Babson Launches New Doctor of Business Administration Program to Empower Entrepreneurial Leaders
Babson College is expanding access to its renowned entrepreneurial education with the launch of its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, a transformative initiative designed to equip career professionals with academic research skills and the tools to address today’s complex business challenges while fostering innovative solutions.
“Babson wants to help the world become more entrepreneurial. Period,” said Sebastian Fixson, the founding academic faculty director of the DBA program. “This program is another step toward that mission, equipping experienced professionals with the tools to drive innovation and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.”
The 33-month program, slated to begin in Fall 2025, offers an unparalleled opportunity for seasoned leaders—typically with 10–20 years of experience—to take their careers to the next level by emphasizing applied research. They will be able to identify pertinent business challenges, design and execute practical research solutions, and effectively communicate those solutions to others. The DBA has been approved by the state of Massachusetts and awaits full accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Babson’s DBA, which is currently accepting applications, also will feature the College’s acclaimed entrepreneurial leadership skills as well as teaching excellence.
“The students interested in Babson’s DBA are intellectually curious, highly skilled leaders who want to learn more while in the company of like-minded peers,” Fixson said. “Graduates will be able to apply what they’ve learned directly to their work, whether they remain in their current roles, start new ventures, or transition into academia.”
Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD applauded the new DBA program, saying it leverages the College’s unique strengths.
“The creation of Babson’s Doctor of Business Administration program underscores our commitment to advancing entrepreneurship education across all levels of professional experience,” Spinelli said. “At Babson, we believe that teaching and learning occurs over a lifetime. The development of our DBA program will provide industry experts and innovative thought leaders with access to Babson’s proven entrepreneurial thought and action framework.”
Research-Driven Impact
A key focus of the program is its emphasis on scholarly research, which equips students with the skills to explore and address pressing business problems through an academically robust lens.
“The DBA program is designed for accomplished professionals who are still curious and eager to tackle long-standing organizational challenges they’ve wrestled with for years,” explained Fixson, also the Marla M. Capozzi MBA’96 Term Chair in Design Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Graduates will be prepared for any number of varied career paths, whether they remain in their current roles and implement significant changes or explore new projects. Fixson shared an example from a similar program: a healthcare executive who developed innovative organizational structures to foster internal innovation, transforming their company’s performance.
The senior leader was overseeing a 10,000-person organization and sought ways to make the company more inventive despite its legacy systems and culture.
“These are the kinds of motivated professionals we aim to support with our program,” Fixson noted. “They are accomplished individuals driven by intellectual curiosity and looking to increase their impact in their professional life.”
Teaching Excellence and Experiential Learning
Babson’s DBA also stands out for its focus on teaching excellence and entrepreneurial leadership.
Andrew C. Corbett, the Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies, emphasized the program’s alignment with Babson’s entrepreneurial mission.
“We are living in a creativity economy; it is truly an ‘entrepreneurial age,’ and Babson is perfectly positioned to deliver a doctoral program that develops thought leaders in entrepreneurial leadership,” Corbett said.
While students refine their ability to translate academic insights into actionable strategies, they also will be learning innovative pedagogical methods.
Beth Wynstra, associate professor of English and a faculty member of the DBA program, expressed excitement about the program’s focus on teaching innovation. “Babson DBA students will have the opportunity to craft pedagogical strategies tailored to diverse contexts, sharpening their skills as adaptable and effective educators,” Wynstra said.
“This emphasis on learning facilitation not only sets our DBA program apart but also underscores its unique and distinctly Babson-centered approach,” Wynstra added.
“Our DBA program will train students not just in research, but also in helping others learn, whether in a classroom or a boardroom,” Fixson said.
Networking and the Babson Cohort
Another defining feature of the DBA program is its emphasis on peer learning and networking.
Students will join a dynamic cohort of intellectually curious, ambitious leaders, fostering an environment of mutual growth and collaboration.
“Our DBA students will likely be seasoned professionals eager to learn alongside like-minded peers,” Fixson noted. “The cohort effect is a central and exciting part of the program.”
Graduates also will gain access to Babson’s extensive alumni network, offering connections and resources to enhance their professional journeys. “Every graduate will join the Babson family, benefiting from the robust network we’ve built over the years,” Fixson said.
Shaping the Future of Business
As Babson prepares to welcome its first cohort in Fall 2025, the DBA program underscores the institution’s commitment to shaping entrepreneurial leaders who can drive innovation in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
“It’s about applying academic rigor to real-world problems and creating measurable impact,” Fixson said.
“Given the skill sets of our DBA teaching team, their research and insights can help leaders add something transformative to their already impressive accomplishments.”
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