Doctor of Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration
AcronymDBA
TypePostgraduate education
Duration3 to 6 years
PrerequisitesMaster'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.

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]

  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. ^ 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.