Doctor of Business Administration

Program overview

Advance your research skills and professional management practices, processes and programs with Athabasca University’s online Doctor of Business Administration.

The Doctor of Business Administration is a professional doctorate that focuses on managerial relevance and applying theory to field-based research. You will:

• Expand competencies in management research and practice;
• Effectively conduct and evaluate management research;
• Develop scholarship in management practice;
• Communicate research findings and outcomes;
• Create solutions to business and organizational problems that will increase competitive advantage;
• Enhance professional credibility; and
• Derive intrinsic satisfaction from higher level learning.

The Doctor of Business Administration is a research-based qualification with the same level of rigour and scholarship expected of any doctoral program. AU’s program emphasizes field-based, practical research and its immediate application.

AU’s Doctor of Business Administration is the first online DBA program offered by a Canadian university.

Why take the Doctor of Business Administration?

AU’s online Doctor of Business Administration is the ideal next step for experienced managers and senior leaders who hold an MBA (or an equivalent master’s degree), and want to combine advanced management theory and practice with practical research that will make a difference in today’s complex business environment. It is also ideal for those working in an academic environment who wish to upgrade their skills and credentials.

Whether you work in business, government or the not-for-profit sector, this program will help you develop a deeper level of industry-related knowledge, or prepare you for an academic career outside the corporate world.

Program details

The Doctor of Business Administration is a 21-credit online doctoral program. As a new student, you must complete the entire program through Athabasca University. Potential transfer credit can be evaluated on an individual basis.

There is only 1 DBA intake each year. The application deadline is in March and classes start in September. All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates. The program also includes a one-week on-site research workshop once a year for the first 3 years.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 3 years of study. You can take up to 7 years to complete all requirements.

The expected normal completion time is 4–5 years.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements include an MBA or equivalent master’s degree and at least 5 years of significant management and/or professional work experience.

• See full DBA admission requirements

Required courses

Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:

Tuition and fees

The Doctor of Business Administration program has:

• an application fee
• a program admission fee
• a yearly program fee

Tuition is then paid on a course-by-course basis.

• See all DBA fees

Application deadlines and start dates