Business Administration (BDBA)

Graduate Degree Program
College: R.H. Smith School of Business

ABSTRACT   

The Smith Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a practitioner-oriented professional doctoral-level degree designed for senior executives and researchers in industry and government in which advanced research skills in analyzing business problems are required. The DBA is an extended graduate study beyond a Master’s degree with a focus on practical, applied research. The target of the program will be working professionals wishing to accelerate and solidify their careers as accomplished leaders in business organizations and in government agencies using business and marketing analytics and/or focusing on financial market regulation or that have financial operations.  

All students are required to complete a minimum of 54 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree or 30 credit hours beyond a master’s degree. Typically, students will take 42 credits in the following categories: Research Tools and Methodologies (10 – 12 credits), courses in the student’s major field of study (22 – 24 credits), and practice-focused elective courses (10 – 12 credits). All students should take 12 credits of the capstone project research in addition to the coursework for graduation eligibility. In addition to passing each course, students are required to successfully pass their capstone project proposal before registering for the capstone project course. Finally, students must successfully complete their capstone project to graduate the program.
 For those entering with a Master’s degree, either in Business, Economics, Engineering or Sciences, the curriculum is a program with a set of pre-specified courses that provide rigorous content in the areas of information systems, marketing and finance, depending on the specialization. For those entering with only a Bachelor’s degree in any area, there will be an additional 12 credits of coursework requirements. The program will accommodate part-time students with the course offerings during weekday evenings or on weekends. The program is designed so that students can complete the program in three years, however they could take longer depending on the time it takes for them to complete the required coursework. There is a maximum of 5 years to complete the program. Each student in the Doctoral Program in Business Administration must have a Study Plan approved by the Program during the first year of the program, to be reviewed annually.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Financial aid is available to qualified students in the form of fellowships, graduate assistantships, and scholarships.

CONTACT

Program information is available online at http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu. 

PhD Program Office
Telephone: 301.405.2214
Email: smithphd@umd.edu
3330 Van Munching Hall
7621 Mowatt Lane
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

Website: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

  • Letters of Recommendation (2)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)  (optional)
  • GRE Subject (optional)
  • CV/Resume
  • Supplementary Application (optional, up to 2)

Prospective applicants may call (301) 405-2214 or email businessphd@rhsmith.umd.edu for information regarding the Ph.D. program

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Type of Applicant Fall Deadline
Domestic Applicants
US Citizens and Permanent Residents April 21, 2023
International Applicants
F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants March 15, 2023

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Other Deadlines: rhsmith.umd.edu/apply 
Program Website: rhsmith.umd.edu/programs
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying