As a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) student, you are prepared to be a true expert in management and business, from both subject area and methodology perspectives. The DBA degree is equivalent in academic standing to the more traditional PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Where the DBA differs is in its focus on the interaction between the theoretical and the applied aspects of management knowledge. The DBA degree program provides a blend of structure and customization that enables you to develop expertise that is both recognized and reflective of your particular interests.

Foundation Courses
DBA Students are required to possess an MBA, or equivalent. Coursework from the student’s MBA or equivalent degree may be transferred to meet these requirements (up to 30 units).

Graduate Research Course
All Students are required to complete a graduate research course, or equivalent, after completing required graduate coursework. This course is designed to prepare Students to develop a scholarly and "well thought out" piece of research.

Literature Review Courses
Students will review academic papers published in scholastic journals in business disciplines. This assignment is intended to help you familiarize yourself with the journals in business. This will allow the students to prepare for the Comprehensive Examinations, as well as develop original ideas for the Doctoral Thesis.

Comprehensive Examinations
Once all coursework has been successfully completed, Doctoral Students are required to complete Comprehensive Examinations. These examinations are designed to ensure that candidates are adequately prepared to undertake the research required for a doctoral thesis and to teach university level courses in their chosen field. They are meant to test students' competencies.

Graduate Thesis Proposal Course
Student must complete an approved Proposal for the Doctoral Thesis. The Graduate Research Course and Thesis Proposal Course in the Student’s DBA Program create an opportunity for a student to demonstrate application of the knowledge and skills gained in the course work portion of the program and demonstrate the critical thinking and analytical skills required to successfully propose and conduct the Doctoral Thesis.

Doctoral Thesis
The final step is the completion of a thesis in the candidate’s area of specialization. This involves consideration of an identified issue or problem developed through the Graduate Thesis Proposal Course under the close supervision of the DBA program Chair. The DBA dissertation must be both original and pertinent to current business theories and practices. The Doctoral Thesis is expected to make an original and significant contribution to the advancement of professional practice, as well as demonstrating a level of competence appropriate for a doctoral award.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program will allow students to:

• Develop the advanced managerial, entrepreneurial, and strategic knowledge and skills of the students;
• Develop the knowledge and skills for managing all facets of contemporary organizations;
• Acquired the expertise in research design and methods necessary to be able to undertake a doctoral-level research project;
• Acquired a ‘state of the art’ understanding of theory and practice in their area of research;
• Achieved a greater level of effectiveness as a professional practitioner in management, leadership and related organizational change;
• Acquire creativity, research aptitude, analytical thinking, critical analysis, and innovative solutions to organizational problems; &
• Develop the motivation for and appreciate the wisdom of acquiring lifelong learning.

• Student must complete 60 semester units of prescribed curriculum. One semester unit is equivalent to 15 contact hours or the equivalent in accelerated or distance learning terms.
• Satisfactory completion of all required course work with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students must apply for graduation and meet all academic and financial requirements.

LIT 903