College of Business

Business Administration

doctor of Business Administration

About This Program

Program Purpose

The Doctor of Business Administration degree program (DBA) is designed to facilitate the continuing development of professionals as innovative leaders who wish to build upon master's-level core skills and knowledge. The DBA enables students to develop a higher level of competence in conducting applied research and in the comprehension of theoretical and applied literature in a chosen business discipline. The DBA helps students to develop critical knowledge and skills that will enhance their success in service to their profession and community; in future professional development; and in attaining credentials and skills that are essential to business consulting, management, and academia.

Program Competencies

Students will achieve an advanced level of skills and knowledge in key business functions. Upon graduation the student will be able to:

1. Oral Communication

Demonstrate advanced oral business communication skills by selecting appropriate communication tools and utilizing them in a highly effective, professional manner.

2. Written Communication

Demonstrate a high skill level in academic writing by properly utilizing information literacy and research methods, critically analyzing results, and expressing findings using clear, concise tools and writing styles and proper academic writing formats.

3. Disciplined Inquiry
  1. Exercise critical thinking strategies, including scientific reasoning for business problem definition, problem analysis, and evaluation of solutions and be able to appropriately apply them at high levels in organizational settings.
  2. Select appropriate research methods and be able to properly apply them to the economic, behavioral, and social science theories that provide the foundation for strategic research in business administration.
4. Information Literacy

Demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, and use information and information technologies to enhance the effective utilization and practice of business research.

5. Ethics

Properly evaluate and apply high ethical and legal principles to guide professional behaviors and decision-making in business organizations.

6. Professional
  1. Evaluate the theories and tools that are essential to implement change in the business environment and be able to apply them effectively at strategic levels.
  2. Formulate an understanding of the issues facing business leaders in a contemporary global environment and develop strategies to effectively address those issues.  

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2012 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.