Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is a 60 credit-hour professional doctoral program intended for scholars, executives, and senior managers who want to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to the fullest extent possible. A combination of analytical, practical, and research-based approaches is used to equip graduates with an understanding of management thought and practices, as well as a theoretical, philosophical, and real-world understanding of business administration principles and practices.

Course content reflects current business practices in best-of-class organizations. Courses balance nurturing an appreciation of the role of theory in effective management with practical, how-to insights.

DBA Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Adapt the scientific method to studying management problems they encounter

• Have a thorough understanding of the evolution of management thought

• Employ the highest level of analytical thinking to identify, study, and solve problems

• Master the key research techniques, including:

  • Survey research

  • Data gathering through interviews

  • Data gathering through the use of unobtrusive measures

  • Establishing and testing hypotheses

  • Statistical analysis of data

• Design and construct a major, publishable research project (their doctoral dissertation)

• Demonstrate that they can defend the original ideas they develop and the analyses they carry out (the dissertation defense)

• Adapt critical thinking to review the management, economic, political, technological, and social issues that societies must handle today