Executive Doctor of Business Administration

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Take your leadership, strategic thinking, and professional impact to the next level with our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (xDBA).

Designed for experienced business leaders, the xDBA is a practitioner-focused doctoral program that prepares you to navigate complex business challenges, leverage strategic opportunities, and lead organizational transformation. Successful completion of the program leads to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.

We see you driving change and guiding competitive strategy in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.

Elevate your Leadership

You’ve already built your career. Now, build on the experience you’ve gained to become an even more strategic and systematic leader.

Our xDBA prepares experienced professionals to think beyond individual business functions and understand the interconnected environments shaping organizations today. Through advanced study in strategic thinking, decision-making, innovation, organizational capacity, leadership, communication, and emerging technologies, you’ll learn to evaluate complex challenges and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.

You’ll also develop the research skills to investigate real-world organizational problems and turn what you discover into meaningful action.

Program Snapshot

Asynchronous classes,100% online coursework—learn on your schedule
Credit for Prior Learning recognizes your achievements to date
Only DBA offered in the Lehigh Valley
Complete program in 3 years—part time
Rolling admissions—cohorts start each Fall
Optional 3-day summer seminars—enrich your learning (available in-person and virtually)

The Cedar Crest xDBA Advantage

Think strategically across complex organizational environments
Make data-informed decisions and assess risk
Lead organizational change and innovation
Evaluate markets, industries, products, and revenue opportunities
Navigate emerging technologies, including generative AI
Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
Apply doctoral-level research to real organizational challenges

Developing Leaders in Business

DBA graduates often see:

Expanded leadership and advancement opportunities
Higher earning potential
Opportunities for consulting and adjunct teaching

Built for Busy Professionals

Your career doesn’t have to pause for your doctorate. The xDBA is designed specifically for experienced professionals who want to continue working while pursuing the highest level of professional education.

The program is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework without traditional class meeting times.

At Cedar Crest, we see the experience you’ve already gained—and we believe it can be the foundation for what’s next.

Your experience matters. The XDBA is a 45-credit doctoral degree that recognizes the knowledge and skills you’ve gained throughout your career. Through our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), you may be able to receive up to 9 credits for prior learning—helping you move efficiently toward your doctorate.

Dive A Little Deeper

Tuition & Fees

xDBA Application Requirements

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

A completed admission application, found at www.cedarcrest.edu/apply
Official transcripts from the bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting institutions and any other institutions where relevant coursework was completed.
- Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States will need to be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation, with degree equivalency, completed by a NACES-recognized foreign transcript evaluation agency, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).
A statement of your goals (approximately 1000 words, should include ideas for a potential dissertation topic)
Two letters of recommendation
Your current resume demonstrating three years of significant managerial or leadership experience,
- Applicants with less than three years of significant managerial or leadership experience will need to successfully complete the bridge program

GMAT or GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted for consideration if the applicant desires to do so.

xDBA Admission Requirements

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

An applicant must possess a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. This does not have to be an MBA; all master’s degree holders with leadership experience may apply to the program. Applicants may apply while finishing their master’s degree requirements, however the degree must be conferred, as shown on an official transcript, prior to the start of the student’s first matriculated semester at Cedar Crest College.
As this is an executive doctorate, applicants must possess at a minimum of three years’ experience in a leadership role. This can include project management, team leadership, departmental leadership, division leadership, or executive-level leadership, but applicants must be able to address the three areas assessed by the prior-learning courses. Therefore, applicants must submit a resume that reflects this experience, or one that indicates success potential after taking a bridge program.
Completion of an admissions interview with the program director.

It is recommended, but not required, that the applicant have completed the following coursework at the undergraduate level:

One semester of economics
One semester of accounting
One semester of statistics

Admissions Decisions

Each applicant will be considered from a holistic perspective. The Program Director reserves the right to ask the prospective candidate for additional information.