Success in business relies on a spirit of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship. Getting there requires an education that emphasizes these key values and offers cutting-edge research and theory with a focus on practical, real-world applications.

The DBA in Strategic Leadership and Innovation from Concordia University Chicago, offered fully online, delivers on all of these fronts. Designed for professionals ready to become leaders in their field, the DBA in Strategic Leadership and Innovation focuses on managing change and providing quality leadership that meets the needs of 21st-century organizations.

• Application-oriented research
• Best practices and strategies to meet real-life business challenges
• A synthesis of global trends, business knowledge and leadership theory to advance both theory and practice
• Courses in quantitative research and advanced statistics

Qualified leaders are in high demand in today’s rapidly evolving, highly competitive business world and within the modern health care industry. Earning a DBA in Strategic Leadership and Innovation prepares graduates to excel in these roles from the moment they earn their degree.

The DBA in Strategic Leadership and Innovation degree program from Concordia University Chicago prepares students to:

• Critically examine the literature of business, leadership and applied research
• Conduct independent, ethical, innovative and rigorous business research
• Design and implement innovative business solutions
• Evaluate the efficacy of business principles to effect change in global environments
• Master strategic marketing in a global environment
• Apply best practices involving business analytics and financial decision-making
• Become global leaders who understand the importance of social responsibility and ethical decision-making

The Doctorate in Business Administration with a Specialization in Strategic Leadership and Innovation program requires 60 credit hours of online coursework, including a six-credit dissertation. Courses are eight weeks in duration, and students typically earn their DBA in three years.

At Concordia-Chicago, DBA students gain a strategic advantage through our structured mentorship program, launching in the second term of study. Each student is paired with a seasoned mentor—an expert in both business and research—who provides critical guidance throughout the dissertation process. This partnership ensures a methodical, results-driven approach, refining research quality at every stage. With a clear roadmap and measurable progress, students are equipped to collect data efficiently and complete chapters 4 and 5, positioning them for dissertation completion by the end of year three.

“The heart of the CUC DBA is the one-to-one mentoring course room experience. ‘To innovate is not to reform: It is introducing useful change’ (Adair, 2011, p. 412). The CUC DBA mentoring experience is an innovation in doctoral education. Concordia’s DBA dissertation mentoring experience starts as a continuous support to you as your mentor helps you orchestrate the dissertation journey. ‘We Can Do This Together,’ is the winning mantra.”

Charlene Dunfee, DM, PhD

DBA Core Faculty

The Concordia-Chicago DBA program is designed to elevate your learning experience through three strategically timed residencies. These immersive sessions provide invaluable opportunities to engage directly with faculty, receive personalized guidance, and collaborate with peers—all essential for successfully navigating program milestones. Residencies enhance your academic journey by blending hands-on learning with structured coursework, ensuring you stay on track for timely graduation. With pre- and post-residency work integrated into an 8-week term, you’ll gain a deeper, more impactful learning experience without disrupting your professional commitments.

Those who earn a DBA in Strategic Leadership and Innovation degree from Concordia University Chicago will be well prepared to take on leadership roles in business or to successfully launch a business of their own.

Salaries for business managers and leaders vary widely depending on the position and location. However, BLS data reveals that the median annual pay for top executives was $98,980 as of May 2021, and the top 10% earned upwards of $208,000 per year.

DBA graduates can expect to find employment opportunities:

• Heading large departments within an organization
• Leading nonprofits and government agencies
• Consulting with companies on innovation and strategic leadership
• Teaching at the university level
• Managing health care facilities such as hospitals, physician clinics, community centers and long-term care homes
• Working for professional organizations

In today’s competitive, global marketplace, the need for expertise in leadership is greater than ever. The need for ethical, socially responsible leaders is just as great. The online DBA program from Concordia University Chicago will prepare you to become a highly effective leader who drives positive change and sets the standard for other professionals industry-wide.

• DBA 7010 Foundations of the Doctoral Experience 2
• DBA 7000 The DBA Residency Experience 1 1
• DBA 7020 The Global Leader: Social Responsibility and Ethical Decision Making 3
• DBA 7901 Doctoral Research Design for Business 4
• DBA 7404 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 1 1
• DBA 7405 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 2 1
• DBA 7401 Mentor Courseroom 1 3
• DBAL 7701 Strategic Leadership Thought 3
• DBA 7406 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 3 1
• DBA 7605 Quantitative Data Analysis for Applied Business Research 3
• DBA 7200 The DBA Residency Experience 2 1
• RES 7700 Qualitative Research 3
• DBA 7407 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 4 1
• DBA 7030 Strategy Formulation, Deployment & Innovation: A Global Perspective 3
• DBA 7040 Global Business Operations 3
• DBA 7402 Mentor Courseroom 2 3
• DBAL 7702 Strategic Leadership Practice 3
• DBA 7408 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 5 1
• DBA 7050 Business Analytics & Financial Decision Making 3
• DBA 7300 The DBA Residency Experience 3 1
• DBA 7403 Mentor Courseroom 3 3
• DBA 7060 Global Concepts in Strategic Marketing 3
• DBAL 7703 Disruptive Innovative Execution 3
• DBA 7409 Accompanying Mentor Courseroom 6 1
• DBA 8000 Dissertation 1 3
• DBA 8010 Dissertation 2 3

To be considered for admission into the online DBA program at Concordia University Chicago, students must have earned a master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Prospective students must complete the free online application and submit all required admission materials:

• Official Transcripts – Provide one official, sealed transcript from each institution that has granted you a degree.
• Letters of Recommendation – Send two letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to comment on your academic proficiency, professional competencies, personal character and potential for doctoral study. If possible, please submit one academic and one professional reference.
• Professional Resume – Provide a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, including relevant work experience, degrees, certifications and skills.
• Writing Sample – Capture your goals and ambition for pursuing the Doctorate in Business Administration in approximately 2-3 pages, double-spaced, using proper grammar, professional writing style, and correct paragraph composition. This is not your resume; it is an opportunity for you to present who you are, and how your academic and professional background has prepared you to pursue the DBA.

There is no application fee and no GRE requirement to apply for the online DBA degree program at Concordia University Chicago.