Doctor of Business Administration

What is a Doctor of Business Administration?

The DBA Doctor of Business Administration is a 36-month program focused on applied research and prepares like the Ph.D. for a doctoral degree at the highest European Qualification Framework level 8. The program is built on a total of 12 modules.

This program is unique as it will assist you right from the start with the identification and development of central doctoral research and international publications in renowned international journals. During the program, you will work in small groups and you will get advice on your specific research topic on an individual basis. During the twelve program modules, the students will be guided step by step through their doctoral research project. This allows you to publish various scientific articles and finalize your study within the set timeframe.

DBA students can write their dissertations about topics within their companies and industries, or subject areas for example International Business, Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Human Resource Management, Marketing, (Information) Technology Management, Data Analytics, Consulting, Counseling / Training, Interim Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Change Management, Leadership / Management, Health Care, Automotive, Tourism.

The learning method is based on an Oxbridge tutorial where you will work in small groups on weekly assignments that directly feed into your research work. Besides the tutorial sessions, each student will receive individualized advice and coaching. The professors guiding you on the program have extensive professional experience and vast experience in lecturing and guiding doctoral programs and students at renowned Universities in the United States of America and Europe.

Duration

• Full-time 36 Months
• Part-time 72 Months

The DBA Doctor of Business Administration program is designed for executives and professionals who want to take their careers to a new level by enhancing their professional and academic knowledge, skills, and competencies, and contributing to the expansion of academic and professional knowledge.

Full-Time

• Term 1: Introduction to Doctoral Research
• Term 2: Advanced Research Methods
• Term 3: Development of Academic Studies
• Term 4: Proposal – Introduction of the Study
• Term 5: Proposal – Literature Review
• Term 6: Proposal – Research Methodology
• Term 7: Proposal – Defense
• Term 8: Final Study – Data Collection
• Term 9: Final Study – Data Analysis
• Term 10: Final Study – Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendation
• Term 11: Final study – Defense
• Term 12: Academic Publication

Part-Time

• Term 1-2: Introduction to Doctoral Research
• Term 3-4: Advanced Research Methods
• Term 5-6: Development of Academic Studies
• Term 7-8: Proposal – Introduction of the Study
• Term 9-10: Proposal – Literature Review
• Term 11-12: Proposal – Research Methodology
• Term 13-14: Proposal – Defense
• Term 15-16: Final study – Data Collection
• Term 17-18: Final study – Data Analysis
• Term 19-20: Final study – Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendation
• Term 21-22: Final study – Defense
• Term 23-24: Academic Publication

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Procedures

A core feature of this course will be a varied mix of teaching and learning methods that allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successfully complete this course. Teaching and learning methods used in this course are, among others: Andragogy, Understanding by Design, Oxbridge-Style Tutorials, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. All activities embedded within the content for each module are designed to provide feedback to learners on their progress towards the module and course learning outcomes. Summative assessment methods will be designed to facilitate critical engagement with participants’ own professional development. Summative assessment methods offer an appropriate mix of assessment procedures that are fit for purpose and allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successfully complete the course.

Knowledge

• Has a systematic understanding of a highly specialized field of study in business administration, which builds upon specialized or multi-disciplinary knowledge and understanding
• Extends, redefines, or makes an original contribution to existing knowledge and/or professional practice in business administration

Skills

• Demonstrates mastery in skills such as the selection and analysis of research, writing, design, development, and sustainability of the argument manifested in innovative scholarly research in the field of business administration
• Responds to technological, social, and cultural issues and addresses the needs of a knowledge-based society in business administration
• Communicates expertise in business administration to a wide audience, including peers and the general public, using different methods, including national and international publications, and participates in specialist fora and conferences
• Demonstrates expertise in critical evaluations and analysis with incomplete or limited data to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments and produces original research in the field of business administration

Competences

• Demonstrates authority in the field of business administration and makes judgments involving a multitude of interacting factors and sources
• Promotes social, scientific, and ethical advancement through actions in the field of business administration
• Has a sustained commitment to the development of new ideas in the field of business administration

This program can lead directly to career advancement for executives, general managers, project managers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers in all kinds of organizations.

After successful completion of the DBA Doctor of Business Administration, you may also continue your academic training with the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. DBAs and PhDs with both PGCerts will be recognized as Lecturers in Higher Education. This will allow you to teach and to do research at Higher Education Institutions.