University of Northampton DBA – Doctor of Business Administration
A DBA or Doctor of Business Administration is a professional Doctorate Degree on par with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and is the highest qualification available in the Business and Management academic path. Senior professionals who wish to advance their careers can develop their academic, research and critical thinking skills by undertaking a DBA. The University of Northampton Part time DBA can be done after attaining a Masters Degree. This DBA consists of 6 workshop weekends in the first two years, each held over a three day weekend in the UAE and none in the following years.
This DBA Doctorate Degree enables candidates to contribute through the novel application of theory, providing an opportunity to cultivate the skills needed to find better solutions for intractable problems and develop new paradigms for the increasingly turbulent, interconnected and growingly complex business environment.
Benefits of a DBA Doctorate Degree
The University of Northampton Part time DBA allows senior business and management professionals to engage in advanced research within an inter-disciplinary and multi-professional learning environment.
Develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of background literature and research methods. In addition to contributing to the world of Business and Management theories and practices, a DBA also teaches senior managers to;
- hone critical thinking and analytical skills to identify the core or ‘real’ issues
- refine capabilities to evaluate evidence on which to base decisions
- develop the ability to produce robust and reliable research
- improve the clarity with which arguments are presented and supported
- provide the understanding to question ideas and options appropriately
Career Path
The DBA enables you to differentiate yourself in the employment marketplace as a highly qualified expert, and to enhance your preparedness for C-level management and consultancy roles.
Academic Progression
- A doctorate is considered the highest academic level
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Entry Requirements
hold a Masters degree in a business-related subject, completed within the last ten years
have a minimum of five years’ work experience, at least some of which should be at a senior level
be employed in a leadership/management role capable of supporting the achievement of the programme learning outcomes
All applicants will be interviewed, either via Skype, telephone or face-to-face, before an offer can be made.
Developing Leadership in Business Research
This module will develop skills in the translation of research into practice through the review of research culture, research opportunities, and investigation of issues associated with the leadership and management of research and research teams. Students will examine potential barriers to the development of a research-based work environment in business including those at organizational, strategic, inter- and intrapersonal levels. Students will then explore mechanisms for overcoming such hurdles and develop innovative research leadership strategies appropriate for their own working environments across blended interests of public, private, third or community sectors within a corporate citizenship paradigm.
Principles of Research
This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore the principles of research which underpin investigations in a variety of applied settings. Students will critically examine the various ontological and epistemological approaches to knowledge within their discipline and develop a critical awareness of the ethical dilemmas.
Quantitative Data Analysis
This module aims to develop skills in quantitative data analysis to an advanced level. Students will have the opportunity to develop operational familiarity with a wide range of data management and analytic techniques which are commonly in use in professional research. They will explore how these techniques may be applied in practice by interrogating established research data sets. By the end of the module students will be conversant with a broad range of tools which may be considered for use in the doctoral thesis.
Qualitative Data Analysis
In recent years, the application of qualitative approaches to both research and evaluation within the professional arena has been steadily gathering momentum. Some would argue that such techniques can help bridge the gap between scientific evidence and professional work-based practice by enabling researchers to gather ‘richer’ descriptive data which provides valuable insights into the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of a range of stakeholders. By the end of the module, students may be conversant with a broad range of tools and techniques associated with qualitative methodological approaches, and their philosophical underpinnings, which will then be considered for use in the doctoral thesis.
Reflecting on Business Practice
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to acquire appropriate evidence and to critically reflect upon existing practice and their own experiences within a professional context. Students are required to identify an appropriate topic aligned to their professional area and explore the appropriateness of current practice by designing, carrying out and analyzing an appropriate audit or evaluation with a clear reference to the contextual research literature. This may include examination of an issue related to business management or organisational related training or education. Students should reflect on their findings and make evidence-based recommendations for the improvement of practice environments across blended areas of public, private, third and community sectors within a corporate citizenship paradigm.
The Research Proposal
This module aims to draw together the knowledge and skills provided in the preceding modules so that students can define an original work-based research project with clear aims and research philosophical underpinning. Students will be expected to translate this into a research proposal and plan that covers methodology and methods and ethical considerations, and knowledge and skills to an opportunity to explore the principles of research which underpin investigations in a variety of applied settings.
The thesis element of a professional doctorate programme provides the student with the opportunity to demonstrate high level research skills in a written thesis and defend those at an oral examination.