Institute Accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education

Doctorate of Business Administration

with an AI Leadership Specialisation

Shaping Strategic Leadership in an AI-Driven World

Earn the title of Dr. from ESGCI Paris — For leaders looking to shape strategy, drive decisions, and create impact in an AI-driven business environment. Use it to command higher fees, win bigger clients, and access opportunities reserved for doctoral-credentialed professionals. Entirely self-paced. No mandatory sessions. Finish in as little as 12 months.

Doctorate Type

May 18, 2026 Enrollment Deadline

24 Months Duration

Doctorate of Business Administration

with an AI Leadership Specialisation

Shaping Strategic Leadership in an AI-Driven World

Earn the title of Dr. from ESGCI Paris — For leaders looking to shape strategy, drive decisions, and create impact in an AI-driven business environment. Use it to command higher fees, win bigger clients, and access opportunities reserved for doctoral-credentialed professionals. Entirely self-paced. No mandatory sessions. Finish in as little as 12 months.

Type

Doctorate degree
Enrollment Deadline

March 30, 2026
Duration

36 Months

Course Snapshot

Institute
QUALIOPI Certified
Membership
ACBSP and IACBE
Immersion
Optional on-campus

Institute accredited by French Ministry of Higher Education Research and Innovation
Earn the same degree as awarded to the on-campus students
Blended Format of Delivery (Online Plus 5-Day Optional Immersion in Paris)
Attain alumni status equal to that of on-campus students

French National

Accreditation

Program Benefits

Who is this Program for?

Ideal for experienced professionals and mid-level managers across diverse industries who aspire to advance into senior leadership roles through leadership-focused doctoral education supported by strong academic mentorship.

Minimum Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent), a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years of work experience, or a diploma with relevant professional experience considered on a case-by-case basis.

Study when you want — not when we dictate it
All content is on-demand. No mandatory class times. ~7 hours per week average.
Complete in 12–24 months
Push hard and finish in a year or take up to 24 months. Extensions available.
Same degree as on-campus students
Your credential does not say “online.” Same degree and alumni status.
150+ bite-sized video lessons
1.5–7 minutes each. Learn on your commute, between meetings, or anytime.
1:1 thesis mentorship with ESGCI faculty
Personal supervision with real academic support throughout your research.
AI Leadership Specialisation + PwC Certificate
Two additional skills to help you reach the next level. PwC certificate available at a subsidized cost.
Galileo Global Education network
Access to 200,000+ alumni across 91 campuses in 13 countries.
60+ live session hours available
Optional sessions available live or on-demand for flexible learning.

Your Degree Is Recognized Globally

Golden Gate University holds the same accreditation as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and USC. Your DBA is a U.S. degree recognized across Canada, Singapore, UAE, the Caribbean, and beyond. Here's what that means in each region:

🇺🇸 U.S. Regional Accreditation

WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). The same accreditor as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and USC. WASC accreditation is the highest standard for academic rigor, faculty credentials, and student outcomes in the U.S. Your GGU DBA carries this full institutional endorsement.

🌍 WES International Evaluation

World Education Services (WES) recognized. Your degree can be formally evaluated by WES for international employers and regulators worldwide. This is the standard credential verification pathway used by governments, professional licensing bodies, and multinational employers across Canada, Singapore, the UAE, and beyond.

📊 AACSB Membership

Golden Gate University is an AACSB member institution. AACSB membership reflects GGU's commitment to continuous quality improvement in business education—the same standard used by the world's leading business schools.

🏆 Employer Endorsement

GGU alumni hold senior roles at Fortune 500 firms, multinational consulting practices, and global financial institutions. WASC accreditation is the credential employers in Canada, Singapore, the UAE, and the Caribbean are familiar with and accept.

Regional Credential Endorsement

What the Dr. Title Actually Does For Your Business

Our graduates don't use the Dr. title just for business cards. Here is how they put it to work from day one.

Command Higher Consulting Fees

The Dr. title signals expertise before you say a word. Graduates report winning enterprise clients faster and justifying rates non-doctorate consultants cannot match.

Enter Boardrooms & Advisory Roles

Board-level positions and independent director seats open when you carry doctoral credentials. The included PwC Directorship Certificate accelerates this further.

Teach, Speak & Publish

Become eligible to teach at universities and corporate training programs. Turn your dissertation into a book, course, or IP. Build a speaking and thought-leadership platform.

Win Bigger Clients

Your dissertation is a strategic business asset — a published, referenced demonstration of expertise. Use it in proposals, on your website, and in media appearances.

Build International Credibility

A French doctoral degree recognized in 90+ countries opens doors in international markets that domestic credentials often do not. Graduates in Canada, India, and the US all report this.

Future-Proof Your Career

Whether your business thrives or pivots, a doctorate gives you optionality. Consulting, academia, corporate leadership — the Dr. credential keeps every path open.

Specialization in Leadership and AI Strategy

Strengthen decision-making, foresight, and leadership influence using AI

The ESGCI DBA introduces a cutting-edge AI Specialisation designed to help leaders navigate complexity, make sharper decisions, and drive impact in an AI-driven business environment — without requiring technical expertise.

As organisations embed AI into core business functions, this specialisation focuses on applying AI to structure thinking, explore possibilities, and bring greater clarity and rigor to executive decision-making.

What You’ll Learn

Build clarity on where AI adds value and where leadership judgment is critical

Strengthen strategic thinking and structured decision-making

Use AI to explore opportunities, test ideas, and improve problem framing

Enhance executive communication and influence

Develop a more rigorous, research-oriented approach to leadership thinking

AI Specialisation Overview

Format: 18 hours of live sessions and 6 hours of live activity-based workshops

Focus Area

What You Will Gain

Leadership in an AI-Driven Context

Understand how AI influences decisions and strengthen executive judgment.

Strategic Foresight and Opportunity Framing

Use AI to explore possibilities, evaluate options, and define high-quality opportunities.

AI in Executive Decision-Making and Communication

Integrate AI into reasoning, synthesis, and leadership communication.

AI Specialisation Overview

Format: 18 hours of live sessions and 6 hours of live activity-based workshops

Focus Area

What You Will Gain

Leadership in an AI-Driven Context

Understand how AI influences decisions and strengthen executive judgment.

Strategic Foresight and Opportunity Framing

Use AI to explore possibilities, evaluate options, and define high-quality opportunities.

AI in Executive Decision-Making and Communication

Integrate AI into reasoning, synthesis, and leadership communication.

Transform Your Leadership Journey

Release your doctoral dissertation as a book

Prototype and pilot your ideas with no-code platforms

Protect your ideas with solid IPs in 155 countries

Pitch your ideas to real VCs with chequebooks

Step into academia as Adjunct Faculty or Professor of Practice

Enroll in the PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification

Recognition by ENIC-NARIC:

The ENIC-NARIC Networks are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the national information centers on academic recognition of qualifications of in total 55 countries. The national information centers are operating under the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (1997). ESGCI is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (France), a recognized body by ENIC NARIC - leading to intercountry recognition of ESGCI Degrees.

About the DBA

Terminal Business Degree

The DBA is the ultimate degree in business administration, built to create leaders and experts in a chosen field. Write a doctoral thesis on a business problem of your choice and earn the doctorate tag, move to academia or position yourself as a consultant or leader.

French Business School Education and Paris Immersion

France is a global leader in business education with top ranked schools like HEC, INSEAD. The country has produced industry leaders in luxury, automobile, finance, and energy. Get all the benefits of French business education online, with an optional immersion in Paris - 19th century cityscape is a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. With on-campus and city-wide engagements, the immersion program strives to create an ideal learning environment while still enjoying the nuances of exploring the city.

Faculty Live Sessions, 1:1 Supervision, Immersion

Interact with senior academic advisors - many of whom are working professionals from across the world - during live, interactive 1:1 sessions with the allotted thesis supervisor.

Earn valuable Credentials & Recognition

Complete all the courses successfully to obtain this prestigious recognition from ESGCI

DBA from ESGCI

On successful completion of the program, learners join a growing community of doctorate degree holders who are impacting the world, 1 unique problem statement at a time.

Earn the same degree as awarded on-campus from the art and culture capital of the world.
Full alumni status from ESGCI.
Specialize in any area of your choice - write a dissertation on what you know best or what interests you.

Program Journey

Phase 1 (5 months)
Foundation Phase

4 Foundational Courses
2 Optional Courses

Phase 2 (2 months)
AI Leadership Specialisation

3 AI Leadership Courses
Delivered through Live Sessions and Hands-on Workshops

Phase 3 (17 months)
Dissertation Phase

One-on-one guidance
Final Dissertation Defense

Curriculum

Best-in-class blend of application and research-based modules by leading faculty and industry experts

75+ Live Session Hours

1:1 Thesis Supervision

180 ECTS

Topics

Decoding research
Research design decisions and strategies
Applying the research process
Business and management research essentials

Topics

Formulating a research question
Writing a research proposal
Writing a literature review

Topics

Fundamentals of quantitative data collection and secondary data sources
Collecting and evaluating primary data
Collecting primary qualitative data through observation
Collecting primary qualitative data through interviews

Topics

Descriptive statistics
Difference in means
Correlation
Linear regression models
Panel data models
Logit and probit models

Topics

Methods and Fundamentals of Qualitative Research
Choose qualitative research methods
Grounded theory
Discourse analysis
Feminist and post-colonial studies
Historical research
Qualitative data interpretation and coding
Qualitative comparative analysis

Topics

Negotiating access to data
Research ethics and managing data

Leadership Judgment in an AI-Driven World
AI-Enabled Strategic Foresight and Opportunity Framing
AI-Augmented Executive Judgment and Influence

Milestones

Research Topic
Literature review
Research Design
Data Collection
Dissertation Draft
Final Dissertation
Oral Defense

Get PwC Directorship Certificate at a Subsidized Fee

pwc certificate (3)-33ccdcf7861848dabacbaaeeadcd13d0

Key highlights:This program prepares mid-senior professionals for board-level roles, building strategic thinking, governance expertise, and boardroom confidence through PwC Academy–led immersive learning.
Curriculum highlights: Get an overview of board governance, ethics, finance, risk, digital readiness, stakeholder engagement, and boardroom simulation.
Program outcome: Learners become board-ready with strong governance, stakeholder influence, and strategic decision-making skills.

Programme Tuition

IDR 131,000,000

Flexible Payment Options Available - Apply Today.

Instructors

Meet the Experts

Thesis Supervisors

Dr. Josse Roussel

Director - DBA, ESGCI

Dr. Josse Roussel holds a PhD from the University of Paris-Dauphine and an HDR from the University of Paris-II Panthéon Assas. His research spans finance, monetary policy, and the digitalisation of management, with publications in renowned journals like Human Resource Planning and La Revue d’Économie Financière.

Jean-Sébastien Klein

AI Expert and Digital Transformation Leader

Founder of Tout Se Transforme, advising organisations on digital transformation, AI, and management, with over 15 years of experience in organisational strategy and transformation. Former Deputy Director General and COO, with a proven track record of leading large teams and complex business operations. Brings cross-industry expertise spanning AI, ecommerce, digital strategy, and organisational design, and is a recognised speaker and thought leader on AI-driven business transformation.

Dr. Raveendran Iyengar

Professor, ESGCI

Dr. Raveendran Iyengar is an insurance executive with extensive expertise in risk management, legal liability exposure, and claims management. He holds a PhD in Risk and Insurance from Prescott University, focusing on insurance's role in risk management. With over 16 years as Managing Director at ALEgION Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd., he now specializes in predictive modeling and AI-driven solutions for the BFSI sector.

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad

Associate Professor, ESGCI

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad is an associate professor specialising in sustainable mobilities, social entrepreneurship, and digital innovation. She holds dual Ph.Ds in Economic and Social Sciences and Management Sciences. With extensive consulting experience, she has worked on decarbonizing last-mile logistics and evaluating social enterprises. Her research focuses on e-commerce return management, AI in supply chains, and social innovation.

Dr. Alan Roper

Adjunct Faculty, upGrad

Dr. Roper is a supervisor for educational technology tools at UCLA. He leads a team delivering innovative learning tools while aligning technology with effective pedagogy. He is a distinguished adjunct professor and collaborates with teaching and learning teams at UCLA and across the University of California. He has earned multiple awards for excellence in pedagogy and online learning.

Jana Badran

Associate Professor, Lebanese University

Dr. Jana Badran is a specialist in Strategic Management, Business Ethics, CSR, and Performance Management, with a Ph.D. from IAE Gustave Eiffel - Paris Est University. She has been a panel speaker and expert for organizations like the Arab Thought Foundation and The National Commission for Lebanese Women. Her work includes grant reviewing, academic committee coordination, and research on curriculum reform, gender equality, and CSR. A prolific author, she has multiple publications and conference presentations.

Dr. Nitin Manoharan

Executive Director, Strategy

Dr. Nitin Manoharan specialises in strategy, innovation, AI, and Web3, with extensive global leadership experience. He is also a Practice Fellow researching AI and Web3 Strategies at the University of Warwick, Warwick Business School.

Dr. Shibani Belwalkar

Leadership Coach, Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Shibani Belwalkar, a faculty member at SDA Bocconi and founder of Theory of Purpose, specialises in HR, organizational behavior, and leadership coaching. She has expertise in emotional intelligence, change management, and workplace spirituality. Dr. Belwalkar holds a Ph.D. from NMIMS and has authored several publications on workplace spirituality and purpose. She is also a certified coach and facilitator, with experience across global industries.

Kenneth Paul

OKR Coach, Adjunct Faculty

Kenneth Paul Lewis is a leadership, strategy, and culture change consultant with over 22 years of experience. He focuses on leadership development, OKRs, and executive presence at Atlas Learning. Co-founder of OKR International and Human Circuits, and board member at DocMode Health Technologies, Kenneth has consulted for organizations like Unilever, SWIFT, and PwC. He is certified in coaching and behavioral analysis methodologies and has an engineering background.