Doctor of Business Administration
Paris School of Entrepreneurship — DBA
Admission Requirements
Master / MBA (Bac+5 or equivalent) · Minimum 3 years of professional experience. Motivation, leadership potential, and career objectives evaluated during the interview.
Program Format
3-year part-time program. Hybrid learning model (online + on-site seminars). Courses delivered entirely in English.
Tuition Fees
€36,000 — Full Program. Includes registration, learning materials, career support, academic resources, and networking opportunities.
Credential Awarded
DBA — Doctor of Business Administration. Doctoral-level institutional diploma · Level 8. Awarded by the Paris School of Entrepreneurship.
Accessibility
The program is accessible to participants with reduced mobility and accommodates specific needs for an inclusive learning environment.
An applied doctoral pathway for senior leaders
Designed for executives, managers, and entrepreneurs who want to convert years of professional experience into rigorous, original research with measurable business impact.
Who is the DBA designed for?
The DBA at Paris School of Entrepreneurship attracts a diverse, international cohort of experienced professionals in senior managerial or executive roles. Our candidates come from a wide range of industries and bring substantial business knowledge they want to deepen — and validate — through rigorous applied research.
Senior Executives
C-suite leaders, directors, and senior managers seeking doctoral-level credentials to anchor strategic decision-making in original research and reach the top of their organisations.
Entrepreneurs & Founders
Founders and business owners who want to structure their managerial expertise, scale their ventures with research-backed frameworks, and contribute to the field through publication.
Consultants & Advisors
Senior consultants, board advisors, and strategy professionals seeking the academic authority and applied research toolkit to elevate the impact of their advice.
Practitioner-Academics
Professionals transitioning toward teaching, faculty positions, or executive education, who want a doctoral credential grounded in real-world practice rather than pure theory.
What you will achieve
Throughout the DBA, you will develop the skills to lead advanced original research, critically evaluate ideas, and integrate knowledge across business and management disciplines — transforming complex organisational challenges into practical, evidence-based solutions.
Lead applied research with rigour
Master advanced research design, methodologies, and analytical tools to produce publication-quality work.
Connect theory to practice
Frame management theory against real organisational challenges and propose evidence-based, practical solutions.
Publish under your own name
Produce a peer-reviewed ISSN publication in IJABER — a permanent, citable contribution to your field.
Position yourself as a thought leader
Demonstrate the relevance of your research to academic and professional communities at international level.
Earn a doctoral-level credential
Be awarded a DBA — Doctor of Business Administration · Level 8 — issued by Paris School of Entrepreneurship.
Build a global executive network
Join a peer cohort of senior leaders and academic supervisors spanning multiple industries and countries.
DBA, MBA, or academic Doctoral Program — what's the difference?
The DBA is built for professionals who already have an MBA or Master's and want rigour beyond coursework — not more case studies, but original research that contributes to management knowledge while solving real organisational problems.
Practice-driven, executive focus
From day one, DBA participants engage in research projects designed to address concrete organisational problems. The programme builds on prior managerial knowledge — it does not repeat MBA content. Studies are rigorous, original, and directly relevant to professional practice.
Knowledge-driven, academic focus
PSE's Doctoral Programs emphasise original theoretical contribution across 5 specialisations. They are designed for researchers, scholars, and future academics — with a focus on advancing the discipline itself rather than solving operational business challenges.
A clear and selective admission process
The DBA admits a limited cohort of senior professionals every year. The selection process is designed to evaluate both your academic readiness and the strategic relevance of your research project.
Admission requirements
Academic background
Applicants must hold — or be in the process of completing — a Master's degree (MBA, MA, MSc, or equivalent) in management or a closely related field.
Professional experience
A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a managerial, executive, or strategic role — completed before or after your Master's degree.
Language proficiency
All DBA workshops and coursework are conducted in English. Standardised tests (GMAT, TOEFL) are not required — proficiency is assessed during the interview with the Academic Director.
Research orientation
A preliminary research proposal demonstrating your ability to identify a strategic challenge and outline a viable applied research project.
The 4-step application process
Online Application
Submit your application form and all required documents through our secure online platform.
File Review
Our admissions team evaluates your academic profile, professional experience, and research proposal.
Director Interview
A video or phone interview with the Academic Director to discuss your project, motivation, and goals.
Decision & Enrolment
Successful candidates are typically notified within two weeks after the interview.
Documents required
Prepare the following four documents before starting your online application. All documents may be submitted in English or French.
Preliminary Research Proposal
A short document outlining your intended research focus, the strategic problem you wish to address, and your initial methodological approach.
Motivation Letter
Detailing your career goals, why you are pursuing the DBA, and how the program fits your professional trajectory.
Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Highlighting your professional experience, leadership roles, and key achievements across your career.
Diplomas & Transcripts
Copies of your academic qualifications from previous studies, including your Master's or MBA degree.
Ready to take the next step? Decisions returned within two weeks after your interview.
A 3-year doctoral journey, structured for impact
The DBA is delivered across two complementary modules — the first builds your research foundations, the second turns them into an applied dissertation that creates measurable business value.
Research Foundations & Methodology
This stage introduces DBA candidates to research philosophy, advanced methods, and analytical tools. You learn to design rigorous projects, collect and analyse data, and prepare research for international publication standards. Seminars and workshops are delivered online or on-site in France or the USA.
Research Proposal
Comprehensive Literature Review
Pre-Dissertation Proposal
Upon successful oral defence, you receive the Certificate in Research in Management Sciences and proceed to Module 2.
Applied Dissertation & Business Impact
DBA candidates conduct independent research under expert supervision. Data is collected and analysed rigorously to produce a final dissertation addressing strategic business challenges. The dissertation demonstrates original scholarship, publication-quality research, and creates practical business and societal impact.
Independent Fieldwork & Data Collection
Analysis & Dissertation Writing
ISSN Publication in IJABER
Formal Dissertation Defence
Upon successful defence, you are awarded the DBA — Doctor of Business Administration · Level 8 by Paris School of Entrepreneurship.
Tools and services to excel in your research
DBA students gain access to state-of-the-art academic infrastructure designed to support advanced research and produce internationally recognised work.
Advanced statistical and research software for empirical analysis and data modelling.
Global access to digital libraries and e-learning platforms used by leading researchers.
Comprehensive databases covering business, management, and social sciences research.
Full access to peer-reviewed journals and professional publications, including IJABER.
A doctoral credential that accelerates your career globally
DBA graduates step into senior roles where strategic vision meets research rigour — leading complex organisations, advising boards, and influencing policy at international level.
recognised internationally
under your own name
across industries & countries
Executive Leadership
Lead complex organisations with research-backed strategic vision. Anchor decisions in evidence, not just instinct.
CEO · Managing Director · COO · General Manager
Strategy & Consulting
Bring doctoral-level analytical rigour to advisory engagements. Position yourself for senior partnership roles.
Partner · Senior Advisor · Strategy Director
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Build and scale ventures with structured frameworks. Apply original research to disrupt and lead emerging markets.
Founder · CEO of Scale-up · Innovation Director
Board & Governance
Earn a seat at the table where it matters most. Bring research credibility to boardrooms and governance committees.
Non-Executive Director · Board Member · Trustee
Policy & Public Affairs
Influence policy frameworks and contribute to international development through evidence-based advocacy and research.
Policy Advisor · Senior Government Official · Think-Tank Lead
Executive Education & Faculty
Transition into teaching, executive education, or visiting faculty roles. Share applied expertise with the next generation.
Visiting Professor · Executive Educator · Programme Director
Across every sector and continent
The DBA is not just a credential — it's a platform for impact at the highest level of decision-making.
— Paris School of Entrepreneurship
Practical answers about the DBA experience
The questions our most ambitious candidates ask before applying — career compatibility, format details, supervision, and what happens after.
Can I keep working full-time while completing the DBA?
Where are the on-campus seminars held?
What happens if I need more than 3 years to complete the DBA?
How is thesis supervision organised?
Is the ISSN publication automatic, or do I need to apply separately?
Can my employer sponsor my DBA tuition?
Is the DBA recognised internationally?
Are there scholarships available?
Still have questions?
Our doctoral advisor will guide you through admissions, financing, and your research project — usually within 24 hours.