Doctorate of Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a higher degree by research that provides an opportunity for experienced business and public sector executives to refine and extend their business knowledge to an advanced level. The innovative structure and flexibility of the course offers an optimum blend of theory and practice, and effectively prepares students for careers in both the private and public sectors.

This research focused course is designed to extend professional business, management or administrative knowledge. In this way the course is designed for candidates who have a strong practical business or management background and are interested in developing deeper analytical, research and problem solving skills.

As a research-based professional doctorate, Doctor of Business Administration provides strongly industry focused and practically relevant education. It produces better informed, skilled and reflective professional practitioners and, in doing so, equips professionals for diverse and changing work contexts by offering the development of skills and knowledge that will have enduring benefits.

The Doctor of Business Administration is designed to develop an advanced level of research capability which equips candidates with a knowledge base to make a significant contribution to business professional practice through the conduct of original research.

Credit will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be offered for equivalent doctoral level studies.

Program Learning Outcome

Graduates of the Doctor of Business Administration work in a variety of private and public sector organizations in various managerial and research positions. The advanced discipline and professional knowledge developed provides a basis for promotion to senior managerial roles in organizations.

The accumulated research skills equip graduates for roles such as

business analysts
research analysts
manager of research operations
research consultant

Admission Requirements
Students must have completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or another Master degree in a business discipline area from a recognized international tertiary institution. Students must have achieved a Credit average (or equivalent) in their MBA (or equivalent) studies as a demonstration of their capacity to undertake postgraduate work at an advanced level. In addition to acceptable academic qualifications, an applicant for admission shall: have a minimum of five years' of relevant business experience, and be working in business or have access to business where practical requirements of the program and the research can be undertaken.
Degree Requirements
To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (coursework component 64 points, and thesis 128 points).
The course consists of the following programs: 1) DBA coursework: Each student must successfully complete four doctoral level subjects (for a total of 64 points): DBA711 Research Issues in Business DBA712 Research Methodology for Business DBA713 Developing a Literature Review DBA714 Business Specialization Research and; 2) DBA Thesis The student, under the direction of the appointed supervisors, will identify, analyze and propose solutions to current problems confronting professional practice in business through the application of knowledge, thereby improving professional practice or understanding. The contribution to knowledge in a DBA thesis may encompass: demonstrating specialized research skills that enhance problem identification and problem solving in management or public policy; extending knowledge or change processes in business or professional practice; developing innovative approaches to the application of knowledge to the candidate's business or profession; identifying relationships between the research and the wider field of knowledge within the business field. The thesis must contribute to knowledge in one or more of these ways. Students will enroll in one of the following research subjects during the period of their candidature: DBA717 Thesis (Full-time) (128 Points) DBA718 Thesis (Part-time) (128 Points)