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Pepperdine | Graziadio Business School

Executive Doctor of Business Administration Curriculum

Advance Your Expertise. Lead Through Research.

The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) is a fully accredited, three-year, 55-unit doctoral program designed for senior executives seeking intellectual rigor, personal growth, and real-world impact.

Built for experienced leaders, the program follows a hybrid format that combines three one-week immersive residentials per year with ongoing virtual engagement. This high-touch, high-tech structure allows you to pursue doctoral study without stepping away from your career.

The curriculum intentionally integrates theory, scientific rigor, and practical application. From your first trimester, you begin developing your dissertation research, progressing systematically from literature mastery to proposal defense to completed manuscript, guided by dedicated faculty mentors at every stage.

Program Structure

The Executive DBA is completed over three years (55 units), pursued in trimesters, with coursework carefully sequenced to support dissertation completion.

Coursework begins with foundations in scientific business research, theory building, and knowledge creation. Students explore the philosophy of science and the state of the art in business research across disciplines. The program then advances into research design and methodology courses tailored to each student’s applied research focus.

Each year culminates in a major research milestone:

  Year 1


Students attend three one-week residentials and participate in the EDBA conference. They present their research topic for approval and complete a comprehensive literature review.

  Year 2


Students engage in three residentials and defend their formal doctoral research proposal before a dissertation committee. Upon approval, they advance to full research execution.

  Year 3


Students present preliminary or completed findings at the EDBA conference, incorporate feedback, and complete their dissertation manuscript. Final committee approval and dissertation defense are required for graduation.

  Business Doctorate Learning Outcomes

Assess theoretically-grounded and methodologically-sound research skills that provide the foundation for impactful, practice-focused research

  • Synthesize relevant theoretical models and past research on a business issue or challenge
  • Apply and/or develop theory, models, and methods into new, practice-relevant contexts
  • Evaluate the current literature and construct a literature review to support a defendable research question and justify why it makes a contribution to the field

Devise quantitative and qualitative research methods oriented to applied research

  • Explain epistemology of research and determine among alternatives the appropriate qualitative or quantitative methods that will address research questions
  • Develop a research study that applies quantitative research methods to collect, organize, and analyze data to address an applied research question
  • Develop a research study that applies qualitative research methods to collect, organize, and analyze data to address an applied research question

Disseminate research by effectively communicating to audiences within an applied academic setting

  • Create an original research manuscript suitable for publication in practitioner and/or academic journals
  • Present research in a professional conference setting, effectively communicating research findings

Integrate applied research, with specific consideration of ethics, innovation, and global factors

  • Evaluate the impact of ethical factors in a complex business or societal environment
  • Explore innovative and value-creating products, processes, or organizational forms
  • Analyze the implications of economic, environmental, technological, legal, and regulatory factors on global business practice
  • Articulate and defend a point of view on business as an integrated practice

 

Research and Dissertation Focus

At the core of the Executive DBA is the development of an original, practice-focused dissertation. Students:

  • Evaluate and synthesize existing theoretical models
  • Design quantitative and/or qualitative research studies
  • Collect, organize, and analyze real-world data
  • Develop research suitable for publication
  • Present findings in professional conference settings

The program is designed to advance your dissertation progress with every course. By graduation, you will have produced an original research manuscript grounded in rigorous methodology and designed for meaningful business impact.

 

Take the Next Step

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with the Pepperdine Graziadio Executive Doctor of Business Administration Program.


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What Can Students Expect?

Our program was shaped by the belief that leadership is best developed through a blend of rigorous academic training and real-world application. We drew inspiration from our Southern California business community, our deep ties to entrepreneurial and values-driven leadership, and our mission to prepare students not just to succeed in business — but to lead with integrity.

 

 

Top-Ranked Program and Campus Experience

Recognized as a Tier One Premier DBA by CEO Magazine, Pepperdine’s Executive DBA combines academic excellence with immersive residential experiences on the award-winning Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

 

One-to-One Faculty Mentorship

Each student works closely with a Dissertation Chair and faculty advisors who provide individualized guidance throughout the program. Mentors combine academic excellence with significant industry experience.

 

Ethical, AI-Enabled Research

The curriculum integrates contemporary research tools, including AI-enabled methodologies, while emphasizing ethical research practices aligned with Pepperdine’s Christian mission and commitment to truth.

 

Accomplished Executive Cohort

Join a diverse cohort of senior executives from various industries. Small, discussion-driven classes foster strong intellectual exchange and lasting professional relationships.

 

Conference Engagement & Global Community

Each year, students participate in the Executive DBA conference, engaging with global researchers and industry leaders. Select students may also attend international DBA conferences to expand their academic and professional networks.

 

 

Balancing Theory and Practice

The Executive DBA was intentionally built to place equal emphasis on scientific rigor and real-world impact.

Students master established theories and research methods, then apply them directly to complex business problems drawn from their own executive experience. Teaching methods include:

  • Roundtable discussions: Faculty-led forums connecting contemporary business issues to foundational theory and executive practice.
  • Research seminars: Exploration of the current state of the art in the science and practice of business.
  • Writing workshops and retreats: Focused development of clear, rigorous, and practice-relevant scholarly work.
  • Conference presentations: Opportunities to present research, receive feedback, and build thought leadership credibility.
  • Methodology labs: Applied training in quantitative and qualitative tools to analyze complex business problems with scientific rigor.

This integrated approach develops executives into practitioner-scholars capable of advancing knowledge and transforming business practice.

PTMBA teacher with small class

 

PTMBA students in South Korea

Engage with World-Class Leaders at Our Executive DBA Conferences

As one of the top-ranked Executive DBA programs in the world, our curriculum offers unparalleled opportunities to learn from leading researchers, industry executives, and global advisors. Each year, Pepperdine Graziadio hosts its own DBA conference, bringing together distinguished faculty and influential business leaders for a transformative, research-driven experience. In addition, in 2025, Graziadio hosted the global DBA conference, where the DBA community and prominent business leaders from across the world came together on the Malibu campus. Explore insights from two of our keynote speakers:

Dr. Cristina Gibson
University Professor at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

 

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. 
CEO and President of SHRM



 

Frequently Asked Questions

  What makes the Executive DBA unique?

The program combines rigorous doctoral-level research training with practical business impact in a flexible hybrid format designed for working executives.

  How is the curriculum structured?

Year one focuses on research foundations and literature review. Year two centers on proposal development and defense. Year three is dedicated to executing research and completing the dissertation.

  Will I work on real-world problems?

Yes. Your dissertation addresses a real business challenge or opportunity using scientifically grounded research methods.

  How does the program support career advancement?

Graduates become thought leaders equipped to publish research, launch consulting practices, enhance executive influence, or pursue academic teaching opportunities.

  How does the program reflect Pepperdine’s mission?

The Executive DBA integrates ethical research principles, values-centered leadership, and a commitment to advancing truth through evidence-based scholarship.