10 Best Online DBA Programs With No Dissertation in 2025

Pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is an investment in your future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that roughly 963,000 new jobs for business and financial professionals will open each year through 2033. This 11% growth rate is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the national economy.

You may be interested in degree programs that offer an online DBA, no dissertation required. This article highlights ten doctorate programs without dissertation requirements and answers some frequently asked questions about capstone projects, DBA degree program timelines, and admission requirements. If you're ready to advance your business education, read on.

Do All Doctor of Business Administration Programs Require a Dissertation?

No, not all DBA programs require dissertations. Many online Doctor of Business Administration programs instead require research or capstone projects. A capstone project applies research methodologies learned in your doctoral studies to real-world problems in the business world. Examples include creating a strategic financial plan, developing employee training techniques, or applying evidence-based research to recommend new business practices.

How Long Does a DBA Program Take?

It typically takes two to four years to earn your Doctor of Business Administration degree. Online degree programs range between 48 and 65 credit hours in length.

You can accelerate the degree process by applying transfer credits earned through your master's degree and by completing your coursework on a full-time basis. Using these strategies, you can earn your degree in as little as 18 months, close to earning your 1-year DBA online.

Best Online DBA Programs With No Dissertation

This list features online DBA programs that do not have dissertation requirements. Instead, these doctoral programs require a capstone or research project.

1. South College

Based in Knoxville, TN, South College has campuses across the U.S. and offers a wide range of online degree programs. Its DBA program is entirely online and can be completed in 24 months. The program consists of 10 courses, including innovation and change management, communication strategies and practices, and research methods and data analysis.

Doctoral students in South College's DBA program have access to mentoring and tutoring, career services, and technical support.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,000 per semester
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. California Intercontinental University

California Intercontinental University (CIU)'s DBA degree program is 60 credit hours total, with six-week courses that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. You can choose to complete a dissertation or a doctoral research project for your final degree requirement.

Students in CIU's DBA program choose from one of four specializations: global business and leadership, entrepreneurship and business management, information systems and enterprise resource management, or healthcare management and leadership.

• Estimated tuition cost: $528 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

3. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University specializes in distance-learning higher education. Its 61-credit DBA program focuses on decision-making and leadership skills and uses theory and applied research to solve real-world business problems. DBA students may transfer up to 40 eligible credits toward their degree.

Columbia Southern University has a variety of financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, learning partner discounts, and military benefits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $561 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Liberty University

Liberty University (LU) offers an online DBA degree program through its distance learning platform. LU's DBA program is 60 credit hours total and is conducted over a series of eight-week courses. Doctoral students choose from 17 specialization options, including human resources, nonprofit leadership and management, and information systems.

You can apply up to 30 transfer credits toward your degree, reducing time and tuition costs. LU has a lower tuition rate for full-time students and military service members.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Accreditation: ACBSP

5. Walden University

Walden University is a large private school that offers an online DBA program with a self-designed specialization option. DBA students develop the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for business leadership roles.

Walden University's DBA program curriculum consists of courses on core theory, research methods, and business strategies, as well as doctoral writing assignments. The program culminates in a business research project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $695 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. Indiana Institute of Technology

Located in Fort Wayne, IN, the Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) offers a DBA program with coursework delivered entirely online. DBA students make one visit to Indiana Tech for an immersive, hands-on learning experience. Program specializations include healthcare management, business strategy, and marketing.

Indiana Tech's DBA program is 54 credit hours total. Students can transfer up to nine credit hours from their master's degree or 15 credit hours from any prior doctoral studies.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Baker College

Baker College has a 52-credit, online DBA program with seven specialization options. Doctoral students can concentrate their studies in accounting, leadership, finance, and more. The DBA program has two tracks: a dissertation track and a capstone project track.

Baker College offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, and loans. Students are encouraged to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a mid-sized private school located in Bellevue, NE, that offers a 100% online DBA program. Students can earn their doctorate in business administration in three years or fewer. The program is delivered in 10-week courses and culminates in a research-based doctoral project.

Bellevue University does not require prospective students to submit their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Students are not required to make an on-campus residency trip.

• Estimated tuition cost: $825 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Capella University

Doctoral students who enroll at Capella University can earn their DBA degree online without having to complete a dissertation project. Instead, DBA students complete a capstone project. You can choose from one of three degree specializations: organizational leadership and development, general management, and strategy and innovation.

You may be able to save on tuition by transferring eligible credits and applying employer benefits. Veterans, military service members, and their families are eligible for reduced tuition rates.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,020 per credit hour
• Accreditation: ACBSP

10. National University

National University offers a DBA program with twelve specialization options. The program curriculum is completely online and includes courses like statistics, ethics in business, and business strategy and innovation. Students complete their doctoral studies with an applied research project.

As part of its online DBA program, National University provides 24/7 technical support, tutoring sessions, and a mentoring network.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,138
• Accreditation: ACBSP

How We Rank Colleges

We use the following criteria to rank our featured colleges and universities:

• Shortest program lengths: We feature schools with programs that can be completed in three years or fewer. Students enrolled in some programs can earn their DBA degree in close to one year.
• Accreditation: All schools are accredited institutions, meaning they have been vetted by independent accrediting organizations. This ensures that the doctoral programs' curriculum and faculty meet quality educational standards. Some programs have additional accreditation from the ACBSP.
• Online coursework: The programs highlighted here offer coursework entirely online.

FAQs About Online DBA Programs With No Dissertation

In this section, we address frequently asked questions about online DBA programs, from the differences between dissertations and capstone projects to program prerequisites.

What Is the Difference Between a Dissertation and a Capstone Project?

Both dissertations and capstone projects showcase your culmination of knowledge and skills learned throughout your doctoral studies. A dissertation is a more theoretical approach and usually is a lengthy paper (sometimes a whole book) describing original research.

A capstone project is a more practical approach to showcase your expertise. DBA students create solutions to business problems by using research skills and developing practical applications. Captone project examples include addressing issues in supply chains, developing risk management plans, and creating a business investment plan for a startup company.

Are No-Dissertation DBA Programs Respected by Employers?

This is a difficult question to answer with a simple yes or no. The business world is extremely large, encompassing a broad range of industries, and employers across this spectrum have varying priorities.

That being said, DBA programs that have a capstone or research projects are as respectable and valid as their dissertation program counterparts. Some employers prefer graduates who have practical experience addressing business challenges, such as skills developed in capstone projects. The most important factor in a DBA program, dissertation or no dissertation, is that your school is a regionally accredited institution.

Can I Teach With a DBA Instead of a PhD?

Yes, you can teach with a Doctor of Business Administration instead of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in business. Traditionally, having a PhD has opened more doors to academia, but a DBA allows you the opportunity to work in teaching and research positions.

The preference for a DBA versus a PhD for faculty depends on the school and its business programs. Colleges and universities with a strong focus on practical applications are more likely to hire people with DBA degrees.

What Background Do I Need To Enroll in a DBA Program?

Generally, most DBA program candidates have a master's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field. Having a minimum of three to five years of professional experience is extremely beneficial as well. Senior-level professional experience is helpful when applying to more competitive programs, but it is not a typical background requirement.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

If you are ready to further your career and become a business leader, we invite you to connect with the schools on Learn.org. Our partner schools offer various online doctoral degree options and scholarships for online students that can help support your career goals.