Doctorate of Business Administration

The Doctorate of Business Asdminstration is a 60-credit program that allows professionals to maintain their full-time careers and complete their degree in three years. Students attend classes one weekend each month for two years, and engage in online interactions between classes. After two years of coursework, students complete a dissertation that contributes to business practice. The cohort model has proved to be an important source of perspective, networking, and support for our students. This program can be started only in the fall terms.

For a comprehensive overview of the program structure and required courses, please refer to the Graduate Catalog. 

The application deadline for the Doctorate of Business Administration program is March 15th. The next application cycle opens on March 16th. All deadlines are subject to change without notice. Accurate admission deadlines can be found on the graduate admission deadlines website.

Application to the Doctorate of Business Administration program at UW-Whitewater involves a rigorous four-phase process, which has been designed to determine whether applicants have the skills and commitment necessary to succeed in the challenging program. The DBA program committee strives to identify candidates who have the highest likelihood of succeeding in the program. Admission decisions for each phase are made only after receipt of the documents required.

• Phase 1: Attend an information session - We strongly encourage you to attend an information session (either online or face-to-face) before applying to the program. The information session will provide you with extensive detail on the program and what it will take to succeed. These sessions also provide you with the ability to meet and interact with program faculty and leadership. They are designed to enable you to make an informed decision about joining the DBA program.
• Phase 2: Meet graduate admission criteria.
• Phase 3: Attend the research workshop - You will be invited by email to attend a mandatory one-day research interest workshop at UW-Whitewater. The workshop will take place on a Saturday in May, on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus. This is an important opportunity for you to meet other prospective students, learn more about the opportunity and challenges of doctoral-level research, and begin preparation for your doctoral program. Faculty members will discuss the various aspects of doctoral research, and you will be provided with textbooks and other review materials. You will be expected to review those materials prior to starting class in September.
• Phase 4: Commitment - Once the offer is made, candidates have 30-days to accept and pay a non-refundable deposit. After admittance, new students will attend a Friday evening reception and orientation in September when classes begin.

If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a contingent basis.

International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance. NOTE: International students cannot be issued a student visa to enroll in the DBA program.

Additional requirements for admission to the Doctorate of Business Administration program:

• Upload a resume documenting your professional experience.
• Upload a personal statement: Your personal and professional statement of interest should be two to three pages in length and should discuss the following: (1) Why do you want to pursue a DBA at this time? (2) What do you see as the most significant qualities or experiences that you would bring to the DBA program? (3) What are your career aspirations after you receive the doctorate degree? (4) What obstacles/challenges do you anticipate having to overcome to complete your degree within a reasonable time frame (i.e  ~ 3 years) and what is your plan to address these obstacles/challenges? (5) What concrete steps will you take to restructure your responsibilities to be able to tackle weekend classes and 30 hours of studies weekly? (6) What general and specific areas of business are you interested in studying in the DBA program (e.g., accounting, management, finance, information technology, human resources, supply chain management or marketing)?

All requirements can be submitted during the application process.

Rolling admissions decisions are made annually starting on November 1. The Admissions Committee reviews all documents to identify candidates who will have a high likelihood of succeeding in the program. If you are offered admission, you will be invited by email to attend the research workshop.

Because the class size is limited, you are encouraged to apply early. Not all successful candidates will be selected. Some may be asked to reconsider the program in a subsequent year.

This program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $1,527 USD per credit for the 2024-25 academic year — whether you are a Wisconsin resident, an out-of-state student, or an international student. Visit the Tuition and Fees webpage for complete information.

What creates this value?

• Dedicated advising.
• Veterans' services.
• Career services.
• Research and library support.
• High levels of student/faculty interaction are standard.
• Helpdesk technicians are committed to promptly addressing students' technology-related inquiries.

Financial aid

Students completing a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. To find out if you qualify, or if you have other financial aid questions, contact the financial aid staff person assigned to you or try uwwfao@uww.edu or 262-472-1130.

Interested in taking a tour of UW-Whitewater campus? You can visit in person or virtually. Visit our tours website to select your option.

Like to learn more about degree options through UW-Whitewater School of Graduate Studies? There are a few ways you can get the information you need. Visit our information sessions website to select a virtual information session. You can also fill out a request for information to connect with an advisor who can discuss your goals and help guide you to the right program to pursue your dreams.