Aalto Executive DBA Program Structure

To graduate the Aalto Executive DBA candidate must have completed 10 personally tailored online doctoral courses (60 credit units):

• A course on academic reading and writing
• A course on conducting research projects in business
• 2 courses on academic research methods (qualitative and quantitative methods), possibility to study additional 1-2 courses on methodology with Aalto DSc and PhD students
• 4-6 tailored online courses on strategy, marketing, or other substance discipline in business administration, as agreed with the supervisor
• A possibility of choosing alternative courses from any school of the Aalto University

Normally, an online course consists of approximately 30 journal articles or research papers around a subject. Typically, there are no traditional lectures. The primary instructor can be contacted online when preparing the reaction papers and essays around the readings. Moreover, the students discuss the readings related to their coursework and receive face-to-face feedback from the instructors during the two annual research seminars. Thus, for most courses, there is also no traditional exam.  

The Aalto Executive DBA Research Seminars

The Aalto Executive DBA research seminars offer the DBA candidates an excellent opportunity to deepen their knowledge, to meet professors and other doctoral candidates, to explore different research methodologies, and to receive advice and comments on the research project. Two three-day seminars are held every year, one in Europe and one in Asia, often in conjunction with relevant academic conferences.

The Aalto Executive DBA Thesis

As the result of the Aalto Executive DBA studies the candidate will produce a DBA thesis which has strong linkages to business and managerial practice. The DBA thesis will deliver a high degree of both scholarship and independent thought. The thesis supervision is conducted by highly qualified supervisors, professors from Aalto University and visiting faculty, who provide mentorship and academic direction.

Assessment

The completed thesis is submitted for examination and public defense to internal and external examiners approved by the Board of Studies of Aalto EE.