Doctorate of Business Administration Westford University College

Challenging, Flexible, and Global

Take your career to the next level whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance!

Earning the coveted doctorate degree program from a reputed university is a dream for many professionals! This requires dedication and commitment to make one of the most significant decisions in life. Doctorate of Business Administration or DBA program is a complete doctoral degree but comes with few contradictions to an academic-oriented Ph.D. degree. Doctorate of Business Administration is available in online or part-time study modes. DBA degree specializes in effectively utilizing key professional experience in pursuing industry implied research.

DBA degree is developed and delivered in partnership with Universidad Catolica De Murcia (UCAM), Spain, ranked among top 10 universities in Europe by Times Higher Education Ranking-2019 for Quality Education. The final degree is issued by UCAM which will be awarded at the convocation held at University in Spain.

About the University

Founded in the year 1996, UCAM is a fully accredited European University with a clear mission: to provide students with the knowledge and skills to serve society, to contribute to the further expansion of human knowledge through research and development.

UCAM empowers students to develop their own real-world skills. The campus’s top-class infrastructure, its labs, and studios, allied with practical learning components will prepare students to put their acquired knowledge into action. Students have to complete an internship in a public or private institution where they will receive a taste of their future field of expertise.

UCAM has established more than fifty research groups in close collaboration with enterprises such as Coca-Cola, DANONE, Vodafone, and Siemens, providing some students with the opportunity to contribute academically. UCAM is among the first universities to adapt its programs to the European Quality System for Education, following the Bologna Process.

What is a DBA?

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a blended part-time professional doctoral degree with an international scope and reputation, designed to enhance executive and professional practice through the application of sound theory and rigorous research into real and complex issues in business and management. The part-time DBA program enhances the capability of the learners to develop knowledge theory, their application in business. A key aspect of the program is to develop personal, consultancy, and research skills in the context of rigorous and relevant research.

DBA and PhDs – Equal but Different

The Doctorate of Business administration or DBA is an executive-level program designed for working professionals with extensive managerial experience as well as a master’s degree, who are looking to advance further in their career. DBA program has both rigor and relevance as it contributes to theory, practice, and research in business and management. The online or part-time DBA program is a full-fledged Doctoral degree, but contrary to the Ph.D., there is a focus on professional experience. The Ph.D. program is targeted towards those interested in pursuing research-focused careers in academia.

Who should consider a DBA?

Doctorate of Business Administration is driven by a desire to ignite real change in their companies or fields through data-driven decision-making. The online or part-time program will be of particular benefit to experienced C-level executives, senior managers, department heads, consultants, management educators, and entrepreneurs. The DBA degree experience challenges the learner to sharpen critical and analytical expertise. You will develop your skills in research to become an expert in your domain with a proven ability to think outside the box.

Program Structure

The Doctorate of Business administration or DBA program offers well-structured coursework, designed to build research competencies. This is followed by a research project that aims to demonstrate the skills and knowledge gained in the initial course work, contributing to the improvement and enhancement of the existing business practices.

DBA is structured in two stages.

• Stage 1: This is comprised of five modules taught in year 1, contributing to 60 ECTS Credits.
• Stage 2: Upon successful completion of stage 1, learners progress to complete the final "Practice-Based Thesis" which is required to be completed in 2 years since the beginning of the research.

The maximum duration to complete the research is 3 years with a minimum time frame of 1 year.

Early Exit Award

Successful students of stage 1 will be awarded Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Management by Universidad Catolica De Murcia, Spain if the student decided to exit without completing the final research thesis.

Duration

• Learning Stage - 1 Year
• Research Stage - 2 Years

Though the term for research is 2 years the learner can extend it for 1 more year. An ambitious student can even complete the research in one year also based on their schedule.

Module Details

Year 1

The purpose of Year One is to provide a theoretical and practical foundation in research methodology for advanced empirical research within the management field. The later part of Year One is to apply knowledge and understanding of research methodology to an actual pilot study and overall thesis proposal and to reflect on own performance as a researcher.

• Research Methodology and Methods - 10 ECTS
• Research Issues within Contemporary Management - 10 ECTS
• Interim Research Project (Pilot Study) - 10 ECTS
• Designing a Research Project (Thesis Proposal) - 20 ECTS
• Developing as a Researcher (Individual Reflection) - 10 ECTS

Year 2 & 3

The purpose of the 2nd and 3rd year is to conduct full-fledged primary research under the supervision of a guide. The two years are used to produce a detailed thesis meeting the expectations of research required at the doctoral level.

• Practice-Based Thesis - 120 ECTS

The research journey is facilitated through well-developed digital resources, personal tutor, and research guide support. This learning and research experience challenges you to sharpen your critical and analytical expertise. You will develop research skills to become an expert in your field with a proven ability to think outside the box. The program is designed to fit into the busy schedule of senior executives ensuring the work-life-learn balance is not compromised.