Why should I sign up for the UoNA DBA Program   

The goal of the Doctor of Business Administration program is to prepare leaders for top-level positions for industry, government, and education and to provide these leaders with a breadth and depth of knowledge that is supported by the ability to effectively address real world issues. On completion of the program, the doctoral graduate will be able to provide real-world based leadership that is grounded in the latest theories to a wide range of business entities in the international marketplace. Further, graduates will be able to clearly and effectively articulate their approach and findings to both a technical and a lay audience in both written and oral forms.

The program has an international focus, and themes and cases drawn from all parts of the world are interwoven throughout.

Managers must be able to express themselves clearly and compellingly if they are to serve as leaders in businesses, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations. Thus, the program has a strong emphasis on the development and demonstration of the ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. Students will be provided with opportunities in each course to develop and hone these skills.

Each candidate for admission will receive a personal assessment of the likelihood of his or her success in this doctoral program and of the probable contribution that the candidate will make to the field of business administration after graduation.

Among the criteria that will be included in this assessment are:

• A solid undergraduate record. The candidate's area of studies is less important than the accomplishment of a successful record of academic achievement.
• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or another Master's degree in a closely related field. Again, a record of academic accomplishment is expected.
• Demonstrated success in the operation of a business, not-for-profit organization, or government agency.
• The candidate's personal statement of his or her reason for pursuing a doctoral degree, the reason for selecting this particular program, and how the candidate's background has prepared the applicant for success in the program and the business world after graduation.
• Two letters of reference attesting to the applicant's experience and abilities and readiness for graduate studies.
• The results of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are not required for admission to the program. The candidate may, however, wish to submit such scores in support of his or her application.
• Candidates whose graduate degree was completed in a language other than English must submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores as a part of their admissions materials.
• Students who have not completed the equivalent of an MBA may be required to complete up to four foundation courses to assure readiness for the rigors of doctoral study.

The program is designed as a cohort program - students enter with a group of other doctoral students and progress through the program as a unit. Through this approach, students will understand clearly the dynamics of groups and will develop interpersonal problem solving techniques crucial for success in the world of business.

Students take two courses per term until they reach the dissertation stage when each course must be completed sequentially.

The program length is 2¾ years, and the expectation is that students will complete in this length of time. Should extenuating circumstances arise, the time-to-completion may be extended to as much as four years at the request of the student and with the approval of the Dean.

The program consists of 54 credits as follows:

30 credits of major coursework

12 credits of research courses

12 credits of dissertation courses

If required, the student will complete from one to four doctoral-level Foundation Courses to equip him or her to succeed in the program. These courses must be completed before joining a cohort of fellow students and beginning the Major and Research course sequence.

The student completes Major and Research courses two at a time following a prescribed sequence.

When all Major and Research courses have been completed, the student takes a Comprehensive Examination. This examination consists of four equally weighted three-hour examinations given over a two day period. The areas of assessment on the Comprehensive Examination are:

• Management Theory
• Quantitative Research Methodology
• Operational Issues
• Financial Data Applications

The successful completion of all four portions of the Comprehensive Examination is required in order to advance to Candidacy status.

Once the student has advanced to Candidacy status, he or she moves to the preparation of a dissertation in an area of business administration of direct interest and relevance to the student. The dissertation must address two related issues -

• The student is expected to advance the boundaries of knowledge by the completion of this dissertation, and
• The dissertation must be designed to address a real-world problem or issue in an organization today.

To focus the efforts and direct the completion of the dissertation, students complete a series of four Dissertation Courses sequentially and one at a time. Completion of each course assures the student and the Dissertation Advisor that the student will accomplish the goals of the process in a timely manner.

When the dissertation has been completed and approved by the student's dissertation committee, a viva voce defense will be scheduled at which the candidate will present his or her issue, approach, and findings.

Foundation Courses *

DOCT 701 Accounting and Finance (3)
DOCT 702 Management (3)
DOCT 703 Managerial Economics (3)
DOCT 704 Quantitative Methods (3)

Major Courses (30 credits)

ACCT 721 Managerial Accounting and Information Systems (3)
FINS 765 Financial Decision Making (3)
MGMT 711 Law and Ethics for Business (3)
MGMT 722 Organizational Behavior and Human Resources (3)
MGMT 733 Operations Management (3)
MGMT 744 Advanced Concepts in Project Management (3)
MGMT 756 Management Theory (3)
MGMT 769 Strategic Planning and Decision Making (3)
MGMT 790 The History of Management Theory (3)
MKTG 788 Marketing Management (3)

Research Courses (12 credits)

RESH 710 Advanced Research Techniques for Business (3)
RESH 720 Statistics for Business (3)
RESH 730 Information Technology in Business Research (3)
RESH 740 Quantitative Methods (3)

Dissertation Courses (12 credits)

DISS 750 Concept Paper and Literature Review (3)
DISS 760 Methodology (3)
DISS 770 Dissertation Proposal (3)
DISS 780 Manuscript Preparation (3)

* Foundation Courses must be completed if the student has not successfully completed the equivalent of a Master's level course in each area identified. These courses are doctoral level exercises that are considered to be the equivalent of three credit hours, but the credits do not count toward the graduation requirement.

This doctoral program has been designed as a coherent whole and not as a collection of courses to be completed. This being the case, program courses must be completed in the sequence shown below following the completion of any required Foundation Courses.