Independendent Platform for PhD, DBA - Doctor of Buisness Adminainstration and other professional Doctorate Programs

The DBA is part of a new breed of doctoral degrees, which seek to establish a terminal academic qualification not solely based on research, but rather focusing on the practical application of researched material as a new and original contribution to the field of business. As such, there are a number of differences that are important in making an appropriate degree choice. The title DBA has been in use for decades, it originally was established as a differentiation for PhD degrees in Business and related fields of study. In this early context, the DBA was in essence a PhD degree in that is focused primarily on research in a specific field. Today, the name DBA signals a new format of degree, one that emphasises the applicability of the researched material in the specialised field of business and management.

While the traditional PhD continues to be the exclusive requirement for a long and successful career in academia, the DBA has other advantages. The table below provides an overview of how the two qualifications compare and contrast.

	DBA	PhD
Objectives	The DBA aims to make a contribution to the practice of business and management through the application and research of new knowledge	The PhD traditionally aims to make an original contribution to a body of knowledge in a specific field of study.
Career paths	The DBA is relevant primarily for: - Business professionals and practitioners who want to gain a more theoretical insight into business knowledge and engage in exploration of new practical applications within business practice - Management academics and lecturers	The PhD is appropriate for: - Anyone pursuing an academic career path – professorships and high level academic positions uniformly require a PhD - Research professionals - High level positions in Science, Technology, Policy, and many other sectors.
Structure	The DBA is typically divided into two stages. Stage one, in which the research proposal is formed and which requires participation in and completion of structured coursework and workshops. Stage two, which primarily focuses on research and thesis writing. Typically, the DBA has a broader focus and a more structured approach than a PhD programme. Like the PhD programme, the DBA culminates in a thesis/dissertation or project which must be defended in the viva voce before a panel	A PhD can take on a wide variety of forms, often depending on the choice of country. Some programmes require a certain number of courses to be completed; others enable the student to do research and writing only. The PhD requires a thesis/dissertation as the conclusion of the degree. This final work must be validated in a defence, the viva voce.
Thesis	Approx. 50,000 words	Approx. 100,000 words
Student profiles	DBA students tend to be practitioners in their mid-careers, with significant experience in their field and at least a first degree. Many DBA students have an MBA. Work experience is mandatory for most DBA programmes	PhD students might be as young as 23 or as old as 78. The typical age of a PhD student depends on the country of study. In the US, PhD students tend to be in their early twenties, in Germany, a PhD student may be in their early thirties. PhDs require at a minimum a first degree, more often a Masters qualification. Work experience is not always required for admissions to a PhD programme.
Type	Terminal academic degree	Terminal academic degree
Costs	The costs for a DBA vary, but similar to the MBA, it may be considerably higher than a traditional PhD programme.	Costs for a PhD programme vary also, but tend to be lower than for a DBA. In some countries, i.e. Germany, PhD study is free for international students.
Preferred modes	The DBA primarily targets practitioners and professionals in the field. The degree is thus structured to accommodate students who continue in their professional roles while studying. DBA programmes are dominantly taken as part-time courses, in an online or distance learning mode.	The PhD is most frequently, and often most successfully taken as a full-time, campus based programme. There are part-time options, but the drop out rate tends to be considerably higher than for student who study on the PhD programme full time.
Pros	- Flexibility: the DBA is a highly flexible degree. It aims to accommodate the working professional’s schedule without compromising the rigor of study. - Relevance to practical field of business. The DBA’s emphasis on the practical application of research knowledge makes it highly relevant for business practice.	- Academic reputation: the PhD degree is the most reputable and highest academic degree a student can achieve. It denotes that the successful doctoral student has unique expertise in his or her field. It enjoys a good reputation worldwide.
Cons	- Academic reputation: the DBA still enjoys a mixed reputation in academic circles. The coursework format and the shorter thesis requirement are considered among some to be inferior to the more rigorous PhD. - Quality: There are still insufficient quality control mechanisms in place to ensure that all DBA programmes are of a high quality. The quality of some online and distance learning programmes in particular are questionable. DBA candidates should investigate the institution carefully before enrolling in a programme. The old adage applies: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.	- A PhD degree can be all-consuming. A full time course of study often does not permit any other full-time work. Students often have to work independently throughout the majority of the programme and the degree tends to require a high level of discipline. - Professional relevance: in some professions, a PhD can be a hindrance. A PhD in law, for example, may not be seen as an added valued qualification for the practice of law.