Flexible DBA programs are specifically designed for seasoned professionals who want to become influential leaders in their field. Whether you can keep working depends on the program’s structure and how well it fits your career goals. 

Read on to learn whether it’s realistic to earn your DBA while continuing your career, what factors influence your program choice, some of the challenges you may face, and whether it’s worth the investment.

Can You Work Full Time While Getting a DBA?

The short answer is yes. You can work full time while earning your DBA, but doing so while continuing your professional career and juggling personal responsibilities like family and other obligations takes strategic planning and strict time management. 

Workloads and requirements vary by institution and degree program. When researching which online DBA for working professionals best suits your needs, start by identifying your professional goals. Are you planning on working in corporate, consulting, or academic roles? Then ask these questions up front to make sure you’re fully informed about what to expect. 

• How is the coursework structured? (online, hybrid, and/or cohort-based)
• What type of doctoral research is required? (applied or theoretical)
• Is there ongoing support and mentorship? (faculty and peer cohorts)
• What is the program’s duration?
• What are the residency requirements? (on-campus or virtual)
• What is the weekly time commitment?
• Is the program offered part-time?

Let’s explore the flexibility of online DBA programs and how they can benefit you.

What Makes an Online DBA Flexible?  

A flexible DBA program lets you complete doctoral-level coursework and research without pausing your career or interrupting your daily routine. Keep in mind that “flexible” and “online” are not necessarily the same. 

An online DBA for working professionals may provide the flexibility to earn your degree without disrupting your work/life balance in the following ways.

Online Coursework 

Access

Online learning can be synchronous or asynchronous. Both can be delivered online, but asynchronous learning is far more flexible, letting you watch recorded lectures and complete assignments whenever your schedule allows. Access to digital classrooms, libraries, and databases means you can study from home, at the office, or on the go via mobile apps.

Synchronous requirements such as live classes and presentations, group meetings, or faculty sessions are less conducive to a flexible program, as you have to schedule your classwork around stricter timeframes.

Course Structure

Your course cadence also affects the program's flexibility. The length of each course, and whether you take one course at a time or several simultaneously, affects how manageable and predictable your schedule is. Consider these factors alongside the demands of your full-time career and family commitments.

Residency Requirements 

An online doctorate in business for working professionals may require some form of residency at the start of, or during, the program. The frequency and length of these residencies vary by university, but on-campus residencies or group conferences require students to travel away from home, which adds stress to your schedule. Some institutions offer residencies that students can attend virtually.

Program Completion Time 

The length of the DBA program affects the balance between speed and workload. While a faster program may sound appealing, you should evaluate whether the quicker structure is realistic alongside your personal and professional responsibilities. 

So, when choosing a DBA as a working professional, consider the pacing — do you want to attend part-time or full-time, when should you start, and is the program an accelerated or standard track?

How Does Doctoral Research Fit Around a Full-Time Career?

You can integrate doctoral research into a full-time career by enrolling part-time, weaving it into your work, and using strong time-management skills and other strategies.

Leverage Your Current Job

Depending on program requirements, you may decide to draw on real business challenges you’re facing in the workplace for your dissertation, applied research project, or other culminating doctoral requirement. 

Your daily professional challenges can inform your research questions and data. However, this doesn't mean you can simply turn a work project into a dissertation. Doctoral programs require formal academic and applied research.

As you progress through the program while continuing to work, you’ll be able to relate real-life experiences to the coursework and theories you’re learning. Maintaining your career while earning your doctorate will strengthen your degree, as you’ll apply your professional experiences to your academic assignments and see their relevance in your work.

Get Organized and Stay Organized

You are adding education to a life that's likely already full and satisfying. Set a strict schedule for your education and get into a rhythm that aligns with your current lifestyle. Establish goals and plan your time well, leaving room for coursework and research, but also for breaks.

Build a Support Network

You won’t navigate through the program alone. Your family, friends, and coworkers will help you in ways unique to them, so lean into their support. If you’re assigned a mentor, they are also a great resource. They will help you identify a topic and will serve as your dissertation advisor for guidance as you delve into research. Finally, connect with a few peers for project help or accountability.

What Are the Biggest Challenges of Completing a DBA While Working?

Honestly, balancing an online DBA with a full-time job is demanding. However, the reward is worth the sacrifice for those who are willing to meet the challenges head-on.

Time management and fatigue or burnout are the most common challenges when working full time and earning an online DBA. Here are practical ways to mitigate these concerns:

Protect Dedicated Study Time

Depending on whether the program is part-time or full-time, carve out and safeguard 10 to 25 hours per week on your calendar — early mornings, late evenings, or weekend blocks are more productive than short daily intervals. Schedule them for what works best for you — the exact time slots matter less than blocking them on your calendar.

Manage Periods of Heavier Academic Work

Request time off or ask for flexible work hours so you can devote time to periods of extra academic responsibilities.

Balance Professional Travel or Peak Work Periods 

Plan ahead and block time on your calendar for professional obligations such as travel or peak work periods so you can work around them and accomplish your study goals.

Manage Family and Personal Commitments 

Between work, study, personal commitments, and family obligations, you won’t have much extra time for socializing. Focus on being present and intentional about the time you DO spend with loved ones. 

Pay attention to self-care too, so you don’t burn out. Remember that you’re adding a DBA to your life; you’re not replacing it. Before you even start the program, be self-aware of what you’re willing to let go of and what is non-negotiable.

How Can Working Professionals Prepare for an Online DBA?

As you consider whether to advance your career with a DBA, it’s a good idea to prepare mentally and logistically to make sure the commitment is achievable. Here are five ways you can prepare before you enroll:

#1 — The first thing you should ask yourself is, “Do I have the time to commit to this?” Take stock of your professional and personal life, and review your calendar to ensure you have gaps you can dedicate to doctoral study. If you can identify predictable and consistent blocks of time in which you can complete the coursework or do research, you’re off to a good start.

#2 — Speak with an enrollment advisor about the program’s structure so you fully understand the coursework, residency, and research requirements before you enroll.

#3 — Discuss tuition support with your employer to see whether it’s available and what long-term commitment the company will require after you graduate.

#4 — Look ahead and plan for research-intensive periods in which you may have to take time off work. Do you have vacation days accrued? Will your employer allow you to be flexible with your time?

#5 — Think about your current career and consider how doctoral research could align with your professional interests. Is there a topic you’re passionate about that would be a motivating factor in your decision to pursue a DBA?

After you answer these questions, you may wonder whether it’s worth the investment. Keep reading to find out.

Is an Online DBA for Working Professionals Worth It?

Online DBA programs offer working professionals like you a convenient, flexible path to build the competencies and strategic skills you need to advance into executive or academic roles. Still others pursue the degree to expand their influence in their field, build credibility, and increase earning potential.

Experienced professionals with a DBA generally earn higher salaries because the degree is designed specifically for senior leadership and executive roles. Industry sector, experience, location, and specialization all influence earnings.

DBA holders are highly sought after because of strong market demand for competent, strategic professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment growth in this area is expected to increase 5% through 2035, resulting in an average of 304,100 jobs for top executives year over year.

Income potential is not the only factor when deciding whether a DBA is worth the investment. Consider the following questions to make the right decision for you.

Saint Leo's Online DBA for Working Professionals 

Earning a DBA while working full time is achievable when the program structure aligns with your professional goals and personal responsibilities. It’s even more manageable with strong time-management skills and support from peers, family, and faculty. 

If you’re ready to explore an online DBA, Saint Leo University offers a flexible DBA program that lets you balance your education with career and family commitments. It offers two specialized tracks in teaching and consulting to prepare you for high-level positions across various industries or teaching and academic leadership roles.

Saint Leo’s online coursework is mostly asynchronous for flexible study, with a virtual residency in the first semester to establish connection with peers and faculty, and an applied research dissertation or a traditional dissertation aligned with your current job. You can complete the online DBA in 32 months.

Learn more about Saint Leo’s Online DBA, which offers two specialized tracks: consulting and teaching.

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