Doctor of Business Administration

Program Details:

• Taught in a hybrid model consisting of face-to-face and online classes. In the hybrid program, classes are offered in manageable, 14 week terms consisting of one hybrid class with a mandatory weekend face-to-face residency and one online class. Classes are a combination of 14 week and 7 week formats.
• All classes taught from a Christian worldview
• Small class sizes so you know your professors and classmates
• Competitive tuition rates
• DBA applicants must select a specialization when applying to Belhaven to ensure their academic path aligns with their professional goals.
• Multiple specializations offered
• 2 Certification options
• The program can be completed in 3 to 4 years (depending on dissertation pace)
• Competitive tuition rates.

Program Objectives:

• Prepare students to formulate scholarly research that contributes to the professional body of knowledge relevant to business and management.
• Prepare students to justify current and emerging theory and practice of the key content areas of business management through an interdisciplinary perspective to exigent business situations.
• Prepare students to evaluate the subject matter with a high order of cognitive ability and in a manner that is concise, clear, organized, and professional, with well-supported, appropriate, and original content.
• Prepare students to synthesize practical applications that contribute to the creation of original theory

Applicants for the online Doctor of Business Administration degree program must meet the following:

• Hold a Master of Business Administration or a graduate degree with fundamental courses in accounting, finance, and statistics from a regionally-accredited college or university with a 3.0 cumulative GPA .
• Submit one recommendation.
• Submit a resume.
• Submit a professional goal statement to include:
  • Explanation of how your professional experience and academic background make you an ideal candidate for doctoral study;
  • Description of your specific area of interest. Explain how conducting research in this area will help you fulfill your career objectives; and
  • Description of your future career goals upon completion of this program.
• Submit TOEFL: The minimum score required for entering Belhaven University graduate degree programs is a 4.5 iBT. Students who took the TOEFL prior to January 21, 2026 are required to have a 79 iBT score for admission. Or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) of 70 is accepted. Scores must be no more than two years old and must be verifiable. See international student application for additional documents required for issuing the I-20. In registering for the TOEFL, note the Belhaven TOEFL code number is 1055.
• See "How Do I Apply" page for materials to submit with admission application.

Conditional Admission: Applicants who do not meet the regular admission requirements but show the potential for success in a program may be considered for admission. Conditional admission may be granted based on the decision of the admission committee.

DDS 701 – Statistics & Modeling for Decision-Making (3 credits)

This course develops executive-level competence in interpreting and applying statistical and econometric models used in organizational decision-making. Emphasis is placed on understanding regression, forecasting, and econometric concepts, evaluating model assumptions, and distinguishing correlation from causation in applied business contexts. Students focus on translating quantitative results into strategic insight, assessing model validity and ethical use, and communicating analytic findings effectively to executive stakeholders rather than on mathematical derivation or programming.

DDS 702 – Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics (3 credits)

This course introduces doctoral students to modern predictive and prescriptive analytics from a managerial and strategic perspective. Students examine supervised and unsupervised learning approaches, model performance evaluation, and the organizational use of machine learning systems to support forecasting, classification, and optimization decisions. Emphasis is placed on evaluating models based on business value, risk, interpretability, and ethical implications, enabling leaders to critically assess advanced analytics initiatives and guide their responsible deployment within organizations.

DDS 703 – Big Data Management (3 credits)

This course prepares doctoral students to lead and govern enterprise data infrastructure in complex organizational environments. Topics include data architecture models, data engineering concepts, governance frameworks, data quality management, privacy, security, and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on aligning data systems with organizational strategy, establishing accountability for data stewardship, and exercising ethical leadership in the management of data as a strategic organizational asset.

ITM 701 – Enterprise IT & Digital Infrastructure (3 credits)

This course provides a strategic overview of the systems and architectures that support modern enterprises. Students examine IT infrastructure, cloud environments, enterprise applications, systems integration, and service management frameworks. Emphasis is placed on aligning IT capabilities with organizational performance.

ITM 702 – IT Governance & Compliance (3 credits)

Students develop executive competencies in IT governance, cybersecurity oversight, privacy regulation, and risk management. The course covers leading governance frameworks, ethical considerations, IT controls, and business continuity strategies, preparing leaders to steward technology responsibly and in alignment with organizational mission and Christian values.

ITM 703 – Strategic IT Leadership (3 credits)

This course explores how leaders guide organizations through digital transformation. Topics include IT strategy, technology adoption, budgeting, IT portfolio management, organizational change, and leadership of cross-functional teams. Students learn to evaluate and communicate strategic technology decisions at the executive level.