REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL / Programmes / Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This DBA programme offers a robust, research-centric curriculum designed to tackle the key challenges encountered by business executives.   ENQUIRE NOW

3 year
SAQA - 111312
NQF Level 10
360 credits

Key features

The Postgraduate Research Proposal stage equips students with an advanced understanding of:

  • What research is and how it is carried out
  • The concept of research
  • Empirical research theory
  • Experimental and observational research
  • Advanced research techniques
  • This programme is endorsed by the Institute of Directors South Africa.
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Choosing a subject and research focus
  • Application to business research
  • Writing a research proposal
  • Developing a research timetable

An Overview of DBA Journey

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About

The Doctor of Business Administration programme offers students a rigorous and furthermore a research-focused curriculum that therefore also emphasises research addressing the challenges most relevant to business leaders.

Therefore Doctor of Business Administration programme certainly aims to produce Doctoral candidates (scholars and researchers) who will therefore contribute to the body of knowledge in the broad discipline of business management and administration and has also been designed to make a contribution to the enhancement of trans-disciplinary practices in management and also administration.

The Doctor of Business Administration programme will therefore develop critical and reflective business administrative knowledge and management competencies at the forefront in the field of business administration practice, through research and scholarly debate at the highest ethical, independent and accountability levels.

Objective

On completion of the Doctor of Business Administration programme, the student will be required to submit a full research thesis.

The thesis will be based on a valid research processes and will demonstrate the following:

  • Above all an understanding of the research theory and/or philosophies that enable the conceptualisation of a solution to a practical business problem.
  • The knowledge of and ability to apply research methodologies and techniques
  • The management of data and/or information through an iterative process of analysis, interpretation and synthesis
    The management of emerging ethical business administration issues and ethical decision-making.

Programme structure

Duration: Minimum 3 years (or more years  dependent on students’ progress)  

The primary programme outcome is a thesis of about 60 000 words.
Therefore the thesis will be assessed at an NQF level 10 and the credit value is 360 credits.

Assessment criteria involves two aspects:

The examination of the thesis by external examiners (one international);
An oral defence of the thesis.

The programme structure has been designed to offer the greatest degree of support and interaction.
Attendance of clinics and research colloquia are compulsory, but non-credit bearing.

Pre-selection process:

First applicants will be required to do a short pre-selection exercise based on their intended problem statement.
This will be approved and or rejected by the DBA committee who will therefore sit bi-annually for review of new applicants.

Students who have been accepted by the DBA committee will be invited to apply for the programme.

On invitation to apply:

Application and onboarding: Getting to know your institution, the support structures and infrastructure available.

Testimonials

From Saudi Arabia to South Africa, Regent Business School was with her every step of the way. Dr. Thelma Marcia Shange, a proud DBA graduate, pursued her studies while working in Saudi Arabia. Despite the distance, Regent provided unwavering support, helping her find an exam center and ensuring a seamless learning experience.

First Year

  • Introductory Clinic
  • Bootcamp 1 and 2
  • Clinics 1,2,3 and 4
  • Bootcamp 3 and 4
    Submission of Topic Motivation for approval by
  • DBA committee
  • Allocation to Supervisor

Second Year

  • Research Symposium (Presentation and Defence)
  • Feedback from the Doctoral Panel on the Research Proposal
  • Ethical Clearance application
  • End of year two submission of progress reports

Third Year

  • Students continue their research with the support of the Supervisor
  • Submission of progress reports
  • Submission of Intention to Submit- approved by the Supervisor and the Head of the Doctoral Committee
  • Students to finalise their Research
  • Submit to DBA Office – Internal review (corrections to follow)
  • Student resubmission
  • Critical review (corrections to follow)
  • Student resubmission
  • First oral examination (corrections to follow)
  • External editing of thesis (certificate of proof attached to the final submission)- this will take two weeks
  • Final submission for external examination- this process can take up to 12 weeks
  • Corrections from external examination
  • Final oral examination (corrections to follow)
  • Final submission with relevant corrections
  • Examination board review

Any delays in the process will lead to extended registration years until the final completion of the programme.

Admission requirements

Minimum requirements:

A Master’s Degree or equivalent NQF level 9 qualification

In addition the applicant must:
(i) be 25 years of age or older and;
(ii) have at least three years of working experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The DBA is a research-focused doctoral programme designed to develop advanced business administrative knowledge and management competencies. It aims to produce scholars and researchers who contribute to the body of knowledge in business management and administration, addressing practical business challenges through rigorous research.

The DBA programme offers a rigorous, research-focused curriculum that emphasises research addressing the challenges most relevant to business leaders. It includes a Postgraduate Research Proposal stage, equipping students with an advanced understanding of research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, and the application of these methods to business research.

Prospective students should have a Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field, with a strong academic record. Additionally, applicants should have substantial professional experience in business management. A comprehensive research proposal demonstrating the intended area of study is also required.

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