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Pepperdine | Graziadio Business School
DBA students listening to course lecture

Executive Doctor of Business Administration Program

Earn a Doctorate. Change the World.

Elevate your expertise and chart new grounds with a global community of practitioner-scholars in Pepperdine Graziadio’s Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) program.

Advance your leadership and experience competencies to conduct research and share your insights through thought leadership, publishing, and effective action.

Under the guidance of our expert faculty, you will leverage contemporary theories, advanced analytical methods, and your executive experience to develop new evidence-based insights for improving and shaping the future of business and the world.

  • Award-winning Malibu campus
  • Globally ranked as a Tier One Premier DBA program by CEO Magazine
  • Nationally recognized for high-impact research with R2 designation
  • Executive Peer Cohort 
  • Annual Executive DBA Conference
  • Vast Global Alumni Network

Quick Facts

Format: Hybrid
Start (terms): Fall
Location:  Malibu, California
Length: 3 Years

Program Highlights

 

Top-Ranked

Globally ranked as a Tier One Premier DBA program by CEO Magazine

Award-Winning Malibu Campus

Study while enjoying on-campus housing on our top-rated Malibu campus overlooking scenic beaches and the Pacific Ocean.

Accomplished Executive Cohort

Join a diverse cohort of successful executives from various backgrounds and industries. Exchange diverse ideas and perspectives through intimate, collaborative class sessions, fostering close bonds with peers and faculty mentors.

One-on-One Faculty Mentor

Our faculty mentors, esteemed global experts, offer personalized guidance to nurture your research. With vast industry experience and academic excellence, they ensure a top-tier doctoral education. Receive tailored support and feedback to strengthen your position as a Practitioner Scholar.

Values-Centered Education

The Executive DBA program blends academic excellence and Christian values, instilling sustainable business principles. Prepare to lead organizations with purpose and drive positive impact in business, society, and the world.

 

Experience-Driven

Our approach to doctoral-level business education focuses on equipping you to apply established theories and scientific research methods and leverage your executive experience to study real-world business and management problems and identify new insights that will transform business and management practice.

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about the Graziadio Business School.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn about the opportunities that await you as a student at Pepperdine Graziadio.

Attend an Event

Learn more about your program by signing up for a class visit, information session, webinar or graduate fair.

Start Your Application

Ready to start your journey to Pepperdine Graziadio? Begin your application today to take the next step towards your future.

 

Executive DBA Admission

 

 

Application Requirements

Candidates must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to the DBA program: 

Phase I

  • Personal Statement/Essay
  • Resume
  • Research topic proposal (one-page essay)
  • Intellectual contributions*
  • Online application
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Graduate degree from an accredited institution**

Phase 2
Select candidates are invited to complete Phase 2 of the application process.

  • Official transcripts
  • TOEFL, PTE, IELTS Score, if applicable
  • Time management plan
  • Interview
  • Expanded Research Proposal (5 pages)
  • Optional: Recommendation letters

*Intellectual contributions are optional for the Executive DBA program.
**A graduate-level degree, preferably in a business or STEM-related field.

For further admission information, please visit our main admissions website.

 

 

Networks You Can Explore

Professional association logos

Professional associations various logos

 


 

Fall 2024 Student Profile

 

Computer/Internet

Aerospace

Consulting/Business Services

Education/Nonprofit

Healthcare

 
30-59

Age Range

32%

Female

68%

Male

22

Average Years Work Experience

 

What Our Students Are Saying

Learn how DBA candidate, Ana M. Brant, uses her Executive Doctor of Business Administration program to create new knowledge she directly applies to her role as global director of guest experience and innovation for Dorchester Collection.

What Our Alumni Are Saying

 

Sharifa Batts

"The DBA program expanded my knowledge on both boards and diversity and has impacted my life both professionally and personally."

Dr. Sharita Batts | MBA '18, DBA '22
EVP, ESG & Safety of Ports America

Alfonso Berumen

During the DBA program, I was exposed to methodologies and best practices that can be applied to academic and practitioner settings. Certainly, this has bolstered my credibility as a consultant"

Dr. Alfonso Berumen | DBA '20
Owner, Los Angeles Data Analytics, LLC

Gil Keinan

"Everybody has an interest in solving world problems, but those who are excited about creating thought leadership in the business world would find great benefit in pursuing a DBA"

Dr. Gil Keinan | MBA, '10, OBA '21
Founder and Principal, H I Obsequio

Ana Brant

"The highlights of the DBA program are the sense of community and relationships created during the program, both as a cohort and as a researcher"

Dr. Ana Brant | DBA '22
Director, Global Guest Experience and Innovation, London based Dorchester Collection

 

Insights from Our DBA Community

 

 

Executive Student Experience


Students learning oustide at a table together

Values-Based, Personalized Learning

The Executives DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio offers an intimate cohort of top executives led by our renowned faculty who are personally committed to your academic and professional success. With ethical, sustainable business woven into the core of our teachings and an emphasis on experiential learning, you'll experience a truly unique, transformational graduate degree within a global community of purpose-driven leaders.

 

 

Top-Ranked and Top Choice

Choosing a top-ranked business school like Pepperdine Graziadio ensures you receive a high-quality education recognized by leading publications. By enrolling in our esteemed programs, you will benefit from our rigorous academic standards, comprehensive support, and enhanced career opportunities.

  • One of the Most Chosen Business Schools in the U.S. (National Center for Education Statistics)
  • One of the Largest Graduate Business Alumni Networks with Over 50,000 Graduates (National Center for Education Statistics)
  • #1 Highest-Ranked Protestant Christian Institution Among National Universities (USNWR)
  • #2 Best MBA for Nonprofit (Princeton Review)
  • #4 Greatest Resources for Minority Students (Princeton Review)
  • #5 Gender Diversity (LinkedIn)
  • #7 Best Online MS in Business Analytics (Fortune Magazine)
  • #14 Part-Time MBA (Fortune Magazine)
  • #16 Online MBA (Princeton Review)
  • #18 Best Career Outcomes (Poets&Quants)
  • Tier One Global MBA (CEO Magazine)
  • Tier One Premier Global DBA (CEO Magazine)

USNWR badge for Best Colleges National Universities (2024)

The Princeton Review badge for #2 Best MBA for Nonprofit (2024)

CEO Magazine

Yello Ribbon Program participant badge

Contact Us

Wan Song

Wan Song
Executive Advisor

310.568.5634
Meet with Wan
Email Wan

Take the Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's Executive Doctor of Business Administration Program