The Hult DBA is a US degree accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor recognized by the US Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional accreditation is the highest standard in US higher education. The degree can be attested globally. Hult is also accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the federal authority in the United Arab Emirates. Hult holds triple accreditation: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.

The DBA is a terminal degree and academic equivalent of a PhD, EdD, etc. DBA graduates are qualified to begin or continue a career in academia as professors and scholars. Therefore, you may apply to academic positions that require terminal degrees. Note that the Hult DBA does not offer content courses or specializations in business and management. Candidates who require postgraduate course credits to teach in this field may take additional courses separate from the DBA.

No. Hult DBA residencies operate in a rotational format and in a specific order.

Candidates without a business-related master’s degree must provide evidence of at least 12 postgraduate-level credits in business. This could be in the form of a postgraduate certificate or diploma (note that the content must be appropriate and cover all areas of business). Alternatively, you may take courses in one of Hult’s part-time MBA programs.

A DBA, like its PhD counterpart, requires advanced research skills that lead to a dissertation or thesis and the conferral of a doctoral title. However, DBA programs often focus on the application of theory to a real-world business problem and are aimed at working professionals with years of extensive managerial experience. For more information on the difference between a PhD and a DBA, take a look at this article on the Hult Blog.

Supervisor-student matches are communicated to new students immediately after matriculation.

Yes. A limited number of competitive scholarships are available:

• Executive Leadership Scholarship

• AI Impact Scholarship

• Sustainable Futures Scholarship

Hult alumni receive a 10% tuition discount.

Application requirement: Submit a 3–5-minute video detailing:

• The scholarship you are applying for and why

• Evidence of leadership or experience in that area

• How the DBA will enhance your impact

Yes, within strict guidelines. You may use AI to:

• Plan your research process

• Identify supporting literature

• Refine writing and structure

You may not use AI to:

• Generate your core research idea

• Develop your main research problem

• Create original intellectual contributions

All research ideas must be based on real business challenges from your professional experience.

If AI is used, you must:

• Disclose the tool, purpose, and date accessed

• Include a transcript or screenshot in an appendix

• Cite AI content using APA 7th edition format

Undisclosed AI use will be treated as an academic integrity violation. Please refer to our AI Usage Policy for further information.

No, we do not require the publication of research output in journals. The Hult DBA requires all research output to be of publishable standard—that is, of a standard that is acceptable by top-tier journals and conferences. While you are not required to publish, students are strongly encouraged to present at prestigious conferences such as the Academy of Management (AOM) annual meetings.

The program costs $119,000, inclusive of the confirmation deposit of $5,000 due two weeks after notification of acceptance. Students are responsible for their residency travel costs. Installment plans are available for up to six payments throughout the program. Please speak to an enrollment advisor during the application process to explore what plans are right for you.

The Hult DBA is offered in a hybrid format, with a mix of live Zoom classes and three in-person residencies per year. Hybrid courses will meet once a week on Zoom along with a five-day in-person residency in one of Hult’s global campuses. Courses without a residency will meet twice a week on Zoom. Please note that course schedules are subject to change.

Transfer credits from a previous or current doctorate are not accepted into the program.