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Doctor of Business Administration
Strategy and Innovation
Learn business theory at the highest levels and apply your insights to solve real-world problems. An online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Strategy and Innovation from Capella University will provide a theoretical and practical orientation to developing strategies that create and sustain innovations in today’s business environment.
As a doctoral candidate, you’ll explore evidence-based practices for analyzing global trends, leveraging competitive information, seeking innovation opportunities, and developing future-oriented product strategies.
Classes start May 10
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 application fee
At a Glance
- Online
- 8 Core courses
- 4 Specialized courses
- 12 max transfer credits
- 1 Doctoral research project
- 2 Residencies
- ACBSP accredited
Reduce your tuition by $20,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.
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.
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.
GuidedPath
Apply strategic business solutions to actively solve business challenges or maximize opportunities that impact today’s organizations.
- 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
$750 per credit, $4,850 quarterly tuition max, 70 coursework credits, credits vary in capstone phase, 12 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Coursework
$750 Per quarter credit
70 coursework credits; capstone is additional
Coursework
What is coursework?$750
Capstone
$3,000 Per quarter
Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer
Capstone
What is capstone?$3,000
Per quarter
Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$50 One-time fee
Application fee
$50
One-time fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- Academic performance
- Complexity of your capstone
- Number of quarters spent working on capstone
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Scholarships and finances
- Unexpected life events
- School/work/life balance
- Employer and/or military benefits
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2020–21 Capella tuition rates, and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 1, 2020. 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 additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Complete capstone in 3 quartersComplete each capstone milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students. |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $750/credit 12 quarters |
$46,166.00 |
| Capstone: $3,000/quarter 3 quarters |
$9,000.00 |
| Subtotal | $55,166.00 |
| Est. Total with Scholarship* | $37,316.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total 15 quarters |
$57,316.00 |
Complete capstone in 4 quartersComplete each capstone milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students. |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $750/credit 12 quarters |
$46,166.00 |
| Capstone: $3,000/quarter 4 quarters |
$12,000.00 |
| Subtotal | $58,166.00 |
| Est. Total with Scholarship* | $40,316.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total 16 quarters |
$60,316.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
* Cost of each residency is included in the $4,850 quarterly tuition maximum; books, resource kit, lodging, meals, and other expenses are not included.
The DBA in Strategy and Innovation provides a theoretical and practical orientation to strategies used by innovative and competitive organizations. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices for analyzing global trends, seeking innovation opportunities, developing breakthrough strategies, and creating organizational environments that enable innovation and change.
| BMGT8130 |
Foresight: Anticipating the Future
Learners in this course study the ways organizations proactively anticipate and plan for future growth opportunities. Learners examine the scanning tools and technologies organizations use to develop meaningful information about the future environment; models for understanding and analyzing global trends; and new lenses for scanning, synthesizing, and analyzing strategic and competitive data. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMGT8132 |
Identifying Opportunities for Innovation
In this course, learners examine the methods and collaborative processes organizations use to identify opportunities for innovation, including scenario planning and future visualization techniques. Learners also explore ways to identify risk, develop contingency plans in light of disruptive change, and communicate and disseminate those risks and plans. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8134 |
Competing with Disruptive Innovation
This course presents the disruptive innovation strategies organizations use to lead the competition. Learners examine ways to reinvent industry competition and move beyond the concept of competitive strategy to developing breakthrough strategies and value innovation. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8136 |
Building an Innovation Strategy
In this course, learners examine the ways organizations build innovation strategies to enhance organizational sustainability and adaptation. Learners analyze the organizational elements that support a culture of innovation and change and the development of ideageneration systems, flexible processes, governance structures, and evaluation metrics. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
Learning outcomes
This program will help prepare candidates to assess the information needs for effective strategy and innovation and identify, access, and collaborate on the appropriate sources for that information. On successful completion of this degree and specialization, you will be able to:
- Integrate and apply theory and scholarly research to solve business problems in multiple environments.
- Apply and communicate strategic approaches to business practice and planning.
- Develop and apply critical thinking to business problems and opportunities.
- Integrate internal and external data with analytical techniques to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Integrate ethical concepts and integrity into sustainable business models.
- Develop expertise within and across functional and cross-functional disciplines.
- Apply collaborative techniques to develop relationships, partnerships, and alliances.
“I chose a DBA over a PhD because I wanted to combine my experience with my academics. I wanted a concrete, applicable degree to advance my career.”
–Taofeeq Ashiru, DBA
*Actual Capella student who agreed to appear in promotional material for Capella.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to explore with a DBA in Strategy & Innovation.
Related job titles to explore*
- Director of strategy and operations
- Chief executive officer
- Vice president
- Director
- Business consultant
- Director of strategy
- Adjunct or part-time business faculty**
- Full-time business faculty**
- Chief innovation officer
- Consultant
Employment settings to explore
- Corporation
- Consulting firm
- Nongovernmental organization
- Nonprofit organization
- Government—local, state, federal
- Land-based or online college or university
- Community college
- Manufacturing
- Health care organization
- Retail
- Insurance firm
- Small business
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
*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.
Capella University 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.
Meet your faculty
Our distinguished faculty members are scholarpractitioners, active in their professions, who bring real-world experience to the courseroom. Each faculty member has completed specialized training in our distinctive outcome-based approach to education.
Ken Sherman, DBA
Core Faculty
Jason Sheedy, PhD
Core Faculty
Charlene Dunfee, PhD
Core Faculty
Support to reach the finish line
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.
DBA as a Springboard for Future Success
Doctor of Business Administration program participants help advance their careers with terminal degrees.
How is a DBA different from a PhD in Business Management?
A DBA is a practitioner-based degree that utilizes existing knowledge to develop hands-on, practical solutions to problems in the workplace.
DBA program guide
Get details on the Doctor of Business Administration program at Capella University, learning formats, financing options, and more, all in one place.