DBA in Health, Innovation, AI, Environment

Page last updated on 16/06/2025

The University of Paris-Saclay, in partnership with the Business Science Institute, offers an Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (EDBA), a doctoral program designed for experienced executives. This high-level program combines the academic excellence of Paris-Saclay with the expertise of the Business Science Institute, providing research-based training focused on real-world managerial issues and today’s major societal challenges. It is a unique university degree specifically designed for executives, consultants, managers, and entrepreneurs who wish to contribute to scientific knowledge while having a practical impact within their organizations.

A world-class research-intensive university

Paris-Saclay University enjoys a leading scientific reputation on the global stage. Formed from the merger of prestigious institutions, it has risen in just a few years to rank among the world’s top universities. It regularly appears in the Top 20 of international academic rankings, placing 12th globally in 2024 according to the Shanghai Ranking, and 1st in continental Europe. This outstanding performance establishes Paris-Saclay as a world-class research-intensive university, counting among its researchers several Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners. The institution excels in many scientific fields, ranking 2nd worldwide in mathematics and 3rd in physics—clear evidence of its research excellence. This dynamic of excellence permeates all its academic programs, including the EDBA, providing participants with a top-tier intellectual environment.

Major societal challenges at the heart of the program

Paris-Saclay University enjoys a leading scientific reputation on the global stage. Formed from the merger of prestigious institutions, it has risen in just a few years to rank among the world’s top universities. It regularly appears in the Top 20 of international academic rankings, placing 12th globally in 2024 according to the Shanghai Ranking, and 1st in continental Europe. This outstanding performance establishes Paris-Saclay as a world-class research-intensive university, counting among its researchers several Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners. The institution excels in many scientific fields, ranking 2nd worldwide in mathematics and 3rd in physics—clear evidence of its research excellence. This dynamic of excellence permeates all its academic programs, including the EDBA, providing participants with a top-tier intellectual environment.

Academic leadership of the program

The EDBA program is led by outstanding academic coordination. At Paris-Saclay University, Professor Jean-Philippe Denis serves as the program’s Scientific Director. A full professor at the Jean Monnet Faculty, he also heads the Strategic Management Master’s program and the Research Master’s track in Management at Paris-Saclay University. He leads the EDBA with the goal of upholding the highest academic and professional standards.

This coordination includes the direct involvement of Paris-Saclay’s teacher-researchers in the program. All professors and researchers accredited to supervise doctoral research (HDR) from the RITM laboratory (Networks, Innovation, Territories, and Globalization), and more broadly from the Jean Monnet Faculty, may actively contribute to the EDBA and supervise doctoral-manager theses. The involvement of such academic experts ensures top-tier intellectual guidance and firmly anchors the program within the university’s research networks. The EDBA thus fully benefits from Paris-Saclay’s scientific potential, at the crossroads of disciplines and at the forefront of knowledge.

DBA Program structure in three phases

The Executive DBA program follows a three-phase doctoral structure designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Spanning four years (depending on research progress), the program is pursued part-time with a flexible modular organization. The timetable is adapted to be compatible with professional commitments. Courses and seminars can be attended either online or in person, offering participants maximum flexibility. Each doctoral manager progresses step by step with individualized support throughout the journey.

The program’s three phases structure the acquisition of skills and the completion of the thesis:

  • Phase 1 – Core Seminars (Year 1):
    Participants begin by acquiring the methodological and theoretical foundations essential for doctoral research. Five intensive seminars (three days each) are organized, covering thesis project design, research paradigms in management (Thematic Seminars I & II), and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies applied to management. These seminars, led by experts from the Business Science Institute, may be held in person (locations depend on participants’ residence). They provide a solid base of knowledge and research tools. At the end of this phase, a Certificate of Research in Business Administration is awarded by the Business Science Institute. Simultaneously, each participant defines their research topic with the academic team’s help, allowing for the assignment of a thesis supervisor (see “Supervision” section) at the end of Phase 1.
  • Phase 2 – Data Collection and Thesis Structuring (Year 2):
    The second phase focuses on the doctoral manager’s personal research work: collecting empirical data, writing a detailed literature review, and structuring the thesis outline. To support this, the program offers follow-up and advanced seminars, including online thesis workshops and international advanced research seminars (e.g., a spring seminar online and a fall seminar in person). These sessions promote academic exchanges with professors and peers worldwide. Throughout Phase 2, each participant receives ongoing one-on-one supervision from their thesis advisor to ensure methodological rigor and data analysis quality.
  • Phase 3 – Writing and Defense (Year 3 and beyond):
    The final phase is dedicated to writing the thesis manuscript and preparing for the final defense. Under close supervision, participants refine their results and managerial recommendations. Follow-up seminars (a few days per year, generally online) support writing progress and best practice sharing. A mandatory pre-defense ensures the thesis is ready and helps candidates with final adjustments. The defense takes place either in person or via videoconference during international seminars, before an academic jury, in line with university standards. If successful, participants earn the Executive DBA degree and the University EDBA diploma from Paris-Saclay University.

This three-stage structure guides participants from the emergence of their research question to the dissemination of their results, while allowing them to balance professional responsibilities with their doctoral project.

University Enrollment and Available Resources

Each participant is officially enrolled at Université Paris-Saclay upon entering the EDBA program. This means that doctoral-level executives hold the status of continuing education students at Paris-Saclay, with all associated benefits. They have access to university resources and services: university libraries and all online scientific collections, the Paris-Saclay Digital Work Environment (ENT), institutional email, learning platforms, etc. EDBA participants also benefit from the stimulating environment of the Paris-Saclay campuses and may attend scientific events (conferences, research seminars) organized by the university.

Academically, upon successful defense, enrollment at Paris-Saclay guarantees the award of the University Diploma “Executive DBA” to graduates. Participants thus receive a title recognized by a top-tier university, a mark of academic quality. This strong administrative affiliation provides institutional legitimacy to the EDBA program and ensures doctoral candidates full access to the Paris-Saclay ecosystem.

Scientific Supervision and Individualized Doctoral Support

Doctoral supervision in the EDBA program follows the standards of Université Paris-Saclay. At the end of the initial phase, each participant is assigned a thesis advisor holding an HDR (Accreditation to Supervise Research), selected based on the research topic. This advisor provides personalized scientific guidance throughout the doctoral journey. Regular meetings (in person or online) are held to support the literature review, methodology, data analysis, and writing, ensuring the academic rigor and quality of the thesis.

In addition, individualized academic and administrative support is provided throughout the program. The academic coordinator and the program team monitor each participant’s progress and offer assistance when needed (methodological advice, connections with research labs, etc.). This dual support—scientific from the thesis advisor and organizational from the program team—maximizes doctoral candidates’ chances of success and ensures a rich and formative experience.

Thesis Defense and Academic Standards

The culmination of the EDBA program is the thesis defense, which strictly follows the academic standards of Université Paris-Saclay. Prior to the final defense, a preliminary defense (mock defense) is organized, during which the doctoral candidate presents their thesis to a small committee. This committee assesses the maturity of the work and provides final recommendations. This rigorous step is a key preparation for the final defense.

The final defense takes place before an academic jury, in accordance with Paris-Saclay regulations and international academic practices. The jury is composed of expert faculty members, including at least two reviewers holding an HDR. These reviewers assess the written manuscript and submit critical evaluation reports before the defense. On the day of the defense, the candidate presents their work, followed by a discussion with the jury. A professor from Université Paris-Saclay chairs the session, ensuring compliance with academic procedures and ethical standards. After deliberation, the jury announces the result, which may include congratulations or requests for revisions.

This defense process, aligned with that of traditional doctorates, ensures the academic credibility of the EDBA degree. The involvement of external reviewers and plagiarism screening validate the originality of the research. Upon success, the EDBA thesis enhances both the doctoral graduate’s managerial practice and the academic literature in the field, reflecting the program’s goal of bridging academia and business. The final graduation formalizes the conferral of the University Diploma in Business Administration, awarded by Paris-Saclay in an official ceremony.

Partnership Terms and Logistical and Financial Aspects

The Executive DBA program is based on a close collaboration between Université Paris-Saclay and the Business Science Institute (BSI), formalized through a continuing education partnership agreement. Each institution plays a complementary role in the implementation of the program, according to a clearly defined structure. BSI oversees the educational coordination: it manages the planning and content of the seminars, selects the instructors, and handles their compensation. Drawing on its experience (BSI has been running an international DBA program since 2013, AMBA-accredited since 2020, with over 500 executives enrolled and 220 graduates), BSI brings recognized expertise in doctoral-level executive education.

Université Paris-Saclay provides the academic and institutional framework: it handles participants’ administrative enrollment (as part of a diploma-awarding continuing education track), grants access to university resources, awards the final diploma, and ensures the program’s compliance with academic standards.

The program is offered under the umbrella of continuing education, and the partnership is long-term, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to building a high-level Executive DBA track. This collaboration creates a unique environment where a world-class university and a leading executive education institute join forces. The result is an ambitious, innovative Executive DBA program, rooted in cutting-edge research and closely aligned with business realities—designed to prepare tomorrow’s leaders for global challenges.

Contacts and Information

At the Business Science Institute:

At Université Paris-Saclay: