Thomas Edison State University will launch its second doctoral program, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with courses that begin next January.
The program, with specializations in General Management, Organizational Leadership or Human Resource Management, can be completed with 48-credits, including an end-of-course Scholar-Practitioner Field Project final degree submission. All requirements can be met online. The doctoral program will be the second for the University, which currently also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization in Systems-Level Leadership.
The DBA degree is designed to enable business students and professionals to advance their careers toward becoming executive leaders, educators and consultants.
“This degree is at the core of what we do here at Thomas Edison,” said President Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D. “Professionals pursuing the DBA will be able to infuse their learning immediately into workplace situations: applying knowledge and leadership, and understanding the outcomes in real time. This applied scholarship and experiential learning are a powerful combination that will benefit today’s working professionals who seek to advance their careers and become leaders in their fields.”
School of Business and Management Dean Michael Williams notes that the 21st century global market offers unprecedented career opportunities. But as the workplace evolves, the need for highly educated executives skilled in leadership is paramount.
“Professionals earning the DBA degree will be prepared to fill or create their next occupational role,” Williams said. “The intentionality, discipline and capabilities necessary to earn the DBA are powerful professional differentiators enabling a competitive advantage.”
Sometimes referred to as an “applied doctorate” or a “professional doctorate,” the DBA degree can be completed part-time and is appropriate for practicing professionals in a variety of occupations especially industry, higher education administration and consulting.
“With the launch of the DBA, our qualified students can now seamlessly transition from baccalaureate and graduate-level study to a doctoral degree,” said Williams.
A generous grant from the Thomas Edison State University Foundation helped support the cost of developing low or no-cost course materials for the DBA to minimize the costs to students..
The University plans to admit up to 20 applicants in its initial cohort in order to remain focused on intensive, doctoral-level education and assure that students meet the program’s rigorous requirements. Classes for the first cohort are scheduled to begin in January 2020.
Toni M. Terry, BA