Doctor of Business Administration
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is meticulously designed to provide seasoned professionals with an enriching and comprehensive academic journey aimed at attaining the highest level of scholarly and strategic expertise in business leadership.
MQF/EQF Level: 8
45 Enrolled
Overview
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is meticulously designed to provide seasoned professionals with an enriching and comprehensive academic journey aimed at attaining the highest level of scholarly and strategic expertise in business leadership. Over a structured duration of 3 years (full-time) or 5 to 7 years (part-time), candidates engage in six weekend schools, each dedicated to specific components that form the bedrock of advanced research and strategic thinking in the field.
1. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Business Leadership
2. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Business Leadership
3. Advanced Critical Thinking in Business Decision-Making
4. Scholarly Writing for Doctoral Success
5. Foundations of Inquiry: Unraveling Ontology and Epistemology in Doctoral Research
6. Crafting Significance: Strategic Decision-Making for Your Doctoral Inquiry
These core modules meticulously guide candidates through advanced research methods, critical thinking, scholarly writing, and the foundational aspects of inquiry, laying a robust foundation for their doctoral journey.
Part 1 of the program is a critical juncture, featuring the Doctoral Thesis Proposal Presentation and Defense. This phase contributes 80% to the overall evaluation and entails a comprehensive examination, including an interview and defense with the Level 8 Doctoral Theses and Professional Research Committee. Candidates present a succinct thesis proposal, limited to 7,500 words, articulating their research objectives, questions, and methodologies.
Part 2 focuses on crafting the Doctoral Thesis, allowing candidates to choose between the traditional monograph or the Compilation Thesis. The monograph, not exceeding 60,000 words, adheres to prescribed guidelines, while the Compilation Thesis showcases a curated collection of research contributions.
Part 3 the Viva Examination, serves as the pinnacle of the DBA journey. Candidates undergo a rigorous assessment led by internal and external examiners. This final stage provides a platform for candidates to defend their research and demonstrate a profound understanding of their scholarly contributions.
Throughout the program, candidates benefit from dedicated supervision, a blend of face to-face and online interactions, written feedback, and reviews of draft chapters. This ensures a balanced amalgamation of theoretical insights and practical applications, fostering the development of critical thinking, research skills, and strategic decision-making capabilities.
The DBA program culminates in the creation of a comprehensive scholarly contribution, reflecting the candidate’s advanced knowledge, originality in research, and ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of business leadership. This program equips candidates with the intellectual tools and research prowess necessary for leadership roles in academia, consultancy, and executive management.
If you want to explore more about the DBA program, download the brochure today to access comprehensive details on entry requirements, course structure, and benefits!
Aplication Form
Submit your completed application form along with all required documents. Once we receive your application, we will send a confirmation email. This step helps you expand your expertise and unlock new leadership opportunities with the DBA program.
You can download the application form by clicking the button below. If you need any assistance, feel free to contact us at info@eascencia.mt. We will be happy to help!
Download Application FormEntry Requirments
In order to be eligible for the DBA, students will need to provide:
Pathway 1:
1. Academic Qualifications:
- Completion of an MQF Level 6 Degree and an MQF Level 7 Master’s degree, amassing at least 240 ECTS credits in fields such as management, business administration, engineering, and education.
2. Professional Experience:
- Professionals from other disciplines who satisfy the Level 7 and Level 6 requirements, totaling 240 ECTS, and possess at least 7 years of managerial experience.
OR
Pathway 2:
1. Academic Qualifications:
- Hold a Level 7 Master’s Degree comprising 90 ECTS in management, business administration, engineering, education, or another relevant field.
- Hold a Level 5 Higher Diploma equivalent to 120 ECTS.
2. Professional Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of management experience in a specialized area directly pertinent to the doctoral research topic.
Definition and Assessment of Managerial Experience:
Minimum Level of Experience:
- At least 5 years of relevant managerial experience for Pathway 2.
- At least 7 years of relevant managerial experience for Pathway 1.
Qualifying Managerial Roles:
- Managerial experience should include roles with
significant supervisory or leadership
responsibilities. Examples of qualifying managerial positions
could include.
- Department Manager
- Project Manager
- Operations Manager
- Director
- Vice President
- Chief Executive Officer
Evaluation Criteria:
- The assessment of managerial experience will consider the scope of responsibilities, including decision-making authority, strategic planning, team leadership, and resource management.
- Applicants must provide detailed documentation of their managerial roles, including job descriptions, letters of reference, and any relevant certifications or professional achievements.
Introduction to the DBA Research Proposal
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Ascencia Business School provides an exceptional platform for seasoned professionals to bridge the gap between business theory and practical application. Rooted in the core values of entrepreneurship, digital management, and responsibility, the program is designed to develop thought leaders who can drive innovation and sustainability within their respective industries.
A critical component of your application is the submission of a DBA Research Proposal. This document is essential in outlining your intended research, demonstrating your ability to contribute to both academic knowledge and your professional field. The proposal allows you to showcase the originality of your research idea, its relevance to contemporary business challenges, and its potential impact on industry and society.
The research proposal should:
1 Define a clear and focused research question aligned with your professional expertise and industry needs.
2 Establish the significance of your research, explaining how it fills a gap in current academic or business knowledge.
3 Outline a methodological approach that is appropriate and feasible for answering your research question.
4 Project the expected outcomes and their application to both business theory and practice.
5 Include a timeline to demonstrate how you plan to execute the research within the time frame of the DBA program.
This proposal will not only provide you with a roadmap for your doctoral studies but will also help Ascencia Business School evaluate the viability and innovation of your project. As a DBA candidate at Ascencia, you will be part of a learning environment that emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, digital transformation, and a culture of responsibility, which are the pillars of our institution.
We encourage you to approach this proposal with a mindset of innovation and practical application, reflecting the school’s mission to produce business leaders capable of addressing the complexities of today’s global business environment.
Guidelines for Writing a Research Proposal at Ascencia Business School
1 Title of the Research
- Provide a concise and descriptive working title that reflects the focus of your research. Ensure the title includes key concepts and themes of the study.
2 Introduction and Research Background
- Contextualize your research within the existing literature and industry challenges.
- Clearly state the business problem or opportunity that your research addresses.
- Highlight the significance of your study in relation to both academic research and professional practice.
3 Research Questions or Hypotheses
- Formulate clear, focused, and researchable questions. If applicable, state your hypothesis.
- Ensure the research questions are specific, measurable, and aligned with the broader field of business administration.
4 Research Objectives
- Define 2-4 key objectives that guide your research.
- These objectives should outline the scope of your study and what you intend to achieve.
5 Literature Review
- Provide a summary of key theories, models, and debates relevant to your topic.
- Identify gaps in the existing literature that your research aims to fill.
- Ensure the literature review demonstrates critical engagement with existing research and aligns with Ascencia’s emphasis on practical business leadership.
6 Research Methodology
- Clearly define the research methods you will use (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
- Explain your data collection techniques (e.g., interviews, surveys, case studies, experiments).
- Justify why your chosen methods are the most appropriate for addressing your research question.
- Discuss the sampling approach and explain how you will ensure data validity and reliability.
7 Ethical Considerations
- Ascencia, like other institutions, expects research to adhere to high ethical standards.
- Describe any ethical issues related to your research, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Mention whether your research requires approval from an ethics committee.
8 Expected Contribution and Impact
- Highlight the theoretical contributions your research will make to academic knowledge.
- Explain the practical implications of your study, especially how your findings may influence business practices, policies, or industry-specific strategies.
- Align the expected outcomes with Ascencia’s focus on entrepreneurial and responsible business leadership.
9 Timeline and Research Plan
- Provide a detailed timeline outlining the stages of your research (e.g., literature review, data collection, analysis, writing).
- Ensure the timeline is realistic and shows your awareness of the key milestones in the DBA program
- Use a Gantt chart or other visual aids if necessary to illustrate your plan.
10 References
- Include a list of key academic references using the Harvard style.
- Ensure all sources cited are relevant, recent, and drawn from credible academic publications, industry reports, or governmental databases.
11 Presentation and Format
- Write the proposal in clear, professional language, free from jargon.
- Ensure the proposal is well-structured, with headings and subheadings clearly marking different sections.
- Follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by Ascencia (e.g., word count between 1500 and 2000 words, use of 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing).
12 Feasibility and Resources
- Demonstrate the feasibility of your project by explaining how you will access necessary resources (e.g., data, software, research tools).
- Mention any collaborations or partnerships that could support your research, if relevant.
13 Limitations
- Acknowledge any potential limitations of your study, such as constraints in data access, time, or scope.
- Explain how you plan to address or mitigate these limitations.
By following these guidelines, you will create a strong, impactful research proposal that sets the foundation for a successful DBA journey.
You can download the research proposal application form by clicking the button below.
What’s included
- 3 years Duration
- 305 Modules
- N/D Lectures
- 2000+ Learning Hours
- Certificate
- Access on mobile and TV