Organizational Leadership and Development
Doctor of Business Administration
Cultivate skills to inspire, motivate and mobilize your workplace and explore current topics in leading organizational transformation with Capella’s online DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development.
Available in both FlexPath and GuidedPath learning formats, our program offers the flexibility of online learning for business leaders who want to understand emerging trends in leadership and human resources. You’ll design projects that improve organizational effectiveness and explore the latest ideas in leadership theory and practices, high-performance leadership and positive change models.
At a glance
- Online
- FlexPath available
- 8 Core courses
- 5 Specialization courses
- Capstone
- 24 Max transfer credits
With Capella Tuition Cap, you won't pay more than $45,000* in tuition costs for your degree.
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development course requirements
This DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development degree requires a total of 45 program points in FlexPath or 90 quarter credits in GuidedPath:
- 8 core courses
- 5 specialization courses
- 1 capstone course
Explore DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development courses:
What you'll learn in a DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development
This degree can help prepare you to take a leadership role in your field. The DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development draws on professional standards to help you advance your career. On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Communicate effectively as scholar-practitioners in the field of general management, for multiple audiences and purposes through digital, oral and written formats.
- Lead and execute projects within the field of general management, using structured research processes, qualitative and quantitative techniques, theories, frameworks and models, to discern evidence-based solutions to current or forward-looking business problems.
- Engage in reflective practice that demonstrates growth in personal and professional thought, behavior and action by modeling personal accountability, decisiveness and self-management when providing general management decisions in the workplace.
- Demonstrate scholar-practitioner knowledge and expertise in general management, grounded in current theory, research and best practices.
What it's like to take courses in a DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development degree
You may have questions about how a DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development degree fits in your life. Explore the course room to see what you can expect. You'll experience the flexibility of online learning and get a feel for what it's like to be a Capella student.
How much does the DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
A self-paced learning format that helps put you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.
- Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you can in a 12-week billing session
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per 12-week billing session – books, supplies and other fees apply
- $3,400 per 12-week billing session
- $175 resource kit
- 45 total program points
- 12 max transfer points
Total Tuition Cap
Capella Tuition Cap
$45,000 Total Tuition
- Pay no more than $45,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through July 13, 2026
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
Capella Tuition Cap
What is the Capella Tuition Cap?$45,000
Total Tuition
- Pay no more than $45,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through July 13, 2026
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
*This is only an estimate, effective July 13, 2026, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits, any applicable tuition discounts and how quickly you complete courses. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the FlexPath learning format assume average number of credits and are based on:
- “Accelerated pace” (speed of fastest 25% of FlexPath students)
- “Typical pace” (median speed of FlexPath students)
- “Slower pace” (speed of fastest 75% of FlexPath students)
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance is not available for the FlexPath learning format. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
GuidedPath
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$800 per credit, $4,850 quarterly tuition max, 90 coursework credits, 24 max transfer credits*
*A maximum of 24 transfer credits are allowed, of which only 6 can be master's level credit.
Tuition breakdown
GuidedPath pricing
Program Phases
OTHER COSTS
Resource kit
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$0 no application fee
Application fee
$0
no application fee
Quarterly Tuition Cap
Quarterly tuition cap
$4,850* Per Quarter
- Pay no more than $4,850 in quarterly tuition in GuidedPath*
- Can help make your degree more affordable
*Books, supplies and other fees apply
Quarterly tuition cap
What is the quarterly tuition cap?$4,850*
Per Quarter
- Pay no more than $4,850 in quarterly tuition in GuidedPath*
- Can help make your degree more affordable
*Books, supplies and other fees apply
Total Tuition Cap
Capella Tuition Cap
$45,000 Total Tuition
- Pay no more than $45,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through July 13, 2026
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
Capella Tuition Cap
What is the Capella Tuition Cap?$45,000
Total Tuition
- Pay no more than $45,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through July 13, 2026
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
Know your maximum tuition cost, no matter what happens.
Earning a degree is a great investment in yourself. And as with any investment, you want to know what you’ll pay upfront. But when it comes to education, calculating a clear number can be complicated.
- How long it takes you to complete your degree
- The number of existing college credits you can transfer
- Potential discounts and financial aid
- Academic performance
- Complexity of your capstone
- Number of quarters spent working on practicum
- Prior coursework
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
To help clear up tuition confusion, we've created Capella Tuition Cap to give you a maximum tuition amount that you know you’ll never exceed.
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2026-27 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 12, 2026. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you're interested in has the additional factors that may effect program cost and length, contact and Capella enrollment specialist.
Cost scenarios
Estimated cost of completion |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $785/credit 14 quarters |
$64,196.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$64,196.00 |
| Est. savings with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$-19,196.00 |
| Est. tuition subtotal with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$45,000.00 |
| Resource kit: $175 14 quarters |
$2,450.00 |
| Application fee: $0
|
$0 |
|
Est. total with Capella Tuition Cap* 14 quarters |
$47,450.00 |
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details. Capella Tuition Cap is available to students who start now through July 13, 2026.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the DBA admission requirements?
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants for our FlexPath self-paced learning option must also meet the following criteria:
- The recommended minimum GPA is 3.0, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.
Transition to FlexPath: Applicants whose GPA is below the FlexPath admission threshold may be considered once they successfully complete at least two GuidedPath courses (or eight credits, whichever is greater) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
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What can you do with a DBA in Organizational Leadership and Development degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership and Development.
Job titles to explore*
- Business development managers
- Development team leads
- Directors of business development
- Directors of human resources
- Directors of operations
- Directors of product management
- Executive directors
- Global marketing directors
- Product managers
- Thought leader liaisons
Employment settings to explore*
- Administration of veterans’ affairs
- Administrative management and general management consulting services
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Commercial banking
- Executive offices
- Junior colleges
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.