Overview

The DBA is a four-year, part-time program structured in two stages.

Stage one, the taught stage, consists of two years of course work that covers research philosophies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, research in support of business functions, literature review & critique, and human factors and social responsibility.

Stage two, the research and dissertation stage, lasts between two and three years. At this stage, the formal teaching aspect of the program ends and students are expected to use the knowledge gained from stage one to undertake a research investigation that represents an original contribution to professional practice that possesses exceptional academic merit.  DBA candidates are expected to tackle issues of real importance to their own organizations, delivering high-utility outcomes and enjoying the rewards of seeing their solutions beneficially implemented. During this period, the student's work will be overseen by two supervisors.

The program is completed after successful submission and defense of the dissertation.

The DBA program has five primary areas of focus:

• Communication skills
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.
• Autonomy, Teamwork and Leadership.
• Ethical and Civic Engagement.
• Discipline knowledge.
  
  

The following 10 Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) specify what DBA graduates will be able to do upon completion of the program,
PLO1.1 A	Develop oral presentations to communicate effectively and without guidance, using technologies to support the oral presentation of information where needed to academic and professional peers. (‘Creating’’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO1.2	Write effectively to communicate highly complex and diverse matters to expert audiences. (‘Creating’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO2.1	Apply a range of mastered skills and techniques including synthesis, evaluation, planning and reflection, required to critically extend and redefine professional practice and knowledge. (‘Applying’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO2.2	Apply advanced skills in developing innovative solutions to critical problems using expert skills, demonstrating intellectual independence. (‘Applying’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO3.1	Act with authority, creativity, autonomy, independence, scholarly and professional integrity. (‘Creating’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy)
PLO3.2	Demonstrate abilities associated with professional leadership of peer groups and teams. (‘Applying’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO4.1	Assess consistently and sensitively manage diverse ethical issues in highly complex contexts and make fair judgments. (‘Evaluating’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO4.2	Examine the complex social and cultural contexts of leadership. (‘Analyzing’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO5.1	Evaluate the state of research and practice in a business field and highlight possible ways to contribute to that field. (‘Evaluating’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).
PLO5.2	Create new knowledge in the field, through independent research, innovative and creative practical solutions to a challenging business problem through conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and adapting research processes in complex contexts. (‘Creating’ category in the revised Bloom’s taxonomy).