Doctor of Business Administration
Global DBA Program

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Expand your practical understanding of how management is applied and interpreted across diverse organizations, sectors, and cultures worldwide.

Enhance your leadership and professional skills to drive innovative solutions in your field while learning from faculty members recognized globally for their real-world expertise and impactful research.

Study toward one doctoral degree in international business on five continents.

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WHO’S IT FOR?

From entrepreneurs to CEOs, diplomats to consultants – our DBA candidates represent a diverse range of leadership backgrounds. All share a desire to collaborate, succeed and add to the knowledge of their field.

WHY OUR DBA?

With flexible study options on five continents, our DBA is a truly international learning experience. The program will deepen your theoretical and practical knowledge of international-level senior management. And it will give you a platform to share your expertise through teaching.

WHERE WILL IT TAKE YOU?

Our DBA prepares you for the complex analyses and decision-making required of senior management, and equips you for a career in top-level leadership positions.

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Tuition Fees & Scholarships

  • CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROGRAM WITH A MIX OF
    INTERNATIONAL IN-PERSON COURSES AND ONLINE COURSES

    The DBA program at Franklin Hudson offers a unique opportunity for students to study in diverse international locations including Paris, New York, Shanghai, New Delhi, São Paulo, and Cape Town, enriching their academic experience and global perspectives.

    Additionally, with a strong emphasis on flexibility, the program offers a mix of online courses that empower students to tailor their studies to their busy schedules while benefiting from Franklin Hudson's renowned expertise.

  • ADAPT YOUR PROGRAM TIMELINE TO YOUR SCHEDULE

    The DBA program is self-paced, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their individual needs and commitments.

    While the program is typically completed in 3-4 years, students have the flexibility to extend their studies up to a maximum duration of 6 years.

    This unique approach ensures that working professionals can strike a balance between their academic pursuits and their professional responsibilities, empowering them to pursue their doctoral journey at their own pace while achieving academic excellence.

  • MADE FOR WORKING EXECUTIVES

    • Completion of a master’s-level program

    • Average of 8 years’ senior management experience

    • Steady career progression with increasing professional responsibilities

    • Strong written and spoken English

    Proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential for successful participation in the program.

    If you don't meet these specific requirements, we encourage you to reach out to our Admissions Team to explore alternative options and discuss how we can best support your academic and professional aspirations.

  • Practice-oriented research focuses on addressing real-world challenges by integrating academic theory with practical application. It emphasizes developing innovative solutions and strategic insights that directly impact professional practice, particularly in areas like innovation and strategic technology. This research approach aims to bridge the gap between scholarly knowledge and industry practice, fostering actionable outcomes that enhance organizational performance and drive technological advancements.

“I found it very helpful that you can break your coursework into manageable amounts so you can really focus on the counsework, but also continue to have a normal work and family life.”

— Benjamin Cheeks, DBA Alumnus from the United States

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Academic & Financial Essentials

  • DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

    During the program, each candidate must:

    Accumulate a total of 53 US credits (90 ECTS equivalent)

    Complete 16 multidisciplinary business course credits

    Complete 5 research methods course credits

    Pass the Comp Exams

    Successfully complete a doctoral dissertation under the close supervision of an assigned dissertation chair

  • TUITION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

    The total tuition fees for our DBA program, encompassing all online and international course options - spanning the entirety of your academic journey from commencement to completion - is 62 600€.

    We're committed to ensuring accessibility to our program. Scholarships are available, and we offer payment plans designed to help you manage the investment in your education. Learn more about your financial options here.

Admissions & Scholarships

  • PHASE I - COURSEWORK

    Complete all the required research courses (5 credits: Advanced Academic Writing & Literature Review, Statistical Analysis, Research Methods OR Practice-Oriented Research) - these courses are offered all year-long online.

    Complete at least half of the multidisciplinary and specialization courses (8 credits minimum) online, in Paris, New York or at any of our other rotating international locations (Cape Town, São Paulo, Tokyo, Singapore etc.).

    Estimated completion time of Phase 1: 12 months to 2 years (18 months on average)

  • PHASE II - DISSERTATION PROPOSAL

    • Dissertation proposal tutorial (5 credits): one-on-one sessions and collective research clinics to craft a dissertation proposal.

    • Hold your proposal hearing and have a dedicated dissertation chair appointed to your dissertation.

    • Complete the remaining multidisciplinary and specialization courses and pass your mandatory Comp Exams (2 credits) - official transition from doctoral student status to doctoral candidate status.



    Estimated completion time of Phase 2: 6 to 18 months (average of one year)

  • PHASE III - DOCTORAL RESEARCH

    Official dissertation phase (25 credits): conduct your supervised research with your dissertation chair and attend the monthly online Dean’s dissertation workshops to discuss with your fellow doctoral candidates.

    Hold your final defense with your dissertation committee and then submit your revisions. In order to get distinction on your dissertation, submit the first draft of an academic article based on your research.

    Estimated completion time of Phase 3: 6 to 18 months (average of one year)

Request the full program overview

2026-2030 INTERNATIONAL COURSES

  • A vibrant city skyline at dusk with high-rise buildings, busy streets with light trails from moving vehicles, and colorful lights illuminating the city.

    Seoul

    December, 2025

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of downtown Cape Town with Soccer City stadium, Table Mountain, Lion's Head, and the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

    Cape Town

    March, 2026

    Sustainability

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, with the city extending into the distance under cloudy skies.

    Paris

    May, 2026

    Finance

  • A city skyline featuring tall buildings and skyscrapers, with the Empire State Building prominent in the center, as seen from across a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

    New York

    July, 2026

    Innovation

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris, France, surrounded by a roundabout with cars and adjacent streets lined with buildings and cityscape extending into the distance under cloudy skies.

    Paris

    September, 2026

    Marketing Strategy

  • A city skyline with high-rise buildings and a modern cable-stayed bridge over a river.

    São Paulo

    November, 2026

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of Paris with the Arc de Triomphe at the center, surrounded by busy streets and buildings, under cloudy skies.

    Paris

    January, 2027

    Technology

  • A city skyline during dusk with tall buildings and Tokyo Tower illuminated in orange in the foreground, and a body of water and islands in the background under a cloudy sky.

    Tokyo

    March, 2027

    Innovation in Asia

  • An aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, surrounded by cars and streets, with city buildings extending to the horizon under a cloudy sky.

    Paris

    May, 2027

    Sustainability

  • An aerial view of a large, circular building with solar panels on its roof, surrounded by greenery and pathways, with a city and parking lot in the background.

    California

    July, 2027

    AI for Business

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in the center of a busy roundabout in Paris, France, with surrounding streets and city buildings extending into the distance under a cloudy sky.

    Paris

    September, 2027

    Research Block

  • Mexico City government building with a large Mexican flag in front, people walking and cycling in the plaza, under a cloudy sky.

    Mexico City

    November, 2027

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, with surrounding city streets and buildings extending into the distance on a cloudy day.

    Paris

    January, 2028

    Entrepreneurship

  • Singapore skyline at dusk with the ArtScience Museum in the foreground and illuminated skyscrapers along the waterfront.

    Singapore

    March, 2028

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, with surrounding streets and cityscape extending into the distance under cloudy sky.

    Paris

    May, 2028

    Leadership

  • Aerial view of New York City skyline with the Empire State Building prominently in the center, high-rise buildings along the waterfront, and a partly cloudy sky above.

    New York

    July, 2028

    Business Skills

  • View of Big Ben clock tower and the Palace of Westminster in London, with people crossing Westminster Bridge in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

    London

    September, 2028

    Finance

  • Skyline of Dubai with the Burj Khalifa at sunset

    Dubai

    November, 2028

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, surrounded by city streets and buildings, under a cloudy sky.

    Paris

    January, 2029

    AI & Research

  • Aerial view of Cape Town city with Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Table Mountain, and Lion's Head.

    Cape Town

    March, 2029

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of a European city with historic churches, a river with boats, and a mountain range in the background during sunset.

    Zürich

    May, 2029

    Finance

  • A city skyline featuring the Empire State Building on a partly cloudy day, with a river in the foreground and numerous tall skyscrapers.

    New York

    July, 2029

    Business Skills

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris surrounded by city streets and buildings, with a cloudy sky above.

    Paris

    September, 2029

    Technology

  • Cityscape at dusk with illuminated buildings, high-rise apartments, and streets with streaks of car lights.

    Seoul

    November, 2029

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, with city streets and buildings extending into the distance under cloudy skies.

    Paris

    January, 2030

    Finance

  • A wide city street in India with auto rickshaws, cars, and bicycles, lined with lampposts and trees, leading to historic buildings with domes and towers in the distance.

    New Delhi

    March, 2030

    Regional Expertise

  • Aerial view of Paris featuring the Arc de Triomphe at the center with surrounding city streets and buildings extending into the distance, under a cloudy sky.

    Paris

    May, 2030

    Research Block

  • Aerial view of Apple Park, the Apple corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California. The ring-shaped glass building surrounds a landscaped interior with trees, pathways, and green spaces.

    California

    July, 2030

    AI for Business

  • Aerial view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, surrounded by city buildings and streets, with cloudy skies overhead.

    Paris

    September, 2030

    Leadership

  • A city skyline with a cable-stayed bridge over a river

    Sao Paulo

    November, 2030

    Regional Expertise

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Online Courses
& Global Learning Flexibility

At Franklin Hudson — ISM, all online courses are delivered asynchronously, providing students with full flexibility to study from anywhere in the world.

To maintain a strong sense of cohort and community, each course includes optional live sessions with faculty, offering real-time interaction without requiring synchronous attendance.

These options perfectly complement their online learning with our in-person international programs offered throughout the year in major global hubs.

Explore online courses

Accreditation & Recognition

  • All programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation body for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence and student learning outcomes.

  • Our institution has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) in the United States.

  • Franklin Hudson — ISM programs are all listed on the CHEA database through its programmatic accreditations, which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States.

    This status confirms that our degree programs meet established U.S. quality assurance standards, thereby strengthening our international credibility and supporting the global recognition of our qualifications.

  • Franklin Hudson is registered as a private establishment of higher education in France with an official status from the French Ministry of Education: Établissement d'enseignement supérieur privé technique. Our International MBA, DBA and PhD programs are recognized as higher education programs. 

  • Qualifi is an Ofqual-regulated awarding body in the United Kingdom, ensuring that its Level 7 and Level 8 qualifications meet nationally recognized postgraduate and doctoral-level standards. Franklin Hudson delivers these qualifications as part of its pathway to doctoral research and international accreditation.

  • Franklin Hudson has received institutional accreditation from the ATHEA Board of Commissioners for the Association for Transnational Higher Education Accreditation (ATHEA), based on the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG), which is required for recognition by the European Quality Assurance Register in Higher Education (EQAR).

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Learn more

Outcomes Assessment
Measures

We align the DBA curriculum with a comprehensive set of desired learning outcomes. This allows us to constantly monitor, maintain and improve the quality of learning and teaching in the program.

To read the full list of desired learning outcomes for the DBA, along with a selection of results and statistics, click here.

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Program Inquiry
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Discover our other degree programs
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