If you have extensive experience working in the business field and are looking to improve both your understanding of business and your potential for further career advancement, then you may be considering a return to school. Even if you already have a master’s in business administration (MBA) under your belt, a more advanced degree could help you build the foundational knowledge and skills that could prepare you for upper-management roles or other exciting ventures.
What type of advanced degree is right for you at this stage of your career? For many working professionals, a doctor of business administration (DBA) may be the next logical step.
What is a DBA degree, how does it differ from a PhD, and what kinds of career opportunities might you be able to explore with a DBA? We are diving into all this and more to empower your decision-making.
Discussing the DBA Degree
Specifically, a doctoral degree in business administration is a terminal degree geared toward working professionals who already have a significant amount of experience working in business or management.
The Essence of a DBA Degree
As a professional doctoral degree, a DBA is widely accepted in the business field as the highest educational designation you could earn. Since DBA programs are typically aimed at professionals with many years of experience, the coursework often focuses on practical knowledge and skills that could be applied directly to real-world situations.
Evolution of DBA Programs in the United States
If you have never heard of a DBA program but you are familiar with a doctor of philosophy (PhD), then there is a good reason why this may be the case. While PhDs have been offered at colleges and universities across the United States since the early 1900s, the DBA degree is still relatively new within the American higher education system.
In fact, according to research published in the Informing Science Institute, the DBA credential was first offered at Harvard Business School in the early 1950s. Since then, the popularity of the DBA as an alternative to the PhD has grown, especially as more people are choosing to return to school for advanced degrees later in their careers. Today, many business schools now offer DBAs and PhDs to cater to the diverse needs of students.
DBA vs. PhD: Identifying the Key Differences
One of the most common questions people have when they are thinking about returning to school to complete a doctoral degree program is, “What is the difference between a doctorate in business administration and a PhD in business?”
First, it could be helpful to consider the similarities between these two degree programs. Both, for example, are considered terminal degrees. This means that both a PhD in business and a DBA are accepted as the highest level of education that you could receive in the field. That also means that graduates with PhDs and DBAs tend to garner a great deal of respect as authorities in the business field.
However, despite the similarities, it is important to note that there are some major differences between DBA and PhD programs. This is particularly true in terms of the overall curriculum and focus, as well as the potential career trajectories for graduates from these programs.
Curriculum and Focus: DBA vs. PhD
PhD programs in business are often pursued by students at various stages of their business careers. While some students may enter these programs soon after completing their MBA, others might have substantial managerial or leadership experience. As a result, PhD programs tend to focus on building theoretical frameworks and contributing to academic or industry research, with an emphasis on advancing knowledge within the field of business.
DBA programs, on the other hand, are designed more for working business professionals who already have some years of experience behind them. These may be managers and other business leaders looking to return to school to gain more practical and readily applicable skills for their workplaces.
With this in mind, the focus of a DBA curriculum is usually less theory-based and more centered around applying research to solve real-world business challenges.
Career Trajectories Post-DBA vs. PhD
Generally speaking, PhD programs also tend to be geared toward students who wish to pursue work in academia. This may include pursuing research and even teaching roles within business schools and universities across the country or even across the globe. Many PhD graduates transition into academia, contributing to business education and research, often moving away from corporate leadership roles to focus on teaching and advancing knowledge within universities and research institutions.
Meanwhile — although some DBA graduates may go on to teach, research, or otherwise transition to academia — many of these graduates go on to work in more advanced business roles. It is not uncommon, for instance, for somebody with a DBA to end up securing a role as a chief executive officer (CEO), chief operations officer (COO), chief finance officer (CFO), or other executive leaders.
Curriculum Structure of a DBA Program
If you are starting to lean toward a DBA program as a viable option for advancing your education, then you may also be wondering what to expect when it comes to the overall curriculum and structure of the program itself.
First, it is important to understand that no two DBA programs are exactly the same in terms of course offerings, credit hours, specializations, and other factors. However, there are some basic subjects and topics that you could generally expect to be covered in a DBA program.
Core Subjects in DBA Curriculum
A DBA curriculum aims to provide working business professionals with the practical skills they need to advance in their careers, particularly into leadership or higher-level managerial roles. And while exact courses may vary from one program to the next, examples of core subjects often covered in a DBA program include:
- Strategic management
- Organizational behavior
- Research methods
- Leadership
- Analytical thinking and decision-making
As part of DBA program requirements, it is also common for students to complete various research projects that may culminate in a capstone or dissertation.
Electives and Specialization Areas
Some DBA programs are more structured and rigid in nature, whereas others may offer students the opportunity to customize their programs of study with elective courses and concentrations or specializations. Some common examples of potential specialization areas within a DBA program include:
- Business ethics and law
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
- Human resource management
- Healthcare management
The Journey to Earning a DBA
So, what does it take to earn a DBA? Specific requirements are school- and program-specific, so be sure to check with your desired school to determine requirements for admission, credit hours, and other important aspects of the program before you apply.
Admission Requirements for a DBA Program
Typically, to be considered for admission into a DBA program, applicants need to have at least a master’s degree in business administration or a related field. In addition to an MBA, applicants may need to provide proof that they have extensive experience (usually at least 5-10 years) working in business. In some cases, an application fee or other documentation (such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and/or transcripts from previous schools) may be required with a completed application.
Duration and Format of DBA Programs
The amount of time it takes to complete a DBA program will depend on how many credit hours the program entails, as well as whether you are enrolled part-time- or full-time. For working professionals, a DBA program consisting of around 60 credits could typically take a minimum of three years to complete, particularly if no master’s credits are counted toward the degree.
The format of the program could also affect your learning experience and how long it takes you to earn your degree, however. For example, an online program may offer more flexibility and versatility when it comes to scheduling than a program that meets strictly on campus.
Career Opportunities With a DBA
When navigating the idea of what is a doctorate in business administration, it is crucial to note that while simply earning a DBA will not automatically advance your career or earn you a promotion, there are many potential opportunities that you may be able to explore based on your new-found knowledge and skills.
Executive Roles and Leadership Positions
Many DBA graduates, for example, go on to apply for higher-level leadership and executive positions, either with their current employers or elsewhere. The data-driven decision-making, critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills acquired from a DBA program could empower graduates to serve in these types of roles across a wide range of industries.
Consulting and Entrepreneurial Opportunities
In addition to executive and leadership opportunities, it is also not uncommon for DBA graduates to explore work in business/management consulting, or to even branch off into their own business ventures. If you have dreamed of someday launching your own business, the foundational skills learned in a DBA program could help you turn that dream into a reality.
Pursue Your DBA Degree at Post University
Now that we have answered the question of “What is a doctorate in business administration?” you may now be one of the many eager business professionals looking to expand their practical knowledge in this competitive field. Thankfully, a DBA degree is a smart professional move.
Not only could obtaining your doctoral degree help you build your reputation as a thought leader in your field, but the skills and insights gained in such a comprehensive program could help you advance your own career and empower you to achieve your professional goals.
Looking for the right DBA program to suit your needs? Post University is proud to offer a Doctor of Business Administration program that covers the latest business topics, trends, and innovations making an impact in the field today. Reach out today to learn more or get started with your online application for enrollment.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.
