College of Business hosts DBA in Energy Management program launch

The Lamar University College of Business welcomed professionals, community members and prospective students to a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Energy Management program launch on Thursday, April 9, held in the Setzer Student Center Ballroom.

The event served as an official introduction to the college's newly accredited doctoral program, designed to meet the growing demands of the energy sector in Southeast Texas and beyond.

Dean Joby John emphasized the regional significance of the program, noting Lamar University's unique position within one of the most important energy corridors in the world.

"We sit at the center of Southeast Texas, in the middle of the oil and gas patch," John said. "Not more than two miles from my office are two of the largest refineries in North America. Why wouldn't we have a program in energy management-and a doctorate at that?"

John explained that the DBA program is built on three key commitments: applied doctoral education, accessibility for working professionals across the energy value chain, and support for economic development in the region.

"This program is practice-based research, not theory-based," he said. "It's a commitment to professionals from exploration all the way to production, refining, distribution and consumption-the entire value chain of the energy sector."

He also highlighted the program's broad approach to energy, encompassing both traditional and emerging sources.

"While we are in the middle of the oil and gas patch, we also represent clean energy, nuclear energy and renewable energy," John said. "This is a commitment to all forms of energy."

Throughout the session, John underscored the economic importance of energy, particularly in Texas.

"Energy is the engine of economic growth, manufacturing productivity and technological progress," he said. "If Texas were a country, it would be the sixth largest producer of energy in the world. Forty-three percent of crude oil in the United States is produced here, along with 28% of natural gas and one-third of the nation's refining capacity."

He added that the industry supports millions of jobs and generates billions in tax revenue, reinforcing the need for advanced education tailored to the sector.

"This program is about aligning academic excellence with industry relevance," John said. "If we don't have both, we're not complete."

The DBA in Energy Management is specifically designed for mid-career professionals seeking to enhance their leadership and analytical capabilities. According to John, the program equips students with research skills necessary to make evidence-based business decisions in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

"You may have innovations in energy and engineering, but if you can't make a business case for it, it's not happening," he said. "You need the research skills to provide the evidence, to show the return on investment for every proposal."

The hybrid, low-residency program allows students to complete coursework online while progressing through a structured, cohort-based model. Students will complete 54 credit hours over approximately two and a half years, culminating in a dissertation focused on applied research.

John concluded by positioning Lamar University as a future leader in energy-focused business education.

"If anyone wants a degree in energy management, they need to be looking at Beaumont, Texas, and Lamar University," he said. "We want to be the destination for energy management programs in the world."

To learn more about the DBA in Energy Management, visit lamar.edu/dba.