University of West Alabama Online DBA - Rural Business
The College of Business at the University of West Alabama (UWA) offers an online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Rural Business with two tracks: Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Rural and Transformational Leadership. Students complete 21 credits of professional courses, move into the specialty courses for their track, and culminate the program with an applied dissertation. No campus visits are required as this is a fully online program, and the DBA may be earned in about three years.
The DBA program is designed for professionals who desire to advance their careers in rural business, including globally. Interested parties may already do business with the rural community, or may wish to move into and understand the unique challenges related to rural business. Applicants should hold a master’s degree in business or in a business-related field with at least 30 credits of graduate business coursework.
The rural entrepreneurship and innovation track is specifically designed for professionals and educators who wish to develop new solutions and ideas to advance the scope of rural small business owners and entrepreneurs and meet their unique challenges in today’s rural business economy. The rural and transformational leadership track focuses on rural leadership, preparing graduates to address the challenges in leadership, management, and governance in the rural business community.
Topics covered through the DBA in rural business curriculum include strategic planning, resource management, design thinking and innovation, rural development, statistical analysis, ethics and legal issues, rural business management, quantitative and qualitative research, entrepreneurial finance, research methods, and social and organizational issues in rural business. Graduates may go on to positions such as rural economic developer, rural business consultant, rural chief executive, or rural business educator.
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). UWA is located in Livingston, Alabama.
What to Expect from the University of West Alabama Online DBA in Rural Business
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online DBA program must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No work experience or graduate exams are required, however, a resume is required. Students who have already earned a doctorate may be able to transfer three to nine credits of equivalent courses into the DBA program. In addition, those who completed the UWA MBA in Rural Business may be eligible to transfer three to six credits into the DBA program.
Prospective students must apply to the School of Graduate Studies through UWA including an application and fee. Application materials include official transcripts, two professional recommendations, a statement of interest, and a resume. Students whose first language is not English must submit proof of language proficiency.
Study Plan: The University of West Alabama online DBA consists of 20 courses lasting eight weeks each. Start dates land in the first term of the fall, spring, and summer. Courses are three credits each. The DBA can be completed in about 3 years by taking two to three courses per semester. Students have up to seven years to complete a doctoral degree at UWA. An applied dissertation is required.
Curriculum: The University of West Alabama DBA consists of 60 to 66 credits depending on how many dissertation courses are needed. Professional courses include orientation to doctoral studies; challenges in rural business management; advanced topics in rural entrepreneurial finance; social and organizational issues in rural business; ethics and legal issues in common business structures; advanced qualitative research; advanced quantitative research; and statistical analysis: research methods and design.
Both tracks take the following courses: understanding rural development and rural sourcing; design thinking and innovation; sustainability in rural, underserved, and underdeveloped communities; rural entrepreneurial ecosystem; and civic and community networks and leadership. Finally, both tracks take their specialty courses and complete at least 12 credits toward their applied dissertation.
Rural Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialty Courses: Social entrepreneurship and social franchising; holistic approach to economic development and sustainability; resource management in rural business: land usage, real estate, zoning, and infrastructure; understanding rural development and rural sourcing; and rural business startup
Rural and Transformational Leadership Specialty Courses: Human resource management; strategic management in rural communities; transformational leadership and governance; and seminar in transformational and rural leadership
Online Experience: UWA delivers the fully online DBA courses through Blackboard Learn. Online courses may include recorded lectures, readings, case studies, simulations, projects, discussion boards, and assessments. Courses may have some synchronous activities. West Alabama DBA students have access to a counseling center, career services, a writing center, academic advising, financial aid services, faculty office hours, and technical support.
On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements as the doctor of business administration in rural business is fully online.
Paying for the University of West Alabama Online DBA in Rural Business
UWA Online DBA tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and do not include additional fees. The University of West Alabama typically offers financial aid in addition to low tuition costs, making the online DBA and other graduate degrees more affordable. Applicants should contact the University of West Alabama College of Business for current costs, discounts, and available financial aid.
UWA online graduate students may have access to graduate student loans in accordance with the FAFSA. Doctoral students may find out more from the University of West Alabama Admissions Office. Students are also encouraged to check with their employers regarding a tuition reimbursement program and seek funding from other outside sources.
University of West Alabama DBA in Rural Business - Rural and Transformational Leadership
- Focus on rural leadership, preparing graduates to address the challenges in leadership, management, and governance in the rural business community
- Specialty courses focus on human resource management, transformational leadership, rural governanace and leadership, and strategic management in rural areas
- Pay affordable tuition for this fully online program
| Degree Level | Doctoral Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 60 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Master's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Greater |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | Resume Required |
| Credit Hours | 60 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $630.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $37,800 |
University of West Alabama DBA in Rural Business - Rural Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Affordable 100% online program
- Focus on developing new solutions and ideas to advance the scope of rural small business owners and entrepreneurs
- Specialty courses focus on rural development, rural sourcing, underserved and underdeveloped communities, the rural entrpreneurial ecosystem, and rural community networks and leadership
| Degree Level | Doctoral Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 60 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Master's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Greater |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | Resume Required |
| Credit Hours | 60 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $630.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $37,800 |
* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.
