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  • D.B.A. Business Administration
WVU Morgantown

Business Administration, D.B.A.

  • Overview
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Doctoral
  • Areas of Emphasis
  • Learning Outcomes

Degree Offered

  • Doctor of Business Administration

Nature of the Program

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program at WVU offers experienced business professionals a pathway to explore academia, consulting, and advanced professional positions. With a focus on research, in-depth exposure to business literature, and a supportive environment through faculty guidance and mentorship, a comprehensive learning experience is provided to our students. The online delivery of the program allows students to seamlessly maintain momentum in their career while pursuing their doctoral degree. Additionally, optional on-campus residences are available to further enrich your educational journey. 

The DBA program is built on three foundational areas:

1. Core and Research Methodology

Students will receive intensive instruction in research methods and statistics, laying the groundwork for conducting empirical research of the highest caliber.

2. Areas of Emphasis

The DBA program offers four Areas of Emphasis: Accounting, Economics, Management, and Marketing. These areas provide students with in-depth knowledge and expertise in crucial aspects of business. Program AoEs tailor the degree to suit students' interests and set them up with a diverse skill set, empowering them to excel in a wide range of professional settings and contribute significantly to the business world.

3. Research and Dissertation

Under the guidance of the student's faculty mentor, students will have the opportunity to put their research skills into practice. This stage of the program will allow students to engage in meaningful and impactful research aimed at solving real-world problems within the industry.

Program Overview

The DBA program has been meticulously designed to provide you with a strong foundation in research, an in-depth exposure to business literature, and a supportive environment to foster impactful research through faculty guidance and mentorship. With a completion timeline of three years, our program offers efficiency without compromising quality. The program consists of 54 credit hours, divided into 18 credit hours in research methods, 18 credit hours in content seminars, and 18 credit hours in research and dissertation. Due to the cohort nature of the program and the need for students to stay on track with coursework, earning a D or F in a course will result in dismissal from the program.

Year 1:

  • Convert at least one research idea into a research proposal.
  • Research Proposal should include an introduction, review of prior literature, proposed theoretical foundation, development of hypotheses, and description of research methods.
  • Failure to complete a research proposal with a likelihood of publication at an academic conference or journal outlet by the end of the second summer session will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the research proposal has not been submitted and deemed acceptable by the DBA program coordinator, the result will be dismissal from the program.

Year 2:

  • Convert the research proposal from year 1 into a quality research manuscript which will serve as the qualifying paper.
  • Manuscript should be of the quality that it could be submitted to an academic research meeting or a reputable academic journal.
  • Failure to complete this qualifying paper by the end of the fall semester will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the qualifying paper has not been submitted and accepted, the result will be dismissal from the program.
  • Failure to form a dissertation committee by the end of the spring semester will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation committee has not been formed, the result will be dismissal from the program. 

Year 3:

  • Maintain regular meetings with your dissertation chair and committee.
  • Propose dissertation by the end of the fall semester. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation has not been proposed, the result will be dismissal from the program. 
  • Execute and defend your approved dissertation proposal by the end of the spring semester. Failure to meet this timeline will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation defense has not been held, the result will be dismissal from the program.

Any exceptions to the above standards must be approved in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research and the Program Coordinator.

Admissions for 2026-2027

Admission to the DBA is highly competitive; meeting the minimum standards for admission does not guarantee admission. A holistic admissions process considers minimum requirements as well as professional accomplishments and certifications. The program is delivered in a cohort-based online asynchronous format and begins in the summer. Success in the program requires significant commitment and time. The cohort design does not permit students to take courses outside of the prescribed sequence. Consideration for admission is only given to those applicants who have a completed application packet. Not all Areas of Emphasis will admit each year. 

To be eligible for admission, you must:

  • Have a minimum of 5 years of work experience.
  • Have a Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. For students who do not possess a Master’s degree, an accelerated Master's to DBA program is available.

Once qualified to proceed with the application to the DBA, applicants will be required to submit additional documents, including:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities
  • Current resume
  • Statement of purpose
  • Two letters of recommendation from employers, faculty or professional associates
  • A minimum TOEFL-ibt of 100, 7.0 on the IELTS. 

The integrity of the admissions process is of paramount importance. All grade and/or score reports received are subject to verification.

WVU cannot accept scans, uploads, faxes, or unverified photocopies of transcripts as official.

Graduate degree-seeking applicants must send their official transcript from the undergraduate institution that granted the bachelor’s degree. It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu. Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent to:

WVU Hub
P.O. Box 6004
Morgantown, WV 26506

International Applicants and Express Mail

International applicants and applicants using express mail, use the address below:

WVU Hub
62 Morrill Way - Suite 220
Morgantown, WV 26506

Major Code: 2146

Degree Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
A program GPA of 3.0 is required by the Chambers College.
BADM 700Statistics Bootcamp3
BADM 701Research Methods 1 - Introduction to Regression3
BADM 702Research Methods 2 - Cross Section Data Analysis3
BADM 703Research Methods 3 - Experimental Methods3
BADM 704Research Methods 4 - Causal Inference3
BADM 705Research Methods 5 - Non Cross Section Data Analysis3
BADM 706Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion for Business3
BADM 707Business Pedagogy3
Research and Dissertation18
BADM 797
Research
Area of Emphasis12
Accounting
Economics
Management
Marketing
Elective (optional, selected from different AoE)
Total Hours54

Additional Requirements

Beyond timely completion of courses listed in the plan of study, maintaining course grades, and overall GPA requirements, admitted students are expected to demonstrate progress towards the completion of high-quality research likely publishable in a high-quality academic outlets. The expectations are as follows:

Year 1 – Research Proposal (Qualifying Paper)

Admitted students are expected to complete a research proposal by the end of the first summer in the program (the completion of the first year). The proposal typically includes an abstract, research question, introduction, literature review/theory development, hypotheses, and a proposed research methods section. Admitted students should work with their faculty mentor and draw on material from their first-year courses. The student’s faculty mentor must approve the research topic. For year 1, successful completion will be judged by the student’s faculty mentor based on an assessment of (a) the quality of the written proposal and (b) the perceived probability that the proposal can be successfully converted into completed research with eventual publication in a high-quality academic outlet.

Year 2 – Research Manuscript (Qualifying Paper)

By the end of the second summer in the program (the completion of the second year), admitted students are expected to have converted the research proposal developed in year 1 (or an alternative research proposal approved, in advance, by the admitted student’s faculty mentor) into a high-quality research manuscript (a completed research project). The research manuscript should be of such quality that it can be submitted and accepted for presentation at an academic research meeting.

Year 3 – Dissertation

The research requirement in the DBA program consists of two completed research manuscripts: the research manuscript (Qualifying Paper) completed in Years 1 and 2 of the program (discussed above) and a second solo-authored research manuscript (Dissertation). The qualifying paper and the dissertation aim to engage the student in research that contributes to the academic literature, leveraging the student’s expertise. Undertaking the dissertation is a serious commitment of both time and mental energy. The student conducts their dissertation under the tutelage of the student’s faculty mentor and their dissertation committee.  In addition to the research manuscript, the dissertation will include an oral proposal defense (including any necessary revisions) and an oral final defense (including any necessary revisions).

Suggested Plan of Study

First Semester
  SummerHours
  BADM 7003
 3
Second Semester
FallHours  
BADM 7013  
AOE Course3  
BADM 7973  
 9
Third Semester
 SpringHours 
 BADM 7023 
 AOE Course3 
 BADM 7973 
 9
Fourth Semester
FallHours  
BADM 7033  
AOE Course3  
BADM 7973  
 9
Fifth Semester
 SpringHours 
 BADM 7043 
 AOE Course3 
 BADM 7973 
 9
Sixth Semester
FallHours  
BADM 7053  
BADM 7063  
BADM 7973  
 9
Seventh Semester
 SpringHours 
 BADM 7073 
 BADM 7973 
 Elective (optional)  
 6
Total credit hours: 54

Areas of Emphasis:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Management
  • Marketing

Accounting Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code Title Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 710Introduction to Accounting Research 3
BADM 711Behavioral Accounting Research3
Select one of the following tracks:6
Applied Professional Research Track
BADM 713
Introduction to Applied Professional Accounting Research
BADM 714
Advanced Professional Accounting Research
Academic Research Intensive Track
BADM 715
Accounting Academic Research Intensive
BADM 716
Advanced Academic Accounting Research
Total Hours12

Economics Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code Title Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 721Public Finance3
BADM 722Labor Economics3
BADM 723Public Choice3
BADM 724Regional Economics3
Total Hours12

Management Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code Title Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 730Foundations of Organizational Behavior3
BADM 731Foundations of Strategy and International Business3
BADM 732Management of Groups and Teams3
BADM 733Advanced Topics in Strategy and Entrepreneurship3
Total Hours12

Marketing Area of Emphasis 

Course List
Code Title Hours
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
BADM 741Interfirm Relationships3
BADM 742Marketing Management3
BADM 743Consumer Behavior3
BADM 744Marketing Strategy3
Total Hours12

Major Learning Outcomes

Business Administration

Educational Goals and Objectives

Learning Goal 1: Students will be able to apply the holistic nature of research to business opportunities and problems.

Learning Goal 2: Students will be able to apply research methods and data analysis to solve business problems.

Learning Goal 3: Students will be able develop a theory-based research plan to address unique business problems.

Learning Goal 4: Students will be able to create and communicate original scholarship that addresses researched solutions to business problems

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    • Ph.D. Business Administration-​Finance
    • Ph.D. Business Administration-​Marketing
  • Business Cybersecurity Management
  • Business Data Analytics
  • Economics
  • Forensic and Fraud Examination
  • Healthcare Business Administration
  • Human Resource Leadership
  • Industrial Relations and Human Resources

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