Pursuing higher education after a bachelor’s degree can be a great way to enter the world of business, but oftentimes, a master’s degree or doctoral program can help you to stand out from the crowd. There are different kinds of business master’s degrees, the most popular being a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), but there are only two options for a terminal degree: a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a Doctorate in Business Administration (PhD).

So, what is a DBA degree? And how is it different from a PhD? If you look up the DBA degree meaning, you’ll find that the difference lies in the area of focus.

DBA vs PhD Program in Business Administration

On the surface, a DBA and a PhD in Business Administration seem like the same degree because of their titles. While they are both academically rigorous terminal degrees, they set you up for completely different careers. As a business administration DBA candidate, think about your professional goals and if you plan to be a doctoral student, and then consider the purpose and career opportunity of each degree:

• PhD – A research-oriented PhD program that focuses on development of new business theories, research methods, and leads to careers in academia, like contributing to research and publishing journals, or teaching at a university level under a  business administration program or related subjects.
• DBA – A degree focused on the real-world application of theories rather than the development of new ones. Educational career paths are more varied, like practicing business and business management in private sectors, nonprofit organizations, and government. You can still teach as an adjunct professor but likely would not have the research experience to teach full-time. Wondering if a DBA is right for you? Click here to learn more about the DBA program. 

To put it simply, if you’re interested in advancing as a business professional and enjoy working in the industry, a DBA program may be right for you.¹

Benefits of a DBA Degree

Even if you’ve decided that a doctoral degree suits you, you may still be unsure whether or not it’s worth pursuing a terminal degree, especially if you already have a master’s degree in business such as an MBA. However, there are unique benefits that come from pursuing and obtaining a doctoral degree in Business Administration.²

Varied Coursework and Opportunities

Organizational leadership and DBA programs in the United States have only become mainstream in the last decade. They combine an MBA’s managerial education with elements of a PhD’s research focus, while adding an independent thinking and problem-solving component, something the MBA and PhD don’t do.

Having this kind of variety in your education as a DBA student helps in your professional development. It means you’ll have the opportunity to network with professors and other students,  and form mutually beneficial relationships for the future. It also can better prepare you for a variety of open career paths within the realm of hands-on business and even international business.

Developing Leadership Skills

Business professors believe that a DBA establishes your ability as an individual, as opposed to the group-work focus of MBA.

When speaking to US News, Michelle Mielly, the academic director of the DBA program at the Grenoble Ecole de Management, explained the distinction as follows: “an MBA is where one learns the ‘recipes’ for management, whereas the DBA is where one ‘writes the recipes.’”

Income

Earning an advanced business degree has the potential to impact your career trajectory and earning potential. Employers know the value of employees who have invested time and effort in professional doctorate education such as the online DBA program.

Better Self-Confidence

As you progress through your online doctor business administration degree program, you’ll widen your business intelligence, deepen your understanding of strategic leadership and hone valuable technical skills, which can change your overall career outlook and empower you to take charge. A DBA graduate is often prepared for long-term success.

DBA is best suitable for the following leaders:

• Driven senior managers who want to gain the knowledge and expertise required to advance into highly senior positions
• Experienced professionals who want to enhance their practical experience and insight to develop new business models and strategies through applied research and analysis.
• Graduates of masters in a business administration degree program who want to attain the highest level of professional certification and further qualifications in business management. 

Careers You can Pursue as a Business Leader with DBA:

You might ask, “Can I teach with a DBA?” and the answer is an absolute yes. You can pursue the field of academia and teach business-related subjects at a university or college level. You can shape the next generation of business professionals. You can also be an academic administrator or an educational consultant. Here are other possible career paths paved for you.

Private sectors

• Senior Executive/Management Roles
• Business Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Business Development Manager
• Research and Development Manager
• Human Resources Director

Non Profit Sectors

• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Fundraising Manager
• Program Director
• Social Impact Consultant

Government Bodies

• Public Policy Analyst
• Economic Development Specialist
• Management Analyst
• Regulatory Affairs Manager 

How to Choose a Graduate Program

Enrolling in a business school that offers a comprehensive business administration program provides the foundation needed for success. With so many business schools to choose from, there are some deciding factors that will help you narrow down where you want to get your DBA. Here are the major things we recommend you consider if you would like to be a DBA student:

• Accreditation – Make sure the program you choose is accredited, meaning it upholds a certain level of educational standards.
• Program length – Typical programs take four or five years, but some can be completed in as little as three years.
• Student to faculty ratio – Having a smaller class size means you’ll be able to work more closely with a faculty mentor, which is an important part of developing a successful dissertation.
• In-person or online – Decide whether on- or off-campus is a better fit for your lifestyle.
• Financial aid – Education can be expensive, so if finances are a concern, look for schools that offer scholarships or grants.

DBA Degree at Alliant International University

Alliant International University has a DBA degree program offered by its California School of Management and Leadership (CSML), with three degree concentrations: Information and Data Science, Management, and Marketing. Here’s how the deciding factors look at Alliant:

• Accredited DBA by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Can be completed in as little as three years
• Small class sizes and a faculty mentor to guide you through your entire dissertation
• Offered online or on-campus in San Diego, California
• Financial aid support in the form of loans, work study, military aid, and grants

As a working professional in the next generation of global business, having your DBA can be a great way to prepare yourself, and a flexible degree program is the easiest way to get there. Many doctoral students opt for a DBA to improve their strategic thinking and research skills to make themselves valuable assets in the industries. In fact, most of our current students in the business program often come from diverse backgrounds, including seasoned professionals and international students who bring a global perspective to the classroom. Reach out to Alliant International University today to learn more about starting your journey to a better career in business.

Sources

1. Erskine, Mary Beth. “DBA Degree (Doctor of Business Administration) vs. Phd in Business.” DBA Degree (Doctor of Business Administration) Vs. PhD in Business. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.saintleo.edu/blog/dba-degree-vs-phd-what-s-the-difference#:~:text=A%20PhD%20is%20a%20research,its%20use%20in%20business%20practice. 
2. “What a DBA Degree Is and Why You Might Want One | Top …” Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/what-a-dba-degree-is-and-why-you-might-want-one. 
3. “Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree.” PayScale. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Business_Administration_(MBA)/Salary. 
4. Bestaccreditedcolleges.org. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/phd-vs-dba-salary.html. 

The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. Alliant International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of Alliant graduates. Alliant does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.