Find success at the highest levels of business with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Lincoln Memorial University's School of Business.
Offering specialized concentrations including Management and Marketing, our program will give you the opportunity to pursue your passion as you develop the skill, knowledge and instincts to excel in a high-level business career. Plus, if you've already completed your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, you will be able to waive the DBA program's Foundation classes—focused on the four main components of the LMU MBA core—and focus instead on your areas of interest.
Even better, the DBA degree program is fully online, so you can learn at your convenience and at your own pace. You won't be on your own though; you'll still have full access to our expert and experienced business school faculty to provide the guidance and mentorship that will take your professional acumen to the next level.
The admission decision is based on an evaluation of all application materials submitted by the individual. The following are criteria utilized in the decision process:
1. DBA application
2. Previous work experience
3. Undergraduate GPA
4. Graduate GPA (MBA or business-related master's degree)
5. Specific course work completed.
6. Writing Sample
7. Reference check
Applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including professional references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) or business-related master's degree with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate/professional course work from regionally accredited institutions.
Additional application requirements for international applicants
International students must have a minimum score of 70 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a six (6) on the IELTS exam. In cases where a foreign student is otherwise qualified for admission to the program, but his/her TOEFL score indicates the need for additional English language instruction, he/she might be admitted conditionally to the program pending satisfactory completion of the necessary courses.
If an applicant, domestic or international, has completed their bachelor’s degree in a country other than the United States, the applicant is required to submit a degree evaluation report from a reputable credentialing service (WES – World Education Services, http://wes.org/) that demonstrates degree and course equivalency. The official report for each degree evaluation report must be submitted directly from the credentialing service and provided to the School of Business; Graduate Department; 421 Park 40 North Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37923.
You may send your resume and essay questions directly to Ethan Dyer (Ethan.Dyer@LMUnet.edu) or use the upload function in the application portal.
Please send all transcripts electronically to Ethan Dyer at Ethan.Dyer@LMUnet.edu.
For admittance into the DBA program, you must apply through the online LMU DBA application portal. Your application must be completed for entry. We recommend you complete your application before the start of your last semester of graduate school. Along with your application make sure to include:
As a Doctor of Business Administration, you will have completed the highest level of education in your field, and there will likely be no shortage of opportunities awaiting you as you seek out a fulfilling career. Past graduates have found success in positions like:
While an entry-level position for someone with a DBA degree in the U.S. typically starts around $58,085, there is plenty of room for growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you could reach heights of $208,000 annually—or more.
Want to learn more about the DBA degree program at LMU and the School of Business? Reach out to us at your convenience and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
April Anderson
Graduate and Professional Recruiter & Assessment/Accreditation Coordinator
School of Business
Office Address: LMU-Cedar Bluff 197; 421 Park 40 N. Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: 865.531.4152
Email: April.Anderson@567ib.com
