doctorate · School of Business
Doctor in Business Administration
Prepares leaders for dynamic organizations through advanced research and a doctoral dissertation.
36 months 60 credits Online
The Doctor in Business Administration (D.B.A.) degree prepares leaders to serve in today's dynamic organizations. Students will gain the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to lead their organizations through complex changes in our global society by continually transforming their organizations through developing people and processes, and implementing strategic initiatives in order to maintain a competitive advantage. The Doctoral Degree program incorporates a protocol of dissertation work, a research proposal and a dissertation thesis. Progress through the program will be developed by connections between learning and planned career tasks, applying theories to leadership challenges at the students' organization.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Discuss and contrast business issues and trends and analyze how to conduct business research in new global contexts.
- Analyze, compare, and evaluate advanced knowledge and competencies considering the latest academic business theories, new technological tools, financial analysis, and the use of operations research.
- Explain and apply effective research skills including formulation of research problems; integration of previous publications; design of a research study; data analysis; and an ability to summarize and present the results.
- Generate and assess the ethical and social obligations and responsibilities of business for the purpose of responsible management.
- Combine the integration of business and non-business disciplines to generate novel ideas, strategies, and practical approaches.
- Analyze and develop techniques and ethical methods of business intelligence to overcome competitive barriers.
- Complete final thesis such as a research study, presenting detailed results and analyses.
Program Breakdown by Course
| Course Number | Course Name | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (21 Credits) | ||
| DBA 8000 Issues and Trends in Business This doctoral-level course examines critical issues and emerging trends impacting global business environments, with a focus on multicultural, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary organizations. Students will explore the practical application of contemporary leadership and organizational theories to real-world challenges, including shifting manufacturing trends, workplace ethics, cultural attitudes, diversity, and the influence of emerging technologies. Through case studies and applied research, the course prepares students to identify and address complex problems facing 21st-century managers while fostering ethical leadership, strategic collaboration, and innovation in diverse business contexts. | Issues and Trends in Business | 3.0 |
| DBA 8001 | Leadership to Shape the Future | 3.0 |
| DBA 8002 | Creating and Leading in Effective Organization | 3.0 |
| DBA 8003 | Knowledge Mgmt. and Intellectual Capital | 3.0 |
| DBA 8004 | Organizational Theories and Processes | 3.0 |
| DBA 8005 | Economic and Competitive Intelligence | 3.0 |
| DBA 8006 | Theoretical Foundations of Macroeconomic | 3.0 |
| Research Courses (24 Credits) | ||
| DBR 9008 Information Search for Research This advance doctoral course introduces participants to the concepts and techniques of information search for scientific researchers. It also contributes to creating skills for conducting information searches in a proper way as well as to report correctly the results, based on literature review. The course puts the main focus on abilities for locating information sources, and on the evaluation and selection of those information sources appropriate in specific science fields. Attention is given as well to bibliographic formats and reference management systems to allow researchers create their own bibliographies. | Information Search for Research | 6.0 |
| DBR 9009 Design and Research Methodologies This advanced doctoral course provides a comprehensive examination of research design and methodologies within social and educational environments. Students will engage in critical analysis of various research paradigms and methodological approaches, gaining the expertise needed to design, conduct, and evaluate rigorous scholarly inquiry. The course emphasizes the scientific method as a foundational approach for systematically collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to advance understanding in a chosen area of study. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and practical application, students will develop research proposals, formulate investigation questions, and design studies aimed at solving complex educational problems or exploring emerging issues. A variety of learning activities and applied experiences will enable students to critically select appropriate research designs and methodologies that align with their scholarly interests and professional goals, preparing them to contribute meaningful knowledge to the field. | Design and Research Methodologies | 6.0 |
| DBR 9010 Applied Statistics in Research This research doctoral course emphasizes the use of statistics in the context of research in the field of organizations. It is oriented to the development of competences in the use of descriptive, experimental and correlational research methods with the corresponding support of associated statistical techniques, such as descriptive measures, inferential statistical techniques and simple and multiple correlation / regression measures. Students participate in the data collection and analysis processes with the sup port of appropriate statistical software and perform the interpretation of the results which are integrated in APA style research reports. | Applied Statistics in Research | 6.0 |
| DBR 9011 Collection and Analysis of Research Data This doctoral-level course equips students with advanced skills in statistical analysis and research design, emphasizing the practical application of data evaluation techniques in educational contexts. Students will explore the selection and application of appropriate statistical procedures for analyzing research data, as well as the critical evaluation and clear reporting of findings. The course addresses the full cycle of field data collection and analysis, guiding students through the design and planning of research studies—including proposal writing and survey development—along with the implementation of data collection strategies. Emphasizing a mixed-methods approach, the course integrates both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, teaching students how to organize, interpret, and present research data effectively to inform educational policy and practice. | Collection and Analysis of Research Data | 6.0 |
| Dissertation (15 Credits) | ||
| DBD 9012 Dissertation Project This course focuses on formulating the research problem, it proposes and develops a preliminary literature review, and formulates research questions for the dissertation project. The dissertation project concept paper represents the first stage in the dissertation process that ultimately will allow the student to demonstrate mastery of a chosen field of study and make an original contribution to that field. | Dissertation Project | 3.0 |
| DBD 9013 Dissertation Proposal Dissertation Proposal emphasizes the formulation and writing of the dissertation proposal and the process for IRB approval. Methodology and content for each of the proposal chapters are defined, including a thorough discussion of the role of the literature review to support or refute the dissertation topic. | Dissertation Proposal | 6.0 |
| DBD 9014 Dissertation Applied Research This stage presents, in sufficient detail, the research findings and data analyses, and describes the systematic and careful application of the research methods. Additionally this stage discusses the findings and expounds on their importance, meaning, and significance. Dissertation Applied Research involves the dissertation final report approval. | Dissertation Applied Research | 6.0 |