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Doctor of Business Administration

Doctorate by Coursework and TB Thesis

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    DBA

  • Course code

    1447187

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a research-based management program that has been developed in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), at AQF Level 10.

The DBA is particularly designed to enable high-achieving business managers, business owners and senior public servants (who typically possess a Master's degree), to develop their research skills and an innovative project by way of a research thesis.

The program provides solid training in business research methods to support the candidate's research. All aspects of the qualification can be related to the candidate's own workplace or industry. This provides opportunities for candidates to uncover new information or insights within their profession, to become an expert in their industry and make a significant contribution to their profession and the business sector.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Develop and create effective solutions to complex problems from the frontier of a discipline area.

Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a complex issue or theory from the frontier of a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.

Creativity

Independently develop and create innovative ideas and strategies within complex business environments.

Independently identify, critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise complex problems or theories from a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.

Ethical practice

Critically evaluate challenging interpersonal, organisational and governance issues in terms of their ethical implications.

Apply discipline based knowledge and skills in situations that require autonomy and a high level of responsible behaviour.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate and apply in-depth discipline knowledge and skills at the forefront of a specialised discipline area with a global perspective.

Apply and integrate research principles and methods to complex management problems at the frontier of a management discipline area.

Contribute new knowledge to a specialised management area.

Lifelong learning

Use research skills with full autonomy to develop and create effective solutions to complex problems from the forefront of a discipline area.

Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a complex issue or theory from a discipline area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with authoritative judgement.

Communication and social skills

Demonstrates professional behaviour in the preparation and delivery of advanced discipline advice, knowledge and ideas orally in a business or public context on complex issues.

Demonstrate leadership in the preparation and delivery of advanced written communications of justified advice for a business context, an academic context or the general public on complex issues.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge and skills in a specialised management area within a global environment.

Apply and integrate research principles and methods to complex management situations.

The course includes postgraduate coursework studies, notably in critical literature review, introduction to research methods, qualitative and quantitative methods and developing a research proposal; along with thesis research units relevant to the DBA.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A
New Zealand - MIT Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A
Online Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Doctor of Business Administration a candidate shall successfully complete not less than the equivalent of twenty four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. four (4) units from Part A; and
    2. four (4) units from Part B; and
    3. all units in Part C.
  2. A candidate, who, while enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration, has completed four (4) units from Part A and four (4) units from Part B, may elect to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Business Research following withdrawal from candidature for the Doctor of Business Administration award.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

Four (4) Postgraduate units as approved by the DBA Program Director

Year 1, Session 2

EDU00751 -  Critical Literature Review Advanced
BUS00913 -  Business Research Methods Advanced

Year 1, Session 3

EITHER MNG03047 -  Qualitative Research Methods OR MNG03048 -  Quantitative Research Methods Advanced
MNG10800 -  DBA Research Proposal Advanced

Year 2 and Year 3

MNG89022 -  Doctor of Business Administration Thesis Advanced Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

Two (2) Postgraduate units as approved by the DBA Program Director

Year 1, Session 2

Two (2) Postgraduate units as approved by the DBA Program Director

Year 1, Session 3

EDU00751 -  Critical Literature Review Advanced

Year 2, Session 1

BUS00913 -  Business Research Methods Advanced

Year 2, Session 2

EITHER MNG03047 -  Qualitative Research Methods OR MNG03048 -  Quantitative Research Methods Advanced

Year 2, Session 3

MNG10800 -  DBA Research Proposal Advanced

Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6

MNG89022 -  Doctor of Business Administration Thesis Advanced Note 1

Note 1:

16 unit equivalent

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
Part A consists of four (4) Postgraduate units relevant to the proposed research project and as approved by the Doctor of Business Administration Program Director

Part B
BUS00913 Business Research Methods Advanced
EDU00751 Critical Literature Review Advanced
MNG10800 DBA Research Proposal Advanced
Students must choose one of the following two units as their 4th Part B unit:
MNG03047 Qualitative Research Methods Advanced
MNG03048 Quantitative Research Methods Advanced

Part C
MNG89022 Doctor of Business Administration Thesis Advanced Note 1