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Cedar Crest College Launches Lehigh Valley's First Executive Doctor of Business Administration Program

Allentown, PA (09/24/2026) — Cedar Crest College announces the launch of its newest doctoral program, the Executive Doctor of Business Administration (xDBA), beginning in Fall 2027. The program is the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley and provides experienced business professionals with an opportunity to advance their leadership, strategic thinking, and professional impact beyond the master's level and the traditional Master of Business Administration, preparing them to pursue the highest levels of leadership in their fields, executive consulting, or college-level teaching.

This new program reflects Cedar Crest's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of today's learners and workforce and serving as a lifelong learning partner for students at every stage of their careers. The program awards the degree of Doctor of Business Administration upon successful completion.

Built for working executives, Cedar Crest's xDBA offers an accelerated path to doctoral-level business education without requiring professionals to put their careers on hold. The program is designed to help executives lead organizations through complexity and change while developing the strategic perspective and research skills needed to address today's most pressing business challenges. The 45-credit program is delivered online in an asynchronous, part-time format and can be completed in three years.

Students may also be able to accelerate their progress through Cedar Crest's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), which can award up to nine credits for qualifying professional leadership experience.

"Cedar Crest created the Executive Doctor of Business Administration to meet the needs of experienced professionals who are ready to take their leadership and strategic thinking to the next level," said President Elizabeth Meade. "By combining doctoral-level scholarship with practical application, the program gives working leaders the tools to embrace new opportunities, make informed decisions, and create meaningful impact within their organizations. It is a natural extension of Cedar Crest's commitment to lifelong learning and preparing students to lead in a changing world."

Cedar Crest's xDBA is designed around the real-world demands facing today's business leaders. The curriculum will challenge experienced professionals to broaden their competitive awareness, strengthen their strategic leadership acumen, and connect theory to implementation through advanced study in strategic decision-making, organizational design, innovation models, risk assessment, stakeholder communication, and emerging technologies.

Through the program, students will be prepared to:

  • Assess business opportunities across markets, industries, products, and revenue streams
  • Develop and implement strategies that support organizational growth and long-term performance
  • Design responses to organizational challenges, including those involving change, innovation, and emerging technologies
  • Use research and evidence to inform decisions, evaluate risk, and address business problems
  • Influence and communicate across organizations, working effectively with diverse stakeholders

The program advances these capabilities through rigorous, applied scholarship focused on complex business and organizational challenges. Students will develop a significant and sustained research dissertation to investigate real-world business problems, evaluate evidence, and translate research findings into evidence-based strategies and meaningful organizational action. The xDBA prepares graduates to apply doctoral-level expertise in executive leadership, consulting, teaching, and other professional settings while strengthening their ability to lead organizations and navigate the evolving demands of today's business environment.

The inaugural cohort will begin in Fall 2027, with applications accepted through the start of the semester.

To learn more about Cedar Crest College's Executive Doctor of Business Administration program, visit www.cedarcrest.edu/xdba.

About Cedar Crest College

Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women's college and in the co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. The College is experiencing historic enrollment growth, including its largest fall entering cohort in its 159-year history. Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report's 2027 Best Colleges No. 36 in Social Mobility, among the top 100 universities and private schools in the region, and among the top schools for nursing. The College is also recognized among TIME's America's Best Colleges 2026-2027 and is ranked by Newsweek among the top 28% of all colleges nationwide for benefiting women.

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