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Waterford Institute of Technology

Business Administration - DBA

Description
What is the Doctor of Business Administration?
The DBA programme focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge to the advancement of management and business practice, and is designed to develop the analytical, conceptual, and critical thinking skills of senior business and management professionals.

This is a distinctive, research-issue driven programme that is orientated towards senior executives in managerial roles, and combines workplace and professional engagement with the scholarly rigour of the academic institution. This qualification is increasingly recognised by international business and management schools as the most appropriate post-MBA (or equivalent Master degree) route to combining academic research on management and business with further personal and professional development.

The four year part time programme is innovative in its structure, combining three significant milestones on the doctoral process; advanced research skills workshops, cumulative paper series and the completion of the DBA thesis, all of which centres around addressing an organisational issue of interest. The programme is designed to facilitate senior manager access, with a 2-3 day block on campus each semester. The WIT DBA utilises a blended learning approach, combining the latest technologies for remote access and communications.

Special Feature
The programme allows participants' to understand prevailing practices in the subject area of their field of research; to acquire the necessary understanding and expertise in appropriate research design, data- collection methods and data-analysis techniques; to conduct, write-up and disseminate high-quality research of doctoral standard; and to achieve a greater level of effectiveness in managing business innovation and change.

The DBA is the international post-masters qualification for senior management advancement. This business doctorate develops management expertise through rigorous research design, positioning the DBA graduate for rapid organisation and career progression.

Entry requirements

This programme is intended to meet the strong demand for professionals who have completed a high level of training in management and business-related areas, and who possess highly developed skills in undertaking research. Applicants should also display a competence in solving problems analytically and in separating opportunities and challenges in terms of cause and effect.

Specifically, we look for:
•MBA (or equivalent Master degree)
•Five years management experience, ideally at senior level
•Satisfactory performance at the admission interview
•Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT's English Language Requirements for details.

Duration

4 years part-time/blended.

Further enquiries

Course Leader
Prof. Denis Harrington
B.Comm (Hons), MBA, PhD, FRSA - Head of Department of Graduate Business
Tel: 51302427
Email: DHARRINGTON@wit.ie

Course Leader
Dr. Sean Byrne
BA ACMA MBS PhD - Lecturer in Accounting and Research Methods
Tel: 51302464
Email: sbyrne@wit.ie

Course Leader
Dr. Patricia Bowe
Lecturer in Accounting
Tel: 051 834027.
Email: PBOWE@wit.ie

Subjects taught

Modules:
We aim to develop the participant's ability to undertake independent research at an advanced level and make a significant contribution to knowledge and professional practice through the evaluation of business management structures, contexts and processes.

Through the application of research to business problems and issues, the programme focuses on the skills required to contribute to the enrichment of trans-disciplinary professional practice in management, and to lead organisations facing a complex global business environment.

Stage 1: Workshop Series
Professional Skill Development
Advanced Management Studies
Research Design
Research Paper: Preparation & Delivery
Data Analysis

Stage 2: Cumulative Paper Series
Colloquium Paper
Philosophy and Literary Findings
Methodology/Research Design
Research Findings

Stage 3: DBA Thesis
Discussions, Reflections and Conclusions
Thesis Production
VIVA

This three-stage programme concentrates on the enhancement of professional practice by:
•Focusing on professional development
•Enhancing enterprise leadership & development skills
•Assimilating knowledge
•Honing analytical, conceptual & critical thinking skills
•Developing advanced research skills

Following completion of a series of workshops in Stage 1, participants will submit a research proposal, to be presented at a doctoral colloquium. Students will then research and write up a series of research papers in Stage 2, guided by an academic mentor and a WIT working paper series, before submitting and defending their thesis in Stage 3 of the programme.