Program Overview

---

Doctorate in Business Administration

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the American University in the Emirates (AUE) is an advanced doctoral program for accomplished executives, senior professionals, and aspiring scholars ready to turn their leadership experience into impactful research and strategic innovation.

About the Program

Designed for leaders across business, government, and academia, AUE's DBA provides a dynamic platform to convert deep industry knowledge into scholarly contributions that advance business practice and shape the future of organizations. This program empowers professionals to influence systems, redefine frameworks, and solve complex business challenges through rigorous, applied research.

Program Goals

The program has the following goals:

1. Develop expertise to conduct high-impact, applied research in business and management.
2. Equip graduates with advanced knowledge to solve complex business challenges and drive innovation.
3. Prepare future thought leaders for meaningful contributions to academia and industry.
4. Support the UAE's vision of a knowledge-based, globally competitive economy.
5. Facilitate international collaboration and exposure to diverse research environments.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Create innovative research frameworks and methodologies to address complex business and management challenges.
2. Evaluate emerging global business trends and their implications for strategic decision-making, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.
3. Synthesize interdisciplinary theories and concepts to develop novel solutions for financial decision-making, resource allocation, and strategic business transformation.
4. Design and implement cutting-edge business models and technological innovations that foster entrepreneurship, competitive advantage, and industry leadership.
5. Critically assess contemporary leadership and governance practices, proposing evidence-based strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness and ethical business conduct.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Doctoral program must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Academic Qualification: Hold a Master's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited higher education institution, with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.
2. English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a valid test score meeting one of the following minimum requirements:
   • IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5
   • TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 91
3. Research Proposal Submission: Submit a research proposal of 1,500–2,000 words clearly outlining the proposed research topic, objectives, preliminary literature context, and intended methodology.
4. Letters of Recommendation: Provide two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional referees who can attest to the applicant's academic ability and research potential.
5. Admissions Interview: Successfully complete an admissions interview conducted by the Doctoral Admissions Committee.
6. Professional Experience: Relevant professional experience in the field shall be considered an added merit during the admissions assessment process.

Program Structure

The DBA program consists of:

• Core Courses: 27 credit hours
• Elective Courses: 6 credit hours (choose two courses)
• Research Seminar: 3 credit hours
• Comprehensive Exam: 0 credit hours
• Dissertation: 27 credit hours

Core Courses

The core courses include:

1. Advanced Research Methods in Business
2. Contemporary Theoretical Frameworks in Business and Management
3. Leadership and Strategic Decision-Making
4. Advanced Topics in Business Strategy
5. Global Perspectives in Business and Innovation
6. Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
7. Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Cost Control, and Public Finance Leadership
8. Financial Decision-Making and Resource Allocation in Fiscal Stress

Elective Courses

Elective courses include:

1. Emerging Trends in FinTech
2. Behavioral Insights in Marketing
3. Entrepreneurial Leadership
4. Advanced Operations Research
5. Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive exam is a written and oral examination to demonstrate mastery of core and elective coursework.

Dissertation

The dissertation requires original research contributing to the field of business administration and the publication of two Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed journal articles.

Fee Structure

The yearly tuition fees for the DBA program are AED 63,000/USD 17,155, excluding service fees. Scholarships of up to 50% are available.

Program Duration

The program duration is 4 years.

Accreditation

The American University in the Emirates is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – Commission for Academic Accreditation.

Research Areas

Potential research topics include:

1. AI Governance & Ethical Leadership
2. Sustainable Business & Net Zero 2050
3. Strategic Workforce Localization (Emiratization)
4. Logistics & Supply Chain Resilience
5. Green Finance & ESG Investments
6. Digital Transformation & Regulatory Alignment
7. Water-Energy-Food Nexus & Sustainability
8. Cultural Identity & Corporate Branding
9. Innovation Ecosystems & Advanced Industries
10. Digital Health Transformation
11. Foreign Direct Investment & Regulatory Reforms
12. Business Strategies in Real Estate

Joining the Program

Students can join the program at the beginning of any semester (September, January, or May).