DBA Admission Requirements

Consideration for admission to the DBA program requires the following additional documentation:

1. A resume and application statement with the applicants’ objectives for seeking a doctorate in business including intellectual curiosity, interest in pursuing academic research, and relevance of their academic, research, or professional experience and future career;

2. Full transcripts showing graduation with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited educational institution with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above on the scale of 4.0;

3. Three letters of recommendation (this requirement is waived for students received Lincoln University MBA or MS degrees): the letters should evaluate the applicant’s capacity to do research and successfully complete the requirements of the DBA program;

4. A GMAT (550 minimum score) or GRE (1000 minimum score) is required. This requirement is waived for applicants having a master’s degree with a GPA 3.3 or above;

Conditional admission to the DBA program may be granted to an applicant who shows high promise but having GPA between 2.6 and 2.9 or missing requirements 3 and/or 4 stated above at the time of application. Determination of high promise can be made by the Provost and is based on the applicant’s personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, GMAT or GRE scores, or academic transcripts.

Conditionally accepted students with low GPAs will be granted the regular graduate status after achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better during the first two consecutive terms of the program (15 units minimum). Students with first term GPA below 3.0 are subject to dismissal. Students with GPA of 3.0 and above in the first term can continue with the conditional status for one more term. The conditional status can be given for two consecutive terms only. The Provost may grant a student the regular graduate status before achievement of the GPA requirement based on LU faculty recommendations, research activities, and/or publications.

Students missing GMAT/GRE test scores and/or recommendation letters are granted regular status after (1) achieving a GPA of 3.5 or above during a first term (9 units minimum) or during the first two consecutive terms of the program (15 units minimum) or (2) submitting required GMAT/GRE results and/or letters during the first term of study.