Getting your MBA is undoubtedly an impressive accomplishment, sure to open doors to a brighter professional future. And yet many ambitious business people will never be satisfied until they reach the very top. Enter the DBA.
Though the doctorate in business administration is not nearly so discussed as the MBA, it nevertheless exists as an option for academically inclined professionals with an unquenchable desire to advance both their knowledge and their careers. In this article, we explore the DBA. What it is, how you can get it, where it happens, and when the time is right.
What is a DBA? What is It’s Difference from a PhD?
As previously stated, a DBA is simply a doctorate degree with an emphasis on business. Technically, the Ph.D.’s signify a more academic application, while the DBA is often referred to as a professional post-graduate degree. However, in application, the distinctions between the two are rather limited.
Like most post-graduate studies, DBAs may vary based on individual emphasis. For example, one person might emphasize international trade. Another might focus on business intelligence, etc. These majors and minors can, of course, make a significant difference in how the DBA holder applies their degree. For example, depending on the course work you complete, you may use your DBA to work as:
- A business leader
- A teacher
- A consultant
Because DBAs are usually held by people who already have a career, the course of study is typically channeled either to compliment the students existing studies or to help prepare them for what they would like to do in the future.
Potential DBA candidates should do their own research to find a university that not only has a post-graduate business program but can also provide the specialized emphasis that they are interested in.
Who Should Consider a DBA?
Often, post-graduate studies cater towards people who would like to eventually pursue a career in academia (i.e. research specialists, college professors, academic journal editors, etc.). While a DBA can potentially open these doors, they can be just as fruitful for the professional looking to improve their knowledge and advance their career.
How to Pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration
Like all doctoral degrees, students are not even eligible to enter a DBA program until they have procured a graduate degree. Most people considering this course of study will likely have achieved an MBA. However, at most universities, any graduate degree will suffice.
It’s also worth noting that most universities require a high GPA from potential students—though the requisite grade point average can vary dramatically from school to school.
Assuming you satisfy these prerequisites, you shouldn’t have much difficulty finding a program suited to your needs. Of course, DBAs can be pursued by people who have yet to enter the workforce. However, many students have already begun their careers, and are looking for ways to advance in them.
Where Do You get a DBA?
There are high-quality DBA programs all across the country. Whether you are interested in an
online DBA program that will cater well to the busy schedules most professionals have to manage, or something in person, there are dozens of options to choose from.
Naturally, programs can vary quite significantly from university to university. However, most will require candidates to complete 60 credit hours to earn their degree.
Why You Should Pursue It
Of course, advanced courses of study carry their own pleasures. Deepening your understanding of a topic that is near and dear to you is a worthwhile endeavor and a significant accomplishment for those with academic proclivities.
Beyond the mere satisfaction of achievement, however, getting a DBA comes with a slew of more tangible benefits. For one thing, advanced degrees look very good on resumes. If you are looking for a new job, or simply trying to get a promotion, you’re sure to find that having that extra degree on your resume will help you stand out.
In fact, advanced degrees can help employees increase their salaries by thousands of dollars each year. Though the degree itself is admittedly very costly, the corresponding salary increase helps make sure that it will pay for itself over time.
