Doctor of Business Administration
The Doctor of Business Administration is a thesis-only program specifically formulated to support high achieving professionals who wish to study a managerial problem through action research. The Doctor of Business Administration program focuses on the further development of analytical problem solving and communication skills for practicing managers. The DBA program provides a research-based approach to managerial decision making and is designed for the action-oriented professional looking to provide real world solutions to managerial problems facing their organization.
Participants in the DBA program wish to bring their years of managerial knowledge and educational background to solve an existing problem using a structured, research-based methodology. As managers, we face new and interesting problems within the workplace on a daily basis. These issues require a structured analysis with the development of a set of actionable deliverables that managers can act upon. Participants will merge their existing academic and industry expertise with new knowledge to identify real-world actionable solutions to their identified managerial problem.
You will develop the necessary skills to assess a current managerial problem, evaluate the existing knowledge base, synthesize collected data, make recommendations, create best-practices and provide action items to effect positive change in your organization. Participants are change agents and solution providers within corporations, non-profits, government and consulting firms.
- Applied Action Research
- Analytical Skills Development
- Project Based Analysis
- Manuscript Based
- Executive Level Communication
- Coporate, IGO, NGo, Government
- Direct Entry To The Research Phase
- Managerial Effectiveness
- Solution Recommendation Focused
Completion Requirements
The 3-year accelerated thesis-only DBA program is designed for working professionals currently holding an MBA or equivalent who wish to study an existing managerial problem. Participants will complete a Research Skills module, develop a Research Plan followed by the research phase of the program. The program concludes with the completion of the DBA manuscript with and oral presentation to the evaluation committee. Candidates may also follow the program under the 5 year “Standard” study plan.
Program Modules
The program is designed around the completion of a series of modules that assist the candidate in developing the necessary applied research skills essential for the successful completion of the program. There is no repeat of business domain courses. Candidates from previous business programs such as BBA, BComm, MBA or MComm start immediately on their research interest.
The program begins with the explanation and understanding as to where one obtains appropriate research information. Skills are developed around the ability to find, assess, and determine the quality of information to be used in the completion of the research. In this module candidates develop the necessary knowledge to be a skilled researcher that may quickly find and evaluate materials from a variety of sources.
This module assist the candidate in completing the Action-oriented research plan that defines the managerial problem, supporting knowledge base, data sources, research method, deliverables and outcomes.
This module focuses on the completion of the DBA manuscript. The manuscript document illustrates the managerial problem at hand, provides a quantification of the cost of the problem to both a specific company as well as industry as a whole, examines the existing knowledge base, illustrates the data collection and analysis method employed, synthesizes the results to ultimately arrive at actionable managerial items and recommendations. For better understanding and implementation the research may highlight new practical frameworks or models.
The manuscript is presented to the Evaluation Committee. The Committee members take on the role of an Executive Board evaluating the merits of the recommendations and action plans put forward by the candidate with respect to the stated managerial problem in their capacity as an expert manager/consultant.
Master-in-Passing - MPhil / DBA
Candidates completing the Doctor of Business Administration program will also be awarded the Master of Philosophy in Business Research as a Master-in-Passing award. The degree is automatically awarded upon successful completion of the DBA program and no additional work is required. A Master-in-Passing degree is also known as a Master degree earned “en route” and is considered equal to a terminal Master degree.
Dual Degree - PhD / DBA Combined Program
Candidates completing the Dual PhD / DBA Combined program will be awarded both the PhD and DBA as separate degrees. They will also receive the M.Phil. in Business Research (Master-in-Passing) degree at the time of successful completion of the program. The combined program requires that the Candidate address both theory development within the requirements of the PhD as well as Praxis application within the requirements of the DBA. Successful completion is considered when theory and praxis are integrated into a coherent whole and provide a deep and developed understanding of the research.
The Doctor of Business Administration program enables the professional candidate to actively research a managerial problem facing their firm or industry. Using action-oriented, applied research techniques the DBA researcher can bring better understanding to the challenges being faced and pro-actively create positive change for their organization. The Monarch DBA focuses on developing actionable solutions that practicing managers can implement upon the completion of the research. These solutions come in the form of new benchmarks, best-practices, better frameworks and models as well as strategic understanding of the industry as a whole. This helps to position the researcher as well as their respective organizations for future competition.
Dr. Volschenk - Assistant Dean
The DBA Program at Monarch enabled me to research a domain of expertise that I was working in professionally for several years. I further developed a model addressing the regulatory strategies for new drug approval. My research have had a positive impact for myself, my company and patients in general.
Dr. Samrat Sisodia, USA
Robo-Advisory is a new trend in the financial services industry changing the nature of competition between players. I am researching the practical aspects of this change and preparing my company for the future competitive landscape. The research enables me to develop as an expert on the topic and positively contribute to success of my firm and industry.
Majid Al-Tunisi, Saudi Arabia
The program is open to professionals with more than 5 years of managerial experience with a Bachelor degree in Management (ex.: BBA), MBA or equivalent degree from a recognized institution. Applicants not holding a prior Business degree either at the Bachelor of Master level may enter the program with the requirement to complete the 10-month Monarch MBA program during the first year of studies. In this case, the MBA course fees are included in the DBA tuition fees.
Participant progress is assessed through the submission of various assignments per module. The program concludes with the completion of a doctoral manuscript. There are no exams within the program.
Participants demonstrate their action-oriented, solution based mastery of the managerial problem by developing new frameworks along with managerial recommendations, best-practices and actionable items. The manuscript is typically 150 to 200 pages in length.
Candidates complete the program via the Monarch Digital Campus (MDC). This enables completion of the program 24 x 7 from anywhere. Asynchronous completion means you are not required to be on the platform at any specific time. Complete the program to fit your schedule.
Please see the main tuition page for further information. Candidates may select the “Accelerated” 3 year duration or the “Standard” 5 year study program.
Applicants that do not have an MBA, MComm, or BComm will be required to complete a course load from the Monarch MBA program in order to qualify for entry to the DBA program.
The program has rolling admission and may be started on the 1st of each month. Deferred start applications are also accepted.
