Business Administration (Doctorate)

Graduate

Doctorate
Master's

About this Program

Lead with purpose. Transform organizations. Inspire change.

Program Overview

About the Program

Hood College’s Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a terminal degree designed for experienced professionals who seek to elevate their leadership, expand their impact, and apply advanced research to real-world business challenges.

Whether your goal is to move into a C-suite role, launch a consulting or coaching practice, enter academia as an adjunct professor, or simply pursue intellectual growth, the DBA offers a flexible, practitioner-focused pathway to professional and personal advancement.

This cohort-based program is delivered in a Saturday-only format, allowing busy professionals to balance their studies with full-time work. Faculty provide close mentorship throughout the program, and students form strong professional networks that extend into the Frederick business community and beyond.

Program Highlights

Terminal degree designed for experienced business professionals
Saturday-only format tailored for working adults
Cohort model that fosters connection and community
Personalized faculty mentorship throughout the research process
Opportunities to build networks across academia, industry, and community leadership
Pathway to roles in executive leadership, consulting, teaching, and organizational transformation

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for:

Mid-to-senior level professionals seeking a competitive edge for C-suite or executive roles
Business leaders who want to translate research into practice to improve organizational outcomes
Professionals looking to teach in business schools as adjunct or full-time faculty
Consultants, entrepreneurs, or coaches who want to add depth and authority to their practice
Lifelong learners driven by curiosity and purpose

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with this degree?
Graduates move into executive roles, teach at the college level, run consulting/coaching businesses, or publish research that shapes industry practices.

Is this program flexible for working professionals?
Yes. All courses are held on Saturdays, making the program highly accessible for full-time professionals.

How is this program different from others?
Hood’s program is unique for its cohort model, Saturday format, personalized faculty support, and focus on leadership with community impact. It’s built to serve working professionals—not sideline them.

Will I have support during and after the program?
Absolutely. Students receive mentorship throughout their academic journey and benefit from a strong professional network both during and after the program.

Is this program accredited?
Yes. Hood College is fully accredited, and the DBA meets the highest academic standards for doctoral education.

*Listen to authentic testimonials from Hood doctoral program alumni in the recorded session of the April 2023 Doctoral Alumni Panel available here.

Doctoral student and alumni profiles

Degrees Offered

Department Offering

The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business

Are you ready to go further?

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Doctoral of Business Administration Program Information

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must:

Submit a resume to demonstrate interest in the program by emailing gofurther@hood.com. The Program Director will review your resume and offer an opportunity for a preliminary meeting to discuss your eligibility.
Complete the online application here.
Have previous institution submit an official e-transcript for a completed MBA degree. Applicants must have completed their MBA with a minimum 3.25 GPA and taken at least one course in statistics. E-transcripts should be sent to the Hood Graduate Admissions via Parchment or emailed to gofurther@hood.edu.
Submit a resume that demonstrates a minimum of 8 years of progressive professional work experience
Submit two letters of recommendation: one from your employer that speaks to your professional work experience and leadership skills, the second from an individual who can attest to your leadership skills.
Submit a 400- to 500-word personal essay that describes what attracts you to this doctorate program.
Submit a 500- to 750-word essay in response to one of the following prompts:
- What is the role of leadership in an organization as it focuses on challenges and issues of the twenty-first century?
- Leadership is often defined as the “art of influence.” What lessons have you learned from a leader you admire?
- Compare and contrast your leadership style with that of a leader you admire and respect.
- Describe how sustainable leadership (economic, social and environmental) fits with your personal paradigm of leadership.
Provide one of the following admission elements:
- Standardized test scores (SLLA, GRE, GMAT or MAT).
- Evidence of master’s level culminating research experience (capstone project, thesis, field work or action research project).
- For international students: English proficiency test report and NACES or AICE course by course transcript evaluation of MBA degree. Click here for more details.

Once applications have been submitted for initial review, eligible applicants will be invited for a virtual interview with the doctoral review committee as part of the application process.

Transfer credit policy for admitted students

Students may transfer a maximum of 8 graduate credits from an external, accredited institution, or another Hood graduate program prior to the first semester of study in the current program. Please review the full graduate transfer credit policy in the College catalog.

The Doctoral Program in Business Administration (DBA) is a cohort-based program with hybrid scheduling that provides flexibility for busy professionals. Coursework for the multidisciplinary program is completed in three years.

Students progress through 60 credits of coursework over a period of three years that include 27 credits of core leadership courses, 9 credits of research methods courses, 12 elective credits from the Delaplaine School of Business. Finally, 12 credits of dissertation research courses provide the structural support to ensure candidates complete their dissertations and earn their doctorate. Faculty continue to provide necessary one-on-one support for two semesters beyond the third year. If candidates need even more time to complete their dissertation work, additional support is provided with 1-credit courses every semester until they complete their dissertations.

Classes are offered on Saturdays in a flexible, hybrid format, with in-person classes on some Saturdays.

Saturday-Only Format
All courses are held on Saturdays, allowing working professionals to balance academic and career demands while maintaining consistency and structure throughout the program.

Cohort-Based Community
Students join a supportive cohort of peers from diverse industries, forming strong professional relationships and a sense of shared purpose that extends beyond graduation.

Faculty Mentorship
Faculty members offer individualized support at every stage—from coursework to dissertation—resulting in a high completion rate and a deeply personalized doctoral journey.

Leadership-Focused Impact
Students are encouraged to pursue research topics with relevance to organizational, community, or societal transformation, preparing them to lead at the highest levels.

Community Integration
The program fosters connections within the Hood College ecosystem, the greater Frederick business community, and professional organizations, enhancing post-graduation opportunities.

Hood Doctoral Student Bios

Hood Doctoral Alumni Bios

Hood Doctoral Student Spotlights

Smita Padmanabhan (short video clip)
Darnell Billups (short video clip)
Cynthia Johnson (short video clip)
Jeneen Stewart (short video clip)
CDR Youssef Aboul-Enein, USN, DOL
Jonathan Spaans, DBA'19

Hood Doctoral Alumni Spotlight

Ja'Bette Lozupone, DOL'20 - featured in January 2023 Diverse Magazine, Emerging Scholars issue

Photo Gallery

Graduates of the DBA program will be able to:

Conduct applied research that advances knowledge and improves organizational performance
Integrate leadership, ethics, and strategy in solving complex business problems
Demonstrate mastery of business theory and apply it in executive decision-making
Communicate as thought leaders, consultants, and academic contributors
Transition into senior leadership, adjunct teaching roles, or independent consulting
Earn the title “Dr.”, which brings professional recognition and opens doors in diverse sectors
Graduates of Hood’s DBA program are prepared to excel in roles such as:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
Organizational Development Consultant
Adjunct or Full-Time Business Faculty
Leadership Coach or Executive Trainer
Business Author or Speaker
Entrepreneurial and Nonprofit Leader
The DBA enhances your credentials, expands your influence, and positions you as a trusted authority in the business world.

$1,100 Per Credit

3-4 Years

Average Completion Time

60 Total Credits

Program Contact

Nisha Manikoth, EdD.

Program Director

301-696-3818

manikoth@hood.edu

Sonia Bowie

Doctoral Program Assistant

(301) 696-3327

bowie@hood.edu

Tanith Fowler Corsi

Director of Graduate Admissions

Office: 301-696-3603

fowlercorsi@hood.edu

Fast Fact

Graduates holding a DBA are prepared to work in executive positions within the top businesses or international companies or in scholarly pursuits at universities and colleges.

All Faculty