DAY 1 CPT Doctorate Program
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
An accredited doctorate with Day 1 CPT, a $15,000 Grant with an interest-free payment plan, and 3-4 years in the U.S. while you work and study.
Discover the Benefits
While a PhD trains full-time academics, researchers, and professors who spend years on campus producing theory; a DBA takes the same doctoral rigor and points it at the real world: you research and solve actual business problems, often the ones inside the company you already work for. The hybrid executive format brings you to the Los Angeles campus twice every 8 weeks; the rest fits around your job. Most students finish in about 3 years while working full-time the entire way, and when you finish, you hold the title of Doctor.
Any accredited master’s degree qualifies you for the next level up, and moving up a degree level is exactly what unlocks your new period of work authorization and time in the U.S.
Program Details
Start Dates
Offered in January, March, May, July, August, & October
Degree Length
Typically 3 to 4 years
Key Offerings:
$15,000 Grant Available
Offered in Los Angeles
Hybrid - 2 Campus Visits Every 8 Weeks
Interest-Free Payment Plan
Day 1 CPT & OPT Work Eligibility
CareerConnect Work Placement Support
Transfer Up to 12 Credits
Four Concentrations, One Doctorate
Hospitality Management
A specialization in hospitality management prepares students for work in international strategy and leadership. In fact, we designed the program to cultivate foundational skills for consulting and corporate positions. Moreover, internships provide students with a hands-on learning environment. By participating, students sharpen their management skills and develop business relationships within their communities. Consequently, these internships offer real-world opportunities to apply your knowledge. Finally, gaining real-life experience is an excellent way to bulk up your resume and showcase skills to future employers.
Management
The broadest pathway, and the most popular. Study contemporary leadership, organizational strategy, and change management for an AI-driven business landscape, then apply that research directly to the organizations you work with. Built for professionals targeting senior leadership, consulting, or entrepreneurship.
Information & Data Science
We designed this specialization for students interested in understanding the data revolution. Specifically, you will gain advanced knowledge and skills in data science. Because industries now have an abundance of information, this focus area is highly useful across various sectors. Furthermore, you will learn how to contribute to your field through quantitative analysis. Our team also examines ethical and societal considerations regarding data usage. Finally, guided practical training is available from Day 1. This allows you to sharpen your skills in a business setting and earn valuable experience to boost your career.
Marketing
A specialization in marketing supplies students with a broad knowledge of diverse industries. In particular, students gain an understanding of how marketing drives organizational strategy in both business and politics. To achieve this, the curriculum includes courses in human behavior, social influencing, and organizational adaptation. Moreover, coursework in research and theory provides the skills to impact management practices. Because the program focuses heavily on internships, students enjoy significant professional growth. Ultimately, these roles connect students with prospective employers and add practical value to their resumes.
Degree Highlights
$15,000 Grant + Interest-Free Payment Plan
Eligible students receive up to a $15,000 Grant toward tuition, combined with an interest-free payment plan that spreads the rest across your program. No loans, no interest. You pay as you go while you keep earning.
Day 1 CPT Doctorate Program
Many universities cap how much CPT you can use per year or per degree level. Not here. You are eligible for full-time CPT from your first day of class through graduation, roughly 3 years of uninterrupted work in your field.
Hybrid DBA Format
The School of Management and Leadership pairs a practical, industry-focused curriculum with the flexibility working professionals need. The hybrid executive format brings you on campus every 8 weeks; the rest fits around your job.
Doctoral Dissertation Development
Because classes are small, you receive attention from your professors. As you progress, we pair you with a faculty mentor. This mentor will advise and guide you from the prospectus stage through the final defense.
Work Placement Support
Already have an employer? We make the transition seamless. If not, our CareerConnect CPT/OPT work placement team matches you with a paid position aligned with your degree: resume help, employer introductions, and placement support included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DBA?
DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration. It is a doctorate, the highest degree level in business, a full step above every master’s degree including the MBA. Graduates hold the title of Doctor. Unlike a traditional academic doctorate, the DBA is designed for working professionals: you research and solve real business problems while continuing your career, on an executive schedule with campus sessions every 8 weeks in Los Angeles.
Is a DBA the same thing as a PhD?
No, and this confuses a lot of people from outside the U.S., where “doctorate” often just means PhD. Both are doctoral degrees and both earn you the title of Doctor, but they serve different goals. A PhD trains full-time academics: years on campus producing theoretical research for scholarly journals, usually aiming at a professorship. A DBA applies that same doctoral rigor to the real world: applied research on actual business problems, built around your job, aimed at executive leadership and consulting. If you want to keep working and advance your career, the DBA is the doctorate built for you.
Do I need an MBA to apply?
No. Any accredited master’s degree qualifies you. The MBA-to-DBA route is simply the most common among our students. Whatever master’s you hold, the doctorate is the next degree level up, and that is what makes you eligible for a new period of OPT after you graduate.
Can I really work through the entire program?
Yes, and this is where this DBA stands apart. Many universities limit how much CPT you can use per year or per degree level, forcing students to pause their jobs mid-program. Here, your CPT runs from day one straight through graduation, roughly 3 years of uninterrupted, full-time work authorization in your field. And because the doctorate is a higher degree level than your master’s, you qualify for a fresh period of OPT after you finish.
What does the program cost?
It depends on you, in a good way. Eligible students receive up to a $15,000 Grant toward tuition, transfer credits from your master’s reduce it further, and the remainder is spread across an interest-free, pay-as-you-go plan designed to be covered while you work. An advisor will give you your exact numbers in your free consultation, based on your transcript and Grant eligibility.
When does the DBA start, and what is the format?
Most students finish in approximately 3 years, depending on pace, transfer credits, and dissertation progress. The program runs on 8-week terms with a hybrid executive format: on campus in Los Angeles every 8 weeks, with the rest built around your work schedule. Intakes open in January, March, May, July, August, and October. If you are finishing a master’s or OPT, register 3-6 months ahead so your start date lines up with no gap in status. To plan ahead, you can find a copy of our academic calendar here.
I’m on OPT right now. How does the transition work?
This is the most common path. Register for the DBA 3-6 months before your OPT ends; we handle the SEVIS transfer or change of status so your student status continues seamlessly. Your Day 1 CPT activates on the first day of class, meaning you can keep the same job without interruption.
What if I don’t have a job, or my employer isn’t set up for CPT?
Either way, you are covered. If you already have an employer, we make the arrangement compliant so you keep working from day one. If you don’t, CareerConnect, our CPT/OPT work placement assistance, matches you with a paid position aligned with your degree, with resume support and employer introductions before your program starts.
What scholarships and financial aid are available?
Eligible applicants may receive a $15,000 tuition grant and transfer up to 12 master's-level credits to further reduce tuition. The remaining balance can be paid through an interest-free, pay-as-you-go payment plan designed to be manageable while you work. We recommend reviewing our financial options guide to explore every resource: Scholarship opportunities | Financial Options Guide.