Overview
The Doctor of Business Administration is a professional doctorate that focuses on managerial relevance and applying theory to field-based research. You will:
- expand competencies in management research and practice
- effectively conduct and evaluate management research
- develop scholarship in management practice
- communicate research findings and outcomes
- create solutions to business and organizational problems that will increase competitive advantage
enhance professional credibility
The Doctor of Business Administration is a research-based qualification with the same level of rigour and scholarship expected of any doctoral program. AU’s program emphasizes field-based, practical research and its immediate application.
AU’s Doctor of Business Administration is the first online DBA program offered by a Canadian university.
The Doctor of Business Administration is a 21-credit online doctoral program. As a new student, you must complete the entire program through Athabasca University. Potential transfer credit can be evaluated on an individual basis.
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Our Faculty of Business also holds AACSB accreditation, placing us among the elite 6% of business schools worldwide. This distinguished accreditation, known as the gold standard in the industry, is a testament to the rigor and depth of our program, and the high-quality education it provides.
Application deadlines and start dates
There is only 1 DBA intake each year. The application deadline is in March and classes start in Sept. All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates. The program also includes a 1-week on-site research workshop once a year for the first 3 years.
| Application deadline | Start date |
| March 15, 2025 | Sept. 2025 |
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 3 years of study. You can take up to 7 years to complete all requirements.
The expected normal completion time is 4–5 years.
Tuition and fees
Tuition fees
The following fees are effective from Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services; for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
application and admission fees | Program Application Fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies | $233 |
| Program Admission Fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable) | $913 |
Fees split by year | Year 1 |
| Program Fee 1.1 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 000 – DBA Orientation | 0 |
| DDBA 800 – Conceptual Foundations of Organizational Research | $4,845 |
| Program Fee 1.2 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 801 – Current Research | $4,845 |
| DDBA 802 – Management Research in Practice | $4,845 |
| Year 1 total | $19,507 |
| Year 2 |
| DDBA 001 – Onsite Research Workshop Yr. 2 | 0 |
| Program Fee 2.1 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 803 – Quantitative Research Methods | $4,845 |
| Program Fee 2.2 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 804 – Qualitative Research Methods | $4,845 |
| DDBA 805 – Advanced Readings | $4,845 |
| Year 2 total | $19,507 |
| Year 3 |
| DDBA 002 – Onsite Research Workshop Yr. 3 | 0 |
| Program Fee 3.1 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 806 – Dissertation Proposal | $4,845 |
| Program Fee 3.2 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| DDBA 807 – Candidacy Exam | $6,169 |
| Year 3 total | $15,986 |
| Year 4 |
| Program Fee 4.1 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| Program Fee 4.2 (non-refundable) | $2,486 |
| Year 4 total | $4,972 |
| TOTAL PROGRAM COST | $61,103* |
* The Athabasca University Graduate Studies Association Fee of $14 per credit is not included in the above calculation and will be added to the course tuition fee.
The above fee chart is based on a standard expected completion time of 4 years. Total fees will vary depending on length of time required to complete the dissertation. Once all coursework is complete, students will continue to pay the program fee every 6 months ($2,486) until their dissertation is also complete.
Please be aware that if fee payments are not received by the due dates, you will be unregistered from your courses, and books/materials will not be provided. As courses are only delivered one time per year and completed in sequence, being unregistered means you will not be able to start most courses until the following year.
Other fees
other fees | Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee (1 time)(non-refundable) | $348 |
| Course Withdrawal Processing Fee1 | $453 |
| AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit) | $14 |
| Letter of Permission Fee | $100 |
1 The Course Withdrawal Processing Fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures.
The following fees will be charged at rates approved by the Athabasca University Board of Governors:
- Program Continuation Fee
- Course Transfer Fee
The university reserves the right to apply a surcharge to posted electives in-residence rates when such programs are delivered outside of Canada, and to charge for late cancellation of attendance at in-residence electives. The university also reserves the right to suspend students if their program fees are overdue.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Courses
Embarking on the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Athabasca University is a fulfilling journey that blends online courses with onsite research workshops. In the first 2 years, you'll complete 6 foundational and research-oriented courses online, along with 2 invaluable onsite research workshops. Your 3rd year is a pivotal moment, as you prepare a dissertation research proposal and take an oral candidacy exam. Upon passing your dissertation, you'll become a doctoral candidate and get the green light to conduct original research, write your dissertation, and defend it before a supervisory committee to earn your doctorate.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Doctor of Business Administration.
Our program regulations can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Program regulations
Courses to explore
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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Career options
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) can be a transformative step in your career, offering both immediate and long-term benefits. On a practical level, this advanced degree equips you with specialized research skills and business acumen that can make you a sought-after expert in your field, opening doors to higher-level management and consultancy roles. Beyond job titles and salaries, a DBA can also offer personal satisfaction by enabling you to contribute meaningful, original research that can influence business practices, shape policies, and even redefine industries. So, whether you're looking to climb the corporate ladder, consult, teach, or make a substantial impact in the business world, a DBA provides the tools and credibility to help you get there.
Some careers may include:
- university professor
- business research chair
- investment analyst
- venture capitalist
- economic consultant
- business analyst
- policy analyst
- business analyst
- chief executive officer (CEO)
- chief operating officer (COO)
- chief financial officer (CFO)
- chief marketing officer (CMO)
- chief human resources officer (CHRO)