NCU offers a DBA !!

http://www.ncu.edu/university_information/dpro_det.asp?degree_program_id=17

 

I just looked and didn't see the difference. What is the difference between the PhD in BA and the DBA? They look the same to me.

 

Statistics appears to be optional for the DBA, at least in the Criminal Justice option.

 

I am on hold right now to get more info but the website says-

Doctor of Business Administration Overview
The D.B.A. serves as preparation for advanced positions of leadership in business, government, philanthropy, and policy and advocacy organizations. The D.B.A. degree emphasizes the application of research asa means to solve organizational problems and to devise sound strategy that is effective and ethical.

Objectives:
The ongoing growth of the information economy and the increasing complexities of the workplace underlie the need for advanced graduate training in business administration. The Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) emphasizes the application and communication of research as the basis for sound business decisions. The D.B.A. serves as preparation for advanced positions of leadership and requires a dissertation.

I believe a PhD is more research based and a DBA is more of a practical application of theory. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

Allegedly, the DBA dissertation is more practical and applied while the PhD dissertation is supposedly more theoretical. Theoretically speaking, PhDs in Business Administration are supposed to seek out business professorships while DBAs are supposed to seek out leadership positions in the corporate world. Nevertheless, there are plenty of DBAs in academia and plenty of corporate PhDs.

 

The PhD requires an oral defense of the dissertation. The DBA does not.

 

Is this a general rule or is that observation just valid as for NCU?

 

The E.D.D. is the only descriptive page that states ,

"The dissertation is the capstone academic achievement of the Ed.D. The Ed.D. dissertation is applied, project based and results in a product designed to produce appreciable improvements in the Learner’s school or organization and must also impact the Learner’s leadership growth. Although applied and project based, the Ed.D. dissertation is a scholarly document. To earn the Ed.D. you must demonstrate the ability, drive, and determination; and NCU will provide the faculty mentors, the academic support and process to assist you to reach your high academic goal. No oral defense is required for the Ed.D. "

I would make certain that the D.B.A. is free of oral defence.

MP

 

If there is no oral defense, then wouldn't it be more akin to a final project, rather than a dissertation?

 

I don't think so. I don't think whether or not it is defended has any impact on the size, scope, or originality of a dissertation.

 

So a thesis would simply be articulated and then defended-in-writing, albeit not defended at an oral defense?

 

So, the only difference between the DBA here and the PhD is that the DBA is not orally defended?

Seems like both programs still require a dissertation. Unless I am missing something on an oral defense it seems that there must be more difference to it than that.

I have always heard the DBA is focused on practical vs theory. But, the courses seem like they are the same.

Bing

 

NCU's DBA does not appear to have an oral defense. The final doctoral course for the DBA is DIS9027DBA - Doctoral Dissertation Final Review - the description for the course is below.

Continuation of DIS9017DBA in which the dissertation process is completed. The manuscript is prepared, reviewed and submitted for final approval. A presentation to the learner's dissertation committee is optional, depending upon the Learner’s preference, but is not required. Candidates for the D.B.A. must maintain continuous enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

DIS9027DBA - Doctoral Dissertation Final Review

Compare this to the final PhD BA course: DIS9027B - Doctoral Dissertation Defense - which is described as follows:

This course is a continuation of DIS9017B in which the dissertation process is completed. The manuscript is prepared, accepted, and the oral defense is conducted.

DIS9027B - Doctoral Dissertation Defense

 

Veddy Veddy interesting.

 

What exactly do they mean by "approved institution?"

http://www.ncu.edu/university_information/dpro_det.asp?degree_program_id=17


Admission Requirements:
Admission to the Doctorate programs requires a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited or approved institution.

 

The difference between them.

Has anyone received a definite answer yet between the programs? I am in the PhD BA program at NCU and I don't see a difference. The classes are the same.

 

Re: The difference between them.

Appears to be largely a marketing approach.

 

Re: The difference between them.

PhD = dissertation theoretical + oral defense mandatory
DBA = dissertation practical, applied + oral defense optional

 

probably refers to California-approved schools

 

Given the choice, why would I want to have a DBA instead of a PhD? Isn't the PhD more recognized as the penultimate of academic acheivement? Is the oral defense sooooo hard or intimidating that a DBA would be preferable? Even if I were much more interested in applied problems, I'm sure I would find a way to focus on theory for a dissertation. Of course, maybe this is offered for people who can't seem to pass statistics (i.e. give these people a chance to transfer to the DBA program so they can keep paying tuition.)

In context of their current programs, the DBA seems highly redundant and unnecessary.