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Learn With Values. Lead Without Limits.

Saint Leo University's online DBA program emphasizes social responsibility, innovation, and accountability to develop leaders who can create vibrant, sustainable organizations. The program offers a flexible learning experience, allowing students to balance their education with career and family commitments while gaining an in-depth understanding of functional business areas. Graduates are prepared for teaching, academic leadership, or work in roles across various industries through a student-centered, application-oriented, and outcomes-driven curriculum.

  •  Graduate in 32 months
  •  Flexible online coursework
  •  One virtual residency
  •  Two specialized tracks
  •  Collaborative cohort model
  •  Dissertation or doctoral research project

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Flexible. Ethical. Achievable
A program with values
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Paved Paths for Professionals
Where teachers and consultants thrive
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All Levels of Support
Backed by the Saint Leo community

Why Choose the Online DBA Program at Saint Leo University?


Our online DBA program is deeply rooted in our values of integrity, community, and excellence. Graduate with a terminal degree that qualifies you for top-tier roles in both corporate and academic settings, giving you unparalleled flexibility and a competitive edge in the job market.

The Saint Leo community takes the time to truly understand your professional goals and celebrate your highest aspirations. We champion a "human" doctorate experience where you engage with coursework grounded in Benedictine traditions that emphasize ethical decision-making, personal integrity, and responsible leadership.

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Business person

Saint Leo and You


The online DBA degree at Saint Leo is crafted for professionals ready to lead organizational transformation. Our curriculum balances advanced research methods, strategic management, and global business perspectives. It culminates with a dissertation or a research project that allows you to directly apply your learning to real-world business challenges.

  • Credits: 57
  • Completion Time: 32 months
  • Residency: One virtual residency in the first semester to establish connection and collaboration
  • Start Dates: Two annual starts in Fall and Spring
  • Cost: $965 per credit hour

Specialized Tracks in the Online DBA


Tailor your DBA online degree directly to your career aspirations with one of our two tracks:

Teaching Track: For those aspiring to join academia. Courses include Management Learning Seminar and Management Teaching Practicum. These students will complete a dissertation.

Consulting Track: Ideal for those looking to influence industry. Courses include Consulting Best Practices and Consulting Practicum. These students will complete a research project.

Designed for Teaching and Consulting Careers


Our online DBA program is crafted for professionals ready to lead change, influence strategy, and strengthen their impact across the corporate or education landscape.

Gain strategic expertise to step into C-suite roles or senior management.

Excel as a management consultant using advanced, research-backed methods to drive meaningful change.

Prepare for a career as an educator, shaping the next generation of business minds.

Earn a degree from a program that supports mid-career professionals managing work, family, and studies.

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Why Saint Leo’s Online DBA Program Stands Out


  • Practical Experience: Apply the insights from your online DBA degree directly to your professional practice, making an immediate impact.
  • Values-Driven: Our online Doctorate in Business Administration focuses on leadership with integrity and purpose.
  • Strategic Curriculum: Our curriculum deepens your understanding of business leadership, equipping you for success in both corporate and academic environments.
  • Versatile Pathways: Excel as an industry leader or an academic through our flexible online DBA program.

What Will You Learn in the Online DBA Program?


Our online DBA curriculum prepares you for teaching, academic leadership, consulting, or to work in a variety of industries. Sample courses include:

This course is an introduction to the doctoral program, the school, and the university. Topics include an introduction to the doctoral programs faculty and staff, a discussion of program policies and procedures, a demonstration of computer and technology resources available to students, a tour of main campus facilities, a review of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) topics, and tutorials on the use of the Microsoft Office software. Other topics will include how to do research (literature review and also research thought processes), an overview of academic writing, online Library Resources, and the APA writing style.

This course is an advanced exploration of the significance of values and ethics as they relate to global leadership. Students will explore how the values and ethics of an organization are established and managed, and how ethical behavior in the organization is influenced by the personal beliefs, values and ethical standards of the leader. Students will also examine how an organization and its leaders can induce changes in the community in order to encourage ethical behavior and social responsibility.

This course is an advanced introduction to the major theories and issues currently addressed in the study, use and development of human resources in multinational organizations. The course will focus on the theoretical and practical implications of the increasingly intertwined concerns of organizations to be better, more efficient, while dealing with continuing and growing demands for speed and profitability; while concurrently dealing with a rapidly changing multinational and multicultural workforce.  Additionally, the course will delve into the need to localize top quality managers while simultaneously recognizing that local firms need to be enhancing their global leadership competencies.   Given the speed with which the global workplace is changing, primarily due to technology and expanded international contacts, employers and employees alike need to recognize the value and need for continuous training and updating workplace skills.  Upon completion of this course, it is expected that students will have mastered the concepts for continued expansion of workplace skills.  These skills will include but not be limited to such areas as; human resource planning, recruiting and selection, compensation and benefits, incentives, recruitment and selection, cultural awareness and many of the legal aspects of dealing with different nationalities, different laws, standards and expectations.

This course will provide our DBA students with exposure to topics in Economics and Finance. This course will provide them with a base in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, from a theoretical standpoint, but in an applied manner. Using this economic foundation, the students will use data to visualize and evaluate the impact of certain policy decisions on various countries. Additionally, a grounding in theories related to corporate finance will enable students to evaluate and analyze capital budgeting, capital structure, and financing decisions which will prepare them to strategically analyze both project and corporate performance. At the conclusion of the course, they will also take time to consider emerging topics in economics and finance that are likely to have a significant impact on the future of these fields.

Advances in information technology have made it possible to collect vast amounts of data from numerous sources including organizations, the Internet, and social media. This course will focus on utilizing a number of software tools and techniques to analyze data in order to aid business organizations in making better decisions based on the facts and to give them competitive advantages. It will involve analyzing and solving a variety of business-related problems. The course will provide students with hands-on experience in using computer software tools such as Microsoft Excel and several add-ins developed for specific applications. 

  • Important Dates
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    Application deadline
    August 3, 2026

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    Start date
    August 24, 2026

Student Success Stories


If I had to summarize my experience in one sentence: Saint Leo’s DBA program didn’t just help me earn a doctorate; it transformed how I think, lead, and show up in the world."

Dr. Sherneatha G. Youngblood | Online Doctor of Business Administration

In my opinion, the faculty at Saint Leo is the best part of the program.  All of the professors that I worked with in pursuit of my degree were helpful, freely giving of their time, and genuinely dedicated to my success in completing the program.  This remained true through both classwork and the dissertation process."

Benjamin Thornton | Online Doctor of Business Administration

The support I’ve received throughout this program has been consistent and encouraging. Faculty members have provided thoughtful, constructive feedback that has helped me grow academically and think more critically."

LaTanya Lewis | Online Doctor of Business Administration

Take the First Step Toward a Future of Influence


Your journey to becoming a confident, strategic leader begins here. Follow these steps to begin transforming your passion into purpose at Saint Leo University.

1

Complete the Form

Fill out our simple form to get started. It only takes a minute, and it’s the best way to let us know you’re interested in Saint Leo University.

2

Speak with an Advisor

An enrollment advisor will connect with you to answer your questions, discuss your goals, and ensure our program is the right fit for your career aspirations.

3

Submit Your Application

Your advisor will guide you through the application process, helping you gather your documents and present your strengths so you can put your best foot forward.

4

Start Leading

Once accepted, you will join a community of dedicated peers and faculty, ready to begin your journey toward earning your doctorate and leading with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions


Choosing Saint Leo’s online DBA program means joining a values-driven academic community where your growth as a leader truly matters. Our program blends real-world business insights, expert guidance, and a supportive cohort environment to help you reach your professional and personal goals. With two specialty tracks—Teaching and Consulting—you can tailor your education to match your ambitions, while benefiting from mentorship, networking, and the flexibility to learn on your terms.

All coursework is completed online, but our online DBA also includes a virtual residency in the first semester, giving you invaluable opportunities to build connections with faculty and peers, collaborate on projects, and immerse yourself in the Saint Leo community.

You can typically complete the program in just 30-32 months, allowing you to earn your DBA degree online efficiently while balancing career and family commitments.

From the beginning, you will work toward either a doctoral dissertation or a research project designed to tackle a real-world business challenge. With structured support like our Doctoral Success Lab, research seminar, and faculty mentorship, you’ll be empowered to make a meaningful contribution to your field.

Absolutely. You will learn from dedicated faculty who are experienced business leaders, researchers, and educators. Their backgrounds span a range of industries and academic areas, and they are committed to mentoring and supporting you every step of the way.

A DBA from Saint Leo can open doors to executive leadership roles such as CEO, COO, or director, as well as management consulting and entrepreneurial ventures. Graduates have the preparation needed for university teaching or academic leadership positions through our Teaching Track, or for advancing as a business consultant through our Consulting Track.

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award doctoral degrees.

The business school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Yes. Our online Doctor of Business Administration program is built for working professionals, providing the flexibility you need to continue your career while earning your degree. The format is designed to accommodate the demands of full-time work and family life.

We are dedicated to making your education accessible and affordable. Various financial aid options—including loans and payment plans—are available to qualified students.

Learn from Experienced Leaders


At Saint Leo University, you’ll learn from experienced faculty with extensive backgrounds in education, leadership, and policy. Our dedicated mentors support you throughout your doctoral studies, bringing practical knowledge directly into the virtual classroom.

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Dr. Arnetra Arrington

DBA Adjunct Professor

Dr. Arnetra Arrington is a project management…

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Dr. Kelly Atkins

Associate Professor of Management

Dr. Kelly Atkins is an Associate Professor of…

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Dr. Polly Bashore

DBA Adjunct Professor

Dr. Polly Bashore is a professor and higher…

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Dr. Pamela Chandler Lee

Professor of Management

Dr. Pamela Chandler Lee is a professor and MBA…

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Dr. Faith Glaspie-Ellis

DBA Adjunct Professor

Dr. Faith Glaspie-Ellis is a professor and…

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Dr. Zachary Smith

Associate Professor of Economics & Finance

Dr. Zachary Smith is a business professor with…

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You don't have to explore Saint Leo alone. Talk with an Enrollment Advisor to compare programs, understand admissions requirements, and choose the path that best matches your goals.

  •  Program fit guidance
  •  Admissions checklist support
  •  Tuition & planning clarity
  •  A real conversation
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Derek Reed
Derek Reed
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