A Doctorate of Business Administration is the highest level of academic achievement in business. If you are an experienced corporate professional or an aspiring professor in business education, you might have come across the question: what is a DBA?
Equivalent to a PhD, a Doctorate of Business Administration program is focused on developing real-world management and leadership expertise in the interconnected business sphere.
An opportunity to meet the highest level of business excellence, a DBA is designed to enhance entrepreneurial innovation and critical thinking in terms of strategies and planning. It’s the ideal choice for ambitious workers aspiring to reach an executive level or to pivot their careers towards academia.
At California Intercontinental University (CIU), our DBA programs offer flexibility and practical application for working professionals.
As a business degree, the DBA is focused and practical, concentrating on the application of strategies to solve business problems. It’s an ideal program for those who currently work as, or aspire to be, executives, high-level managers, and decision-makers.
What is a DBA: Program Structure
CIU’s DBA program consists of:
- 10 core courses,
- 5 specialization courses
- 5 research courses
The core courses cover advanced business topics, ranging from finance to marketing to leadership. For instance, if a student wants to focus on marketing, they need to understand how economics, finance, and accounting play into marketing.
The specialization courses vary depending on the DBA specialization you choose. Options include Healthcare Administration, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship.
At CIU, our programs have an asynchronous format, which allows for a balance of work and study. You can study from home with your own computer, attend online classes, and participate in assignments at your own pace, when convenient for you.
Our online DBA program is 100% asynchronous with a 24-hour response time, making it accessible for working professionals who have experience and a professional focus on their research. Student Success Advocates (SSAs) reach out to students to offer help and support.
The most important part of the DBA program is the research. The capstone of a DBA is either a Graduate Research Course (GRC) or a Doctoral Research Project (DRP).
A GRC is a traditional dissertation that highly values academic mastery of a topic, involving more theoretical research with the intention of adding to the knowledge of a business area. It’s ideal for those on an academic track who want to take their research skills to the next level.
Meanwhile, the DRP aims to be more focused and practical, as doctoral students partner with real companies to research a real business problem and implement a practical solution. It’s a single case study project, ideal for those who prefer industry to academia. Many students conduct their DRP with the same company they work for.
Support and Resources
DBA students are supported throughout their journey by Student Success Advocates who check in with them, provide support, and facilitate progress. Students also work with chairs who guide their research and provide valuable feedback.
A Focus on Real-world Applications and Skills
The most important quality of a DBA, the one thing that sets it apart from other qualifications like a PhD, is its focus on real-world application. Research projects tackle real problems and offer real solutions. At CIU, we’ve seen research applied to various fields, from banking systems to nursing to telecommunications.
Students develop in-demand skills, such as complex analytical skills, research capabilities, and advanced academic writing. This prepares them for the next steps in their careers. Critical analytical skills, real-world problem-solving, and comprehensive research and writing are key components of the program.
Students often work with their own organizations to solve existing problems. Companies may share specific or average information if they’re not comfortable sharing all their books. All organizations have problems, and DBA students can solve them. Students see projects from all over the world, conduct research locally, and impact their communities. Collaborating with real businesses, students evaluate, collect data, and understand concepts with the help of their chairs, who invest time in understanding the topic and region.
Motives
Why do people pursue DBAs? Here are some reasons:
- To secure a job in research or academia
- Passion for education and contributing to research
- To get a promotion in their current career and gain a competitive edge
- To contribute to and benefit their business
- A sense of fulfillment from achieving a high level of expertise
What is a DBA: Conclusions
CIU’s DBA program offers a flexible, supportive, and practical path for advancing careers and contributing meaningful research. Whether you aim for a career in academia or want to make a significant impact in the business world, a DBA from CIU equips you with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to succeed
