What does DBA stand for?

DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration.

What is a DBA Degree?

A DBA degree is a widely respected and acknowledged professional doctorate in Business Administration. It is designed to challenge the practical knowledge an experienced professional has acquired through their existing career in business, management, or leadership. In addition, the degree will help them to develop new skills through crucial academic research.

As a result, these newly developed skills help an individual take their career to the highest level, preparing them for important decision making and analyses required for top-level leadership positions.

What does a DBA program involve?

Unlike a PhD, which places a strong emphasis on independent academic research, a DBA has a collaborative approach, incorporating practical training with original research and analysis.

Throughout the program, executives are given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in strategic planning and advanced decision making. This is done in a seminar setting, as well as through coursework assignments and personal development tasks like individual projects. These might involve conducting complex analyses within their organization to deepen their knowledge of their sector as a whole.

In addition, the theoretical component of this degree means participants will conduct independent research. They will develop new theories that focus on improving current business practice, with the intention of making a positive contribution to real-world business problems. [MOU1] [DM2] 

What are the benefits of a DBA degree?

Choosing to pursue a DBA degree poses many benefits. First and foremost, it is usually the highest level of qualification available in the field of business and management.

Further benefits of studying a DBA include:

Problem Solving & Research Skills
A DBA equips students with advanced problem solving and research skills and an ability to use fresh ideas to tackle complex issues in their sector.

Employability
DBA graduates are in demand and sought after. This is because they have demonstrated a high level of commitment to further education and a dedication to developing their leadership skills and professional excellence.

Diverse Career Paths
A DBA can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities.  For example, if an executive worked in government, and wished to switch to the education sector, the transferable skills gained from obtaining a DBA would make for an easier transition.

This degree could also open up potential expansion opportunities for business owners who wish to take their company to the next level, be it nationally or even globally.

Flexibility
As those pursuing a DBA degree are mostly working professionals, the program will often be tailored to meet the demands of their working lifestyles. Students don’t necessarily need to leave their jobs; in many cases, a DBA will be structured as a distance or online learning program, including some periods when participants are required to attend workshops, presentations, and networking events.

What can I do with a DBA degree?

Careers DBA graduates can go into are varied. They include: 

Research & Data Analyst
A DBA has a strong focus on research and analysis, meaning graduates are able to take on high-level market research or data analysis roles in a variety of industries, from business to science, to healthcare and even government.  

Consultancy
The valuable training a DBA provides in solving intricate business problems can lead graduates toward consultancy roles at reputable companies, or utilizing these new skills to start up their own business.

Academia
A DBA maximizes a person’s chances of obtaining a career in academia. The training a graduate receives during their DBA equips them with the teaching abilities necessary to pass on important business knowledge and skills to the next generation of executives. 

Government Bodies
Government bodies value trained individuals who are proficient in research, problem-solving and management. Executive opportunities available to a DBA graduate include working in a top-tier position for a government’s finance, marketing, or research department.

Entrepreneur
A DBA attracts many CEOs who have already established their own companies. However, some choose this degree to become successful business owners. Graduates who wish to start their own companies can benefit from the comprehensive theoretical and practical training in business, leadership, and management taught during a DBA program.

Now you have a better understanding of what a DBA degree involves, we hope you feel more confident in deciding whether this program is the right one for you. If you are interested in finding out more about our DBA, please visit our program overview here.