Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Business Administration Program

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) is a professional doctorate designed to equip senior managers with the knowledge and applied research tools necessary to solve high-level business problems in their companies or industries. This program is Missouri's first and only AACSB-accredited DBA program, offering research concentrations in all areas of business administration.

Program Overview

The UMSL DBA program is a three-year, cohort-based program that offers a flexible format with limited visits to campus. Participants make only two weekend trips to campus per term, engaging in face-to-face meetings with faculty and students, and then collaborate online for discussions. The first two years cover an array of cutting-edge business and management topics, while the third year focuses on the candidate's dissertation research.

Key Features

• Duration: Three years
• Format: Cohort-based with limited campus visits
• Research Focus: Applied research with concentrations in all areas of business administration
• Accreditation: AACSB-accredited

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the DBA program, applicants must hold an MBA or another relevant advanced degree from an acceptable academic institution and have at least 10 years of significant professional and/or senior-level management experience. In exceptional cases, individuals without an advanced degree but with substantial managerial experience may be considered.

Required Materials

• Completed application
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
• Application fee: $50
• Names and contact information of two professional references
• Official transcript(s) from each university attended
• Two essays: Statement of Commitment and Statement of Research Interest

Curriculum

The DBA curriculum provides an interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on practitioner engagement through research, creative scholarship, and production of works for publication in reputable professional and academic journals. Courses span major areas of business administration, including accounting, information systems, finance, logistics and supply chain management, marketing, organizational behavior, human resource management, leadership, operations management, strategic management, and research methodology.

Course Structure

The program is structured over three years, with specific courses and credit hours allocated each term. Key courses include:

• Statistical Modeling
• Doctoral Foundations Seminar
• Scientific Inquiry in Business
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
• Managing Talent for Strategic Advantage
• Role of Accounting Information in Firms and Markets
• Sustaining and Disruptive Information Technologies
• Marketing Intelligence and Decision Making
• Strategic Business Analysis
• Development and defense of dissertation proposal
• Dissertation Research Practicum

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program cost is $35,280 per year for three years, totaling $105,840. All qualified admitted students are offered a $10,000 scholarship. Financial aid options, including loans and special funding programs, are available to UMSL DBA students.

DBA vs. Ph.D.

The DBA program is distinguished from a Ph.D. in Business Administration by its focus on applied research and practice, aiming to develop practitioner researchers. In contrast, a Ph.D. focuses on theoretical research, developing academic researchers for careers in academia or industry.

Comparison Points

• Candidate Profile: DBA candidates are senior executives with significant management experience, while Ph.D. candidates are often younger with less work experience.
• Motivation: DBA research contributes to practice and policy, while Ph.D. research contributes to theory and knowledge.
• Program Structure: DBA programs have a set time horizon and are often part-time, while Ph.D. programs can be full-time or part-time with a variable time horizon.
• Accreditation: Both DBA and Ph.D. programs can be accredited by bodies like the AACSB, but the focus and qualifications of the faculty may differ.

Conclusion

The UMSL DBA program offers a unique opportunity for senior managers and executives to advance their careers through applied research and academic rigor, distinguished by its AACSB accreditation, flexible format, and focus on practice and industry relevance.