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The world of business has become increasingly complex and the amount of information available has mushroomed, posing new challenges in every traditional business discipline. The complexity of these challenges requires research tools that are significantly more advanced than those in MBA and business-oriented MS programs. This program was designed by the doctoral faculty of the Zicklin School of Business to meet the needs of executives to gain research knowledge and skills essential for rigorous analysis of modern-day problems and challenges. All of the courses in the program have been specially created for this innovative, distinctive approach to post-master’s education in business.

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration Program leads to the Doctor of Professional Studies Business Administration (DPSDBA) degree.

The three-year program is offered in the format of three residencies each semester for the first two years, and for the third year to be devoted to dissertation research. This format is tailored to the needs of working executives with full-time positions and responsibilities.

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration program requires 60 graduate-level credits, the passing of Qualifying Examinations 1 and 2, and a publicly defended dissertation.

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An applicant must submit evidence that he or she shows promise of the ability to carry out research and be interviewed and approved by the program’s admissions committee. University transcripts, at least two letters of reference, and two essays are required.

DPSB DBA Curriculum

Note: The Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration program reserves the right to make changes in course sequencing.

The total cost of the program covers the cost of the 42 credits taken in the DPSB DBA program.

A student may only make course substitutions with permission of the DPSB DBA Academic Director.

Students needing to enroll in any graduate courses not included in the 42 credits outlined above are responsible for their own tuition at the prevailing tuition rates at CUNY or the institution of their choice. If any of those courses are intended to meet the prerequisite list of courses with 18 credits, students should seek prior approval from the Academic Director to ensure that the transfer of credits will be conferred.

International students must review financial requirements for visa applications. No financial assistance is available to international students at The City University of New York. Before receiving a visa for entrance into the United States on a with student status, international students must certify that they will have sufficient support for the entire period of their stay in the United States while pursuing a full-time program of study. Instructions for applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to study in the United States may be accessed at Baruch’s International Student Service Center.

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A total of 18 credits of prerequisites from a prior graduate degree (or courses even if a degree wasn’t awarded) will be applied toward the DPSB DBA program, provided that credits from prior graduate studies were completed in an AACSB accredited college or university in the U.S. or in an institution outside the U.S. accredited by a recognized accrediting entity (e.g., EQUIS or AMBA), and reflect academic coverage in the candidate’s designated area of research interest. Please note that accreditation does not guarantee transfer credit.

The courses are subject to evaluation by an ad hoc academic review committee established by the Academic Director of the Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration program. Given the varied background of the students, the members of the ad hoc committee will vary in academic background. All graduate level courses will be examined and students may be asked to submit course syllabi. A minimum grade of B is required for courses to be considered for transfer credit. Grades in transfer credit courses are not calculated in the GPA. Any student with a deficiency will be able to make up the deficiency with approved courses before joining the cohort program. Thus, a candidate who does not have an MBA or related MS degree can be conditionally admitted to the program and will be advised by the admissions committee of specific courses needed to take before starting the program. This applies to a candidate who has significant business experience but no prior graduate business courses.

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At this time, financial assistance through federal student loans is available to DPSB DBA students.

Program Load

Students in the DPSB DBA program are expected to enroll in 9 credits in each of the first four semesters. A program of two DPSB DBA courses (6 credits) is considered the minimum graduate course load.

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To request a leave of absence from the DPSB DBA program, a student must apply in writing to the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program prior to the semester or academic year during which the leave is requested. A leave of absence is not counted toward the time limit for completion of degree requirements.

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Students who interrupt their graduate studies for one or more semesters must file for re-entry and receive approval for the re-entry of the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program.

Resignation or Withdrawal

Students who enroll for courses and find it impossible to continue with one or more of the courses must notify the Office of Executive Programs of their intent to withdraw and receive formal approval from the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program. Failure to properly withdraw from a course will result in a grade of F for the course.

Students who drop all courses during the refund period must file a re-entry application. Re-entry is subject to the approval of the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program. International students must also obtain approval from Baruch’s International Student Service Center.

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Current enrolled students who find that they will not be able to complete the degree requirements within the six-year specified time limit and who wish an extension, must apply to the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program for an extension. The request must include the reason for the extension and the length of time required. The request will be adjudicated by the Academic Director of the DPSB DPA program. All courses are subject to review after four years. Courses needing to be retaken require additional fees at the time of re-entry. Students will be required to register in the DPSB DBA program for the semester and pay the semester program fee.

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A student must make satisfactory progress toward the degree in order to maintain his or her status as a matriculated student. In the DPSB DBA program, a student is deemed not to be making satisfactory progress if any one (or more) of these conditions are met. He or she has:

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All students, regardless of their dissertation topic, must consult with the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program regarding requirements concerning the protection of human subjects prior to beginning his or her dissertation research.

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Students are required to deposit dissertations with the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program electronically in PDF format.

At least two members of the dissertation defense committee must be members of the Baruch DPSB DBA faculty or approved by the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program. The dissertation chair must be a full-time Baruch faculty member. Three weeks prior to the scheduled dissertation defense the student must notify the Academic Director of the DPSB DBA program of the decision to defend the dissertation. The student must provide: (1) Title of dissertation; (2) Date, time, and place of the defense; and (3) Names of committee members, their affiliation, and addresses to which invitations are to be sent.

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Auditor Status

No classes in the DPSB DBA program are available for audit.

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There are no cross-listed classes.

Student Appeals

The DPSB DBA Committee on Academic Standing will hear all appeal cases.

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There may at times be problems affecting a student's academic success, progress toward the degree, or relationships within the program. As such situations arise, students are advised to first address the issues with the individual faculty, the Academic Director of the DPSBDBA, and/or the Executive Committee of the DPSBDBA.

The Baruch College Ombudsman Officer is also available for confidential consultation.

Grading Policies

The DPSB DBA program is responsible for determining the requirements and standards of performance for courses and for all examinations. The instructor is obliged to ensure that the course syllabus is consistent with the goals of the program. The expected level of performance in a given course reflects the level of difficulty relevant to the educational objective of the program. In addition, the instructor has an obligation to students to make clear the basis of evaluation (e.g., reading assignments, papers, contributions to seminar discussions, experimental work) at the start of each course so that students are not surprised by unexpected or untimely demands. Grades on examinations or for work in a course are the sole responsibility of the instructor.

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A student may be terminated from the DPSB DBA program by a formal action of the Executive Committee of the DPSB DBA program or by established formal policy of the program.

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The Office of Executive Programs of the Zicklin School of Business provides administrative and curricular services to students enrolled in the Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration (DPSBDBA) program.

Doctor of Professional Studies in Business Administration Program Learning Goals

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