Discover the Best Online DBA Programs in Texas for 2024
Online DBA programs in Texas are designed for professionals like you who are ready to build on their expertise. Keep reading for a look at top schools, state-specific courses, and more.
Online DBA programs in Texas are tailored toward working professionals with years of experience in business management — professionals probably just like you. Whether you’re in a management position but are aiming higher or you feel like you could contribute more as a professor of future business students, online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs in Texas can prepare you for the career you want — and the opportunities and salary you deserve.
To help you determine how this path can benefit you, we’ll dive into several online DBA programs in Texas known for their quality education and dedication to helping students pursue their academic and professional interests. We’ll also discuss the difference between a PhD and a DBA and break down the career outlook and potential salary for graduates of the latter. We’ll round things off with a list of resources for prospective DBA students so that you’re well equipped to take your next step. Keep reading to explore what top online DBA programs in Texas have to offer.
Inside Online DBA Programs in Texas: School Spotlights
To help you kickstart your search for the right online DBA program in Texas for you, we’ve profiled three of the best. Use these as a benchmark as you research additional programs. In addition to the program cost, keep your eyes peeled for detailed curriculum outlines and specific learning outcomes, clear information on admission requirements, and accreditation.
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas DBA is designed for working professionals who are ready to expand the breadth of their knowledge in a research-based program. Top applicants have a master’s degree from a recognized, regionally-accredited institution, and at least 12 years of management experience, with at least seven years at the senior management or executive level. The DBA program is the first and only AACSB-accredited program in Texas and consists of 62 credits that can be completed in about three years of study.
The program is offered in a hybrid format, blending both online and in-person instruction, and teaches students to apply evidence-based solutions to the many challenges presented by the contemporary global economy.
UD’s College of Business was established on the foundation that business education can be both practitioner-oriented and committed to academic research. This means that every professor in the hybrid DBA program has extensive corporate experience, as well as research published in the top journals in their respective disciplines.
University of Houston
The University of Houston is the only Tier 1 research university in Houston that offers an Executive DBA. The program is designed for busy C-Suite executives looking to obtain the highest-level research and analytical skills that corporations ask of their executive teams. Students work alongside some of the brightest research minds in their fields to create and pursue academic scholarship in their areas of focus. Students also receive the credentials (terminal doctoral degree) needed to teach in a secondary educational institution.
The DBA curriculum is designed to fit the busy life of executives by combining in-person and online offerings. This hybrid model of distance learning and on-campus residencies maximizes students’ time. The program also works to eliminate administrative and research burdens so candidates can keep their focus on their chosen area of research.
University of North Texas
The DBA at the University of North Texas is one of the newest degrees offered by the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and is designed for executives and managers who want to expand their knowledge and expertise within a research-driven framework. The 48-credit hybrid program allows students to study while working full-time — in-person classes are held only one weekend per month. New cohorts start the AACSB-accredited program every fall and benefit from UNT’s status as a Carnegie Tier-1 research institution.
Those wishing to apply should have a master’s degree and at least seven years of experience. The cost for the entire 3-year program is $114,000, with a few modest scholarships available on UNT’s student scholarship portal. Applicants should be prepared to submit college transcripts, an essay, letters of recommendation, and a resume. An interview component is also required.
DBA or PhD: Which Degree is Right for You?
On the surface, the differences between a DBA and a PhD in Business can seem vague and subtle, making it difficult to decide which route to pursue. Although both are research-based degrees that can prepare graduates for teaching positions at the university level, a DBA is a professional degree with a focus on the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world business practices. A PhD, on the other hand, focuses on advancing knowledge in a specific field and aims at producing new insights and theories that contribute to that field’s body of knowledge.
The two degrees also differ structurally. A DBA is typically shorter — usually just three years — and more practical in nature, with a focus on real-world case studies and projects. A PhD is longer and more intensive — stretching between four and six years — with a focus on independent research and the development of new theories.
Knowing whether you’d prefer a career applying or contributing to a theoretical body of work can help you home in on which path is right for you.
State-Specific Courses & Specializations for Texas DBA Students
One of the most appealing qualities of online DBA programs in Texas is that they are easily tailored to each student’s individual needs and interests. Below we discuss two subjects specific to Texas’ economy and business landscape and the ways you can incorporate them into your DBA and the career that awaits you after graduation.
Energy Sector Management
Texas has dominated the energy sector for decades, so it’s no wonder so many industry leaders’ headquarters call the state home. While you may not find a doctoral emphasis in energy sector management in any of the online DBA programs in Texas, you can still focus on this subject as an academic interest. By tailoring your research interests, you can helping energy companies adapt to new regulations and write your thesis on the intersection of energy savings and business efficiency — and help advance the state’s goal of energy conservation. Classes on organizational development and change, like the one offered by the University of Dallas, would also be useful.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Texas is actively — and financially — incentivizing innovation in the state through a variety of funds and initiatives. This emphasis on innovation not only affects how businesses operate, but how DBA programs prepare students to work within them. If you are interested in innovation and how it will affect the future of the field, consider taking a course like Managing Change, Technology, and Innovation at the University of Houston. Alternatively, take it upon yourself to perform research on the link between business efficiency and organization-led innovation. Likewise, if you’re intrigued by entrepreneurship, consider conducting research on the specific roadblocks Texas entrepreneurs face, or find a need in the business sector that you could address as entrepreneurs yourself.
Career and Salary Outlook for Texas DBA Graduates
Like many students pursuing a DBA at a top online program in Texas, you may need (or want) to work full-time for the duration of your program. Whether you’re hoping to use your DBA to move up in your current career or shift gears to a more rewarding one, this terminal degree can open doors in both business and academia. Below we discuss five of the careers you’ll be qualified to pursue, how much they pay, and how much they’re projected to grow over the next decade.
Business Teachers Postsecondary
Business teachers in a post-secondary setting teach college-level courses in business administration and management, accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. They design lesson plans, evaluate student performance, and provide guidance and support to students. They must have a strong background in business and education to effectively teach and prepare students for careers in the business world. Post-secondary business teachers include those primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. Postsecondary teaching, as a career, is projected to grow (and pay) substantially over the next 10 years, as evidenced by the data in the table below.
| Occupation | Median TX Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,610 | $208,700 |
Source: O*NET OnLine, 2023
| Occupation | TX Base (2023) | TX Projection (2025) | Change in Employment | Percent Change | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 5,890 | 6,130 | 240 | 4.1 | 590 |
Source: Projections Central, 2023
Chief Executive
In the broadest sense, a chief executive refers to the top executive or leader within an organization or entity. They are typically responsible for providing overall leadership and direction for their organization. They are also accountable for the organization’s strategic planning and goal setting, as well as ensuring that its objectives are met with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. They are also usually the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
| Occupation | Median TX Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $239,200+ | $239,200+ |
Source: O*NET OnLine, 2023
| Occupation | TX Base (2023) | TX Projection (2025) | Change in Employment | Percent Change | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives | 10,590 | 10,910 | 320 | 3.0 | 860 |
Source: Projections Central, 2023
Economist
An economist is an expert who studies the relationship between society’s resources and its production or output. This can take place on a community, national, or global level. Economists’ theories can prepare businesses and the government to react to fluctuations in the economy. Their tasks are varied and may include researching economic issues, conducting surveys and collecting data, analyzing data, presenting research results, interpreting and forecasting market trends, and advising businesses, governments, and individuals on economic topics. They also recommend solutions to economic problems and may write articles for academic journals and other media.
| Occupation | Median TX Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Economists | $116,870 | $212,260 |
Source: O*NET OnLine, 2023
| Occupation | TX Base (2023) | TX Projection (2025) | Change in Employment | Percent Change | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economists | 1,020 | 1,060 | 40 | 3.9 | 80 |
Source: Projections Central, 2023
Management Analyst
Management analysts are responsible for advising companies on ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. To do so, they gather and organize information about unresolved problems and procedures that need to be improved, interview employees, analyze data such as expenditures, and identify alternative practices to improve or streamline processes. They also create reports to make recommendations to an organization’s executive or management team and work closely with managers to ensure the proposed changes are having the desired effect. Management analysts typically divide their time between an office and their client’s business, so they do a significant amount of travel.
| Occupation | Median TX Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analysts | $95,760 | $171,370 |
Source: O*NET OnLine, 2023
| Occupation | TX Base (2023) | TX Projection (2025) | Change in Employment | Percent Change | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Analysts | 47,970 | 50,850 | 2,880 | 6.0 | 5,410 |
Source: Projections Central, 2023
Training & Development Manager
Training and development managers are HR employees who help optimize organizations’ workforce productivity by planning, coordinating, and directing skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff. Their duties range from creating training materials and training employees to overseeing and updating development programs. They work in various industries to help organizations foster talent, retain employees, and create a positive company culture. Necessary skills include decisiveness, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, managerial abilities, oral communication, and computer and financial literacy.
| Occupation | Median TX Pay | 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Managers | $109,620 | $192,060 |
Source: O*Net OnLine, 2023
| Occupation | TX Base (2023) | TX Projection (2025) | Change in Employment | Percent Change | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Managers | 5,130 | 5,390 | 260 | 5.1 | 530 |
Source: Projections Central, 2023
Resources & Support for Texas DBA Students Online
DBA programs in Texas require many things of their students. To help you meet and exceed these requirements, we’ve researched resources that can help with everything from funding your degree to performing cutting edge research to finishing a culminating or capstone project.
- Advice on Research and Writing
This compilation of resources is designed to help graduate students with everything from writing and publishing to research and career development. - APA Style
APA style is the standard style for scholarly communication and is essential for DBA students who want to write their dissertation in a concise, powerful, and persuasive manner. - Connected Papers
Connected Papers uses the Semantic Scholar database to help create visual maps of research trends, popular papers, and connected topics in the field(s) students are interested in. - Dissertation Strategies
This article published by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill outlines helpful planning, productivity, and motivational strategies that graduate students can use to tackle their theses. - Essential Skills for DBA Students
This resource explores four skills — curiosity, focus, dedication, and flexibility and writing ability —that can help DBA students find success in their programs. - Golden Gate University Business Library
This collection of databases provides business students open access to resources on citation, dissertation research and writing, and more. - How The FAFSA Differs for Grad School
This article lays out how FAFSA works differently for students in graduate school and discusses needs, eligibility, alternative finance options, and the individual steps students should take to complete the FAFSA. - How to Fund a Doctorate Degree
This resource from Capella University outlines advice from a financing coach about the various ways students can fund their doctoral degrees by creating a financial plan. - Thesis and Dissertation: Getting Started
This article from Purdue University lays out the first steps of the dissertation process, including planning and managing your project, scheduling, outlining goals, and organizing various working elements. - Open Access Resource to Published Theses and Dissertations
This website grants students open access to published graduate theses and dissertations from around the world and can help students in their own research projects.