Application & Requirements

The decision to pursue your DBA degree is a significant step and we congratulate you on your decision to move forward.

We review each application holistically, and consider all applicants based on individual experiences and skills. The admissions process for the DBA program is very selective. As such, there are no guaranteed admissions even if the minimum requirements are met.

For additional information or questions, please contact Matt Cacciaguida at 305.779.7964 or mcacciag@fiu.edu.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration to our Doctorate in Business Administration program you must:

• Have a minimum of 10 years of work experience, seven of which must have been in a documented managerial role (managing people, budgets, projects).
• Be in good standing with all previously-attended colleges and universities.
• Have an MBA degree, a relevant business-focused master’s degree, or other master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Application Process

Students seeking admission to the DBA program must submit an application and attach their resume in order to determine whether applicants have the skills and interests essential to succeed in the program.

If you are applying to our general DBA program, please do not select a program sub-plan when you submit an application.

If you are applying to our DBA program with a Hospitality Concentration for the Spring (January) start term, the only available start term for this concentration, please select “HOSPMGMT2” as the sub-plan when you submit an application.

Requirements

Once qualified to proceed with the application to the DBA, you will be required to submit additional documents, including:

• Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities
• Current Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Letters of Recommendation from employers, faculty or professional associates
• Citizenship and immigration documents

Upon receipt of the documents, a formal interview with the DBA academic director will be scheduled by the program manager. View a detailed list of the supporting documents below.

Expectations for International Students in the DBA Program (F-1 Visa)

International students admitted to the DBA Program under F-1 visa status are required to relocate to the Miami area for the entirety of the program and comply with all academic and immigration requirements. Merely residing in the Miami area is not sufficient to maintain F-1 status; students must also meet the on-campus and enrollment obligations outlined below.

This option is designed to provide direct engagement with faculty and peers while fully meeting U.S. visa requirements for on-campus study.

1. Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
   
   You must maintain full-time student status throughout the program. For graduate students, this typically requires enrollment in at least 9 credit hours per semester, which will be satisfied through your regular DBA course enrollment. Falling below full-time status without prior authorization may result in a violation of your F-1 status. Note, as the DBA Program is a lock step program, during the Fall and Spring terms of the first two years, students will be enrolled in 12 credit hours, and 3 credit hours during the Summer term. Once a student advances to candidacy, students will be enrolled in 9 credit hours during the Fall and Spring terms, and 3 credit hours during the Summer terms.
   
   
2. Physical Presence and Residency
   
   You are required to reside in the Miami area for the duration of the DBA program. Physical presence is a core requirement of maintaining F-1 status and participating in the program. Online participation alone does not satisfy visa requirements.
   
   
3. In-Person Class Attendance
   
   You must attend required classes in person as follows:
   
   
   • You must attend an in-person course every week at FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus during non-residency weeks. During residency weeks, the Friday/ Saturday residency requirement will satisfy the in-person attendance.
     
     
     • The in-person course will fall on a Tuesday or Thursday
       
       
   • Failure to meet in-person attendance requirements may impact both academic standing and visa compliance.
     
     
4. Residency Weeks Attendance
   
   
   • During designated residency weeks, you are required to attend classes in person on both Friday and Saturday at FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Attendance during residency weeks is mandatory and cannot be substituted with virtual participation.
     
     
   • Failure to meet in-person attendance requirements may impact both academic standing and visa compliance.
     
     
5. Employment Restrictions
   
   As an F-1 visa holder:
   
   
   • You may work on campus only, for up to 20 hours per week during the semester with ISSS approval. Engaging in unauthorized employment is a serious violation of F-1 status.
     
     
   • Off-campus, outside, or unauthorized employment is strictly prohibited.
     
     
   • You may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon program completion, subject to federal regulations and university approval.
     
     
6. Visa and Immigration Compliance
   
   You are responsible for maintaining lawful F-1 status at all times. This includes:
   
   
   • Reporting any change of address in a timely manner
     
     
   • Complying with all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and SEVIS requirements
     
     
   • Following guidance from FIU’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
     
     
     • Detailed and up-to-date information can be found through FIU ISSS: https://isss.fiu.edu/international-students/current-f-1-students/

Application Deadline

The program admits students every Spring and Fall term. Applications and supporting documents should be sent as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing.

Our Doctorate in Business Administration program can only admit domestic applicants for the Spring (January) start term. International applicants can apply to our Doctorate in Business Administration program for the Fall (August) start term.

Please see deadlines below:

*After June 1st, applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

**After November 1st, applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

***International students cannot be admitted after July 15th.

Apply Now

• Application Documents

  Submit your completed application and all supporting documentation to:

  FIU - DBA Program
  Chapman Graduate School of Business
  Florida International University
  11200 SW 8th Street, CBC 200
  Miami, Florida 33199

  1. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. Transcripts must be sent directly to:

     • If the official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be evaluated by an official translation agency and sent to our mailing address above. Visit the University Graduate School’s website for more information.

     • Official proof of degree: A notarized copy of the original diploma is required if the degree is not posted on the official transcript

  2. Current Resume - should detail your chronological professional experience, reflect 5 years of management experience and degrees earned

  3. Statement of Purpose - document of no more than two pages outlining your objectives for pursuing this graduate degree program

  4. Two Recommendation Letters from employers, faculty or professional associates

  5. Formal interview with executive leadership, to be scheduled by admissions manager

  6. Applicants from non-English speaking countries, including internationally educated American students, must demonstrate proficiency in English. FIU only accepts test scores sent directly from the testing agency as official. FIU’s institution code is 5206.

     FIU accepts the following tests as proof of English proficiency:

     • TOEFL iBT/PBT: 4.5 on the iBT TOEFL (Effective January 21, 2026; for tests taken prior to this date, the required minimum score is 80 on the iBT, or equivalent. Please see the ETS TOEFL iBT Score Understanding page for more information.)
     • IELTS: 6.5
     • Duolingo English Test: 110
     • 53 Pearson Test of English – Academic
     • Cambridge English – Advanced
     • FIU English Language Institute: Certification of satisfactory completion of all content areas with at least level six proficiency (Program details)

  7. Citizenship and immigration document as outlined below:

     Type of Citizenship/Residency Status	Documentation Required
     Native-born U.S. Citizen	No residency documents required
     Naturalized U.S. Citizen	Copy of passport
     Lawful Permanent U.S. Resident	Copy of permanent resident card
     Resident or Citizen of any other Country	This program meets the requirements for international student visa guidelines and can accommodate students who require an F-1 Visa. Additional documents are required. Please contact our office for details.

  Florida Residents: Two proofs of residency. Documents must be dated one year prior to the term you are seeking admissions. For a list of acceptable documents please visit the Florida Residency for Tuition page.

  International Student Requirements

  Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of the University Graduate School and the Office of International Students and Scholar Services. You are responsible for compliance with any and all University requirements. For more information on studying in the United States as an International or Foreign student, please visit the State Department website.

  International applications who require an F-1 Visa will be required to submit these additional documents to complete their application package:

  1. Bank Letter

  2. Sponsor Letter (Waived if applicant is sponsoring self)

  3. The Declaration and Certification of Finances must be completed and returned to Graduate Admissions. Students with Internet access can complete the DCF form online. Once completed please print it and return it.

  4. F1 Transfer Form (If needed) F-1 students transferring from another institution in the United States must provide a copy of the F-1 Student Transfer Form with a suitable release date from his/her current institution.

  5. Proof of Medical Insurance By Board of Trustees and university rule, all international students at FIU in F-1 and J-1 status are required to have medical insurance prior to registration. Proof must be submitted to the Health Compliance Office at University Health Services. Students will NOT be allowed to register for classes without complying with the medical insurance requirement, and will receive a hold on their registration.

     • By purchasing the University-approved policy
     • By submitting an International Student Health Insurance Compliance Form completed by your current insurance company and approved by UHS

     The cost of this insurance is not covered by the program’s tuition and fees. For information on program coverage and alternate compliance, please visit the University Health Services Medical Insurance Policy for International Students page.

  A Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Students (Form I-20) will be issued once the applicant has been found admissible to the University and the Declaration and Certification of Finances has been approved.

  The University is required by immigration authorities to check carefully the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Form I-20. Therefore, it is important that you be aware of the cost of participating in the program and have the necessary support and funding for your period of enrollment. The total funds available for the entire program must equal the total estimate of institutional costs and living expenses for the duration of the program. Estimate of USD $76,100 in available funds (if you are claiming dependents, an additional USD$6,000 for spouse and USD $4,000 per child is required). Please complete your Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) by logging into the MyFIU portal. On The “To Do List” on the right-hand side of the portal, you will be able to submit your DCF form. You should select the “Declaration Certification of Finances (DCF) Activity Guide” for this.