DBA – Executive Leadership

Influence the Culture of Top Leadership

Regent University’s fully online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Executive Leadership is for those who are called to top leadership positions or to educate others on effective business strategies. Through its applied multidisciplinary approach, you can gain the necessary evidence-based skills to be a servant leader in the business sector. You can also gain advice on career choice, networking skills, and professional development from seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 54

Next Session Start: February 9, 2026

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

Pave the Way of Leadership

Join the ranks of leading contributors to the body of knowledge in business research and applied practices.

Broaden Your Horizons

Gain a competitive advantage in the industry and launch innovative Kingdom-strategies.

Learn from the Best

Receive membership from faculty who hold the highest degrees in their field and seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program.

Align Yourself With Excellence Through Regent’s Doctor in Business Administration

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 9 consecutive years (2015-23).

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Career Opportunities

After completing our DBA in executive leadership, you can:

Create solutions in response to organizational change and anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives.
Positively impact global businesses and communities from a biblical perspective.
Educate others on the importance of effective leadership in business.

Career Opportunities

Executive Leadership for Businesses, Nonprofits & Educational Institutions
University Faculty
Consulting

Featured Courses

This program is a minimum of 54 credit hours in length and the concentration course is outlined as follows:

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
LDSL 722	Leaders & Followers	3	Strategic leadership as it explores the insights and tools of followers in effective partnership with leaders. This course contains the first of two required residencies.
LDSL 726	Human Resource Development	3	Fundamental principles and practices of managing and developing human resources from a senior leadership perspective. Consideration from biblical and theological perspectives.
LDSL 733	Leadership Development	3	Salient and essential aspects of leadership development emphasizing the importance of finding the balance between personal, professional, community, spiritual and family priorities.
LDSL 774	Servant Leadership & the Experiential	3	Examines the practice of Servant Leadership with focus on a deep understanding that moves toward the knowledge of how Servant Leadership works by encouraging student engagement.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 19
Session M	Friday, September 6	Monday, September 16
Session B	Friday, October 11	Monday, October 21
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session T	Friday, January 31	Monday, February 10
Session D	Friday, March 7	Monday, March 17
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12
Session F	Friday, June 13	Monday, June 23

Prerequisites

Doctoral applicants must hold an MBA or a master’s degree in a business-related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Resume

Provide an updated copy of your professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes:

Employment history with details of leadership responsibilities, skill sets and results – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of responsibilities
School, community and church leadership positions – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of positions
Service activities in which you have been involved
Academic and non-academic honors and distinctions you have received

Your resume should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)	$1,020	3	$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)	$1,020	3	$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)	$1,020	3	$3,060

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)	$1,020	6	$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)	$1,020	6	$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)	$1,020	6	$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)	$1,020	3	$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)	$1,020	3	$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)	$1,020	3	$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)	$1,020	3	$3,060

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)	$1,020	6	$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)	$1,020	6	$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)	$1,020	6	$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)	$1,020	6	$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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“I completed Regent's MBA program entirely online on my own time. The professors were great at working with me to help me succeed. I am a proud alum of Regent University, ready to take the knowledge and skills I've learned in this program and further my career.”

Drew Friedrich, Master of Business Administration, '22

“It was such a stretching experience to interact with people from the corporate world, small business and the military. My perspective on leadership practice is much richer and diverse.”

Harvey Herman, Ph.D., 2007 Strategic Leadership

“My mentor and I are mutually keeping each other lifted up in prayer and with encouragement in the midst of life's challenges. This mentorship connection has delivered extra focus for me by giving me a living example of what I desire to be engaged in upon graduating from Regent. Since I will be over 55 when I finish, my executive mentor demonstrates how there are decades of fruitfulness ahead of me and that completing this program is worth the rewards and open doors in the future.”

Wade Jensen, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2025 Mentee

“Always looking to maximize my experiences, applying for the EMP early on in my program was the best decision. My first mentor took time out of her incredible schedule and prepared meaningful times together with each meeting. I learned what was possible for my future, which was pivotal for me. My second mentor provided insight and guidance for my career. The mentors in the program are awesome. Life is busy and there is no perfect time, but the investment you make during the EMP will be well worth it.”

Linda Santiago-King, MBA, 2024 Mentee

“A dean from another university knew the journey of my life was in the intersection between ministry and the marketplace. He said to me, ‘You need Regent University’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership program.’ And how right he was.”

Chris Holdorf, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2019 Executive Director, Global Water Center; Adjunct Professor, Charleston Southern University; Former CEO, National Christian Foundation