The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a doctoral-level degree designed for senior executives and experienced professionals seeking to enhance their expertise and contribute to business practice through applied research. Unlike a purely academic Ph.D., a DBA program focuses on the practical application of business theory to solve real-world organizational challenges. These programs, like the Robinson’s Doctor of Business Administration, are structured to accommodate working professionals, typically offered as part-time, cohort-based programs lasting around three years.
A DBA program empowers graduates to apply rigorous research methodologies and business theories to practical problems. This allows them to develop fresh perspectives on critical aspects of business such as leadership, strategic decision-making, and navigating global changes. The curriculum is intellectually stimulating and transformative, fostering both personal and professional growth. The core mission revolves around building general competence in applied research, emphasizing relevant theory and scholarly literature, and generating new knowledge to address contemporary business issues through hands-on coursework. A key component is the development, writing, and defense of a dissertation that tackles a relevant business challenge.
Programs are uniquely designed to facilitate completion within a reasonable timeframe. For example, a structured approach often involves an initial phase (semesters 1-3) focused on equipping students with the foundational knowledge and research skills necessary for dissertation development. This includes coursework in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, culminating in a group research project that simulates a complete research cycle, from problem identification to potential publication. The subsequent phase (semesters 4-6) concentrates on individual dissertation work. Students leverage their acquired theoretical and practical base to develop and defend their dissertations under the close guidance of an advisor and a dedicated dissertation committee.
While often compared to a Ph.D., the DBA holds distinct characteristics. Both are terminal degrees, yet they diverge in program focus, structure, and career outcomes. DBA candidates are typically experienced professionals aiming to refine business practices, cultivate new insights through applied research, and create career flexibility, potentially including roles in academia. In contrast, Ph.D. graduates generally pursue full-time, research-intensive careers within academic institutions. The research orientation also differs; DBA research emphasizes applied research, addressing real-world business problems within their dissertations, whereas Ph.D. research is often more theory-driven and explores broader, discipline-specific topics.
