Organizational Theories and Systems
- BDBA 8120 – Professional Issues I
- BDBA 8220 – Professional Issues II
BDBA 8100, BDBA 8110 and BDBA 8120 fulfill the Responsible Conduct of Research requirement for DBA students.
Business Administration concentration courses
- BDBA 8140 – Advanced Business Theory
- BDBA 8200 – Research Methods I
- BDBA 8230 – Research Methods II
- BDBA 8210 – Current Topics Research Seminar
- BDBA 8240 – Focused Research Seminar
Accounting concentration courses
- BDBA 8141 – Introduction to Accounting Theory
- BDBA 8201 – Research Methods in Accounting I
- BDBA 8231 – Research Methods in Accounting II
- BDBA 8211 – Current Topics in Accounting Research Seminar I
- BDBA 8241 – Current Topics in Accounting Research Seminar II
Dissertation research
- BDBA 8999 – Doctoral Dissertation Research
DBA Scholars
Who You'll Learn With
DBA candidates are experienced professionals from across industries, including senior leaders, consultants and entrepreneurs.
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Paula Sharpe
Senior Business Execution Consultant | Incident Manager — Payment Operations, Global Operations, Wells Fargo
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Densel Fleming
Chief Wealth & Investment Officer, Vintage Wealth Management Group, Inc.
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Amy Bugyis
Mergers & Acquisitions and Transformation ROI Expert, Advisory LLC Owner
Tuition + Program Investment
Tuition for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is structured as a comprehensive program fee rather than per-credit tuition.
Total tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic year are approximately:
- $90,000 for North Carolina residents
- $142,000 for non-residents
The program fee includes books, course materials and meals during required residencies. Travel and lodging for residencies are not included.
These are estimated figures for the total program cost. For more information, visit Niner Central, the best place to find a breakdown of tuition and fees associated with your graduate education.
At this time, funding is not available for the DBA program.
Contact us
Have questions?
Connect with the program director for the concentration you’re interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DBA?
A DBA is a doctoral degree focused on applying research to real-world business challenges, designed for experienced professionals.
How is a DBA different from a Ph.D. in Business?
A DBA focuses on applied research and professional practice, while a PhD is typically more theoretical and research-oriented.
Who is the DBA designed for?
The program is designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their expertise and apply research in their organizations or industries.
Can I work full-time while completing the DBA?
Yes. The program is structured for working professionals and designed to be completed while maintaining full-time employment.
How long does the program take?
The UNC Charlotte DBA is designed to be completed in three years through its cohort-based format.
What DBA concentrations are available?
UNC Charlotte offers DBA concentrations in Business Administration and Accounting. Both concentrations follow the program’s three-year, executive-format structure while providing specialized coursework in the selected field.
Explore Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.