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Home Doctorate Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – Doctorate Overview

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – Doctorate Overview

Muhammad Hasim Sheikh Jul 1, 2025 2.1K Reads

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Are you a business professional who is looking for career transformation? An online DBA will help you navigate your career to leadership positions. You can pursue this Online Doctorate without any career break. It is an advanced doctoral program for working professionals who do not have time to pursue a Ph.D. It is a globally recognized doctoral degree offered by top-tier foreign universities. Are You Looking For? | Online Doctorate Degrees

PhD or DBA – Which Holds More Value in India? | College Vidya

Now, graduates with four-year undergraduate degrees can apply for a PhD program directly via UGC-NET ( National Eligibility Test), click here to know more details.

What  Exactly is an Online DBA Doctorate?

Online DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) is a professional doctoral program. This is an online doctoral degree specially designed for experienced business professionals. It is the highest degree in business management one can get. This program is highly flexible and accessible to business professionals. Business Professionals who do not have enough time to pursue industry-specific degrees can enroll in this program. With its immense flexibility, business professionals can easily find a balance between their professional journey and doctoral research.   

The duration of a DBA is typically 3 to 5 years. DBA degrees ample students with in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills, which make them ready to take senior-level jobs in top companies. DBA gives the chance to working professionals to get industry-based knowledge and get an upper hand to secure jobs in a competitive world.

dba and phd

Doctoral Program (Working Professionals)

PhD for Working Professionals

PhD Online?

Distance PhD?

Part-Time PhD

DBA can be pursued in specializations like Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, Accounting, Project Management, Leadership, Healthcare Management, Marketing, International Business, and many more. All these specializations can be pursued in an online mode. Here, in this blog, we have given a complete overview of a Doctorate in Business Administration, its duration, course fee, top universities, eligibility criteria, DBA top Specialisations, career opportunities after pursuing a DBA, and many more. Enroll Today | Doctorate in Business Administration Online!

Eligibility Criteria  for a Doctorate in Business Administration

An online DBA Doctorate has certain eligibility requirements for admission. This includes educational qualifications and work experience. Mostly, the eligibility requirements are the same for all the universities.

However, there can be some variations required. Here are the eligibility criteria for Doctorate DBA Online:

  • The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with not less 50% marks. 
  • Full-time work- the experience of 3 to 5 years.
  • Admission without entrance is allowed.

OR

  • The candidate must have a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with not less than 50% marks. 
  • No work experience is required. 
  • Admission without entrance is allowed.

Difference between a DBA, PhD, and MBA - Which among these is a better degree to pursue?

All these degrees carry different relevance and offer different benefits. 

You can ask why pursue a PhD over a DBA. The answer to this question is simple. Opting for one of these two: DBA or PhD, the decision depends on your future aspirations. Both DBA and PhD are equivalent in status and offer similar job opportunities; both are the highest degree of management, and add Dr. with your name as a prefix. 

If you are looking for a future career in research, then you can opt for the PhD program. Also Available | Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Online!

Feature

DBA

PhD

MBA

Level

Doctoral

Doctoral

Postgraduate

Focus

Applied Business Research

Academic Research

Practical Management

Duration

3–5 Years

4–6 Years

1–2 Years

Work Experience Required

Usually Required (3–5 Years)

Preferred but not required

Not Mandatory

Ideal For

Senior Professionals & Executives

Aspiring Academics

Mid-level Professionals

Study Mode

Online/Flexible

Full-time (mostly)

Full-time/Part-time

Career Outcome

CXOs, Consultants, Professors

Professors, Researchers

Managers, Analysts

However, DBA is a program specially designed for working professionals. It is best for people who have major issues with time commitments to their studies. In this program, you can get the benefit of pursuing a doctorate and your job simultaneously. The course can be balanced with the job.

Now, the other question many candidates generally ask is Which is better MBA or a DBA? An MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is a postgraduate program, while a DBA is a doctoral program. Both MBA and DBA offer knowledge to those seeking careers in the business world, but the levels of these programs vary as DBA is deeper and more advanced. 

An MBA does not require prior knowledge, which is mandated in a DBA. An MBA can be pursued by anyone with a bachelor’s in any discipline. Also, an MBA is best for students who are looking to pursue a career in the management field. For pursuing an MBA, job experience is not a mandatory factor, while enrolling in a DBA course requires prior work experience in the relevant field. 

Reasons to choose a DBA

DBA is chosen by many people looking to make a successful career in the management field for senior-level positions. This course is opted for by people due to various reasons, like-

  • You will get advanced skills and career options that are required in organizations for senior-level positions.
  • You will get plenty of other career options after completion of DBA as this course not but acquaints the students with a quantitative but qualitative approach to management. 
  • DBA is a program that equips students with a balanced understanding of the theoretical knowledge and the practical understanding that later helps them to get better salary offers. 
  • Growth is what everyone seeks to have, in their careers as well. So this course can help you get that growth, as after pursuing this course, you can explore other advanced job roles as well. 
  • DBA helps you to learn advanced tools and high-level research skills. 

Why Enroll in DBA?

Are you already a working professional, and looking to excel in your skills by pursuing a doctorate program, but stuck in your current job? In such scenarios, it always becomes a confusion as to how to manage the doctorate program and a job. Leaving the job for 5 years and pursuing a degree can be challenging. Here comes the advantage of a DBA over a PhD.  DBA is pursued especially by working professionals who lack giving time to attend a full-time course and want to balance a job as well as studies.

As a PhD is pursued in regular full-time mode and requires dedicated hours, the DBA program is designed with the approach to offer a flexible learning mode to working professionals. As the value of a PhD and DBA is the same, and both have the highest degree in management studies, working professionals find the DBA more convenient and suitable for their full-time jobs. 

Who Should Apply for a Doctorate in Business Administration?

Doctorate in Business Administration is an amazing course that is especially tailor-made for working professionals. It is highly preferred by people with work experience. Students who are interested in the field of business administration and management can opt for this course, which can help them learn about analytics, global management, business strategy, and many more. 

What is the cost of pursuing a DBA?

DBA course fees can range between 8 lakhs to 12 lakhs approximately. However, the course fee may vary as per the chosen specialization. The fee is offered by reputed universities that are highly sought after by working professionals. The approximate tuition fee for the program ranges between $20,000- $50,000 per annum.

What are the Top DBA universities?

Doctorate of Business Administration(DBA) is offered by globally accredited foreign universities. These universities are recognized by international educational bodies that ensure a high-quality education and research. Here are some of the top DBA Universities- 

Top DBA Universities 

Golden Gate University 

Rushford Business School 

European Institute of Management & Technology (EIMT)

Birchwood University 

EU Global 

Swiss School of Business Management (SSBM)

ESGCI School of Business 

EdgeWood College 

European School of Data Science and Technology (ESDST)

College De Paris 

Walsh College 

 

Jobs Prospects After a DBA Doctorate 

There are various jobs and career opportunities after a DBA. You will get ample skills and knowledge to boost your career to the next level. DBA equips the students with practical skills like management, leadership and marketing, strategic management, communication skills, and many more. Such things help to attract better job opportunities.

Here we have given some top job roles you can enroll in after completion of the DBA program:

Job Roles After DBA Doctorate 

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Human Resources/People Officer

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Information Officer

Chief Risk Officer

Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Learning Officer

Entreprenur 

-

How to Get Funding for a Doctorate in Business Administration

Doctorate programs are quite expensive and require a financial backup for fees and other course expenses. In such a case, do not panic and step back. If you are planning to pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration, and looking to get funding for the program, then here we have given some options you can apply for

  • Scholarships: Several universities and institutes provide merit-based scholarships to enrolled students if they meet certain criteria. Scholarships are offered by the central and state governments. Some external scholarships that are sponsored by charities, foundations, and companies can also be applied for by students. 
  • Loans: This option is also available to you if you are pursuing a doctoral program. Loans can be provided by private and government banks.  
  • Grants: These are given to the students enrolled in the doctoral program by the state government, central government, foundations, and various other organizations. 

What are the essential DBA Dissertation Requirements?

A dissertation is the most essential part of the DBA program. A dissertation includes the research work and studies of the students that are done by them during their doctoral studies. A dissertation is 80-100 pages long and consists of a particular business issue and the practical solution to it.

The process of a dissertation takes time, and it is not a simple task; it has to meet certain standard requirements, which include:

  • Make a research plan that gives a brief about the objectives and methodology.
  • Read, study, and research more to gather the data and analyze it deeply.
  • Get as many findings as possible to support your studies.
  • Presentation of your findings should be concise and clear.
  • Always create an appropriate business solution.
  • Take help from faculty members and teachers to get a review of your dissertation. 
  • If the paper meets all the requirements, the essential part of the doctorate will be accomplished.    

Top Specialisations in Online DBA Doctorate 

A wide range of highly industry-oriented specializations is offered in the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). These specializations are designed by the top leaders in the particular industry with a focus on practical and real-world applications. Here are some of the top specializations:

Top DBA Specialization 

DBA In Supply Chain Management

DBA in Artificial Intelligence 

DBA Online In Human Resources

DBA Online In Emerging Technologies

DBA Doctorate in Machine Learning 

DBA Doctorate in Cloud Computing 

DBA Doctorate in Blockchain

DBA Doctorate in Cybersecurity 

DBA Doctorate in Quantum Computing

DBA Doctorate in Healthcare Management

Application Process to Enroll in the DBA Course

The admission process for the DBA program is simple. But before applying to the DBA program, make sure to fulfill all the eligibility criteria mentioned above.

Here we have given step-by-step guidance that can help you enrol in a DBA Course:

  • Step 1: Visit the official website and open the application form. Fill out all the essential personal, professional, and academic background details 
  • Step 2: Before submitting the details, make sure to check the form twice. Once you review the form, submit the final application.
  • Step 3: The admission committee will verify all the details and the submitted documents.
  • Step 4: You will get confirmation from the admission committee, and this is the right time to apply for the scholarship, if any. Within a few days, you will also get the offer letter from the university.
  • Step 5: Right after getting the offer letter, submit the fee and book your slot in the university.
  • Step 6: You will get enrollment confirmation after the fee payment, download the application form and fee receipt.

What is the duration of the DBA Doctorate Program?

The course duration of the Doctor of Business Administration is a minimum of 3 years in online mode. The course is equivalent to a Ph.D, and it is globally recognized, which adds value to your degree, as it gives global exposure to the DBA holders.

What are the Accreditations of the DBA program?

Before enrolling in the program, it is always essential to check the accreditation of the institution offering the DBA. Always pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration that meets the standard requirements on various factors like teaching methods, curriculum offerings, and faculty credibility.

The accreditation can be given by some top reputed organizations like:

  • AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
  • EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System)and
  • AMBA (Association of MBAs) is specifically designed for business schools. 

DBA is a high-demand course that is gaining popularity among working professionals due to the numerous benefits it can offer to boost their career growth. Several universities offer DBA in both ways, in online mode as well as in on-campus modes. It is a perfect blend not just to understand the theoretical aspects and knowledge, but also the implementation of the knowledge in practical business problems. DBA equips a candidate with all the skills that are highly required by organisations for senior-level positions.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Yes, DBA is the highest degree of management and add Dr. with your name as a prefix. 

Yes, Both DBA as well as PhD in Business are equivalent in terms of level of study as both are considered as the highest level of studies in business administration. 

Both are different in terms of level of study and the decision to pursue anyone of these can vary on the individual’s career goals. MBA, or Masters of Business Administration is a postgraduate program, while DBA is a doctoral program. The level of both these programs varies as DBA is a deep and more advanced learning program of 3 to 5 years, while MBA is usually a 2-year program.

If you are working professionally, but looking to upskill your knowledge for better job and career opportunities, you can pursue a DBA that is equivalent to a PhD and is globally recognised. You can get advanced skills to boost your career growth.

Enrolling in DBA or Doctorate in Business Administration requires a few criteria fulfilment-

  • Candidate must complete the bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution, with some work experience in the relevant field. 
  • Students with master’s degrees can also apply for the DBA program. 

No, MBA is not a mandated degree to have as a prerequisite. Any master's degree or equivalent is valid to enrol in the DBA program. Additionally, job experience with the degree increases your chances to enrol in the DBA program. 

Yes, a DBA is a valid doctorate that is accepted for all types of employment and job roles. It is equivalent to a PhD. However, DBA is only offered by foreign institutes and hence carries global recognition, which enhances your chances of getting employment not just in India, but abroad. 

No, to enrol in DBA, candidates must have some job experience in the relevant field of business and management. The work experience requirement varies for each DBA specialisation.

Yes, a Doctorate in Business Administration is a professional course that is a perfect combination of the study of theoretical aspects with its implementation in real business issues. It can help you understand all the concepts that are essential to get into the job role in the management field.

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By Muhammad Hasim Sheikh

10 Years of Experience / Storyteller / Research-driven Writer

As an Academic Content Writer and Content strategist, I have great experience in crafting high-quality, research-based content across diverse subjects. My academic background with a doctorate in business Management allows me to create informative and engaging academic materials for students, educators, and institutions. I have expertise in developing well-researched course materials, academic blog

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