I see several members with Doctorate of Business Administration degrees. Other than being a college professor, what is the value of this type of program? Does it, or rather did it, buy you anything more than what an MBA bought? I have worked with hundreds of Phd's over the years- mainly Chemists, Physicists, Process Engineers, etc. I have also worked with a lot of double major (MBA and PhD in usually a physical science), but never a DBA. Just curious...
I have met several DBA, most involved with cost analysis of major aerospace programs, and one involved in consulting for big medical groups.
That's a tough question because it's difficult to attribute success or reward directly to the attainment of a degree (as opposed to one's performance). That said, I think a DBA has merit in a corporate setting since there is the potential for higher level insight regarding business functions and organizational motivation along with a much greater appreciation for scientific principles as applied to decision making. I think this can have a very positive effect on your professional performance which translates to monetary value, but it would be very individualistic.
To be quite honest, the DBA is normally good for teaching at the University level. The rest of the world doesn't really care about this qualification. Some people think that you are a Data Base Administrator or some would wonder what it is, it is better to keep you business card with MBA only since this is what people know. The DBA is also good to publish papers and books, editors feel that you are qualified to write since you are a doctor.
In business, the PhD in Business is an academic degree (as is every other PhD degree) and is intended primarily for teaching and research. The DBA is a professional doctorate like the PsyD, EdD, DPA, DSc, DHS, DMA, etc., and is aimed at the practitioner who applies theory in the field rather than creating it in academe. Obversely, it is also true that virtually any university will also welcome a DBA on faculty (to bring a practical perspective to students to counterbalance the mostly theoretical bent of the PhDs), and PhDs in Business are known to inhabit the business world too in different capacities. So there is not an impenetrable wall of demarcation in that respect. Generally speaking, the MBA is considered the terminal degree in the business world, and very few PhDs in Business or DBAs are actively recruited. But that is not to say that Harvard or other DBAs have not served as company CEOs/Presidents either--they have. David A. April BA, University of Massachusetts at Amherst MBA, Boston College ACM, Boston College DBA, California Pacific University C.A.M., Institute of Certified Professional Managers CM, Institute of Certified Professional Managers CRM, Institute of Certified Records Managers
It depends on the subject area of business you're talking about. While I've never encountered a PhD in business, the potential for accountants is substantial. The starting pay for an Accounting Professor fresh out of their PhD program is around $105,000 in a school like Virginia Tech, once they've taught for a couple of years and move up and gain tenure, it increases to $150-175K. The same position for an Economics PhD, Management PhD, or Marketing PhD would be considerably less. Finance PhDs are probably a little more. I've spoken with Deans in several large universities and they indicate that the reason PhDs in Accounting are paid so well in academia is because they could easily be recruited away to industry. Take that for what it's worth.
All that trouble to get a six figures income. No wonder is better to go get the CPA certification, it is more efficient as far time and money invested and you will still get the six-figure income easy.
I don't know where you live, but I don't know too many CPAs in Virginia who are pulling in $150K. Most are in the $70K-$80K range.
I live in Miami. Six-figure income starts with $100,000 not with $150,000. There are numerous ways to accomplish this income and beyond. Moreover, of course I do know several CPA that do pull over $100,000. If you check most of the classifies on the internet (monster.com etc...) and or local listing (in my area), you will see how far the CPA certification can take you. Nevertheless, for that you will have to be flexible as well, meaning that will have to work your A$$ off and have no life. Then again, what is the purpose of making a ton of money you cannot enjoy? My two cheles!
