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    Business Administration – Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

    Program Code - Title: DR061 - Doctor of Business Administration

    Campus

    City campus

    Description

    2008 RMIT Open Day, Sunday 10 August, 10am – 4pm

    Introduced in 1996, the RMIT Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has established itself as one of the leading professional business doctorates. The RMIT DBA is a professional doctoral program offered part-time over four years for senior executives who seek to further their successful career development through advanced studies and research.

    Business executives with leadership responsibilities must acquire and apply advanced knowledge and technology in innovative ways, which are appropriate for future business leadership. The RMIT DBA contributes to Australia's need to develop strategic management and leadership in our organisations by concentrating on high level professional knowledge and skills development.

    Program objectives

    The RMIT DBA aims to prepare senior executives to perform at the highest level of management practice. It aims to enhance the knowledge, ability and experience required to lead organisations facing a complex, competitive, global business environment.

    The DBA at RMIT University differs from other DBA programs, and from a PhD with coursework components, as it focuses on the application of knowledge within the context of the individual's workplace, using the individual's own experience as a base for learning.

    Places in the DBA program are restricted to a small group to provide individuals with a highly personalised program.

    The DBA is designed to:

    • enhance the individual's ability to provide effective leadership
    • address high level management problems and opportunities
    • stimulate individuals to respond more innovatively and creatively to business challenges
    • develop each individual's experience in tackling complex issues
    • improve understanding of high level work-based solutions
    • focus on long-term sustainable strategies rather than short term ad-hoc decision making
    • extend each individual's knowledge base in strategic management.

    Applicant Profile

    Strong motivation is required to complete the DBA program. Applicants will have completed an MBA or equivalent with excellent results. They will have a clear idea of how the DBA can help them achieve their objectives. Ideally, they will have an understanding of the area of professional practice that they wish to concentrate on for their supervised research component.

    An analysis of our candidate profiles in recent years reveals considerable diversity in the range of positions and industries: 46% are senior managers in industry, employed in functions such as strategy, finance, quality control, project management, human resources, or marketing; 20% are managing directors, CEOs or partners; 15% are directors or executive directors; and 15% are self-employed consultants.

    General information is available at Postgraduate Study at RMIT

    Useful links

    Research Supervisors and their Research Interests

    Research and Innovation at RMIT University

    Information for Research Students

    RMIT Research Centres

    Duration

    Only available part-time. The normal time for completion is four to six years—three years for the coursework component, followed by thesis. The maximum time allowed it eight years.

    Career Prospects

    The DBA involves highly advanced studies designed to enhance performance in the workplace. Both individuals and employers benefit from the program as research work can be based on the participant's work environment, to provide a direct and immediate return to his or her organisation. Participants strengthen their analytic skill base for use in management and consulting and on a personal level, leadership confidence and abilities are enhanced.

    The learning program allows participants to extend their learning into their workplaces by providing opportunities for constant reflection on theory and practice and as a result, develop more effective personal dynamics relevant to their management performance.

    From the viewpoint of a business or government employer or an individual wishing to pursue University study, investing in the RMIT DBA program will provide highly relevant training and develop executives to creatively solve current and future management problems and policy issues..

    Entrance Requirements

    A Master of Business Administration degree from a recognised university, or another coursework Master degree relevant to organisations and their management, or qualifications accepted as equivalent by the selection committee.

    In addition, a proportion of relevant work experience which should be post-MBA graduation.

    Participants will be selected on the basis of academic results in their MBA or other postgraduate study, their profession experience, their ability to undertake successful doctoral studies and their potential for professional leadership.

    Click here for further information .

    Application Procedures

    The next intended intake for this program will be 2009.

    Click here for further information .

    Fees

    Fees for 2007: $46,800 total program cost. ($162.50 per credit point)

    Fees are payable at the commencement of each semester and are recalculated annually.

    Postgraduate research scholarships
    Applications for the following scholarships, which provide a living allowance, are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia who have completed four years of undergraduate study (or equivalent) at a high level of achievement:

    • Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA); and
    • RMIT Research Scholarships.

    The scholarships are available for full-time research for up to two years for a Master degree and three years for a PhD. They are also available to students who are studying part-time, but there are restrictions on the allocation of part-time awards.

    Scholarship applications must reach the Higher Degrees Unit by no later than 31 October of the year preceding the one for which the scholarship is being sought.

    Postgraduate Research Scholarships

    General information for Postgraduate Research Students

    Record spend on RMIT scholarships
    RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

    Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

    Click here for further information .

    Program Structure

    The doctoral course includes professional development seminars and doctoral seminars. Doctoral-level courses extend each candidate's knowledge base in organisational theory, strategic management and research methods as well as providing a background for informed practice.

    In the DBA program each candidate has two mentors - an academic mentor and a business mentor - to supervise their independently undertaken professional practice research.

    The final step in the DBA is the completion of a thesis (of at least 50,000 words) on an approved topic.

    The doctoral thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to the advancement of professional practice, as well as demonstrating a level of competence appropriate for a doctoral award

    Class attendance and workload
    The DBA is designed for busy executives seeking advanced study with minimal disruption to work demands. However, to successfully complete the DBA, candidates must commit to regular attendance and participation in classes and program activities

    Significant time commitment is required for reading, consolidation of class work, preparation and assignments. Additional time commitment is required for research work.

    Currently no program structure is available online. Please contact the school listed under "Owning School" below.

    Contact Details

    Graduate School of Business
    Tel. +61 3 9925 5442
    Fax: +61 3 9925 5580
    Email: GSBresearch@rmit.edu.au

    Owning School

    Graduate School of Business

    Disclaimer

    Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.