For senior-level decision-makers seeking to amplify their impact and expertise, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Robinson offers a transformative three-year, part-time doctoral program. Designed for experienced professionals, this cohort-based degree equips you with advanced research methodologies and robust business theory, enabling you to tackle complex, real-world challenges. Graduates emerge with refined perspectives on leadership, global dynamics, and strategic decision-making, fostering both personal and professional evolution.
The core mission of this Doctor In Business Administration program is to cultivate applied research competence in executives. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning, participants not only deepen their understanding of established theories and scholarly literature but also generate new insights into contemporary business issues. This is achieved through a structured curriculum culminating in the development and defense of an impactful dissertation.
A Unique Program Structure Designed for Executive Success
The Georgia State DBA program distinguishes itself with a carefully crafted three-year structure, optimized for busy executives. This unique design is implemented in two distinct phases:
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Phase 1: Building the Dissertation Foundation (Semesters 1-3): The initial semesters are dedicated to providing a comprehensive grounding in the essential knowledge and practical experiences required to formulate a strong dissertation. This includes specialized courses focusing on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Furthermore, students engage in a collaborative group research project, offering a complete research cycle experience – from identifying real-world business problems to navigating the publication process.
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Phase 2: Dissertation Development and Defense (Semesters 4-6): Building upon the theoretical and practical framework established in the first phase, the subsequent semesters concentrate on individual dissertation work. Students, under the close guidance of a dedicated advisor and dissertation committee, develop, refine, and ultimately defend their unique research contributions.
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Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) vs. Ph.D.: Understanding the Distinction
While both the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the Ph.D. represent terminal degrees, significant distinctions exist in program duration, structure, ideal candidate profiles, curriculum focus, and anticipated career paths. DBA candidates typically aim to enhance existing business practices, cultivate novel perspectives through applied research, and create pathways for career diversification, potentially including roles in academia. Conversely, Ph.D. programs are generally geared towards full-time, research-intensive careers within academic institutions.
The fundamental research orientation also differs. The Doctor in Business Administration emphasizes applied research methodologies and the application of business theory to address tangible, real-world problems within the dissertation. In contrast, Ph.D. research is traditionally theory-driven and explores broader, discipline-specific academic inquiries.
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