The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a research-based qualification, designed to enable business professionals to make a substantial contribution to business practice by applying theoretical frameworks, methods and techniques towards solving contemporary and complex business problems.
Candidates will develop their research and discipline-based knowledge and skill through the coursework units, an independent research project, and through regular participation in professional development workshops with other cohort candidates.
View further course details.
COURSE DESIGN
The program is structured in three phases:
Phase 1: Postgraduate business coursework
This phase consists of 48 credit points of postgraduate discipline units. You will study up to eight MBA units and gain a firm grounding in your chosen field of management.
Phase 2: Research skills training
Phase 2 consists of a further 48 credit points of coursework to prepare you for your research projects. You will be taught how to approach your research using contemporary qualitative and quantitative research methods. There are three compulsory research units (36 credit points) plus an additional 12 credit points of complementary research units.
These 12 credit points may consist of:
• two eGrad School six-credit-point units, or
• one 12-credit-point Faculty or University research unit.
The eGrad School brings together a wide range of online activities and resources that are specifically designed for early career researchers, Whatever their home university or location.
Phase 3: Research component
This phase is the core of the DBA—the research projects. This is where you will show your superior expertise in business administration and your profession. This phase consists of 192 credit points, with two options for completion:
• one DBA dissertation of approximately 50 000 words documenting the research project or projects, or
• three research papers of publishable quality. Papers are defined as journal articles, book chapters, and other forms of written scholarly works which are subject to a process of peer review similar to that of refereed journals. Each paper would be approximately 15 000 words.
COURSE LENGTH AND MODE
The QUT DBA can be completed in three to six years of study. The structure of the DBA program provides you with the option of maintaining full-time employment while undertaking the program.
If you currently hold postgraduate qualifications, such as an MBA or Master of Business, you may receive advanced standing for the first phase of the DBA program. This will enable you to start in your research skills training phase. This should be discussed when you apply.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the DBA course will be based on candidates having completed a minimum of five years senior level business or professional practice experience, and either:
• a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a GPA of 5.5 (on a scale of 7) or greater from QUT or another recognised institution; or
• a Masters degree in a business discipline area (e.g. Master of Business) with a GPA of 5.5 or greater from QUT or another recognised institution; or
• a Bachelor’s degree in a business discipline with first or second class Honours Division A, or equivalent, from QUT or another recognised institution.
Candidates are also required to attend an interview with
the Director of Graduate Studies or the Assistant Dean
(Research) and reach agreement on an individual study
plan, subject to availability of a suitable supervisor.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, or to apply for the QUT DBA program, we suggest you meet with the Director of Graduate Studies, the Assistant Dean (Research) or an admissions officer to discuss your application. Please contact the BGSB by phone 07 3138 1057 or email bgsb@qut.com