Want to List DBA as PhD on CV: Legally

Hi Esteemed Forum Members,

I have one question. In case one graduated with DBA, but want to list it legally as PhD on CV, what are options.

Will it be legal?

Will it be ethical?

Kindly instruct!

 

You’re kidding right?

 

The only way to do this is to go back to school and earn a Ph.D. degree. To list a DBA as a Ph.D. is unethical and dishonest. If you were to do that and applied to me for a job, I would reject your application immediately.

 

Haha, Dr. Pina, you crack me up...

 

Would you list an MBA with a concentration in Marketing as an MS in Marketing?

 

Legal? Probably, unless your lie creates a material fraud.

Ethical? If you need to ask, perhaps you do need kind instruction.

 

Simply list it as a Doctorate in ________________; people can then draw whatever conclusion they wish - most of which will be that you have a PhD. A lie, no; shady, yes!

 

Of course, I didn't mention the Universal Life Church route

 

+1, well said Dr. Piña, well said.

 

LOL - If you already have a solid DBA, why would you want to masquerade as a tweed-jacket-wearing pocket protector type who can't be safely brought to business meetings??

 

I am not quite sure how to take that comment...I do not have a pocket protector!

 

I love this forum.

 

I think I mentioned this before, but if your DBA degree is from a British or Australian school, you could get a WES equivalency report. The report I got from them says that my degree (DBA) is equal to an American PhD. I just state this in my CV when applying for jobs in the US. I list my degree as "Doctor of Business Administration (WES equivalency of a PhD in the USA)".

I let the employer decide how to call me (DBA or PhD) but most go with the WES report.

I don't use any degree letters after my name but my professional licenses.

In the past the DBA was equivalent to a PhD but I see that now some schools are offering the DBA as a watered down version of the PhD (Less courses, project instead of dissertation, no stats, etc) so I can see the reason to disguise your DBA as a PhD as people might feel at a disadvantage with a DBA.

At least in Australia, an MBA cannot pursue a PhD unless you do first a M.Phil or BA with honours degree. An MBA can only do the DBA without extra work. A DBA or a PhD take the same time (3 years full time or 6 years part time) and the only difference is that the DBA has some course work and the dissertation can be applied research and the word count can be less due to the extra course work.

If you really hate the acronym DBA that can be confused with "Database Administrator", just call your sell "Dr".

 

There is only one way to take it, push your glasses back up on your nose and find your pocket protector.

 

1. There is a material difference between a Ph.D. and a DBA.

2. Giving someone the wrong impression--or purposely leaving them with it--is a lie.

3. To most people, the difference between a Ph.D. and a DBA is not material.

4. Thus, it isn't worth it to correct them when they refer to your DBA as a Ph.D. However, it IS material if YOU give them that impression, explicitly or otherwise. So....

5. Don't.

6. But don't bother correcting people when it doesn't matter materially. It isn't worth it and it doesn't matter.

If, hypothetically of course, I was taking a second doctorate, this time something other than a Ph.D. If people were to mention (or ask about) my getting "a second Ph.D.," I wouldn't bother correcting them unless I was among those who routinely make those distinctions. Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth it and would only confuse things.

 

RFValve, other than NCU, what other universities in the U.S. are offering a DBA as a watered down version of the PhD with fewer courses, not requiring statistics, and not requiring a dissertation (but a project instead)? Can you name just one? Pray tell?

 

To list the DBA as anything other than a DBA is unethical.

 

Some examples below:


An Online University with Unlimited Possibilities - Columbia Southern University
DBA can be completed with a "Research project" instead of a dissertation

Doctor of Management - Organizational Development and Change
A 3 year part time Doctor of Management that can be completed
with a series of "series of articles" instead of a dissertation. Not something usual for a PhD.


Perhaps a clear example on how the "Doctor of Management" is considered inferior than a PhD is the the case of
Case Western University
Case Western University gives a "Doctor of Management" if a student finishes a 3 year program and
gives a "PhD in Management" if the student decides to do a 4 th year. So for case western the PhD = DM + 1

Discover Our Unique and Rigorous Executive Doctorate Degree Curricula - Weatherhead School of Management


I can name few more that follow the same logic.

 

Each of the 10 regionally accredited DBA programs in management that are also accredited by one of the three business accrediting agencies require dissertations. Nationally accredited programs (e.g. Columbia Southern) or those without the specialized business accreditation are another story.

The few Doctor of Management programs that we found were significantly different than the DBA and Ph.D. programs. Case Western's was probably the best.