Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

The NMMU DBA

The NMMU DBA is one of only four accredited DBA degrees in South Africa and is, although relatively new, high in demand for national MBA graduates who want to further their careers with a DBA.

The DBA is designed to meet the career and personal development needs of professionals and business people who want to learn how management research can inform and increase their own performance and the performance of their organisations. The DBA provides a broad introduction to a range of different research approaches and methods and develops the skills of people who want to act as consultants within their own organisations or outside.

What is a DBA?

First developed in the early part of the 20th century at Harvard University, the DBA was originally designed to recognise the research and advanced knowledge needs of business and management practitioners. It was deliberately designed from its onset to be different from a PhD because they felt that business people needed a broader qualification that exposed them to research and consultancy skills in real organisational settings. Over the last 80 years, the DBA degree has grown in popularity and in the last 20 years has become a key part of the world's higher education landscape.

Purpose & rationale of the DBA

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide DBA graduates with the knowledge, skills and competence to contribute significantly to new knowledge and the re-interpretation of current knowledge in Business Management and to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and the world) with graduates in order to ensure that the management base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and the world) with people who can understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society and who are empowered to play that role.

Programme Structure

The NNMU DBA programme is delivered on a part-time flexible basis so that busy executives can incorporate it into their working schedules. As with any other doctoral study, a DBA study must exhibit the academic rigor expected of a doctorate and must make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in which the proposed study is located. In addition, because the DBA degree generally follows on a MBA degree, the practical applications of the findings that emanate from a DBA study are also a key requirement.

The degree is presented in two stages:

STAGE A: ADMISSION PROCESS

This is currently under construction. More information will be provided after 10 April 2012.

STAGE B: THE THESIS

This stage comprises fieldwork and the production of a thesis that takes between one and two years to complete after the Faculty RTI has accepted the research proposal. Students are, however, seriously advised to complete their thesis within a maximum of four years, as experience has shown that studies going beyond this point tend never to be completed.

Entry Requirements

Applicants in possession of an MBA degree or equivalent from an accredited institution (achieved at SAQA level 8 (a) or equivalent) and who have obtained a mark of at least 65% average in their masters qualification, as well as a pass mark of at least 65% for their mini-dissertation treatise, will be allowed to register for a DBA. If applicants are not in possession of a MBA post-graduate degree and where there is evidence that some core "body-of-knowledge" in the field of business management has been completed, applicants may be considered for admittance provided that they complete the outstanding post-graduate MBA course(s) in order to attain the core "body-of-knowledge".

Kindly note that the NMMU DBA is currently only offered to South African citizens.

Application

Applicants can make direct contact with our DBA coordinator, Dr Annelie Pretorius, either via email, telephone or appointment.

Email
Telephone: +27(0)861 504 500
NMMU Business School
Room 109b, Wegspring Building
20 Bird Street Central
Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Fees

To view the 2012 fee structure for the NMMU Business School's DBA programme click here.

FAQ

How will I benefit from doing a DBA?

You will develop the skills of reflecting upon, developing appropriate solutions to business issues at an advanced level. You will develop confidence in your decision-making, ensuring it is evidence-based and appropriate in a complex and often fluid organisational context. You will enhance your employability and marketability, having skills and a qualification that are highly transferable amongst organisations and attractive to potential clients.

What are the main considerations to undertaking a DBA?

You should have a clear idea of the area of research that you wish to undertake. You will also need to be confident that you can accommodate the demands of an intensive doctoral programme, combined with a career, for an extended period of time.

What about DBA supervision?

The Business School has access to a national pool of promoters to supervise and support you. It is however a duel responsibility shared by the Business School and you to find a suitable promoter. A promoter will only be appointed for Stage B of the qualification.

Contact Us

The NMMU Business School
20 Bird Street, Central
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Port Elizabeth
The Republic of South Africa
Telephone: +27(0)861 504 500
business.school@nmmu.ac.za
www.leadersfortomorrow.co.za

Programmes and Learning