Does a DBA have more utility than a Ph.D?

My DBA is in Information Systems and my dissertation in component based software. DBA's in IS are acceptable for teaching computers in computer based information systems programs or IT programs but not in computer science department or engineering. As a mater of fact, a DBA in IS is preferred to teach in IS than PhD in Computer Science. I decided a DBA in IS as PhDs in Computer Science are dime a dozen nowadays and business with computers is a bit of a niche market.

 

A DBA might be better in the sense that you will be allowed to prepare an applied research project rather than a theoretical one. The research methodology and steps are the same but if you are more comfortable with applied research then the DBA is the way to go. As for the job market, in the US most schools would take a DBA for a faculty position but not the case in the UK or Australia. In the UK or Australia, the PhD is seen as the academic degree and the DBA as the practicioners degree but it is common to see DBAs in administration or adjunct positions in these countries.

However, more than the difference between the two, it is important that you graduate from a school with some credibility as the typical questions you get in an interview is "Where is that school?" and "What is their reputation". Doing a distance degree is hard enough to explain but it becomes harder if the school is very new or online based only.

 

Another consideration which might be becoming more and more important is accreditation.

Since AACSB has taken the lead in this regard, an AACSB-accredited DBA would probably provide more utility than a non-accredited PhD in business administration, both in industry and academia.

When looking for doctoral programs in business administration, I considered the following in order of importance, from most important to least. This is my own person opionion and has root with my professional needs:

1. Reputation/ranking of business school
2. Reputation/ranking of university
3. AACSB accreditation of program
4. Residency requirements
5. Costs
6. PhD or DBA

Sometimes really great business schools are not yet AACSB-accredited, but are on the way. Sometimes there are really great business schools within average universities.

 

Re: Re: Re: Does a DBA have more utility than a Ph.D?

It ain't that bad, is it? Lots of scholars are ABD and working on their dissertations remotely. It's probably the most common example of graduate distance education going. It's not always because they just couldn't finish anything, it could be because they wanted to eat and have shelter: I lived with a grad student living on the stipend/GTA and student loans (my wife)--the lure of a job to bring in some income is very strong, and many take it. It's very common to jump after two or three years, take a job at a small college that only requires a Masters, and finish up--or start--the dissertation while teaching there and ABD. One of the Math profs where I teach is ABD at a major university and teaches at this little college here. The campus where she's working on the PhD is a hours away. People do it cross country.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with indicating ABD status on your CV. I have seen many academic job postings requiring a "PhD or ABD" from quite reputable schools.

 

However...

Those postings generally indicate ABD but actually working on your dissertation. You are not a doctor until you write the dissertation....

 

Yes, of course. Actually, you are not a "doctor" until you write your dissertation, defend it and are actually handed your diploma which confers the degree of "Doctor of ....."

 

Do most put on their resume PhD(cand) vs Phd(ABD)? I guess it depends on timelines but I don't know.

How do most people do it who are ABD? Many schools have policies off how long you can remain a candidate at ABD stage right?

 

You may use either "PhD cand" or "ABD." Those in the know (and your prospective employer, assuming you're applying for a degree-relevant job, ought to be one of these) will be aware that both mean that you're working on your dissertation.

 

Uh, no, not quite. The diploma is irrelevant. The degree is yours when the degree is conferred, regardless of when the diploma arrives.

It is common practice, however, for candidates at all levels to "use" their degrees once all the requirements have been met. This is often signified by a letter from the school informing the candidate that the program is completed.

At Union, doctoral learners are done when their materials are accepted by the dean and a letter is sent to that effect. They officially graduate at the end of that month.

 

when you get the degree

I wondered about this. I know a fellow who began using the Dr. in front of his name after sucessfully defending. He said the profs said that it was over and that we was a Dr. That was a carnagie I institution in Florida but I don't know.