Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's Doctor of Business Administration program with a Self-Designed specialization offers a broad business education while allowing you to select your own specialization courses emphasizing specific professional areas. Specialization courses are presented as seminars and offered in areas of marketing, finance, innovation, change management, business law, sustainability, and supply chain management. Topics covered in core and other required coursework include global business strategies, information systems management, research methods, leadership concepts, decision-making and critical thinking processes, financial management, and risk management. The program also requires you to attend two 4-day residencies, complete a mentoring process, and produce a researched examination of a specific business practice in a professional setting.

What Are the Prerequisites?

Before enrolling in Walden University's Doctor of Business Administration program with a Self-Designed specialization, you should hold a master's degree or higher and have current management experience in a corporate or business environment. Most of Walden University's doctoral programs require three years of related academic or professional experience.

What Are the Program Requirements?

Degree program curriculum and credits are subject to change, and you should contact Walden University for the most current information before enrolling in a program. You must complete a total of 60 credits to earn the Doctor of Business Administration with a Self-Designed specialization from Walden University. The program consists of 31 credits in foundation, core, research, and business strategy courses, nine credits in specialization courses, and 20 credits over five terms in doctoral study and mentoring.

Foundation and Core Course Requirements

• Foundations for Doctoral Business Administration Studies
• Business Operations: Systems Perspectives in Global Organizations
• Information Systems: Global Management Strategies and Technologies
• Marketing: Strategic Innovations in Globally Diverse Markets
• Finance: Fiscal Leadership in a Global Environment Creating Competitive Responses and Building Corporate Opportunities
• Leadership: Building Sustainable Organizations

Business Strategy and Research Methods Course Requirements

• Business Strategy and Innovation
• Applied Research Methods Qualitative and Quantitative
• Qualitative and Case Study Research for Business Analysis
• Quantitative Decision-Making for Business Analysis

Specialization Course Requirements

• Choose three of the following:
  • Seminar in Innovation Management
  • Seminar in Change Management
  • Seminar in Multicultural Management
  • Seminar in Global Supply Chain Management
  • Seminar in Consumer Behavior
  • Seminar in Sustainability
  • Seminar in Law and Compliance
  • Seminar in Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Seminar in International Finance
  • Seminar in Marketing Research
  • Seminar in IT for Competitive Advantage
  • Seminar in B2B Marketing

Doctoral Studies Course Requirements

• Doctoral Study Mentoring
• Doctoral Study Completion

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of Walden University's Doctor of Business Administration program with a Self-Designed specialization, you could be prepared for advancement in your current field. You could also seek an academic or research career. Positions you could pursue include:

• Chief executive officer
• Chief financial officer
• Management consultant
• College or university instructor