Articles
What Is a DBA All About?
Anu Haapala
Aalto Executive DBA
Reaching for the Top
The Aalto Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a structured program in Business Administration for experienced individuals with considerable managerial experience who wish to contribute to the development of their professional competence and their key areas of interest.
The program has both real-world relevance and academic rigor and focuses on the relevance to the employer and the professional development of the candidate.
Aalto Executive DBA graduates will develop doctoral-level in-depth knowledge of the latest theories and methodologies in business research and act as thought leaders for organizational change. In addition to executive positions, DBA graduates typically work in various expert positions in corporations and the public sector. The DBA research project – finalized in a publicly defended DBA thesis – typically has strong linkages to business and managerial practice. DBA candidates can, for instance, conduct a sizable research project for their employer.
Compared to some more scientifically oriented doctoral programs, the DBA studies and research place emphasis on the application of theories – the creation and testing of an entirely novel theory is not a necessity. In the Aalto Executive DBA, managerially relevant topics are preferred.
The DBA diploma is granted by Aalto University School of Business.
Novel, innovative, and creative solutions to business problems and opportunities as well as thought leadership for organizational change
Doctoral level in-depth knowledge of latest theories and methodologies in business research
Flexible part-time study structure and a strongly applied nature of the doctoral thesis
From Aalto Executive DBA graduates the employers can expect novel, innovative, and creative solutions to business problems and opportunities as well as thought leadership for organizational change. Aalto Executive DBA graduates will centrally develop doctoral level in-depth knowledge of latest theories and methodologies in business research. The requirements for coursework are essentially the same as for any DSc or PhD program at Aalto University School of Business. However, the main difference to the DSc and PhD programs is the flexible part-time study structure of the Aalto Executive DBA and the strongly applied nature of the doctoral thesis.
- Researcher education in management studies (theoretical and methodological competence)
- Competence to design and implement a sizable research project with a practical orientation
- A collegial network with professors and other researchers and the Executive DBA candidates
- Competence in presenting papers in international seminars and conferences
- Writing and defending an academic doctoral thesis and research papers/articles
- Strengthening own critical thinking and gaining expertise to lead demanding knowledge-based development initiatives in organizations
- Developing thought leadership for better leadership and organizational change
Contents
To graduate, the Aalto Executive DBA candidate must have completed doctoral study courses equivalent to 40 ECTS credits that consist of compulsory courses on academic writing and research methods as well as courses that support the thesis’ topic.
Normally, a course consists of approximately 30 journal articles or research papers around a subject. Typically, there are no traditional lectures nor exams. The primary instructor can be contacted online when preparing the reaction papers and essays around the readings. Moreover, the DBA students discuss the readings related to their coursework and receive face-to-face feedback from the instructors during the course.
The Aalto Executive DBA Thesis
As a result of the Aalto Executive DBA studies, the candidate will produce a DBA thesis (200 ECTS credits) that 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 professors from Aalto University.
The thesis is written in English and typically consists of 3–4 scientific articles or conference papers and a summary. The thesis is typically 100–150 pages in total. The completed thesis is defended at public examination.
Timeframe
In line with high-intensity management education programs, the Aalto Executive DBA program provides the opportunity for accelerated progress through three academic years. A maximum of six years of studies are allowed to complete the Aalto Executive DBA program.
Admission Requirements and Fee
Admission Requirements
- A recognized master’s degree in any discipline, awarded by a university or university of applied sciences; or a recognized MBA or Executive MBA; or a relevant study program abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for doctoral studies
- A minimum of eight years of relevant work experience at a senior level
- Masters-level English skills
The application process includes:
- Submission of the required application documents, including an initial idea of the research topic
- Personal interview
Tuition Fee
- The tuition fee is € 32,000 per year (+ VAT). The tuition fee is charged for each year of DBA studies.
- The fee for the first year is charged after the candidate has approved the letter of acceptance.
- Participation, travel, and accommodation costs related to attending seminars or international academic conferences are not included in the fee.
There is no deadline for the Aalto Executive DBA applications, rolling intake is applied.
Kindly contact the program team to apply for the Aalto Executive DBA program. You will get the application instructions and application form from the program team.
Application Process
- Contacting the Aalto Executive DBA program team for the application criteria check and an interview date
- Submitting the application form, CV, diploma, and transcripts to the program team
- Participating in an interview with the Academic Director of the DBA program and/or the Program Director and receiving guidelines for completing the application
- Finalizing the application by submitting the remaining documents (motivation and recommendation letters) to the program team
- The Board of Studies assessing the application and making the final decision regarding the approval
- Receiving a notification of possible acceptance