DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (DBA)

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is meticulously designed to provide seasoned professionals with an enriching and comprehensive academic journey aimed at attaining the highest level of scholarly and strategic expertise in business leadership. Over a structured duration of 3 years (full-time) or 5 to 7 years (part-time), candidates engage in six weekend schools, each dedicated to specific components that form the bedrock of advanced research and strategic thinking in the field.

1. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Business Leadership
2. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Business Leadership
3. Advanced Critical Thinking in Business Decision-Making
4. Scholarly Writing for Doctoral Success
5. Foundations of Inquiry: Unraveling Ontology and Epistemology in Doctoral Research
6. Crafting Significance: Strategic Decision-Making for Your Doctoral InquiryThese core modules meticulously guide candidates through advanced research methods, critical thinking, scholarly writing, and the foundational aspects of inquiry, laying a robust foundation for their doctoral journey.

Pathway 2 :

Part 2 of the program is a critical juncture, featuring the Doctoral Thesis Proposal Presentation and Defense. This phase contributes 80% to the overall evaluation and entails a comprehensive examination, including an interview and defense with the Level 8 Doctoral Theses and Professional Research Committee. Candidates present a succinct thesis proposal, limited to 7,500 words, articulating their research objectives, questions, and methodologies.

Pathway 3 :

Part 3 focuses on crafting the Doctoral Thesis, allowing candidates to choose between the traditional monograph or the Compilation Thesis. The monograph, not exceeding 60,000 words, adheres to prescribed guidelines, while the Compilation Thesis showcases a curated collection of research contributions.

Pathway 4 :

Part 4, the Viva Examination, serves as the pinnacle of the DBA journey. Candidates undergo a rigorous assessment led by internal and external examiners. This final stage provides a platform for candidates to defend their research and demonstrate a profound understanding of their scholarly contributions.

Throughout the program, candidates benefit from dedicated supervision, a blend of face-to-face and online interactions, written feedback, and reviews of draft chapters. This ensures a balanced amalgamation of theoretical insights and practical applications, fostering the development of critical thinking, research skills, and strategic decision-making capabilities.

In order to be eligible for the DBA, students will need to provide :

Pathway 1 :

1. Academic Qualifications:
   o Completion of an MQF Level 6 Degree and an MQF Level 7 Master’s degree, amassing at least 240 ECTS credits in fields such as management, business administration, engineering, and education.
2. Professional Experience:
   o Professionals from other disciplines who satisfy the Level 7 and Level 6 requirements, totaling 240 ECTS, and possess at least 7 years of managerial experience.

Pathway 2 :

1. Academic Qualifications:
   o Hold a Level 7 Master’s Degree comprising 90 ECTS in management, business administration, engineering, education, or another relevant field.
   o Hold a Level 5 Higher Diploma equivalent to 120 ECTS.
2. Professional Experience:
   o A minimum of 5 years of management experience in a specialized area directly pertinent to the doctoral research topic.

Definition and Assessment of Managerial Experience :

• Minimum Level of Experience:
  o At least 5 years of relevant managerial experience for Pathway 2.
  o At least 7 years of relevant managerial experience for Pathway 1.
• Qualifying Managerial Roles:
  • Managerial experience should include roles with significant supervisory or leadership responsibilities. Examples of qualifying managerial positions could include:
    • Department Manager
    • Project Manager
    • Operations Manager
    • Director
    • Vice President
    • Chief Executive Officer
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • The assessment of managerial experience will consider the scope of responsibilities, including decision-making authority, strategic planning, team leadership, and resource management.
  • Applicants must provide detailed documentation of their managerial roles, including job descriptions, letters of reference, and any relevant certifications or professional achievements.

The mission of a DBA graduate is to bridge the gap between top management decisions and operational implementation, ensure the effective translation and execution of strategic initiatives. While the DBA itself is not associated with a specific regulated occupation, the knowledge and expertise gained through the program can be valuable in many professional settings. Upon successful completion of the DBA, graduates will be prepared for one or more of the following roles:

1. Lecturer DBA graduates often enter academia, teaching courses in business administration, conducting research, and publishing scholarly articles.
2. Researcher: DBA graduates can work as researchers in academic institutions, think tanks, or research organizations, conducting research on various aspects of business and management.
3. Consultant: Many DBA graduates choose to work as consultants, providing expert advice to businesses on strategic planning, organizational development, change management, and other areas.
4. Executive/Corporate Leadership: DBA graduates may take up executive positions in companies, such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), or other senior management roles.
5. Entrepreneur: Some DBA graduates start their own businesses or join startups, using their knowledge and expertise in business administration to develop and grow successful ventures.
6. Policy Analyst: DBA graduates can work as policy analysts, analyzing business-related policies, evaluating their impact, and making recommendations to policymakers in government agencies, industry associations, or non-profit organizations.
7. Business Development Manager: DBA graduates may work as business development managers, identifying growth opportunities, conducting market research, and creating strategies to expand the business of an organization.
8. Chief of Strategy: DBA graduates can work as strategic planners, assisting organizations in developing long-term goals, formulating business strategies, and implementing initiatives to achieve competitive advantage.

Contact hours: 305
Supervised hours: 200
Self study hours: 443
Assessment hours: 1,110