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: August 25, 2025

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 the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 11 consecutive years (2015-25).

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

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.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

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

2025-26 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)	$765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online)	6	$4,590 $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)	$765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online)	9	$6,885 $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)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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 »

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“For me, it’s a direct reflection of what I learned at Regent that made me want to create these companies and have the impact I’m having.”

Jason Carthen, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, 2009 NFL linebacker, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, coach, radio host, best-selling author

“My mentor is guiding my thinking process by giving me great wisdom on how to navigate through the job hunting process and interview process as well. He is also helping me to shape more into the leader that I desire to become in the workplace. I think this mentor program is very beneficial, especially when the mentee has a great match with a mentor that fits their needs. I personally have benefited and grown so much because I was paired with someone who met my spiritual and professional goals and has had the experience to guide me to where I am today.”

Adriana Pounds, Ph.D. Organizational Leadership, 2024 Mentee

“I was able to start with 15 credit hours toward the leadership program. But little did I know that, through research, the application of biblical principles and the Christian environment, God would speak to me.”

Chad Rose, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2020 Lieutenant Colonel - Reserve (Retired); American Airlines Airbus Captain

“To the Big Four firm who insisted I'd need to drop out of my Regent doctoral program: I decided not to drop out. I completed my program (4.0 GPA), started my own firm and added multimillion-dollar organizations to my portfolio.”

Marissa Layton, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2020 Business Coach

“Regent's program resonated with me because it's about servant leadership and mentoring and coaching. That is so important. At the end of the day, it's about the legacy you leave behind.”

Kelly Tanner, DSL, 2017 Dental Hygienist