Doctor of Business Administration

Last updated
Doctor of Business Administration
AcronymDBA
Type Postgraduate education
Duration3 to 6 years
Prerequisites Master's degree
5 to 20 years work experience
(varies by country and institution)

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or (DrBA) is a terminal degree in business administration. The DBA is classified as a research doctorate or professional doctorate depending on the granting university and country where the degree was awarded. Academically, the DBA is awarded based on advanced study, examinations, project work, and advanced research in the field of business administration.

Contents

DBA candidates are required to submit a significant project, commonly referred to as a thesis, capstone project, or dissertation. This project consists of an extensive body of original academic research that possesses the potential for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. [1] Candidates must defend their work before a panel of expert examiners, known as a thesis, dissertation, or doctoral committee. [2] In addition, most DBA programs have coursework requirements. [3]

Along with the PhD or DPhil, the DBA represents the highest academic qualification in the field of business administration. Both the United States Department of Education and the National Science Foundation recognize the DBA as equivalent to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. [4]

Structure and Format

Doctor of Business Administration programs have a dual purpose: contribute to business theory and further develop the professional practice (e.g. contribute to professional knowledge in business). Universities generally require candidates to have significant experience in business, particularly in roles with leadership or other strategic responsibilities. [5] DBA candidates specialize in areas such as management science, information technology management, organizational behavior, economics, finance, and the like. As with other doctorate programs, curricula may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. According to the European higher education standards set by the Bologna Process, the normal duration of research doctorate programs like the DBA and PhD is usually 3 to 4 years of full-time study. [6]

The responsibility for the structure of doctoral programs resides within the graduate research committees or their equivalent within the university. As such, DBA programs have a specific set of university regulations and are subject to quality approval processes. Regulations include references to protocols for treating ethical issues in research. These regulations are widely used in Australian universities. For instance, a DBA student cannot embark on the research phase before passing the coursework phase. Students must clear ethics-related issues with an ethics committee upon passing the proposal stage. DBA candidates then go through numerous internal moderations of the dissertation before submitting to external examinations (usually at least two). Finally, candidates usually revise their dissertations numerous times before final approval is granted from the doctoral committee.

History and Development

The origins of the Doctor of Business Administration can be traced back to the early 20th century when business education began to gain recognition as a distinct discipline. The increasing demand for advanced business education, coupled with the growing importance of research in the field, led to the establishment of doctoral programs focused on business administration. One of the earliest instances of a doctorate in business can be found at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, now known as Harvard Business School, which introduced the Doctor of Commercial Science (DCS) degree in 1920, and then, in 1953, the DBA. [7] Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, the Harvard Business School DBA transitioned into an Interfaculty PhD in Business Administration. [8] The longest running DBA program is the DBA program of Business School Lausanne (BSL), a private business school located in Lausanne, Switzerland, that was launched in 1987. [9] [10] The longest running DBA program in the USA is the DBA program of Weatherhead School of Management, a private business school of Case Western Reserve University, that was launched in 1995. [11]

During the mid-20th century, the DBA degree gained recognition as a professional doctorate that emphasized the practical application of knowledge in the business context. Many universities and business schools around the world began offering DBA programs to cater to the needs of senior executives and experienced professionals seeking to enhance their skills and contribute to the advancement of business knowledge.

In recent years, the DBA has experienced significant growth and evolution, especially due to an increase in online courses. Business schools worldwide have recognized the demand for doctoral programs that combine rigorous academic research with practical relevance to address complex business challenges. Contemporary DBA programs often integrate coursework, research, and professional development components. The coursework provides a strong theoretical foundation, while the research component requires students to undertake original research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in a specific area of business administration. DBA programs typically attract professionals from a wide range of industries, including business, government, and nonprofit sectors. The diversity of backgrounds and experiences among DBA candidates enhances the learning environment and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. [12]

The DBA has gained recognition and accreditation from reputable academic and professional bodies such as the Executive DBA Council founded in 2011. Accreditation ensures that DBA programs meet specific standards of quality and rigor, and graduates of accredited programs are conferred with a reputable academic qualification. Accrediting bodies such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) provide accreditation to business schools and their programs, including the DBA. These accreditations assure prospective students and employers of the quality and relevance of the DBA degree. [13]

Recognition in Canada

In Canada, the DBA is recognized as a terminal degree in business administration or management. [14] [15] [16] While DBA programs in Canada incorporate aspects of professional practice in addition to a full dissertation, they still qualify as full academic doctorates. [17] Similar to the United Kingdom, the DBA in Canada can only be granted by Universities Canada, consisting of accredited institutions and holds equal standing with a PhD (management). [18] The dissertation required for a DBA program differs primarily in focus but maintains the same breadth of study and academic rigor. [19] DBA programs in Canadian institutions necessitate an original contribution to knowledge, overseen by an accomplished researcher as the chair, and defended orally (viva) before internal and external examiners. [20]

Relationship between DBA and PhD

In the United States, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in business administration are equivalent degrees. [21] Also, both doctorates are viewed as research doctorates representing the highest academic qualification in business. [22] As such, both DBA and PhD programs require students to develop original research leading to a dissertation defense. [2] Furthermore, both doctorates enable holders to become faculty members at academic institutions. The DBA and PhD in business administration are terminal degrees, allowing the recipient to obtain a tenure-track position in the United States; other countries' requirements may differ.

In some cases, the distinction is solely administrative. For example, Harvard Business School was not authorized to issue a PhD until 2018. [23] In other cases, the distinction is one of orientation and intended outcomes. The PhD is highly focused on developing original academic knowledge, while the DBA emphasizes applied research. [2] [24] Upon completion, graduates of PhD programs generally migrate to full-time faculty positions in academia, while those of DBA programs re-emerge in industry as applied researchers or executives. If working full-time in industry, graduates of DBA and PhD programs often become adjunct professors in top undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Notable persons with a DBA degree

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ Dinham, S.; Scott, C. (2001). "The Experience of Disseminating the Results of Doctoral Research". Journal of Further and Higher Education. 25: 45–55. doi:10.1080/03098770020030498. S2CID   146687739.
  2. 1 2 3 FAQs AACSB "Primary Difference between a Doctorate in Business Administration & a Business PhD". Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  3. ↑ "Doctoral Business Programs". www.aacsb.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  4. ↑ "Structure of the U.S. Education System: Research Doctorate Degrees". U.S. Department of Education. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  5. ↑ Comillas, Universidad Pontificia. "DBA in Management and Technology". www.comillas.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  6. ↑ "Third cycle - doctoral education - 2009 - European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process". www.ehea.info. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  7. ↑ "Overview Doctoral 100 Years 100 YEARS OF INTELLECTUAL EXCELLENCE". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. ↑ "History Of Excellence Part of Harvard University's tradition of intellectual excellence". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  9. ↑ "Executive DBA Council Members". Executive DBA Council. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  10. ↑ "Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)". Business School Lausanne. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  11. ↑ "Executive DBA Member Schools". Executive DBA Council. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  12. ↑ Cassell, Catherine (May 2011). "Book review: Reflexive methodology: new vistas for qualitative research, 2nd edn, by Mats Alvesson and Kaj Sköldberg. London: Sage, 2009. 432 pp. £26.99. ISBN 9780803977075 (pbk)". Organization. 18 (3): 409–410. doi:10.1177/1350508410379458. ISSN   1350-5084.
  13. ↑ "Accreditation | AACSB". www.aacsb.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  14. ↑ "Management - DBA". Faculty of Graduate Studies. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  15. ↑ "Doctor of Business Administration | Royal Roads University". www.royalroads.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  16. ↑ "Athabasca University". Athabasca University. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  17. ↑ "Canadian Degree Qualifications Framework" (PDF). Ministerial Statement on Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada. Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  18. ↑ Lewington, Jennifer (2018-05-10). "Dr. CEO: New doctorate degree aimed at veteran executives". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  19. ↑ "DBA or PhD? - DBA". Haskayne School of Business. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  20. ↑ "Doctor of Business Administration in Business Administration. - University of Calgary: Post-Secondary Programs in Alberta - alis". alis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  21. ↑ "Structure of the U.S. Education System: Research Doctorate Degrees". Archived from the original on 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  22. ↑ "Types of research doctoral degrees recognized by the Survey of Earned Doctorates" (PDF). 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-05-12.
  23. ↑ "Faculty to Vote on New Ph.D. Program, Next Years' Courses | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com.
  24. ↑ "www.mba.athabascau.ca - DBA vs PhD". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  25. ↑ "100 YEARS OF INTELLECTUAL EXCELLENCE". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 2024-10-06.l
  26. 1 2 "Advisors To Help Terrorist Attack Victims And Their Families". www.financialadvisormagazine.com. November 1, 2001. Retrieved 2020-12-27.l
  27. ↑ "David Yeske".
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