Got an MBA? 3 Reasons to Pursue a DBA
Posted on March 22, 2013 by Dr Xavier V Bruce, One of Thousands of Performance Coaches on Noomii.
What's up, doc? Learn how to become a Doctor of Business Administration in less than 3 years...
I’m not talking about DBA as in “database administrator” or “doing business as,” but a Doctorate of Business Administration. Most people interested in pursuing the highest level of formal education opt for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. I would like to share 3 reasons why people may want to consider pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), especially if they are a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
1. It may be quicker!
According to the latest U.S. census data on degrees earned by field, 1 out of 4 Master’s degrees are in the business field. Those who already possess a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) may be able to graduate from a DBA program in less than 3 years! Here’s how. Some DBA programs are designed for 36 months, but if you completed an MBA within 5 years of beginning the DBA program, your school may waive some core courses of the DBA program. Schools also offer a PhD in Business Administration programs that may waive credit hours. In my case, the school waived 15 credit hours toward my DBA. Therefore, my 36-month program of study was slashed by 10 months. Yes, this means that I completed the DBA program in a little over 2 years!
2. It may be more relevant!
DBA graduates are considered scholar-practitioners, which means they leverage the knowledge gained in their doctoral research to develop effective and efficient business practices. While other doctoral programs are designed to add to the body of knowledge regarding their field of study, the DBA program is intended to provide graduates with the skill set to effectively solve business problems. Whether you plan to own your own business or make managerial decisions in the corporate world, a DBA may offer increased credibility.
3. It’s emerging!
The most recent U.S. census data on degrees earned by ethnicity indicates that African-Americans account for only 6.5% of the total doctoral degrees earned in our nation. More than likely, DBA degrees account for an even smaller percentage because they are relatively new to academia; therefore, you will be part of a new breed of business problem solvers.
Our society will increasingly rely on scholar-practitioners to help solve business problems. If you are a business owner, the DBA credential may look mighty attractive to potential customers. In the grand scheme of things, achieving any type of doctorate is a testament to your commitment, dedication, and perseverance. I’m not knocking any other doctoral program because any of them will allow you to join the top percentage of the U.S. population regarding higher learning. If you are thinking about taking your education to the next level, consider choosing a relevant and emerging degree program that may take less time to finish than you ever imagined
