Could someone please explain why someone with an MBA would want or need a DBA. Surely, if someone enjoyed research, they would do a Phd. So what position or job would one need a DBA for?
Hello, Main reason for getting one is that you want one! It is a long and lonely pursuit that takes years. I'm almost half way through and keep asking myself this question daily. Secondary reason is that I teach part-time and it allows you to move to a higher pay grade. Thirdly, it will be a good credential for consulting or other pursuits later on. Fourth, You want to continue your study in business beyond your MBA. Lastly, you need to have masochistic tendencys! This is my input to the question. Others?
The label DBA and PhD have been somewhat overlapping over the years. Some schools - such as Harvard and a few southern schools - only award the DBA. Others award both (some with little disticintion). Yet other schools differentiate the DBA as a practitioner degree. Of late it seems that the PhD label has been on the rise. NSU, for one, is switching. Others, such as Indiana, used to award the DBA but have now switched to PhD. When it comes to employment in university settings - most of the ads I see ask for a PhD or DBA in business. Regards - Andy
I have a bit of a different perspective: When I met with my local University dean in relation to a job, I asked if there was a difference in the DBA and PhD (from a hiring point of view). he said no, they are both considered Doctorates. The DBA is more based on theory and the PhD is more based on reseach. I am looking into the DBA, just due to the constraints I have, but I think they are interchangeable.
The DBA in some countries like Australia and UK, is nothing more than the American PhD. The PhD in these countries is research only and the DBA came as an alternative for those that were looking for course work and dissertation (as the American PhD). Universities will consider both a terminal degree that is suitable for teaching jobs. A DBA is easier to follow by DL since it has a structure and milestones, the PhD is harder to follow by DL since you don't have a milestones and it is all or nothing.
While the MBA covers the professional administration of the holistic enterprise and its various operational factors such as economics, finance, management, and technology, the DBA addresses philosophical issues such as positioning the enterprise within its cultural environment, shareholder wealth vs public good, technology and cultural impact etc. but still from a professional practitioner perspective rather than that of a researcher or professor.
Re: Re: Why get a DBA??? This is from the CCU perspective. Most of the DBAs at other universities require a great amount of research, the only difference is that the research for the DBA can be applied to practical business problems.
Re: Re: Re: Why get a DBA??? ...no...it was my perspective. I didn't suggest that research isn't required for the DBA just that I think a DBA is more applicable to the practitioner rather than the those who are research or education-oriented (which is what the PhD is designed for); however, the DBA certainly can be used for those purposes.
The way I like to differentiate the utility of the degrees is to suggest that generally the PhD is for the practicing scholar while the DBA is for the scholarly practitioner. Thus, the PhD is concerned with research aimed at creating theory and knowledge, while the DBA is focused on the practical application of theory in the field. The PhD student gravitates to an extremely narrow area of specialization, while the DBA student dwells in the whole broad spectrum of business and management. There has been some blurring over the years, however, such that these statements will not always hold true, depending on the particular program and its objectives being reviewed.
