Simon Business School Launches New Doctor of Business Administration Program

Simon becomes one of the most highly ranked U.S. business schools to offer a DBA program

Simon Business School at the University of Rochester has announced the launch of its new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, set to welcome its inaugural cohort in May 2026. Designed for mid-senior-level professionals who already possess a business-related master’s degree, the Simon DBA combines academic rigor with real-world application, delivered by one of the highest-ranked business schools in the U.S. to offer such a program, according to Bloomberg’s 2024–25 rankings.

This part-time, three-year, 54-credit program is structured for working professionals and academics who want to elevate their expertise, bridge research theory and practice, lead large-scale business initiatives, or teach business at the graduate level. Delivered primarily online, the program includes in-person residencies and hybrid-flexible courses that build community, facilitate networking, and support hands-on learning.

“With this launch, we’re bringing Simon’s renowned academic rigor to a new level of professional education,” said Dr. Ronald Goettler, the incoming senior associate dean of education and innovation and Faculty Director of the DBA program. “Our DBA is for leaders ready to think differently, conduct impactful research, and drive meaningful change in their industries or classrooms.”

Program highlights include:

• Two tracks: a Practice Track focused on applying research to real-world challenges, and a Teaching Track designed for those interested in business education and curriculum development.
• A cohort-based model fostering deep peer learning and one-on-one faculty mentorship.
• A flexible delivery format with virtual evening classes and eight required program intensives (online, in-person, and HyFlex).
• A curriculum that integrates AI, causal analysis, econometrics, and analytics-driven decision-making with advanced business theory, tailored to student interests through electives, customized seminar courses, and theses.

Graduates will earn a doctoral degree from a highly ranked, AACSB-accredited institution, opening doors to executive leadership, consulting, adjunct teaching, and applied research.

Applications open September 1, 2025. To learn more or sign up for application updates, visit: https://simon.rochester.edu/doctor-business-administration

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About Simon Business School

The Simon Business School at the University of Rochester is a highly ranked, world-class business school located on the campus of the University of Rochester. Rooted in quantitative analysis and economics, Simon prepares its graduates for today’s real-world, data-driven economy by offering a mix of analytically rigorous academics and hands-on experience within its close-knit community. The Simon Business School’s mission is to develop business leaders who have an exceptional level of clarity about business and about themselves while embodying a relentless endeavor to be ever better.

Simon is ranked among the world's leading business schools; in 2021, Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranked Simon in the Top 25 Business Schools in the U.S., and US News and World Report ranked Simon #1 in student body diversity among the top 50 business schools in the US in 2021. Simon Business School consistently ranks as one of the best schools for ROI. Academic degree programs include a full-time MBA, four specialized MS programs, executive and professional MBA programs, an online MS program, and certificates. For more information, visit https://simon.rochester.edu/

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