For senior-level decision-makers seeking to amplify their impact and expertise, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) presents a powerful pathway. Designed as a part-time, cohort-based program spanning three years, a Business Doctorate, such as the DBA offered at Robinson, is tailored for experienced professionals ready to apply rigorous research methodology and business theory to the complexities of the real world. Graduates emerge equipped to tackle practical challenges, cultivate fresh perspectives on leadership, navigate global change, and enhance strategic decision-making capabilities. This intellectually stimulating journey fosters profound personal and professional transformation.
The core mission of a leading business doctorate program is to cultivate applied research competence in executives. This involves not only mastering relevant theory and scholarly literature but also generating novel insights into contemporary business problems. Through a blend of demanding, hands-on coursework, participants engage in the creation of new knowledge, culminating in the rigorous process of writing and defending a dissertation.
The Unique Structure of a Business Doctorate Program
To facilitate timely graduation within three years, the Georgia State DBA program employs a distinctive two-part design. This structured approach ensures executives can balance their professional commitments with doctoral studies.
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Phase 1: Dissertation Foundation (Semesters 1-3): The initial phase is dedicated to equipping students with the essential knowledge and practical experiences required to develop a robust dissertation. Curriculum components include specialized courses focusing on both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. A cornerstone of this phase is a collaborative group research project, providing a comprehensive, hands-on experience of the entire research lifecycle, from identifying real-world problems to pursuing publication.
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Phase 2: Dissertation Development and Defense (Semesters 4-6): Building upon the theoretical and practical groundwork established in the first phase, the subsequent semesters are devoted to individual dissertation work. Students engage in close collaboration with their academic advisor and dissertation committee to develop, refine, and ultimately defend their unique dissertations, contributing original research to the field.
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Business Doctorate (DBA) vs. Ph.D.: Key Distinctions
While both a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) represent terminal degrees, significant differences exist in program duration, structure, ideal candidate profiles, curriculum focus, and anticipated career trajectories. Candidates pursuing a business doctorate typically aim to refine business practices, gain innovative perspectives through applied research, and create pathways for career evolution, potentially including roles in academia. In contrast, Ph.D. graduates commonly pursue full-time, research-intensive careers within academic institutions.
The nature of research also diverges between these two doctoral paths. DBA students concentrate on applied research, utilizing research methods and business theory to investigate and address tangible, real-world business issues within their dissertations. Ph.D. research, conversely, is generally theory-driven, exploring broader, discipline-specific topics to advance theoretical knowledge.
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