At Northcentral University the Doctor of Business Administration degree program serves as preparation for
advanced positions of leadership in business, government, philanthropy, and policy and advocacy organizations.
NCU's 100% online doctoral business degree program emphasizes the application of research as a means to
solve organizational problems and to devise and execute strategy that is effective and
ethical. DBA Learners gain the skills to advance to top leadership positions and to retain
them through rigorous reflection on their professional experiences, in-depth exposure to the
insights offered by the world's leading organizations, review of both classic and cutting
edge theory and research, and the mastery of methods and techniques to identify, understand,
apply, and communicate strategically critical knowledge.
A dissertation is required to address a practical problem of an organization and as such is not required to constitute an original
contribution to the body of knowledge in Business Administration.
Objectives
The ongoing growth of the information economy and the increasing complexities of the workplace underlie the need for advanced
graduate training in business administration. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) online
doctoral business degree emphasizes the application and communication of research as the basis for sound business decisions. The DBA serves as preparation for advanced positions
of leadership and requires a dissertation.
The DBA dissertation comprises significant research intended to establish a learner's research competence through the application
of research to a practical business problem. Although a D.B.A. dissertation is required to address a practical problem of an
organization, it is not required to produce an original contribution to the body of knowledge in
Business Administration.
Requirements
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree requires 84 graduate semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Applicants
may transfer into the online doctoral business degree program up to 30 graduate credits. An additional 3 semester credits may be waived if the Learner has
demonstrated the 11 Core Professional Competencies (CPC) in prior undergraduate or graduate
coursework.
The dissertation preparation courses account for 24 of the total required credits. A comprehensive assessment is required
prior to approval of the dissertation proposal. To satisfy the dissertation requirement, the Learner researches and reports
on a topic in such a way as to contribute to the solution of a practical business problem.
NCU offers the online doctoral business degree (DBA) in 21 areas of specialization, allowing
Learners the opportunity to focus on what is meaningful to their professional growth and development. Learners
who complete at least 18 credits in a specialization may elect to have that specialization recorded on their
transcript and diploma. A specialization is not required.
DBA or PhD? Your choice is discussed here.