Doctor of Business Administration

Applications for the Sep 2026 intake are open until Oct 1, 2026, and tuition is Our program is projected to cost approximately $150,000 plus university mandatory fees for three years. The program charges per credit during traditional semesters..

The Smith Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a terminal business degree focused on developing competence in applied research to create new knowledge about modern business problems. This rigorous program is designed to maximize a candidate's expertise and effectiveness in an area of specialization, with faculty working closely with research-minded practitioners.

Focus areas include Information Systems, Marketing, Management & Organization, Custom Option.

The program requires 54 credits over three years, comprising 42 credits of coursework (including research methodology, major field courses, and electives) and 12 credits for the capstone project research.

Graduates may pursue opportunities to publish, speak, consult, and teach.

Applicants need a master’s degree in business or a related field, significant career experience, and a passion for research. Required documents include transcripts, resume, statement of purpose, and cover letter; GMAT/GRE scores are optional. Recommendation letters are required (2 for Marketing, 3 for IS), along with a $90 application fee.

The programme totals about 54 credit hours. This is a part-time, in-person program taken over three years, with classes meeting four days per month (two Fridays, two Saturdays) and one evening per week online. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 45% of applicants.

Research is central to the University of Maryland, College Park, where scholars and scientists work on disease, energy technology, national security, and other societal challenges. The university recorded $1.5 billion in combined research expenditures with the University of Maryland, Baltimore in fiscal year 2024. Its faculty include 110 members of the National Academies, six Pulitzer Prize winners, two Nobel laureates, and one Emmy winner. Research and teaching connect with work in communities and around the globe.

Students choose from more than 300 degree-granting programs, including over 100 undergraduate majors across 12 colleges and schools and more than 230 graduate programs. Academic support includes advising, tutoring, career planning, libraries, and special programs that bring students together around shared interests. UMD’s libraries provide access to 9 million titles in seven libraries and online. The campus also offers arts programming, athletics, more than 900 student clubs, and living-learning opportunities.

College Park places students near Washington, D.C., Maryland, and major research, policy, and arts institutions. UMD welcomes students from all 50 states and 128 countries and provides resources to support international students’ educational, professional, and personal transition. Students can study abroad at more than 300 destinations, while more than 2,000 students participate in study abroad each year. Graduate students can explore scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships.