Founded 1889
Doctor of Business Administration
ONLINE and CLASSROOM
(800) 707-8846 | WWW.SAINTLEO.EDU
2
Saint Leo: A Portrait
Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is one of the nation’s premier Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts universities,
serving people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our scenic campus is located in the heart of Florida, just minutes north
of Tampa. The university also has more than 40 education centers and offices in seven states and is a global provider of
online programs to both civilian and military students. We are dedicated to providing excellence in academics and a solid
foundation for career advancement. Our more than 70,000 alumni live in 50 states and 61 countries.
Claim Your Future
Dean’s Message
The Doctor of Business Administration degree at Saint Leo University is
designed to prepare students with the
knowledge and skills to become successful academics and business leaders.
We pledge to assist you every step of
the way on this exciting journey with
committed academic learning, advising, and the personal attention you
need to succeed.
The delivery format, including classroom, online, and live/interactive video, utilizes the latest technology and
learning methods. This program is
built upon an exceptional curriculum
and provides critical thinking skills
and ethical decision-making practices
to prepare you to shape the development of the next generation of business
leaders in the 21st century.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the
Donald R. Tapia School of Business at
Saint Leo University, one of the most
advanced business schools in ethicsbased leadership and the use of technology and applied business practices
in the nation.
Dr. Michael Nastanski
Associate Vice President of International Affairs
Dean of the Donald R. Tapia School of Business
Professor of Marketing and Management
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
A Degree Of Consequence
Developing a New Generation of Business Leaders
The Doctor of Business Administration
(D.B.A.) is an advanced degree program
that prepares graduates with research,
critical analysis, and application skills to
make intellectual contributions to their
fields of business study. Saint Leo University’s D.B.A. program builds on its
values that emphasize social responsibility, innovation, and accountability to
foster a new form of leadership focused
on creating vibrant and sustainable organizations. Students will gain an in-depth
understanding of the functional business
areas, practical skills for leading within an
organization, and methods for shaping responsible leaders.
The D.B.A. develops graduates for
teaching, academic leadership, or working
in the consulting field. The program
leverages the school’s expertise in
delivering flexible graduate programs that
are student centered, application oriented,
and outcomes driven.
Everywhere Saint Leo teaches – in our education centers, online, and at University
Campus – business is an academic offering. Our goal is to provide a world-class
education that includes a broad academic
background, opportunities for entrepreneurial exploration, and real-world experiences that will benefit graduates as they
enter an ever-more complex society driven
by technological change, diverse cultures,
and intense economic competition.
3
4
With You Every Step of the Way
At Saint Leo, we offer superior academic advising and
interaction with a passionate faculty genuinely committed to
your success. We will help you every step of the way – from
initial application and program orientation to developing your
area of expertise and successfully completing your degree.
Proud Heritage
Why Saint Leo
University?
•You want a well-designed program
developed to give you the competencies
you need to advance your career.
•You desire convenient, innovative
instruction that combines leading-edge
online and classroom learning set in a
world-class environment.
•You want a degree program that is
respected by employers.
•You value a high-quality education
that is competitively priced with the
personal attention you need.
•You require a supportive and nurturing learning environment focused on
your success.
5
Our Mission
The Donald R. Tapia School of Business provides a values-centered
education that develops tomorrow’s business leaders with exceptional
skills and the ability to take ethical and effective action. We emphasize
the core Benedictine values of community, respect for all, and responsible
stewardship, along with the values of excellence, personal development,
and integrity.
What Can You Expect
to Gain from
Saint Leo University’s
D.B.A. Program?
•Strong research skills and the ability to use
critical thinking to analyze and critique
both academic and applied research
•The ability to identify and synthesize the
global implications of research conducted
while critically thinking about interrelated
activities that occur in the functional
areas of business, such as accounting,
economics, finance, marketing, project
management, and statistics
Flexible and Convenient
This unique program combines flexible and convenient
online and classroom learning designed to fit your busy life.
The Doctor of Business Administration provides students
with the opportunity to advance their education through
our highly respected online programs and with carefully
crafted interactive classroom learning with peers and faculty
at University Campus one week per year.
•Leading-edge computer technology and applications
•Personal attention and support from distinguished faculty
•A dynamic interactive program combining online and
classroom learning
•Preparation for teaching careers at the
college or university level
•Excellence in consulting practices with
an emphasis on using experiential, active
learning techniques
•An original and intellectual contribution to
the field of management and/or business
in the required dissertation project
•The integration of Saint Leo University’s
core values and ethical foundations into
the dissertation process and critical
thinking skills
6
Program Format
The Doctor of Business Administration curriculum is presented through our highly respected
online and classroom programs. The format includes three separate one-week seminars at
University Campus during the intercessional break. All other courses are eight-week modulebased courses taken one at a time and delivered through our nationally acclaimed online platform.
PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS
These core requirement courses must be taken by all students entering the program without a
master’s degree in a business-related field (e.g., M.B.A., Master’s in Accounting, M.S. in Business).
MBA 598
MBA 560
MBA 540 MBA 565
Statistics
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Marketing
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
TOTAL: 12 credits
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
YEAR 1
DBA 701
DBA 705
DBA 710
DBA 715 DBA 720
DBA 725
DBA 730
Doctoral Success Lab (1-week on-ground intersession) A History of Applied Management Theory
Global Leadership and Ethics
Organizational Behavior and Social Responsibility
Management of Financial Resources
Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Research Methods – Qualitative
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
YEAR 2
DBA 735 DBA 740
DBA 745
DBA 750
DBA 755
DBA 760
DBA 765
Research Methods – Quantitative Research Foundation
(1-week on-ground intersession)
Analytics for Decision Making
Global Perspectives in Human Resource Management
Strategic Management in Global Organizations
Management Learning Seminar
(Directed study option available for business professionals)
Management Teaching Practicum
(Directed study option available for business professionals)
Doctoral Written Comprehensive Exam
3 credits
YEARS 3 & 4
DBA 770
DBA 780-89
DBA 801
Dissertation Seminar (1-week on-ground intersession)
Directed Research
Dissertation Oral Defense (non-credit baring)
3 credits
12 credits
0 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
TOTAL: 57 credits
*Maximum years to completion – 7 years
On Ground
E-Learning
On Ground
DBA 701 Doctoral Success Lab
One-week intersession at
University Campus
Online Courses
One course every eight weeks
DBA 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, & 730
DBA 735 Research Methods –
Quantitative Research Foundation
YEAR 1
One-week intersession at
University Campus
YEAR 2
7
Connect With Thought Leaders
Saint Leo University –
A Proven Innovator in
Global Business Education
APPLICATION PROCESS
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) applicants
must submit the following materials:
•Official transcript indicating successful completion
of a master’s degree (or higher) from a regionally
accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.25
(transcript required)
•Saint Leo University application
•Completed evidence of three years of work experience
•A current and up-to-date resume
•A personal statement (see below)
•Two letters of reference, one professional and
one academic
Top: Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll MBA ’08 accepted
an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and served as a guest commencement speaker in 2012.
Bottom: From left to right, Dr. Balbir Bal, associate dean; Dr. Lorrie
McGovern, director of graduate programs; and Dr. Paula O’Neil, a faculty member and local government leader, during a commencement.
ACCREDITATIONS
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
to award the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist
degrees. The university is approved to offer the doctoral degree
effective December 2013. Contact the Commission on Colleges
at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or
call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of
Saint Leo University.
Saint Leo University’s Donald R. Tapia School of Business
received initial accreditation by the International Assembly for
Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) in September 1999.
Personal Statement
Explain how your professional experience and academic
background make you an ideal candidate for doctoral
study (one page).
Describe your specific area of interest. Explain how
conducting research in this area will help you fulfill
your career objectives (one page).
Describe your future career goals upon completion of
this program (one page).
Interview
All Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) applicants
will be interviewed as part of the admissions process.
(800) 707-8846 | WWW.SAINTLEO.EDU
E-Learning
On Ground
Directed Research
Online Courses
One course every eight weeks
DBA 740, 745, 750, 755, 760,
& 765
DBA 770 Dissertation Seminar
DBA 780-89 Directed Research
DBA 801 Dissertation Oral Defense
One-week intersession at
University Campus
YEAR 3 & 4
World-class
Leaders.
Founded 1889
(800) 707-8846 | WWW.SAINTLEO.EDU
Saint Leo University Admission Office
P.O. Box 6665, MC2248
Saint Leo, FL 33574