DURATION
2 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Rushford Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a 180 ECTS credits doctoral program designed to equip business students, managers, practitioners, and leaders with high-level knowledge, research, and analytical skills so that they can apply these personal and professional attributes to solve the most complex business problems. In contrast to programs at the master level, the DBA program focuses on the application of theory to real-world business challenges. Students are expected to go through a transformative learning process that enhances their research skills, so they view business situations differently with an emphasis on applying research methods and finding solutions that lead to organizational efficiency, growth, and long-term sustainability.
This is a flexible though rigorous program that can be completed 100% online. Students define the pace at which they complete the program. Based on the pathway that the student chooses (Coursework vs Research), the duration of the program will vary significantly. Most students are expected to achieve the qualification within 3 years of joining the program. However, the research pathway can lead to the qualification in less than 3 years.
The Rushford DBA in Operational Management program focuses on applied research so that executives, managers, and practitioners can start applying what they learn in the program in their organizations in real-time. We focus on ensuring that our students develop a very high level of expertise in all areas of business and Operational Management. The coursework will also focus on the enhancement of research skills, writing skills, presentation skills, critical and analytical thinking skills, and change management skills.
The Rushford DBA program can be completed either through a coursework-based pathway or a research-based pathway. More information is available on these pathways in the courses section of this program page.
Rushford offers Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE) and thus a formal master’s degree is not mandatory for entering this program. However, a prior bachelor’s degree is mandatory for entry into this program.
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Program Tuition Fee
Program Outcome
Upon completing the program, students should be able to:
- Apply research methodologies to study the business situations and address business challenges
- Conduct primary and secondary research to understand business challenges
- Apply a deep understanding of business and Operational Management fundamentals and practices to predict outcomes
- Develop a high level of command over business communications
- Articulate complex ideas, strategies, plans, and tactics in a clear and effective manner
- Develop a high level of proficiency in creating meaningful reports that use data collection, data cleaning, data interpretation, and engaging reporting with the use of data visualization
- Engage in academic and professional research activities that may lead to publications in peer-review journals
- Develop high-level proficiency in applying robust research methodologies, study design, and study conduct in producing a thesis at the end of the program as part of the requirement for the conferring of the doctorate qualification
Career Opportunities
The Rushford DBA in Operational Management is a fantastic opportunity for students and professionals to compete for a variety of high-level roles in organizations including educational institutions.
A DBA qualification certainly helps students and professionals to demonstrate the commitment and expertise to assume such roles. After completing this program, the student either accelerate their growth in their current organizations or transform their career to move to new business and industry domains as well as into the area of teaching at universities or business schools. This program provides the critical training and research skills required by aspiring managers and executives to handle challenging business situations and thus demonstrate the capability to assume roles with the highest level of responsibility and accountability.
At Rushford, we work with each student to understand their professional goals and aspirations and offer the right mix of mentorship, guidance, and skill-building that increases their chances to achieve their goals. Our mentorship program as well as the availability of a myriad of tools and resources help students to gain confidence in facing real-world business challenges as well as apply a high level of research and analytical thinking to solve business problems.
Curriculum
Students can complete the DBA program through two different pathways.
Mixed Mode
The DBA in Operational Management mixed-mode pathway focuses on coursework completion and gaining a high level of knowledge and applied research skills before moving to the dissertation phase of the program. This pathway is particularly suited to graduates, junior to mid-level managers with less than 5 years of experience in business and management.
| Course |
| Business Foundation Course |
| Quantitative Research Methods in Business |
| Qualitative Research Methods in Business |
| Quantitative Business Data Analysis |
| Philosophy and Process of Applied Business Research |
| Experiments and Survey Designs |
| Theories of Organizations |
| Theory Development |
| Advanced Management |
| AI/ML & Data Visualization Methods for Research |
| Advanced Financial Management (3 Part Course) |
| Organizational Leadership – Doctoral Theory and Practice |
| Business Strategy and Innovation |
| Human Resource Management |
| Doctoral Dissertation Preparation |
| Doctoral Dissertation and Oral Defense (20000 -25000 words) |
Research Mode
This DBA in Operational Management through research pathway is well suited for candidates who have significant management and business experience, usually over 5 years. A doctoral mentor will be assigned early in the program to work with the student towards the preparation of the dissertation.
| Course/Assignment |
| Business Foundation Course |
| Operational Management (3 Part Course) |
| Written Dissertation proposal – 5000 Words |
| Written Dissertation and Oral Defense (45000 to 50000 words) |