Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Program Overview

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Program Overview

The DBA represents an exciting new opportunity for those with the talent and determination to succeed, wish to advance their management or consulting careers, or transition to teaching in an academic setting. The DBA program will prepare students to advance in a variety of careers, including those in private and non-profit sectors, education, and government. Students will be prepared to think critically, solve problems, and compete in complex business environments.

Program Mission

The DBA program trains students to become thought-leaders of management practice and creators of knowledge by engaging in applied research. With the aid of AU faculty, the DBA students will learn how to integrate management theory with practice and advance the field of evidence-based management.

Program Goals

• PG 1: To support students to develop and conduct a high-quality theoretical and applied research.
• PG 2: To equip practitioners with the potential to lead management practice.
• PG 3: To develop students’ body of business knowledge by communicating research findings as a scholar or a practitioner.
• PG 4: To support students to solve practical business problems through research.
• PG 5: To develop effective decision makers and qualified business educators.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the DBA degree, a candidate must:

• Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours toward the degree, including the credits of the Dissertation.
• Successfully complete the course of study as specified in the degree plan, including the dissertation.
• Successfully defend the dissertation as directed and approved by the Dissertation Committee.
• A course may count toward the degree if the course grade is at least a “B.”

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

1. Candidates should have a master’s degree in business or related field from a recognized university with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
2. Candidates should have work experience of at least two years in the middle or senior management levels.
3. English Language Eligibility: Candidates should achieve a minimum score of 79 Internet-based test (IBT) for the TOEFL, TOEFL (ITP) 550 or 6 of the IELTS (Academic) test, with the exception of candidates who have studied for Master's degree programs taught in English that required for admission an EmSAT score of 1400 or equivalent (e.g., TOEFL score of 79 (IBT) or TOEFL score of 550 (ITP) or 6 of IELTS (Academic) test).

General Instructions for Admission

For non-international students:

• A completed and valid online application.
• A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, Attested from (MOE)
• A Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts, Attested from (MOE)
• UAE Ministry of Education equivalency certificate for master’s degree issued by the foreign higher education institution.
• A Certificate of a proficiency test in English such as Academic IELTS with band 6 as a minimum (or its equivalent)
• Recent CV.
• Two professional recommendation letters.
• Evidence of relevant work experience
• A photocopy of a valid passport with a residence visa
• A photocopy of a valid UAE National ID
• 6 Passport-size photos
• A valid certificate of good conduct issued by an official authority
• Male applicants must provide status of UAE National Service
• Medical Check-up.

For international students:

• A completed and valid online application.
• A Certified copy of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• A Certified copy of the Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts.
• Master's and Bachelor's Degree Equivalency Certificates from UAE (MOE) (Upon Acceptance).
• A Certificate of a proficiency test in English such as Academic IELTS with band 6 as a minimum (or its equivalent)
• Evidence on how the candidate will fund the degree (self-funded scholarship).
• Recent CV.
• Two professional recommendation letters.
• Evidence of relevant work experience
• A photocopy of a valid passport (valid at least for 6 months).
• A photocopy of a valid UAE National ID (After Arrival).
• 6 Passport-size photos
• A valid certificate of good conduct issued by an official authority
• Medical check-up (After Arrival).

Program Learning Outcomes

• PLO 1: Apply different research methods to analyze organizations and create new ideas through research questions that build on existing theory and are relevant to practice.
• PLO 2: Summarize and synthesize relevant theory and research on a given business issue.
• PLO 3: Develop effective and innovative global management decisions that are ethical and relevant to the local context.
• PLO 4: Communicate and defend original research findings orally through a formal research presentation.

Management Option:

• PLO 5: Critically analyze and assess research findings and their implications on solving management and leadership problems.
• PLO 6: Apply creative thinking in different aspects of business strategies, leadership, finance, and organizational development.

Education Option:

• PLO 5: Demonstrate a mastery of skills and knowledge required for university teaching and assessment of student learning.
• PLO 6: Apply advanced research methods that result in quality publication and knowledge development.

Program Structure and Credit Hours

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) degree requires the completion of 60 credit hours distributed according to the following plan:

Study Plan

Doctor of Business Administration Study Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)? The DBA is a doctoral degree whose structure and program are adapted to the obligations of professional managers. Like the PhD it is a doctoral qualification, however, it is directly linked to the world of work. The primary goal of the DBA is to advance professional practice, preparing candidates to carry out research and to make a direct contribution to professional practice and/or policy in a workplace or wider industry context.
• What is the tuition fee for DBA? The tuition fee for the entire DBA program is AED 270,000.
• Is the registration fee refundable? The application and registration fee for DBA program is AED 2,000 (5% VAT will be added to the fees). The fee should be paid upon registration and this fee is not part of the tuition. The application and registration fee is non-refundable, except when the application is rejected in which case an amount of AED 1,700 will be refunded to the student.
• Are there any scholarships or tuition fee concessions provided for the DBA program? Scholarships may be awarded based on merit; criteria will be set by the selection committee on case to case bases. However, there are two definite scholarships:
  • Ajman University Employees scholarship: 30%
  • Ajman University Alumni scholarship: 20%
• What is the timetable for the DBA classes? The DBA classes will be held every Saturday and Sunday of the week.
• How long does it take to acquire a DBA degree? The DBA is generally acquired over a period of three to four years.
• What will happen after I apply? There is a thorough process of selecting the right candidates at Ajman University. Evaluation and assessment of applications may take from two to three weeks, after which shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.