Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
The DBA focuses on managerial relevance and the application of theory to field-based research. It is designed to advance business/professional management practice, processes and programs, ranging from the management of people to the management of operations and projects. It allows students to develop their ability to conduct empirical research to unexplored or under-explored apply appropriate research methods to managerial areas questions of interest, often within the student’s own organization. While the DBA has more practical application in managerial settings, it also prepares graduates for academic careers.
Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD focuses on the development of new theory, and prepares candidates to conduct highly specialized scholarly research. Most PhD graduates lead careers as university researchers and professors, or as senior researchers in business or government.
The DBA and PhD are academically equivalent in that both entail a rigorous course of study and typically culminate in the defense of a doctoral dissertation.