DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
Executive DBA
Apply doctoral-level research to solve complex business challenges while continuing to lead in your organization.
Research That Drives Business Impact
The Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (D.B.A.) from the Penn State Smeal College of Business gives accomplished professionals the research tools to tackle the kind of complex, high-stakes problems that experience alone doesn't fully solve.
A Ph.D. prepares future scholars for academic careers. The Executive D.B.A. is built for business leaders who want to bring doctoral-level research thinking into the work they're already doing.
Through coursework, applied research, and collaboration with faculty and fellow executives, you'll learn to:
Apply research methods to complex strategic challenges
Evaluate organizational decisions using data and evidence
Connect insights across multiple business disciplines
Lead organizational change through evidence-based decision-making
Conduct original research that advances professional practice
Communicate research and insights to executive and academic audiences
Continue Building on Your Career
Executive Leadership
Apply doctoral-level research to strengthen executive decision-making, lead organizational change, and address complex organizational issues.
Consulting & Advisory
Help organizations evaluate strategic opportunities, solve complex business problems, and deliver research-informed recommendations.
Executive Education & Teaching
Combine your professional experience with doctoral-level expertise to teach in executive education, business schools, and professional development programs.
Research & Publishing
Conduct applied research, publish your findings, and contribute new ideas that advance business practice within your industry.
Why Choose Penn State Smeal?
Join a Network That Lasts a Lifetime
Connect with more than 98,000 Smeal alumni and more than 800,000 Penn State graduates working across industries and around the world.
Learn from Faculty Who Shape Business Research
Work closely with internationally recognized faculty whose research informs business practice while completing a rigorous doctoral program designed for experienced executives.
Customize Your Graduate Path
Expand your expertise by combining eligible master's programs, certificates, and electives to build credentials that align with your career goals.
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Is This Program Right for You?
The Executive D.B.A. is designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their expertise, apply research to real high-stakes decisions, and continue growing as business leaders throughout their careers.
This program may be a strong fit if you:
You want to learn from leading faculty: You're looking for close mentorship from accomplished scholars who bring current thinking and real-world perspective into the classroom.
You want to apply research to real business decisions: You're interested in using evidence, data, and structured inquiry to improve decision-making within your organization or industry.
You want to teach, mentor, or share your expertise: You're interested in executive education, higher education, consulting, publishing, or other opportunities to contribute to your profession.
You want a doctorate without stepping away from your career: You're looking for a flexible doctoral program that allows you to continue working while pursuing advanced study and applied research.
You're intellectually curious and committed to lifelong learning: You enjoy asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and developing new ideas that strengthen professional practice.
Executive D.B.A. or Ph.D.?
Executive D.B.A.
Apply doctoral-level research to complex problems and continue your professional career. You'll conduct original research that strengthens organizational decision-making and advances professional practice.
Best For:
Experienced professionals who want to continue leading organizations while developing advanced research expertise.
Ph.D.
Conduct original research that advances knowledge within a specific academic discipline. Ph.D. programs prepare students for careers in university teaching and scholarly research.
Best For:
Individuals pursuing careers as university faculty members or academic researchers.
What Your D.B.A. Experience Looks Like
Years One and Two
Develop a foundation in applied research, business analysis, and evidence-based decision-making while refining the research questions that will guide your doctoral work.
Concentration Studies
Tailor your doctoral experience through one of 17 concentration areas aligned with your professional interests, industry, and long-term research goals.
Culminating Research Project
Complete original doctoral research that addresses a meaningful business challenge and contributes practical insights to your organization, industry, or profession.
Learn From Fellow Leaders
The Executive D.B.A. builds on the experience I already have and gives me the research expertise to contribute confidently in the C-suite."
Toay Foster-Ortiz
Executive Director & Chief of Staff to CMO, BeiGene
One of the most important lessons I've gained from the DBA program is a commitment to excellence, consistently striving to produce high-quality work and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone."
Mauricio Maldonado
CEO, BSH International, The Catholic University of Bolivia
Each D.B.A. class offered new ideas and concepts that were directly applicable to the challenges I faced as CEO. I was able to bring those ideas back to my company’s leaders and managers to enact real change. My organization is stronger because of the program.
Jim Stephens
President and CEO, 11400, Inc.
CONNECTIONS THAT LAST
98,000+ Smeal Alumni Worldwide
Join a global network of more than 98,000 Smeal alumni working across industries and organizations around the world. As a student, you'll gain access to a community that provides mentorship, professional connections, career insights, and opportunities long after graduation.
Take the Next Step
Explore how a Penn State Smeal graduate degree can help you build specialized expertise, expand your professional network, and prepare for long-term career success. Connect with our admissions team to get started.
Learn From Faculty Advancing Business Practice
Federica Pinelli
Academic Director, Executive D.B.A. Program; Assistant Teaching Professor in Management & Organization
Organizational behavior, leadership, ethical and sustainable business, and social psychology.
Raghu Garud, Ph.D.
Michael J. Farrell Chair and Professor of Management & Organization
Innovation, technology entrepreneurship, and organizational change.
Margaret Luciano, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management & Organization
Leadership, team dynamics, multi-team systems, and organizational behavior.
Stefan Wuyts, Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing; Director, Institute for the Study of Business Markets
Marketing strategy, business-to-business relationships, customer value, and market innovation.
Hui Zhao, Ph.D.
Professor of Supply Chain Management; Charles and Lillian Binder Faculty Fellow
Supply chain analytics, healthcare systems, public policy, and operations research.