Executive Doctorate in Business Administration
Advance your career, connect with visionary leaders, and redefine your impact with our innovative Executive DBA program designed for executive professionals.
Objective
The Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Miami Herbert empowers senior leaders to advance their expertise by applying business research to solve complex challenges and drive innovation in their industries. This program combines rigorous academics with practical application, equipping participants to implement evidence-based strategies, enhance decision-making, and lead transformative change.
Through a curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, applied research, and mentorship from renowned faculty, participants develop innovative solutions to real-world problems and improve their ability to communicate insights to diverse audiences. Designed as a flexible, part-time, three-year program, the Executive DBA strengthens leadership skills and strategic thinking, preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions within their organizations and industries.
Who's It For?
Lead with Knowledge. Inspire with Impact.
Miami Herbert’s Executive DBA is a premier hybrid program designed to help executives elevate their careers. Miami Herbert combines academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and flexible learning to equip leaders with the skills they need to drive innovation and growth in today’s dynamic business environment.
Expand Your Network. Elevate Your Thinking.
While earning your Doctor of Business Administration, you'll connect with high-level executives and esteemed faculty, gaining new perspectives on leadership, global change, and decision-making. This interdisciplinary program integrates research methodology and business theory, equipping you to tackle complex challenges. Graduates emerge as stronger problem solvers, driving innovation, organizational development, and talent retention within their firms.
A Flexible Program Structure Designed for You
| Years 1 & 2 | Year 3 |
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Program Type
Doctoral
Location
Hybrid
Time Commitment
Part Time
Start Date
August
Pre-Apply
Curious if you’re a good fit for the program?
Take our quick pre-app assessment—it only takes a few minutes. You'll get instant insights into your fit for the program and the opportunity to connect with leadership to explore your best path forward.
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Globally Recognized, Research-Driven Business Education
Faculty Research Productivity
Recognized by the Financial Times, Miami Herbert ranks among the top business schools globally for research impact and faculty research productivity.
Accreditation
The school is accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA-a feat achieved by less than 1 percent of the world's business schools.
Faculty
Under the leadership of esteemed scholars such as Miami Herbert's Dean Paul A. Pavlou—who has over 100,000 citations— our internationally recognized and highly cited faculty drive groundbreaking research that shapes global business practices and enriches your learning experience.
DBA vs. Ph.D. vs. EMBA
Understanding the distinctions between an Executive DBA, EMBA, and Ph.D. is essential for making an informed decision. The chart below provides a clear comparison of program structure, career outcomes, and impact.
| EDBA | Ph.D. | EMBA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Objective | Equips professionals with tools to address real-world challenges through applied business research. | Cultivates academic and theoretical expertise, contributing to scholarly knowledge in a specialized field. | Sharpens leadership and strategic thinking skills, preparing executives for organizational growth and innovation. |
| Program Design and Flexibility | Blends research with practical applications like case studies and industry-focused projects. | Emphasizes independent academic research with the goal of publishing original findings. | Offers flexible schedules, such as evening, weekend, or online sessions, to accommodate professionals. |
| Duration of Study | 3 years, combining coursework and a final doctoral project. | 4–6 years, involving comprehensive exams and a dissertation. | 2 years, designed for working executives. |
| Career Outcomes | Prepares for leadership roles, consultancy, entrepreneurial ventures, or teaching career. | Focused on academia, research roles, or high-level industry positions requiring scholarly credentials. | Ideal for seasoned professionals seeking to enhance leadership abilities and drive business success. |
| Target Audience | Senior professionals aiming to solve real-world business challenges. | Aspiring academics, researchers, and scholars. | Mid-to-senior-level executives looking to enhance leadership and strategic decision-making skills. |
| Focus on Research vs. Practice | Strong focus on applying research to practical business problems. | Primarily research-driven, with an emphasis on theoretical contributions. | Emphasis on practice and real-time application of business strategies. |
| Admission Requirements | Significant professional experience, and a research proposal. | Strong academic record, GRE/GMAT scores, and a well-defined research interest. | Several years of professional experience, leadership roles, and often company sponsorship. |
| Networking Opportunities | Facilitates connections with industry leaders, professionals, and applied research networks. | Provides access to academic conferences, scholarly networks, and collaborations with faculty. | Extensive peer-to-peer networking opportunities, alumni networks, and corporate partnerships. |
Dr. Angelika Dimoka, Director EDBA
Dr. Angelika Dimoka is a professor in the Business Technology Department at the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, where she is the director of the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration and director of the Decision Neuroscience Lab. She has extensive experience with launching/leading three different Executive DBA programs at various business schools.
She holds a Ph.D. from the Viterbi School of Engineering with a minor from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Before joining Miami Herbert, she was a faculty member at the Bauer College of Business (University of Houston), the Fox School of Business (Temple University), and the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management (UC Riverside). Her research focuses on decision neuroscience, particularly in Information Systems (NeuroIS), marketing (Neuromarketing), and e-commerce.
Email Dr. Dimoka: [email protected]
Faculty
Ola Henfridsson
David Kelly
Alok Kumar
Cecily Cooper
Uzma Khan
Claudia Townsend
John M Mezias
Christopher Frank Parmeter
Michael French
Kevin Hong
Fabrizio Ferri
Mark Maffett
Meet Your Enrollment Advisor
Sasha Espinola is an Assistant Director at Miami Herbert Business School, she supports candidates applying to the Executive DBA, Ph.D., and Professional MBA programs, leveraging her expertise to guide prospective students through the admissions process and help them achieve their academic and professional goals.
