Doctor of Business Administration program

Program length

60 credits
3 years
- Coursework (Years 1 & 2)
- Dissertation (Year 3)

Application deadline

May 1

Schedule format

On-campus
13-week terms
13 residential weekends
- Friday/Saturday/Sunday
2 immersive campus experiences

Why earn a DBA degree from Warrington?

What factors prevent a business from maximizing its profits or making its operations more efficient? Which conditions are conducive to entrepreneurial success — and what holds small business owners back? As a student in the University of Florida Warrington College of Business’s Doctor of Business Administration program, you’ll tackle these questions quantitatively, first by elevating your research skills to the peer-reviewed journal level and then by deploying them to develop and present a dissertation.

Guided by our faculty researchers, the DBA program was formed in response to a conundrum affecting the business world: Practitioners and scholars have not traditionally shared their knowledge. DBA students transform into this ever-vital link through rigorous coursework, independent research and classroom discussions enriched by peers’ experiences in academia or industry.

Our students harness their findings to pursue one of four career paths: pivoting to faculty roles after years in the corporate world, delivering accurate forecasting and detailed proposals as senior leaders and executives, moving from instruction to academic administration, or offering strategic perspectives as consultants.

In any direction, you arrive as a respected thought leader — equipped to structure your own studies, adept at analyzing your own data, and prepared to present it to publications and top stakeholders.

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DBA for a Day

Is the DBA program the compass your career needs? Beyond information sessions, you can spend a day attending lectures with first- and second-year candidates, meeting faculty, and joining social events to confirm your decision.

Schedule a call to learn more

The ROI of Warrington’s DBA program

Conduct your own research and make comparisons.

39%

Of DBA graduates hold academic roles at R1 research universities.

AACSB

Warrington is accredited by AACSB, one of the most prestigious accreditations.

#16

In the world for practical business school research.
Financial Times

Why should I get a DBA degree?

About the Doctor of Business Administration degree

As a student in this professional doctoral program, you’ll integrate theory, business practices, and applied research to dive deeper into current issues and uncover novel, actionable solutions. This is achieved through:

World-class faculty: Collaborate with some of the most cited and influential scholars worldwide, whose guidance and mentorship help you design, refine, and execute applied research that drives meaningful impact.
Cohort of leaders: Each DBA cohort — typically 25 to 30 accomplished professionals — fosters a rigorous and intellectually stimulating environment. Members enrich scholarly dialogue through diverse perspectives and lived expertise.
Rigorous curriculum: A carefully designed program that equips students with the knowledge, analytical skills, and practical tools needed to tackle complex business challenges and conduct high-quality research.
Advanced research excellence: Beyond quantitative methods, students engage fully in the research lifecycle—from exploring classic and contemporary literature to mastering research methodologies and tools—culminating in the development and defense of a rigorous, practice-informed dissertation.

DBA vs. Ph.D.: Two doctoral paths for different scholars

DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)

Designed for seasoned professionals, executives, leaders, and academics, our three-year DBA program builds on the rigor of our Ph.D. while accommodating the realities of a full-time career.
DBA candidates typically bring a decade or more of management or academic experience and pursue research focused on practical business challenges, processes, markets, or trends.
The program develops practitioner-scholars with advanced methodological and analytical skills to enhance strategic decision-making or transition into academia.

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Serves younger students who are ready to fully dedicate themselves to research and theory creation.
Candidates often enter directly from a bachelor’s or master’s degree and focus on developing new or refining existing business theories.
Their research has broad implications for business education, organizational practice, and the advancement of knowledge in the field.

Flexible program format & application requirements

Flexible program format

On campus: Residential immersive curriculum
Two immersive on-campus experiences: Before term 1 and after term 3
Two residential weekends each term: 1^st and 2^nd years
One final residential weekend: 3^rd year
Each weekend: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
No virtual classes between residential weekends

Application requirements

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Business curriculum: undergraduate or (preferably) master’s-level coursework
10 years professional experience: Mid- to executive-level leadership, consulting, military service or academia

UF professional application
$30 application fee

How to apply to our DBA program

The Warrington College of Business DBA program evaluates applications and issues admission decisions on a rolling basis.

Step 1: Complete a UF professional application.
Step 2: Upload supplemental materials using the links emailed to you after UF Admissions confirms your application is complete and referred.
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV – 10+ years of experience outlining mid- to executive-level leadership, consulting, military service, academia, or a combination of these. Provide additional details for roles where leadership responsibilities may not be immediately apparent from the title.
- Transcripts – Unofficial or official.
- Two letters of recommendation – provided from professional or academic references who can meaningfully assess your readiness for doctoral study. Recommenders should describe the nature and duration of their relationship with you and provide a substantive, detailed evaluation (typically 1–2 pages) addressing: analytical and critical thinking abilities; research aptitude and scholarly potential; professional maturity; and capacity for success in a rigorous, research-intensive doctoral program.

Learn more about how to apply

Start your application

Student testimonial

As an executive, my campus visits at University of Florida have helped me connect academic research to real-world leadership and operational challenges. The in-person collaboration with faculty and peers has strengthened my strategic thinking, research capabilities, and ability to apply evidence-based approaches to complex business decisions.
Matt Peterson (DBA ’28)Executive Vice President of a Fortune 300 company and Retired US Air Force Brigadier General

Ideation to dissertation

Warrington DBA students sitting at individual desks in a classroom listen to a professor's presentation using the screen behind

Identify an issue

At the end of your second fall term, you’ll submit a paper presenting a proposed topic and the current research that both supports your potential thesis and shows gaps in existing literature. You’ll also be matched to a faculty advisor at this stage.

In a group with their laptops out, UF Warrington DBA students meet to discuss their research projects

Question and quantify

In the fall term of your third year, you’ll present your oral proposal to a doctoral committee and present how you intend to investigate and the research methodologies you’ll use.

In a cap and gown, a UF Warrington DBA student smiles on stage while being presented with their diploma

Dissertation. Done.

As you focus your last year on your research, one to two graduate faculty members will supervise your activity as you gear up and begin writing up your research. Your efforts culminate with the defense of your dissertation in the final term.

Courses

What’s the best way to approach a challenge? Your coursework will illustrate all possible methods and their applications in marketing, finance, accounting, and more business disciplines.

Orientation and Term 1

Organizational Research Methods

Prepares doctoral candidates to design and conduct research in the organizational and behavioral sciences.

Researching Strategic Leadership and Governance in Public, Private, and Entrepreneurial Firms

Understand publishing research that contributes to theory and practice, along with considerations with a career in academia.

Managerial Statistics

Lays the foundation for applying quantitative and qualitative tools for making better managerial decisions.

Term 2

Quantitative Research Methods and Data Analysis in Marketing

Gain a working knowledge of the most common techniques and approaches to multivariate statistics.

Perspectives in Consumer Behavior

Introduces students to topics in consumer research.

Term 3

Corporate Finance

Broaden corporate finance knowledge with how concepts and models in finance are applied.

Organizational Behavior

Learn how organizational behavior helps manage change from various perspectives.

AI, Machine Learning, and Data Visualization Methods for Research

Introducing AI and machine learning applications in business at the doctoral level.

Term 4

Leading Change

Learn to lead effective change while studying the effectiveness of change efforts in organizations.

Research Analysis in Accounting

Reviewing scholarly accounting research, encompassing several topics and using various methods.

Term 5

International Business

Examine the environment of international business and many operational tools and characteristics.

Strategic Management

Evaluation of the key functions of organizations and integration of these functions to achieve competitive advantages.

Term 6

Latent Variable Methods

Enables students to plan, implement, report and review statistical analyses.

Advanced Data and Regression Techniques

Topics are related to the construction of variables, econometric issues and special topics.

Special Topics in Doctoral Education

Learn more in-depth about multiple topics in doctoral education.

Terms 7-9

In Term 7, you’ll have your Candidacy Exam (Oral Defense). In Term 8, you will focus on Unfinished Business. In Term 9, you will have your Final Exam (Dissertation Defense).

What does a DBA do for your career?

A DBA is not simply a pathway to a new position. It is an opportunity to deepen your expertise, expand your influence, and redefine what is possible in your professional life.

Our alumni apply their doctoral learning in diverse and distinctive ways. Some advance into broader leadership roles. Others expand or transform businesses they have built, develop new ventures, move into consulting or advisory work, pursue thought leadership, or bring their expertise into new industries and professional arenas.

What connects these paths is not a single career outcome, but a shared capacity to think differently, lead with greater intention, and create meaningful impact.

9%

Of DBA graduates in academic roles are serving in full-time administrative positions at the national, institutional, college or unit level.

8%

Greater demand for post-secondary teachers is projected through 2033.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

$113,240

Median annual salary for post-secondary business teachers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where our graduates work

Meet our DBA alumni

The relationships developed throughout the DBA are equally enduring. Alumni leave the program with a network of accomplished peers and faculty who provide perspective, challenge assumptions, open doors, and continue to serve as trusted sources of insight long after graduation.

David Adamec
President
Adamec Consulting

Jane Amab
Vice President
FedEx

Gary Andresen
SVP, FL Commercial Banking Market Manager
U.S. Bank

Aakash (Ash) Andrews
Digital Marketing Leader
Mercer

Brian Bailey
Subject Matter Expert, Commercial Real Estate & Senior Policy Advisor
Federal Reserve

Crystal Carlson-Myer
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Pasco-Hernando State College

Branden Cobb
Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
MarketingExec.us

Winifred (Winnie) Daniels

Walter Doggett
SVP & Head of Tax
Arvest Bank

John Engel
USC Professor of Business Communications &
Director of Internship

Mehdi Eshaghayan
General Manager
ME International Group LLC

America Estevez Guerrero
SECNAV Tour w/ Industry – Fellow at WPPMS,
Manpower Systems Analysis: Naval Post-Graduate School
US Navy

Marcos Gutiérrez Díaz
Finance Professor
IPADE Business School

Ashish (Ash) Karve
Owner
Law Firm Management Consulting

Trimeasha Lanier
Compliance and Operational Risk Manager
Bank of America

Ian Mitchell
Senior Manager, Supply Chain Management
AM General

Benjamin Morris
Vice President, Operations, New Jersey American Water
American Water

Tom Mullen
Managing Director-Industry, Strategy & Policy Analysis
RxMarketScience
LinkedIn

Elena Nescio
Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing
University of Rochester

Sean O’Donnell
VP, Digital Platforms
Charter Communications

Robert (Bobby) Palmer
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Pediatric Orthopedics of Southwest Florida

Cam Pearce
Instructor
Samford University

Hector Perez Garcia
Account Manager
AbbVie Inc.

Averil (Dave) Rescober
Senior Director – Enterprise Client Technology
McKesson

Elaine Richards
LinkedIn

Astin Thomas
President & Principal Consultant
Double Helix Digital

Jans Veldkamp
Director – Olefins Business
Nova Chemicals

Dong Yao
Senior Project Manager
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Nichole Wiley Marks
VP, Head of GTM Operations
Included Health

Lorik Abdullai
Head of Project Management Purchasing North America
Volvo Group

Michael Baker
Visiting Lecturer – Accounting
University of Tampa
LinkedIn

Rahul Banerjee
General Manager & Partner
Wipro Limited

Shannon Bedore
Owner/Founder
Sightline Retail, LLC

Jennifer Boyd
College Business Officer
University of Texas at Arlington

Kjiel Carlson
Chief Operating Officer
Ridwell

Ryan Dietz

Zachary Ellison
Founder, Managing General Partner,
Chief Investment Officer
Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.)

Christian Gannon
Director of Investments
Twickenham Advisors

Patricia Goodwin-Peters
Senior Vice President,
Head of Human Resources
Atlas Air Worldwide

Yin-Ting Hsu (Ellen)
Vice President, Finance Hub China
Siemens Energy Inc.

Andrea McHale
Director of Admissions, MBA and Global MBA Programs
University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Justin Palmer
Managing Director,
Head of Investment Transformation
Barings

Garrett Peirce
Headquarters US Special Operations Command
Naval Aviator and Strategist
United States Marine Corps

Clifford (Cliff) Rittel
Head of Enterprise Channel Partners, Amazon (AWS)
Adjunct Faculty, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Art Rubeck
Chief Operating Officer
CURiO Brands

Anthony Shaw
President
Progeneration Energy

Nadia Tepper
Executive Director
Southeast Regional Maintenance Center

Emily Walsvik
Associate Brand Manager
Altria

Lee Wong (Vivian)
Adjunct Instructor
University of Colorado, Denver / Chinese Agricultural University

J.B. Adams
Senior Management Consultant
Executive and Management Coach
Lead Instructional Designer
Adams Learning, Inc.
LinkedIn

Joe Britt
Axiall Corporation
Senior Procurement Operations Manager
LinkedIn

Christopher Chatwin
Idaho State University/Chatwin Financial Consulting Services, LLC
Clinical Assistant Professor/CFO
LinkedIn

Alex De la Reza
UNIFRANZ
National Vice Chancellor of Graduate Education
LinkedIn

David Fraser
Director, Financial Operations
CONA Services LLC
LinkedIn

Odile Guinot
Assistant Professor
University of Florida
LinkedIn

David Ha
Executive
Moafly
LinkedIn

Jeffrey Johnson
High Tech Senior Manager
Accenture
LinkedIn

Kara Kapczynski
Vinings School of Art/Founder and Owner and Real Estate Investor
LinkedIn

Matt McHale
Senior Vice President of Sales
Slickdeals
LinkedIn

Michael Monis
Founder
Choice Logic, LLC
LinkedIn

Louis Pauza III
Principal Technical Architect
Salesforce

Geoffrey Poyen
CEO, International Skin Care
Adjunct Professor, Florida International University
LinkedIn

Praveen Pemmaraju
National Technology Leader
Deloitte Services LLP
LinkedIn

Geoffrey Poyen
Adjunct Professor/CEO
Florida International University & ISC
LinkedIn

Guillermo Rodriguez
Head of LatAm and US Offshore
WisdomTree Asset Management
LinkedIn

Seth Ruhter
Assistant Professor of Finance
The College of Idaho
LinkedIn

Bipin Sapra
Partner
Ernst & Young, India
LinkedIn

Pratibha Singh
Academic Specialist
University of Florida
LinkedIn

Tom Stilp
Chairman
Stilp Holdings
LinkedIn

Clinton Urling
Managing Director & Secretary
Case Solutions, Inc.
LinkedIn

Hernan Valdez
Engineering Project Manager
Lockheed Martin
LinkedIn

Chuck Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Fly Exclusive
LinkedIn

Why students chose the DBA

Alumni testimonial

My experience in the University of Florida DBA program truly transformed the trajectory of my career, giving me both an appreciation for the power of academic research and the rigorous methodological training to pursue research questions that matter deeply to me. When I entered the program, I never imagined the path that would follow—from conducting meaningful research and sharing my experiences on national stages to becoming an associate dean—and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the DBA has made possible.
Jennifer M. CainasLynn Pippenger Faculty Teaching Fellow
Associate Dean for Business and Undergraduate Affairs
Muma College of Business, University of South Florida
UF DBA Class of 2017

When I joined the UF DBA program, I thought my critical and analytical thinking skills were already sharp. The DBA took them to another level entirely. I had no idea of the strength gains that could be achieved by applying rigorous academic research methods to real-world business problems. The world-class faculty who teach in the program expand how you see business decisions through a whole new lens, one that can turbocharge your current career or set you up for a planned career change. For me, that change was transitioning from executive roles to academia, where I now teach highly applied courses at the Warrington School of Business.
Sean O’DonnellSr. Lecturer | Consulting Academy
Warrington College of Business
University of Florida
UF DBA Class of 2026

Faculty

Often teaching DBA, PhD, MBA, and MS classes, many of your instructors and advisors rank among the top two percent of the world’s most influential scientists, based on research from Stanford University.

Klodiana Lanaj

Martin L. Schaffel Professor
Professor

Research areas:
Leadership, team processes and performance, and motivation and self-regulation.

Andy Naranjo

Susan M. Cameron Professor Chair, Eugene F. Brigham Department of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate, Director, International Business Center

Research areas:
Asset Pricing, Capital Market Linkages and Flows, Corporate Finance, Financial Economics, Information Flows and Processing, International Finance, Real Estate Finance

Brian Miller

Harold and Martha Whitcomb Professorship

Harold and Martha Whitcomb Professorship in Accounting

Research areas:
Accounting research and analysis, financial and managerial accounting, managerial accounting

Meet your instructors

Meet the DBA cohorts

Expand your perspective. Change how you lead.

The UF DBA unites senior executives, entrepreneurs, academics, military leaders, consultants, and other accomplished professionals across industries. On the University of Florida campus, they exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and build relationships that are hard to replicate online — creating a community that expands your network and reshapes your leadership.

Recent cohorts have included a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief HR Officer, a Chief Audit Executive, and a Naval Aviator turned strategist.