DBA Doctorate of Business Administration

Overview

Elevate your career with a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Northampton Business School. This research-driven program, among the top offerings in the USA, provides cutting-edge knowledge tailored to your industry and empowers you to apply it to real-world challenges within your organization.

Through the DBA, you’ll refine your critical thinking and analytical skills while enhancing your managerial expertise, with a strong focus on practical application in the workplace. Guided by distinguished academics specializing in your research area, you’ll benefit from their insights and dedicated support throughout your journey.

Designed for senior managers and consultants, this flexible part-time degree allows you to balance advanced study with full-time work. The program can be completed within four to seven years, with options to pause or extend your studies to accommodate professional commitments. Achieve your ambitions and make a lasting impact—start your DBA journey with us.

Course Outline:

The DBA is a flexible, part-time program tailored for professionals in full-time employment, designed to be completed within four years with an estimated commitment of 16 to 20 hours of study per week. However, we understand that professional demands can change, so the program allows up to five years (60 months) for completion.

Program Structure

The DBA is divided into two distinct parts:

Part One: Years 1 and 2

During the first two years, you’ll begin your journey with a one-week induction module in the first semester. This module introduces you to the fundamentals of doctoral research, critical evaluation, and academic writing. You’ll also meet your supervisors, who will guide and support you throughout the research process, establishing a collaborative approach that works best for you.

In the second semester, you’ll participate in a five-day residential research module designed to deepen your knowledge. During this phase, you will also complete key assignments, including a literature review, a thesis critique, and your research proposal.

Part Two: Years 3 and 4

The final two years focus on independent research. You will conduct your study, analyze your findings, and write your thesis. Throughout this period, your work will culminate in a substantial contribution to your field.

Annual Doctoral Workshops

Each year, you’ll join at least one two-day doctoral workshop, also known as a colloquium. These workshops are invaluable opportunities to present your research, refine your ideas, and receive constructive feedback from your peers and expert academic staff.

Expert Supervision:

Your DBA journey will be guided by two experienced academic supervisors who are active, published researchers. They bring deep expertise in diverse fields, including human resource management, business strategy, risk management, organizational behavior, leadership, change management, accounting, and marketing.

Supervisors provide personalized support through quarterly meetings, either online or in person, ensuring you remain on track with your studies. Many of our supervisors are also seasoned management practitioners, offering valuable mentorship to align your research with your professional development goals.

With their guidance and expertise, you’ll be equipped to navigate the program and make meaningful contributions to both academia and your profession.

Learning and Assessment:

Your DBA studies will primarily focus on independent research and self-directed learning, with one taught module dedicated to research methods.

Before starting the course, you’ll complete a self-assessment based on professional and research competence criteria. You’ll also prepare an initial proposal for your research project, which will be reviewed during the induction process.

Assessment Overview:

Your progress will be evaluated through various assignments and your final thesis.

During Part One of the Program:

• Attend a five-day residential research module and submit a 5,000-word essay for assessment.
• Deliver a 5,000-word literature review along with your research proposal.
• Submit a 3,000-word reflective document detailing how your studies have enhanced your professional development.
• Provide a 5,000-word critique of a PhD thesis relevant to your research area.

Final Assessment:

• Complete a 70,000-word thesis based on your original research.
• Defend your thesis in a formal viva (oral examination).
• Submit a 5,000-word reflective report outlining how the DBA program contributed to your professional growth and how you’ve applied your learning to practice.

Supporting Your Studies:

The DBA is a rigorous program, but we provide robust support to help you succeed. Your supervisors will guide you throughout the course, offering constructive feedback and mentorship as part of your professional development plan.

You’ll also benefit from access to professional development courses and the University’s world-class library resources, available both on-campus and online. Regular research colloquia offer opportunities for peer review and collaborative learning.

For those looking to expand their academic skills and networks, we encourage you to prepare research papers and present at conferences. This will help you further refine your expertise and contribute to your field.